How Sealstrip adds easy-open and resealable features to the packaging line you already run — no new wrapper required.

When packagers look at a new convenience feature, the real question usually isn’t “does it work?” It’s “what will it do to my line?” New packaging equipment is expensive and disruptive. That’s the whole idea behind a retrofit applicator — and it’s how every Sealstrip system is built.

What is a retrofit applicator?

A retrofit applicator is a piece of equipment that mounts to your existing wrapper or bagger — rather than replacing it — to add a feature like an easy-open pull tab or a resealable strip during your normal wrapping process. Sealstrip designs and builds the applicator to fit your specific machine, applying pressure-sensitive tape in-line at the speed you already run, so the feature becomes part of the package with no separate production step. It changes the economics: instead of buying a whole new wrapper, you make a smaller, targeted addition to a line that’s already running.

Equipment Sealstrip retrofits to

• VFFS (vertical form-fill-seal) baggers — snacks, candy, pet food, shelf-stable products, etc
• Horizontal flow wrappers — bars, baked goods, individually wrapped items, etc
• L-sealers and continuous-motion shrink wrappers — for Peelwrap, Shrinktape, and OpenEasy easy-open systems
• Other formats — gusseted bags, trays, thermoformed packs, and shrink-wrapped packages

Sealstrip custom-designs the mounting brackets so the applicator fits in the film-unwind area of your exact machinery.

What changes on the line — and what doesn’t

What usually doesn’t change: your core bagger or wrapper, your film supply, your primary seal, and — in most cases — your line speed. Applicators are engineered to run at the pace your equipment already runs.

What does change: a tape supply station is added at the integration point, film handling may get a minor adjustment, and operators pick up a short bit of training on tape changes and upkeep. And if you ever need to run without the feature, the applicator is easy to bypass.

Running at your line speed

A feature that forces you to slow down works against the throughput you’re protecting. Because Sealstrip uses pressure-sensitive tape, application is fast and continuous — designed to keep pace with your existing line. It’s always worth asking any supplier what line-speed impact to expect for your specific product; Sealstrip builds its systems to run at speed.

Keeping uptime high

Beyond steady-state speed, packagers care about uptime — the production lost to changeovers and tape changes. Sealstrip designs for that with details like:

• Long-length tape rolls, so there are fewer changes and less downtime
• Smooth, brake-controlled unwinds and motorized film assist for consistent delivery
• Applicators that tolerate normal variation in film tension and speed without misapplying the feature

A quick checklist before you retrofit

1. Wrapper/Bagger make and model. Sealstrip builds brackets to fit your specific machine - confirm the fit for your wrapper type and configuration.

2. Line-speed expectation. Ask for an answer tied to your real production speed, Sealstrip aims to provide exactly what you need.

3. Material compliance. For food, medical, or OTC products, confirm FDA-compliant materials. Sealstrip’s are, and they’re made in the USA in a facility certified under the GFSI-recognized IFS PACsecure standard.

4. Changeover and maintenance. Ask how tape rolls change, how often maintenance is needed, and what operator training looks like.

5. Recyclability. If your base film is mono-material, Sealstrip’s VerdeSeal keeps the added feature in the same recyclable stream.

Frequently asked questions

Can easy-open and resealable features be added without replacing my packaging equipment?

Yes. Sealstrip’s retrofit applicators are designed to integrate with your existing machinery — VFFS baggers, flow wrappers, L-sealers, and continuous-motion wrappers — rather than requiring a full equipment replacement.

Will adding a retrofit applicator slow down my packaging line?

Sealstrip’s pressure-sensitive tape applicators are engineered to run at the same speed as your existing wrapper, since tape application is a fast, continuous process. It’s always worth confirming the expected impact for your specific product and speed.

What types of packaging equipment can be retrofitted with convenience-feature applicators?

Common integration points include VFFS baggers, horizontal flow wrappers, and L-sealers, plus continuous-motion wrappers and other configurations for gusseted bags, trays, thermoformed packs, and shrink-wrapped packages. Sealstrip custom-fits the applicator to your machine.

How long does it take to integrate a retrofit applicator into an existing line?

It varies by equipment and feature, but retrofit applicators are built to minimize integration time and disruption compared with installing a new wrapper. Sealstrip will confirm a timeline based on your specific equipment and schedule.

Do operators need special training to run a retrofit applicator?

Usually just a short training session on tape roll changes, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting — much less involved than learning an entirely new machine.

About Sealstrip

Sealstrip Corporation has spent decades engineering easy-open and resealable convenience features for flexible packaging — pairing pressure-sensitive tapes with retrofit applicators built to fit the line you already run. Sealstrip is a WBENC-certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), a member of the Flexible Packaging Association, and manufactures in the USA in a facility certified under the GFSI-recognized IFS PACsecure standard.

Wondering how a retrofit applicator would fit your specific machinery? Sealstrip will work with you on the integration — and can add a feature to a sample of your own packaging. Call 1-888-658-7997.