Wrinkles or tilted sleeves are symptoms to investigate, not a reason to change all machine settings at once. Compare the defective pack with the approved sample and look for changes in bottle geometry, sleeve material, positioning or the shrinking stage. Keep the applicator and heat process in the same investigation.
What should be checked before changing a recipe?
Confirm the container code, sleeve specification and print version. Record whether the sleeve sits correctly before it enters the shrinking stage. A placement error that exists before heating may need a different response from a sleeve that shifts only during shrinking.
Review the approved setup for the sleeve shrink wrapping machine. Check whether the defect affects every container or appears intermittently. Differences between startup and steady operation can help the supplier identify which part of the sequence needs closer inspection.
How do you describe the defect clearly?
Photograph the front, back, seam, shoulder and base of cooled samples. Mark the direction of travel and note whether the wrinkle repeats at the same position. Include the bottle's filled weight and the time the defect occurred. Avoid assuming the label or machine is responsible before comparing the evidence.
Use only supplier-approved operating adjustments. Access to cutting, moving or heated components requires the prescribed shutdown and maintenance procedure. Production pressure is not a reason to remove guards or hand-correct a sleeve inside operating equipment.
What belongs in the format-change record?
- Bottle and sleeve identifiers with reference photographs.
- Approved settings and required change parts.
- First-pack inspection steps and rejection examples.
- Changeover time and the number of trial packs used.
When is a new trial needed?
A new container shape, material or sleeve specification should be reviewed with after-sales support and the label supplier. Use the compatibility guide to prepare the information. Keep the accepted recipe tied to the specific bottle and sleeve combination rather than treating it as a universal setting.