Choosing cellophane, shrink wrap, or other product choices to close your designs is a matter of what you believe looks most attractive to you and the person who'll receive your gift. It’s also dependent on other factors, such as:

Clients. Depending on the person or organization, one wrapping method may be considered as expensive while another is considered basic.
Location. Major metropolitan area residents and workers may know more about wrapping materials than rural areas, but that's not a bad thing.

People living in sparsely-populated regions will love your gift baskets no matter which wrap you choose.
Perception. Shrink wrap may be seen, by some, as a product used mainly in commercial settings such as supermarkets and specialty stores.

Others see cellophane as a cheap wrap used by hobbyists and other non-professionals.

This page and the following page, which details basket bags and shrink wrap, provide you with an overview of the closure materials chosen by designers worldwide.

CELLOPHANE

Many designers start and stay with cellophane because of its simplicity, easy access from a variety of sources, and reliability to keep the gift’s contents enclosed without a tight grip.

Some may disagree with cellophane being easy to use, as folding and closing the sides in a smooth manner is not always simple. But with practice, you can masterfully control cellophane and create a true work of art.

Cellophane, also known as cello, is manufactured in sizes from 20 inches to 40 inches in width.

Most are sold in 100-foot rolls, but some manufacturers specialize in 500-foot rolls. That length will last for quite a while unless your production schedule includes hundreds of baskets made weekly.

You’ll find cellophane in clear and printed formats (flowers, fruit, birds, rice, palm leaves, etc.).

There are also opaque and pastel colors, which are usually wrapped around store Easter baskets. It's rarely, if ever, chosen by professional designers and serious hobbyists.

Cellophane is sold by local floral wholesalers, at gift and gourmet trade shows, and online through international suppliers.

Gauge, which is a number that determines cellophane's thickness and durability (the higher the gauge, the more heavy duty the cello), is satisfactory when purchasing from these wholesale suppliers, but cello found at craft retail stores is usually thinner, which causes it to tear easily. This is why many designers only buy from wholesale or commercial sources.

Click here for Part 2 - Shrink Wrap and Basket Bags

Click here for reprint information.

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