Overwrapping Machine Suppliers & Manufacturers

Overwrapping principle and applications

An overwrapping machine (or folding overwrapper) takes a flat film from a roll, cuts a piece of film, and folds it precisely around a rigid or semi-rigid product using a series of folding bars and tucking fingers — similar to how a gift is wrapped by hand, but automated. The folded film ends are heat-sealed (not shrunk) to form a tight, neat wrap. The result is a film-wrapped pack with crisp, fold corners — the characteristic look of a chocolate box, playing card set, CD case, or cosmetics box wrapped in transparent film. Overwrapping differs from shrink wrapping in that: no heat tunnel is used and the film is not shrunk; the film is folded and end-sealed, not tubed and shrunk; the corners are neatly folded rather than gathered; the pack dimensions are well-defined and the wrap is taut without distortion. Overwrapping is the standard for: retail cartons with premium presentation requirements (chocolate boxes, confectionery gift boxes, playing cards); printed board game boxes, card decks, and book gift sets; cosmetics and perfumery secondary cartons (for tamper evidence and dust protection); software and multimedia (DVDs, Blu-ray cases, game boxes); tobacco products (cigarette cartons); stationery and office supplies. Films used in overwrapping: OPP (oriented polypropylene) — the most common overwrapping film; high clarity, good tear resistance, heat-sealable; cellulose (regenerated cellulose film, e.g. NatureFlex) — classic premium overwrapping film with excellent clarity and natural 'crinkle'; biodegradable and compostable; more expensive than OPP; compostable PLA films — for sustainability-positioned products; anti-fog and UV-resistant OPP grades available for specific applications.

Machine types, speed, and sourcing

Overwrapping machines are available in a range of sizes and speeds to match the product and output requirements. Intermittent motion overwrappers: suitable for carton dimensions that vary or for multi-format small operations; output typically 20–100 packs per minute; widely used for confectionery, cosmetics, and playing cards. Continuous motion overwrappers: for higher-speed production of a single or limited format range; output 100–400+ packs per minute; used in tobacco, CD/DVD, and confectionery production. Tear-tape application: many overwrappers include an integrated tear-tape applicator that places a tear strip (usually a polypropylene or polyester tape) on the film before wrapping — the tape allows the consumer to open the pack by pulling the tear strip. Tear-tape is standard for cigarette cartons, software boxes, and premium confectionery. Double-wrap and outer-wrap: some confectionery applications use a double-wrap (inner wax paper or foil wrap plus outer OPP overwrap) on the same machine or in sequence. Key suppliers: Sollas (Netherlands), Ilapak, Focke & Co. (Germany), IWK (Germany), CAM (Italy), and Chinese manufacturers for standard carton overwrapping. Overwrapping machines are a well-established and relatively standardised category; for standard carton formats (50–200mm × 50–200mm × 10–100mm) there are many machine options from European and Asian suppliers. When sourcing, specify: product dimensions (length, width, height) and the range of formats required, film type, required output speed, tear-tape requirement, upstream integration, and whether the machine must handle hot-fill cartons (some confectionery cartons are warm at entry).

Frequently asked questions