Table of Contents
Reviewed and updated by ICD - Week 30/2026
- Choosing PE film: determine 3 specs - thickness (micron), width (mm), type (hand/machine)
- The most common mistake: buying hand film to use on a pallet wrapping machine (wrong pull force)
- 17-20 micron thickness: standard goods. 20-23 micron: heavy goods, sharp edges
- PE film advice: contact ICD Vietnam
Not every PE stretch film works for every purpose. Choosing film of the wrong thickness, wrong type or wrong width causes the film to break while wrapping, leaves goods insufficiently protected, or uses twice the film needed. This guide helps you choose the right PE film by 4 core criteria.
4 specs to determine when choosing PE film
1. Film type: hand or machine? This is the first and most important question. Hand stretch film is made with high elasticity and low pull force so the user can pull it by hand easily. Machine stretch film needs greater pull force and is designed for use with a motorized wrapping machine. Using the wrong type causes: hand film in a machine → the film breaks constantly because the machine pulls too hard; machine film wrapped by hand → the user cannot pull with enough force, the film wrinkles and tension is insufficient.
2. Film width: Standard pallet stretch film is 500mm wide. For mini machines or wrapping small cartons: 100-200mm. Check your machine’s specs before ordering film - a machine only accepts a roll of the exact designed width.
3. Film thickness (micron): See the by-goods analysis below. Thickness directly affects protection and film cost per pallet.
4. Roll weight: A heavy roll (17-23kg) is for pallet wrapping machines - fewer roll changes, higher productivity. A light roll (1.5-3kg) is for mini machines and hand wrapping. Putting an overly heavy roll on a mini machine’s shaft can bend the shaft.
Choosing PE film thickness by goods type
15-17 micron film: Light goods under 200kg, smooth surfaces with no sharp edges (paper boxes, foam bags, household electronics). This is the thinnest film commonly used in industry. The cheapest, but breaks easily if goods have sharp corners.
17-20 micron film: The most common. Suitable for most logistics warehouse goods: cartons, packaged consumer products, goods of 200-800kg. A good balance of durability and cost.
20-23 micron film: Heavy goods of 800-2,000kg, goods with sharp edges and corners (metal, sawn timber, extruded aluminum bars), goods needing tight wrapping for long-distance transport. Thicker = more durable = less breakage under high pull force.
Over 25 micron: Special applications: sharp metal goods, long-voyage sea export, goods needing multiple protective layers. High cost, less common.
Virgin vs recycled PE film - the real difference
Virgin PE film: pure plastic pellets, no recycled blend. High transparency, even pull force, few unexpected breaks. Costs 15-25% more.
Recycled PE film: blended with some recycled plastic. May have a slightly ivory color, less even pull force, higher break risk at poor-quality recycled points. Cheaper but uses more film (you must wrap more turns to ensure firmness).
For professional warehouses using pre-stretch machines: choose virgin film to avoid breakage when stretching 200-300%. For warehouses using basic semi-automatic machines or hand wrapping: good-quality recycled film is still enough.
Checking film quality before buying
4 quick checks: (1) Pull a length of film by hand - good film pulls evenly without breaking at a point; (2) Stick film to a smooth surface and peel it off - good film clings well and peels clean with no residue; (3) Look at it at an angle - good film is even, with no streaks or abnormally thin areas; (4) Leave film in normal conditions for 24h - good film does not shrink or deform.
Refer also to what shrink PE film is and how it differs from stretch PE film to avoid confusion when ordering. See the difference between shrink film and stretch film for more detail on naming and applications. Reference prices for each type at the 2026 PE film price list.
Contact to order PE film and wrapping machines
- View wrapping machines: ICD pallet stretch wrapping machines
- North Vietnam: 0983 797 186 | 090 345 9186
- South Vietnam: 098 6784 186
- Email: Sales@icdvietnam.com.vn
- Film + machine quote: Get a quote
PE Film Selection Guide by Pallet Load Weight
Selecting the wrong thickness is the most common purchasing mistake buyers make. A film that is too thin tears mid-wrap and leaves loads unstable; a film that is too thick wastes material cost on every pallet. The table below maps load weight directly to the recommended thickness and pre-stretch ratio so you can match the specification before placing an order.
| Load Weight | Recommended Thickness | Pre-stretch Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 kg | 17 - 20 micron | 150 - 200% |
| 500 - 1,000 kg | 23 - 25 micron | 200 - 250% |
| 1,000 - 2,000 kg | 30 - 35 micron | 250 - 300% |
| Over 2,000 kg | 40 - 50 micron | 300 - 400% |
The pre-stretch ratio matters as much as thickness. A 23-micron LLDPE film stretched to 250% delivers more holding force per kilogram of film than a 30-micron film applied at 150% - and costs less per pallet wrapped. This is why machine stretch film with a motorised pre-stretch unit typically cuts film consumption by 40 - 60% compared to hand wrapping at the same load weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What thickness of stretch film do I need for standard pallets?
For most standard pallet loads (500 - 1,000 kg), 23 - 25 micron LLDPE stretch film is the industry standard. At this thickness, the film stretches to 200 - 250% of its original length, generating enough clamping force to stabilise mixed consumer goods, carton stacks and industrial components through normal warehouse and transport handling. Lighter loads under 500 kg can use 17 - 20 micron film to reduce material cost, while loads above 1,500 kg should move up to 30 - 35 micron or thicker to prevent load shifting.
What is the difference between hand stretch film and machine stretch film?
Hand stretch film comes on smaller cores (50 - 76 mm diameter) with roll weights of 1 - 3 kg, sized for an operator to hold and walk around the pallet. Machine stretch film uses a 76 mm core and roll weights of 3 - 10 kg, designed to mount on a powered pre-stretch turntable or rotary arm wrapper. The key performance difference is pre-stretch ratio: hand wrapping typically achieves 50 - 100% stretch, while machine wrappers apply 200 - 400% pre-stretch, which means significantly lower film consumption per pallet and more consistent clamping force across every layer. For operations wrapping more than 20 pallets per shift, machine film combined with an automatic pallet wrapping machine reduces per-pallet film cost by 40 - 60%.
How do I test stretch film quality before buying in bulk?
Pull a strip of film to 300% of its original length - it should not break, neck down unevenly or develop white stress marks. A quality LLDPE film at 23 micron will hold at 300% stretch without tearing. Two additional checks: inspect the roll surface under light for bubbles, gels or contamination streaks, which indicate inconsistent resin blending; then check the core for roundness and straightness, since a bent or oval core causes uneven tension on the wrapping machine and film breakage mid-cycle. Buying a single trial roll before committing to a pallet order is standard practice in procurement - any reputable supplier will accommodate this.
