The simple difference
An L sealer normally creates a sealed bag around an individual product using centre-fold film. A sleeve sealer wraps film around a product or grouped pack as a sleeve and normally passes the pack through a shrink tunnel.
For multipacks, trays, bottles, cans and grouped cartons, a sleeve sealer is often the more relevant route. For many individual retail products, an L sealer may be more suitable.
Comparison
| Requirement | L sealer | Sleeve sealer |
|---|---|---|
| Typical product | Individual retail items | Multipacks, trays, long products and grouped packs |
| Film format | Often centre-fold film | Film sleeve around the product or pack |
| Shrink tunnel | Often paired with a tunnel or chamber | Normally paired with a shrink tunnel |
| Best starting question | Do you need a sealed bag around one product? | Do you need to hold a group or tray together? |
How to choose
- Choose around pack format first.
- Check film type and pack presentation requirements.
- Confirm output target and operator involvement.
- Consider line space and tunnel requirements.