Choosing the Right Stretch Film for Your Packaging Needs

Selecting the appropriate packaging materials directly impacts your operational efficiency and bottom line. As a distributor with over 40 years of experience, we’ve seen firsthand how stretch film stands out as an essential component for securing and protecting products.

The guide will help you choose the right stretch film solutions for your needs.

Understanding Stretch Film Fundamentals

Stretch film (also called stretch wrap or pallet wrap) is a versatile packaging material that reliably secures and bundles your products. It is an elastic plastic film that creates a tight seal around items, providing the stability and protection you need from external elements such as dust, moisture, and handling damage. When applied correctly, it’s like giving your products a protective shield for their journey.

Cast vs. Blown: Stretch Film Types

When evaluating stretch film solutions, you’ll encounter two main manufacturing processes that create distinctly different products:

Cast Stretch Film

Produced through a continuous casting process
Features exceptional clarity and a smooth, quiet unwinding
Offers consistent thickness throughout
Ideal for uniform loads requiring efficient application
Generally more cost-effective for standard applications

Real-world application: A furniture distributor shipping uniform boxes of assembled chairs found that cast stretch film provided the perfect balance of load stability and cost efficiency, while the clarity allowed for easy product identification through the wrap.

Blown Stretch Film

Manufactured using a blown extrusion process
Provides superior puncture resistance and toughness
Delivers excellent resilience for challenging applications
Preferred for irregularly shaped or heavier loads
Offers superior load retention when durability is paramount

Real-world application: A building materials supplier shipping pallets with mixed products of varying shapes found that blown stretch film prevented tears and punctures even when corners and edges threatened to break through lesser films.

Matching Stretch Film Types to Your Specific Needs

Different packaging scenarios call for specific stretch film solutions:

Hand Stretch Film is perfect for smaller operations or occasional wrapping needs. Available in various thicknesses, this film type accommodates different load sizes while offering manual control over application tension. Example: A small electronics refurbisher who ships 5-10 pallets daily found hand stretch film with ergonomic handles allowed their team to secure loads effectively without investing in automated equipment.

Machine Stretch Film powers high-volume packaging operations. Engineered for compatibility with automated wrapping equipment, this option dramatically improves consistency and efficiency in busy distribution environments. Example: A food distribution center processing 200+ pallets daily switched to machine-grade stretch film with their semi-automatic wrapper, reducing film usage while improving load stability.

Bundling Stretch Film offers a cost-effective way to secure multiple items together without the additional time required for strapping or taping. Example: A sportswear distributor bundles multiple boxes of the same SKU together using narrow-width bundling film, reducing the handling of units and speeding up their picking process.

Specialized Stretch Films address unique requirements, such as UVI stretch film that protects against ultraviolet damage during outdoor storage. Example: A garden supply company shipping seasonal products that might sit in outdoor distribution centers for weeks uses UVI-resistant stretch film to ensure their products remain protected regardless of sun exposure.

Key Benefits of Quality Stretch Film

Implementing the right stretch film strategy delivers multiple advantages:

Enhanced Load Stability during transportation, minimizing shifting and potential damage—just like a seatbelt for your products
Comprehensive Product Protection from environmental factors, ensuring what leaves your facility arrives exactly as intended
Improved Cost Efficiency through reduced product damage and optimized material usage, helping your bottom line
Increased Labor Productivity with streamlined packaging processes that get more products out the door faster