A method of packaging a tampon comprising the steps of: a. providing a packaging film on a mandrel in the form of a hollow tube, wherein: i. the packaging film material comprises at least one thermoplastic surface; ii. the mandrel has a first end extending from a revolving platform and a second end, distal the first end, and a length extending from the first end to the second end, and is capable of rotating with respect to the revolving platform, iii. the hollow tube has an overlapping longitudinal seam area having two plies of the packaging film and has a first end corresponding to the first end of the mandrel and a second end distal thereof, the second end extending beyond the second end of the mandrel to define a protruding tube portion, and a length extending from the first end to the second end; wherein the protruding tube portion has a length approximately equal to the radius of the hollow tube; b. forming a folded surface by rotating the hollow tube and mandrel while counter-rotating a plate having a plurality of folding blades extending outwardly therefrom, distal an axis of rotation thereof to form a plurality of folds that define the folded surface, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow tube, each folding blade engaging a portion of the protruding tube portion; c. applying heat and pressure to the folded surface to form a closed end; d. inserting the tampon into the tube; and e. closing the first end of the tube. a. providing a packaging film on a mandrel in the form of a hollow tube, wherein: i. the packaging film material comprises at least one thermoplastic surface; ii. the mandrel has a first end extending from a revolving platform and a second end, distal the first end, and a length extending from the first end to the second end, and is capable of rotating with respect to the revolving platform, iii. the hollow tube has an overlapping longitudinal seam area having two plies of the packaging film and has a first end corresponding to the first end of the mandrel and a second end distal thereof, the second end extending beyond the second end of the mandrel to define a protruding tube portion, and a length extending from the first end to the second end; wherein the protruding tube portion has a length approximately equal to the radius of the hollow tube; i. the packaging film material comprises at least one thermoplastic surface; ii. the mandrel has a first end extending from a revolving platform and a second end, distal the first end, and a length extending from the first end to the second end, and is capable of rotating with respect to the revolving platform, iii. the hollow tube has an overlapping longitudinal seam area having two plies of the packaging film and has a first end corresponding to the first end of the mandrel and a second end distal thereof, the second end extending beyond the second end of the mandrel to define a protruding tube portion, and a length extending from the first end to the second end; wherein the protruding tube portion has a length approximately equal to the radius of the hollow tube; b. forming a folded surface by rotating the hollow tube and mandrel while counter-rotating a plate having a plurality of folding blades extending outwardly therefrom, distal an axis of rotation thereof to form a plurality of folds that define the folded surface, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow tube, each folding blade engaging a portion of the protruding tube portion; c. applying heat and pressure to the folded surface to form a closed end; d. inserting the tampon into the tube; and e. closing the first end of the tube.