Pre-form bands are film bands that have not been manufactured in the shape of the container they will be applied to. They have a lip around the top to hold them in place on containers with no shoulder _i.e. straight walled or extremely tapered) before the container enters a heat tunnel for shrinking. Pre-forms are most often used in the dry food, dairy, candy, and cookie markets. The benefits of combo bands include:

• Ease if application. Pre0-form bands can be easily slipped over the top of container by hand before shrinking.
• Brilliant colors. Pre-form bands can be printed in a variety of vibrant, attention-grabbing colors to increase consumer appeal and set the product apart from the competition.
• Tamper-evidence. Tamper-resistance is inherent in the design of pre-form bands, since the label extends over the cap of the container. Tear tapes or perforations can be added for ease of removal.

Sizing

• For a lay flat dimension, multiply the larges diameter of the container by 1.6 mm.
• When sizing a pre-form band, make sure that the lip is long enough to catch the top of the container. The skirt must be long enough to hold securely to the base of the container.