Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What are the cheapest ways to apply shrink tamper seals to 70cl bottles without buying expensive sealing equipment?
For low-volume operations (100–200 bottles per week), members skip dedicated sealers and use heat guns instead. **Heat gun approach** — A basic heat gun from Screwfix (around £20) works well for manual sealing. Lay the gun flat on a surface, twist the bottle to apply the shrink seal evenly. Requires gloves and practice to get consistent results, but members confirm it's "perfectly acceptable" for low volumes. Heat settings don't need to be as high as you might expect. **Paint stripping gun alternative** — One member reported success using a paint stripping gun from Aldi, laid flat while twisting the bottle. Similar principle to the heat gun but potentially cheaper depending on what's available locally. **Things to note** — A hair dryer won't produce uniform results (too weak/uneven). The heat gun method trades speed for capital cost, so it's viable only if you're doing small batches. Requires protective gloves and a learning curve to avoid over-heating the plastic or cork.
Where can small-volume shrink wrap services be sourced for miniature glass bottles?
For low-volume shrink wrap services on miniature glass bottles, members recommend contacting suppliers directly who specialise in shrink caps and closures. **Bethan's contact** is mentioned as producing shrink caps and willing to advise on this specific need—reach out directly through the Kindred network. Before committing to shrink wrap, consider the technical implications: members suggest reviewing whether to move to shrink wrap or explore alternative closure options altogether, as this affects production setup and equipment requirements. It's worth requesting technical guidance from packaging experts to understand the production and equipment implications of each option before deciding.