Table of Contents
Reviewed and updated by ICD - Week 25/2026
Not every stretch film works for every application. Choosing the wrong thickness, the wrong type, or the wrong width causes the film to tear during wrapping, leaves loads under-protected, or wastes twice as much film as needed. This guide covers the four core parameters to confirm before ordering stretch film for hand or machine use.
4 parameters to confirm when choosing stretch film
1. Film type: hand or machine? This is the first and most important question. Hand stretch film is manufactured with high elasticity and low pull force so a person can unwind it easily by hand. Machine stretch film requires higher pull force and is designed to work with a motor-driven pallet wrapping machine. Using the wrong type causes problems: hand film in a machine tears constantly because the machine pulls too hard; machine film used by hand cannot be pulled with enough tension, leaving the wrap loose and creased.
2. Film width: Standard pallet stretch film is 500 mm wide. For mini wrapping machines or small carton boxes, widths of 100-200 mm are common. Always check the machine specifications before ordering - a machine accepts only the roll width it was designed for.
3. Film thickness (micron): See the load-type breakdown in the section below. Thickness directly affects protection level and the cost of film per pallet.
4. Roll weight: Heavy rolls (17-23 kg) suit pallet wrapping machines - fewer roll changes, higher output. Light rolls (1.5-3 kg) suit mini machines and hand wrapping. Loading a roll that is too heavy onto the spindle of a mini machine can bend the spindle.
Choosing stretch film thickness by load type
15-17 micron: Light loads under 200 kg with smooth surfaces and no sharp edges - paper boxes, foam-packed goods, household appliances. The thinnest gauge commonly used in industry. Lowest cost but prone to tearing if the load has sharp corners.
17-20 micron: The most widely used range. Suitable for the majority of warehouse and logistics loads: carton boxes, consumer packaged goods, loads of 200-800 kg. Good balance between durability and cost per pallet.
20-23 micron: Heavy loads of 800-2,000 kg, loads with sharp corners and edges (metal profiles, sawn timber, aluminium extrusions), loads that need tight wrapping for long-distance transport. Thicker means stronger - fewer tears under high pull tension.
Over 25 micron: Specialist applications: sharp metal loads, long sea-freight exports, loads requiring many protective layers. Higher cost, less commonly ordered.
Virgin PE film vs recycled PE film - the practical difference
Virgin PE film uses 100% pure resin with no recycled content. High clarity, consistent pull force, very few random tears. Priced 15-25% higher than recycled.
Recycled PE film blends in a proportion of recycled resin. It may have a slightly off-white tint, less consistent pull force, and a higher risk of tearing at weak points in the recycled material. Lower purchase price, but more film is consumed per pallet because more wraps are needed to achieve the same hold.
For professional warehouses running pre-stretch machines: choose virgin film to avoid tearing when the film is stretched 200-300%. For warehouses using basic semi-automatic machines or hand wrapping: good-quality recycled film is sufficient.
How to check film quality before buying
Four quick tests: (1) Pull a length of film by hand - good film stretches evenly without snapping at a single point. (2) Press a piece of film onto a smooth surface and peel it off - good film adheres well and comes away clean with no adhesive residue. (3) Hold the film at an angle to the light - it should be uniform with no streaks or thin patches. (4) Leave the film at room temperature for 24 hours - good film does not shrink or distort.
For background reading, see what stretch film is and how it differs from shrink wrap to avoid confusion when ordering. For a detailed look at terminology and applications, see the difference between stretch film and shrink wrap. Current pricing by film type is listed in the stretch film price guide 2026.
Related articles
| What is stretch film? Types and uses | Stretch film vs shrink wrap: key differences | Stretch film price guide 2026 |
Frequently asked questions about choosing stretch film
1. What is the difference between hand stretch film and machine stretch film?
Hand stretch film has high elasticity and low pull force so a person can unwind it without a machine. Machine stretch film requires higher pull force and is designed for motor-driven pallet wrappers. Using them interchangeably causes tearing or inadequate wrap tension.
2. What width of stretch film should I order?
Standard pallet stretch film is 500 mm wide. Mini machines and hand wrapping of small boxes use 100-200 mm rolls. Always check your machine specifications first - each machine accepts only the roll width it was designed for.
3. Which thickness is right for standard warehouse loads?
17-20 micron covers the majority of logistics loads: carton boxes, consumer goods, pallets of 200-800 kg. It offers a good balance between durability and film cost per pallet.
4. When should I choose 20-23 micron film?
For heavy loads over 800 kg, loads with sharp edges (metal profiles, sawn timber, aluminium extrusions), and loads going through long-distance transport where the wrap must hold under high tension without tearing.
5. Is virgin PE film worth the extra cost?
For operations using pre-stretch machines (stretching film 200-300%), yes - virgin film is more consistent and tears far less often. For basic semi-automatic or hand wrapping, good-quality recycled film is adequate and saves on purchase cost.
6. How do I test film quality before committing to a large order?
Request a sample roll and run four checks: pull a length by hand for even stretch, press and peel a piece to test adhesion, hold it to the light for uniform thickness, and leave it at room temperature 24 hours to confirm it does not shrink or distort.
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