The following review, written by Beth Byrne, was published in the July 2007 issue of The Saponifier, The Online Magazine For The Soap, Toiletry and Candle Making Community.It is reprinted here with full permission of the publisher, www.saponifier.com

     I hadn't been selling soaps for very long before I noticed the effects of travel, shows, and shelf-sitting.

     The bars that I had so painstakingly and lovingly crafted and wrapped were becoming shopworn.  The labels got dirty and the paper stretched, causing the labels to go off-center or even fall off.  My displays looked sloppy and were less appealing to my customers; so, I often ended up reprinting labels and rewrapping my soaps. This was not a good thing.  I soon realized that each time I rewrapped a soap, I was losing money and production time, and in order to make any money in a handcrafted business, being as lean and efficient as possible is essential.  In addition, I saw my soaps being handled and sniffed by many different people, and it rubbed off on surfaces, including mine and my customers' hands.  I knew that I needed to find a solution, because rewrapping and relabeling would drive me insane. 
     Of course, this is a gross exaggeration, but it really did bother me.

     Many soapers uses boxes or wrap their soaps with paper or fabric; and while they are both good solutions, it was important to me that my soaps could be clearly seen, so these options just didn't suit my goals and preferences.  Shrinkwrapping, thus, became my option.

     Next came the task of deciding which shrinkwrapping method worked for me.  At the time, most shrinkwrappers used bags, so that's what I bought.  Being the thrifty person I am, I used a food sealing machine that I already owned so I wouldn't spend money on an impulse gun before deciding whether or not I liked shrinkwrapping.  Heaven forbid I should spend money when I wasn't absolutely certain that it would be a huge help in my packaging odyssey!  Through trial and error, I learned a few tricks in making this produce a nicely wrapped bar of soap, but the downside was that it took quite a bit of time, and the soap couldn't be sniffed because the gauge of the shrinkwrap didn't allow the scent to come through, which is a real detriment in soap selling.  In fact, I lost some sales because customers couldn't smell the soaps.

     It wasn't easy, due to the thriftiness I mentioned earlier, but I left my bags, even though I had many left, for something I hoped would be better.  I had a roll of shrinkwrap that I had previously bought for gift baskets, so I cut strips of wrap, sealed two ends with the food sealer, and shrunk the soap, leaving the ends open for sniffing.  Again, this did work, with the improvement of letting the customer sniff the soap.  My problems with cp soap and sniffing were solved, but this did not help with my melt and pour soaps, which needed to be tightly wrapped, particularly in the humidity of a New York summer.  I longed for a better way.

     Finally, I got together with Art at National Shrinkwrap, who wanted to shrinkwrap some of my soaps for a video to use on his website and which would accompany his shrinkwrap systems as people bought them.   Once I saw the beautifully wrapped soaps that he returned to me, I was more than intrigued; indeed, I was all but convinced!  He could wrap cold process type soaps in a shrinkwrap that allowed me, and of course, customers, to sniff the scent of the soap.  Having lost sales of m&p soaps because the customers couldn't smell the soap, I knew how vital this feature was.  Still, being a frugal business owner, I didn't part easily with my money.

     When it was ready, Art sent me the DVD demonstrating the methods of using the shrinkwrap system for many items, including soap and gift baskets.  It looked so easy and so fast, that I knew this system could help me speed up my wrapping-if I could do it quickly and well.  And, as the saying goes, time is money.  I also questioned other soapers and found that the system was well-liked.  Many of the comments I read were like this, from Laurey Rowley, of Little Bit Farm, "I bought my Shrinkwrap system at the Texas Soapmakers convention. . . and I'm so glad I did.  It took very little practice time to get professional results.  I have used it for gift baskets, boxes, and cans and have had no problem getting a good fit."  This is high praise, indeed, for an experienced customer.

     I finally decided to give it a try.  Art offers a 30-day guarantee.  If I didn't like it, I could return it.  So, I took the plunge and ordered the 18" system, because this size would allow me to wrap gift baskets as well as individual soaps.  With a generous offer like this, how could I say no?  I should add that I called and spoke with Art himself, and through our discussion, he helped me to decide which system would best suit my needs.  Others have spoken of this company's quality customer service.  "Art and his team provide great customer service.  I've been really impressed with his generosity and genuine interest in his customers.  He's also really done his homework to understand the special needs of our industry.  He really listens to his customer base and incorporates their feedback making him an ideal supplier in my book," raves Rachel Lane of Barcelona Bath and Body.

     With lightening fast shipping, my system arrived.  I took everything out and looked it over, and then watched the DVD and read the manual as Art advised me to do.  The system included a pad and a heatproof silicone pad to go over top, the shrinkwrap roller for easy rolling of the shrinkwrap, a large roll of polyolefin wrap (because I chose it), an 18" impulse sealer, a heat gun, and samples of the other wraps he carries, as well as gift basket glue dots.  Everything I needed to safely shrink my soaps was included.

     It is obvious that Art has done this for awhile, because his advice was right-on in using the sealer and shrink gun correctly, as well as in knowing which products to order.  He often speaks with his customers, helping them to decide which system would serve their needs best.

     Finally, I set things up so I could call Art and have him walk me through the procedure.  He did, and by the time I hung up the phone, I was shrinkwrapping!  I even got to the point of shrinkwrapping multiple bars of soap that night.  I was thoroughly delighted and impressed.  It was actually a fun thing, and my whole family wanted to try it out.

     Part of my concern was in keeping the cigar band wrappers clean, so I shrinkwrapped over the labels, rather than shrinkwrapping the soap and then labeling.  So far, I am happy with how they look and hold up.  I haven't had experience with it through summer shows and humidity, but am hopeful that this will be a good method for me because that alone will save hours of time reprinting and rewrapping smudged soap labels.

     Recently, I timed myself to see how fast I was able to complete the process, from getting the system out, sealing the shrinkwrap, shrinking the wrap, and repacking the soaps.  I  wrapped seventy-one soaps in an hour.  As I gain more experience, I'm sure I'll speed up, but I know this is much faster than anything I have done before.

     What do I think about his machine?  I think I made a wise choice.  For the price it cost, it has given me a much neater product that will remain nicer for a longer period of time.  By saving me time, I have saved money, and the longer I use it the truer that is.  Janis Rogers, of Jan's Bath Scents agrees, "I have owned mine for over two years and have used it to wrap many hundreds of bars of soaps and lots of gift baskets.  The machine has given me the best of service.  I have only had to change my wire once in 2 yrs. The machine is quality and the company responds to inquiries promptly.  I would recommend this easy to use system to anyone big or small looking for a great machine and great service."

     As if that all wasn't enough, the machine is  just fun to use!  In fact, one of the best time-saving tips might be that husbands have been known to enjoy using the system so much, that they have taken over the wrapping duties, giving their wives even more soaping time.

     I know soapmakers enjoy many methods of packaging their soaps, but this one is the one I prefer, and since having my machine, I like it even better!  You might even say that it saved my sanity.

     If you've been considering purchasing a shrinkwrapping system, I heartily recommend giving Art at National Shrinkwrap a call.  Given the feedback that I've been given, he is sure to offer you all the help you need to select the system that works best for your particular needs.

    Beth has been making soap and cosmetics for several years now and enjoys testing out products and methods that will benefit others in their endeavors.  If you know of, or are wondering about a product or service in particular, please contact her at beth@saponifier.com.  She may review it!

Beth Byrne