Stretch Film for Pallet Wrapping: Selection Guide and Applications

Stretch film extends up to 300%, clings naturally without adhesive, and blocks water completely - protecting the shape, appearance, and quality of goods from warehouse to delivery. This guide explains how to choose the right film, compare hand wrap versus machine wrap, and avoid the most common wrapping mistakes.

1. What is stretch film? Definition and construction

Stretch film (also called pallet wrap or PE stretch film) is a plastic film made from Polyethylene (PE) that stretches naturally, self-clings, and resists water. Designed to be wrapped around products or pallets, stretch film creates a strong protective layer that holds goods in position and shields them from dust, moisture, and mechanical impact during storage and transit.

The construction is straightforward but effective: a thin, transparent, and flexible plastic film whose cling is created by natural surface treatment or electrostatic technology. Not all PE film has self-cling properties; some grades require higher tension to achieve optimal hold.

2. Stretch film versus shrink film: key differences

These are two distinct PE film types, each with its own application. Stretch film is wrapped around goods by hand or machine without heat - the natural elasticity of the film holds the product tight. It works best on pallets, warehouse stock, and products with a regular shape.

Shrink film, by contrast, requires heat to contract tightly around a product. It suits individual retail packs, multipacks, or items with irregular shapes. Shrink film gives a tighter retail finish but requires additional heat equipment. This article focuses on stretch film, the most widely used wrapping solution.

3. Key technical specifications of stretch film

When selecting stretch film, pay attention to four main specifications: thickness (micron), roll width, roll weight, and elongation. These parameters directly affect protection performance and cost per pallet.

4. Practical applications: when to use stretch film

Stretch film is used across many industries. Pallet wrapping is the most common application - it secures an entire stacked load on the pallet and prevents shifting during transport. Textiles, seafood (fish, shrimp), and export timber also rely heavily on stretch film to protect goods from dust and moisture.

Long-term warehouse storage is another key use: stretch film blocks water ingress, dust, and slows oxidation of the product. Electronics, pharmaceutical, and food manufacturers use it to limit air and humidity exposure. Modern pallet wrapping machines support automatic wrapping, increasing packaging speed and reducing labour.

5. Choosing stretch film: hand wrap or machine wrap?

The choice between hand wrap and machine wrap depends on production volume, budget, and quality requirements. Hand wrap suits small businesses, low volumes, or short-term needs. Machine wrap is more efficient for high volumes - it cuts labour cost and delivers consistent wrap quality.

Hand wrap film typically has higher cling so operators can wrap without excessive tension. Common thickness: 15-20 micron. Lower cost and easy to use, but wrap quality depends on the operator’s technique. Typical wraps per pallet: 4-6 for medium-weight loads.

Machine wrap film typically has medium to low cling because the machine applies consistent tension. Thickness: 17-25 micron, and can be thinner because machine tension is uniform. Equipment cost is higher, but output is large, quality is consistent, and material use drops. An automatic wrapping machine can wrap 15-30 pallets per hour.

To choose correctly, define: (1) monthly pallet volume, (2) pallet and product dimensions, (3) load type (light, medium, heavy), and (4) capital budget. Below 100 pallets per month: hand wrap is sufficient. Above 300 pallets per month: machine wrap delivers a better return.

6. Common wrapping errors and how to fix them

Too few wraps is the most frequent mistake. Many businesses wrap only 2-3 times to save film, but heavy goods need 5-7 wraps and medium goods need 4-6 wraps. Under-wrapped loads shift or fall during transport, causing product damage and delivery claims. Fix: calculate wraps based on load weight and pallet size - do not cut corners on wraps.

Film too thin (under 12 micron) is a major error. It is certainly cheaper, but thin film tears and punctures easily and fails to protect goods over long distances. Water and dust penetrate, and goods arrive out of specification. Fix: use a minimum of 15 micron for standard goods, 20 micron for long-distance or export shipments.

Uneven wrapping - covering only the top faces and forgetting the lower sides - leaves the bottom edge exposed to dirt. When using a wrapping machine this error is rare because the machine rotates 360 degrees automatically. Fix: train staff on full-perimeter wrapping technique or invest in a wrapping machine if volume justifies it.

7. Cost comparison: hand wrap versus machine wrap

Example: a business wrapping 500 pallets per month. With hand wrap, film cost per pallet is approximately Liên hệ báo giá (5-6 wraps, 20 micron). Labour cost: approximately Liên hệ báo giá per pallet (5 minutes). Total: Liên hệ báo giá per pallet.

With machine wrap, film cost per pallet: approximately Liên hệ báo giá (4-5 wraps, 17 micron, thanks to consistent machine tension). Labour cost: approximately Liên hệ báo giá per pallet (30 seconds). Total: Liên hệ báo giá per pallet. Machine investment of 30-50 million VND pays back in 6-8 months at 500 pallets per month. Film consumption drops by around 40%, quality improves, and product damage in transit is reduced.

8. How to select the right stretch film for your product

Step 1: Determine pallet weight and dimensions. Load 1-10 tonnes? Long and narrow, or a regular cube? Fragile or shock-sensitive?

Step 2: Choose thickness. Light loads (under 5 tonnes): 12-15 micron. Medium loads (5-15 tonnes): 17-20 micron. Heavy loads (over 15 tonnes): 23-30 micron. Long-distance export (over 30 days in transit): add 3-5 micron as a safety margin.

Step 3: Choose roll width. Pallet 1.2 m x 1.0 m: 100-150 cm width. Pallet 1.2 m x 1.2 m: 150-200 cm width.

Step 4: Choose cling level. Hand wrapping smooth surfaces (steel, glass): high cling. Machine wrapping: medium cling. Standard goods: low to medium cling.

Step 5: Calculate wraps required. Simple formula: number of wraps = (pallet weight in tonnes / 10) + 2. Example: 12-tonne load = (12/10) + 2 = 3.2, rounded up to 4-5 wraps for a safety margin.

If unsure, contact ICD Vietnam and describe your product in detail. ICD has 15 years of experience and offers free consultation.

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