The present invention relates to a method for producing a packed bale of highly compacted filter tow material. A compressed filter tow bale is first provided in cuboid shape in a baler. Then the compressed filter tow bale is packaged, having an air-tight packaging sleeve fully enclosing the compressed filter tow bale. According to the invention, the packaging sleeve is applied to the compressed filter tow bales such that at least 80%, preferably at least 90% and more preferably at least 95%, of the packaging sleeve is directly adjacent to the highly compacted filter tow material and touches, or is at least spaced less than 15 mm from, the highly compacted filter tow material.