How do you calculate shrink wrap cost?

Multiply packs by film cost per pack and by the share of the run on that film to get variable film cost, then add the fixed film and setup cost. With 100 packs at $45/pack, 80% share and $250 fixed, variable is $3,600 and total is $3,850.

What is shrink wrap cost per pack?

It is total cost divided by packs wrapped. In the worked example that is $3,850 over 100 packs, or $38.50 per pack, which folds the fixed setup into every unit.

Why include a share of the run for this film?

Many runs split across two film grades or sizes. The share factor (80% here) lets you cost only the portion that actually consumes this film instead of charging the whole order.

What is a good shrink wrap cost per pack?

There is no universal target; it depends on film gauge and pack size. The useful move is to drive down fixed setup per pack by running larger batches so the $250 setup spreads thinner than the $2.50 per pack it adds at 100 units.

How do I lower shrink wrap cost?

Switch to a thinner gauge or pre-perforated film, reduce setup changeovers, and increase batch size so the fixed cost is amortized over more packs. Cutting film cost per pack from $45 to $40 alone drops total cost by $400 at 80% share.

Does this include the shrink tunnel energy cost?

No. This model covers film and setup only. Tunnel gas or electric heat, conveyor power, and labor are separate; estimate them with an energy or labor calculator and add them to this total.

Packaging Automation & End-of-Line Systems calculator

Shrink Wrapper Cost Calculator

Shrink wrap cost is the combined film and setup spend to bundle a given number of packs on an L-bar sealer or continuous tunnel wrapper. Packaging engineers and end-of-line cost estimators use it to quote multipacks, compare film grades, and decide when a job justifies a dedicated film changeover. Because film is the dominant consumable on most shrink lines, a few cents per pack swings the whole job. This calculator splits the spend into a per-pack variable piece and a fixed setup piece so you can see exactly where the money goes.

What this calculator does

Estimate the total film and operating cost to shrink wrap a production run from packs wrapped, film cost per pack, applicable share, and fixed setup cost.
Use it when you need a defensible film and run cost for shrink wrapping before a quote or a film supplier comparison.
It computes total shrink wrap cost and cost per pack from film cost per pack, the share of the run on that film, and a fixed film-plus-setup charge.

Formula used

Variable film cost = packs shrink wrapped × film cost per pack × share of run using this film
Total shrink wrap cost = variable film cost + fixed film and setup cost

Inputs explained

Packs shrink wrapped:
Film cost per pack:
Share of run using this film:
Fixed film and setup cost:

How to use the result

Use it when quoting a multipack run, validating a film changeover, or comparing centerfold versus pre-perforated film options.
It assumes one film grade and one fixed charge per run; mixed film widths, scrap from misfeeds, and tunnel energy cost are not modeled and should be added separately.

Current U.S. benchmarks

The producer price index for plastic resins and materials stands at 319.371 (BLS, May 2026), up 19.5% from a year earlier. Quotes priced off last quarter's material cost miss this move.
The producer price index for paperboard and containers stands at 276.831 (BLS, May 2026), up 8.8% from a year earlier. Quotes priced off last quarter's material cost miss this move.

Common questions

How do you calculate shrink wrap cost? Multiply packs by film cost per pack and by the share of the run on that film to get variable film cost, then add the fixed film and setup cost. With 100 packs at $45/pack, 80% share and $250 fixed, variable is $3,600 and total is $3,850.
What is shrink wrap cost per pack? It is total cost divided by packs wrapped. In the worked example that is $3,850 over 100 packs, or $38.50 per pack, which folds the fixed setup into every unit.
Why include a share of the run for this film? Many runs split across two film grades or sizes. The share factor (80% here) lets you cost only the portion that actually consumes this film instead of charging the whole order.
What is a good shrink wrap cost per pack? There is no universal target; it depends on film gauge and pack size. The useful move is to drive down fixed setup per pack by running larger batches so the $250 setup spreads thinner than the $2.50 per pack it adds at 100 units.
How do I lower shrink wrap cost? Switch to a thinner gauge or pre-perforated film, reduce setup changeovers, and increase batch size so the fixed cost is amortized over more packs. Cutting film cost per pack from $45 to $40 alone drops total cost by $400 at 80% share.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.