Abstract: A method for sleeving a bale of materials comprises: positioning the bale to be sleeved between a pair of holding platens, the holding platens including a first platen including a holding face and a second platen spaced from the first platen and including a holding face directed toward and positioned in a substantially parallel plane to the first platen holding face, the bale in the platens having a leading end and a trailing end; placing a sleeve, having opposed first and second open ends, over the holding platens and the bale therebetween; positioning the sleeve such that its first open end is aligned with or spaced back from the bale leading end and the sleeve engages against the bale; and ejecting the bale from the platens such that it draws the sleeve with it. Compressed bale platens are also disclosed.