Skin packaging machinery is used to package small parts and manufactured products using heat and vacuum to form film tightly over the product and bond it to a skin board which has been coated with an adhesive. The operator unwinds plastic from a roll, which is then held in place by a clamping frame over a sheet of adhesive-coated paper, known as skin board, with the product placed on the paper. The sheet of skin packaging plastic film is heated until it becomes pliable. The clamping frame is lowered to the paper and the flexible plastic is drawn down by vacuum onto the paper and product. Wherever the hot plastic touches the paper, it activates the adhesive and bonds the two together.
While the basic processes are the same for every machine, the mechanisms that produce them can vary significantly. There are machines available for every budget and production requirement. Here are a few style options:

A word about pricing skin pack machines

We believe in giving as much information as possible, so we’re providing rough estimates about pricing for you to ballpark your costs.  There are other factors such as machine size, freight, options etc that can change the costs, so please use these prices as a ballpark tool, not an actual quote.

Skin Packaging Machine Sizes –

While custom sizes are available for just about any Product, skin packaging machines for the most part come in standard sizes.  These sizes correspond with commonly available sizes of boards and film.

Skin Packaging Machine Sizes

• 12″ × 18″ (manual only)
  18″ × 24″
  24″ × 30″
  24″ × 36″
  30″ × 36″
  36″ × 48″
  40″ × 48″

Fixed Oven Skin Packaging – Manual Frame Operation
A fixed oven manual skin packaging machine is a good economical solution for low-volume packaging. The oven heats only during the cycle, and the operator manually moves the film frame over the product using a pull-down handle. They can run the same volume as other fixed oven machine, but with more operator effort. These tabletop machines typically run 12” × 18” or 18” × 24” boards and are commonly loaded from the rear, with finished packages removed from the front.
Typical starting price: ~$6,500
👉 Learn more about manual skin packaging machines

Fixed Oven Skin Packaging – Semi Auto Operation
Fixed oven semi-automatic machines are far and away the most popular style of skin packaging machinery. The oven is fixed above the platen, and once heating is complete, an air cylinder automatically lowers the film over the product and board. After packaging, the frame returns to its starting position at the push of a button, improving consistency and operator efficiency.  Available in sizes 18 X 24 and larger
Typical starting price: ~$7,500
👉 Explore semi-automatic skin packaging machines

Moving Oven Skin Packaging – Semi Auto Operation
Moving oven skin packaging machines operate similarly to fixed oven systems, but the oven travels during the cycle and remains continuously heated. This shortens cycle times and improves throughput, visibility and loading access for the operator. Tradeoffs include higher electric use, increased heat output, and a 2X larger machine footprint compared to fixed oven models.
Typical starting price: ~$9,000
👉 View moving oven skin packaging machines 

Fully Automatic Inline Skin Packaging Machines   
Fully automatic inline skin packaging machines are designed for high-volume production environments with dedicated items. These systems can automatically transport product and board through the packaging cycle and can be integrated with inline die cutting for maximum throughput. While highly efficient, they require experienced setup and operation to maintain optimal performance as well as dedicated tooling for all items
Typical starting price: ~$200,000+
👉 Learn about automatic skin packaging systems