One way to cut packaging cost is to switch from a carton to a tray. Automated wrapping using trays, whether with printed film or clear  film, uses less cartoning material. This makes tray wrapping both greener – less packaging material and less weight – and sustainable – less packaging cost and reduced transportation cost.

While flow-wrapping can accomplish the same goal of wrapping a tray, overwrapping hugs the tray better and keeps the package wrap clean and neat, thus achieving a more attractive wrap with up to 14% less film used and usually a smaller case pack.

Here is a video of an overwrapping machine wrapping a tray. tray wrapping

One thing to keep in mind is that trays are not as structurally sound as boxes made from the same material. Fro that reason, films needs to meet the tray from above where all the edges of the tray get equal pressure from the film. Pushing a tray sideways through film can distort the tray and leave it looking deformed.

Tray wrapping offers the opportunity to showcase the product within clear film or to conceal that a tray is being used( rather than a carton) with printed film.

It is also possible to bundle wrap with trays. The same principles as single tray wrapping apply.