A shrink wrap sealer seals film around a product so it can be shrunk tight, the first step in shrink wrapping anything from a single book to a case of product. Mid-State Litho carries the three sealer types a shop chooses between: L-bar sealers, I-bar (impulse) sealers, and all-in-one chamber and L-sealer-plus-tunnel combos. We sell and service them as an authorized dealer for Heat Seal, Preferred Packaging, and Ampak.
An L-bar sealer uses an L-shaped seal arm that trims and seals two sides in one stroke, which makes it faster and more consistent for steady retail and industrial work. An I-bar sealer uses a single straight bar, an entry-level approach that suits short runs and odd sizes. An all-in-one chamber or combo unit (the PP-1519 EC, PP-48ST, and Ampak HDX families) puts sealing and shrinking in one footprint when you want a complete shrink wrap machine rather than separate stages. Across the line you will find a shrink wrap sealer, an l-bar sealer, an i-bar sealer, and full all-in-one shrink wrap systems for the same store.
From manual benchtop sealers to semi-automatic units with integrated tunnels, the right machine comes down to how much you wrap, how big the product is, and whether you want sealing and shrinking combined. Mid-State Litho is family-owned and Michigan-based, with factory-trained service and parts since 1984.
Heat Seal L-Bar and Impulse Sealers
The Heat Seal line MSL stocks spans L-bar and impulse sealers: HS1620, T2016, HSE 30, HSE 50, and HSE 100 L-bar sealers; the HDX1721 L-sealer with tunnel; HDX250A and HDX350; and the MWH-200, MWH-300, and MWH-400 impulse (I-bar) sealers. Pick by seal size and run length. Mid-State Litho is an authorized Heat Seal dealer with in-house service. The full range is on our Heat Seal packaging equipment page.
Preferred Packaging Sealers
Preferred Packaging covers manual and semi-automatic L-bar sealers and combos: the PP48ST and PP76ST all-in-one L-sealers with chamber; the PP1519 family (EC, ECMC 110V and 200V, LMC); the PP1622MK and PP1622MK Combo; the PP2028MK; the PP1812 series (28, 44, and 72); the PP2212-48; the PP3040W; the PP3612-60; and the PP5600 CS Combo. Frame the choice by manual versus semi-automatic and by seal-bar length. Most Preferred Packaging models are quoted to your configuration, so request a quote for current pricing and lead time.
Ampak All-in-One Sealers
Ampak builds all-in-one L-sealer and shrink-tunnel combos: the HDX2000, HDX2030, HDX3000, HDX3040, and HDX4000. These combine sealing and shrinking in one machine and are quoted to your configuration.
How to Choose a Shrink Wrap Sealer
Four axes size the machine to the work:
- Seal type. I-bar / impulse for short runs and odd sizes, L-bar for speed and consistency, all-in-one chamber or combo when you want sealing and shrinking in one footprint.
- Product size. Match the product dimensions to the seal-bar size (for example 16x20 or 19x24).
- Throughput. Manual benchtop versus semi-automatic, based on how much you wrap per shift.
- Film. Polyolefin versus PVC, which affects sealing temperature and the look of the finished wrap.
Why Buy from Mid-State Litho
Mid-State Litho is an authorized dealer for Heat Seal, Preferred Packaging, and Ampak, family-owned and serving Michigan and the Great Lakes since 1984. Factory-trained technicians install and service what we sell, we stock parts and consumables (film, blades, and elements), and equipment financing is available. This page sits inside our broader shrink wrapping equipment range, next to shrink tunnels, banding machines, and the wider packaging equipment and pressure sealers we carry. For a recommendation, see service and support or contact us.
Shrink Wrap Sealer FAQ
What is the difference between an L-bar sealer and an I-bar sealer?
An L-bar sealer seals and trims two sides in one stroke with an L-shaped arm, which is faster and more consistent. An I-bar sealer uses a single straight bar and suits short runs and odd sizes.
Do I need a separate shrink tunnel, or can one machine seal and shrink?
Both are options. An all-in-one chamber or L-sealer-plus-tunnel combo seals and shrinks in one footprint; otherwise a sealer pairs with a separate shrink tunnel.
What film works with these sealers?
Polyolefin and PVC are the common shrink films. Polyolefin is widely used for food and general retail; PVC is common for non-food goods. The film affects sealing temperature.
What seal-bar size do I need?
Match the seal-bar dimensions to your largest product. Common bar sizes run from roughly 16x20 up through larger industrial bars.
Does Mid-State Litho install and service shrink wrap sealers?
Yes. We are an authorized dealer for Heat Seal, Preferred Packaging, and Ampak, with factory-trained Michigan service and parts in stock.