The apparatus and method for packaging coiled materials uses vacuum to draw the free end of a packaging sleeve through the open coil core, which may have a single line. A trolley lifts the coil to align its open core with a hollow mandrel, and passes the coil over the mandrel. The trolley is lowered to expose the coil circumference for packaging. Suction is applied through the mandrel to draw the free end of the sleeve through the coil core. Another apparatus includes two parallel input lines and a mandrel workstation translating therebetween and pivoting to transfer coils to an orthogonal output line. Another apparatus includes a stationary suction source having a flexible suction hose and suction canister extending therefrom. The canister is applied to the coil core to draw the free end of the sleeve therethrough.