A Stretch Wrap Explainer: Specialty Choices for Your Business

With a variety of specialty stretch wrap available, understanding the different benefits of each type is essential to deciding which best serves your business. You run a unique operation with its own distinct needs, especially when it comes to shipping your product. You need a stretch film that works best for your specific load type, load size, performance requirements, and, in particular, your budget. That’s why we’ve provided a breakdown of the advantages of various types of stretch wrap film you can use. Machine Stretch Wrap and Hand Stretch Wrap At the most basic level, there are two types of stretch film to be aware of — hand stretch wrap film and machine stretch film. As you’re likely able to guess from their names, machine stretch wrap is applied to your shipment using a machine, while hand stretch film is applied manually by a person. Hand stretch wrap, also known as hand film, hand stretch film, hand wrap, or manual pallet wrap, is a great choice for operations that don’t send out a lot of large shipments. If you have the time and resources for one of your team members to individually wrap your cargo, these stretch films provide impressive strength and puncture resistance. Machine stretch wrap is always going to be more efficient than hand wrapping and reduces your material costs by a significant amount. If your team frequently sends out large shipments, machine film is safer to apply and results in more secure loads. This is because machines create a tighter wrap that leads to more stability on the pallet. Cast Stretch Wrap Cast stretch wrap film is manufactured through a very specific process called cast extrusion. It is incredibly clear and quiet as it comes off the roll, which leads to less warehouse noise on your end and quick identification of your product labels and barcodes even when they’re covered. Additionally, cast machine stretch film is easy to apply and provides secure shipping, thanks to its two-sided cling that can stick to itself. It comes in at a lower price tag than many other types of film, as well as offering great puncture resistance during all aspects of the shipping process. Blown Stretch Wrap While the price tag for blown stretch wrap is a bit higher than its cast film counterpart, you get many benefits along with the cost. Blown stretch film has a high tear resistance, making it ideal for loads with sharp corners, angles, or edges. It also offers a good stretch memory, meaning it will better secure your packages. If you’re in the market for a durable and tear-resistant stretch film that works beautifully with heavy loads and odd shapes, blown stretch wrap is likely to be the ideal choice. Pre-Stretched Stretch Film When creating pre-stretched film, the plastic stretch wrap is run between two rubber rollers before it ever sees a shipment. This allows it to be pulled as close to its breaking point as possible before it hits the roll. The end result is a stretch wrap that requires less energy and material to achieve the same wrapping force as most other stretch films, and therefore reduces your overall material cost. Color Stretch Wrap Colored stretch films, whether you choose tinted stretch wrap or opaque film, are a type of specialty stretch wrap that are designed to meet your specific branding or organizational needs. With a variety of different color choices, they give you an exceptional warehouse or internal coding system to improve your inventory management requirements. It can also work well as a branding tool when you select colors that match your company logo. As a cast stretch film, they are puncture resistant, quiet, and smooth. UVI Stretch Wrap The “UVI” in UVI stretch film stands for Ultra-Violet Inhibitor. Simply put, that means this stretch wrap is equipped with additives to stop deterioration when stored outside for long periods of time. Because this specialty stretch wrap film is less susceptible to damages from harmful UV rays, it will maintain its strength and integrity much longer than other options when left in the sunshine. Airflow Stretch Wrap Sometimes referred to as vented pallet wrap, airflow stretch film is highly recommended for perishable or consumable products, like fresh fruits and veggies, frozen food, pharmaceuticals, and more. It comes with die-cut ventilation holes to reduce spoilage and improve cooling. Stretch Wrap Bundling Film Bundling stretch wrap is crafted with small products and shipments in mind. It’s a hand stretch wrap, so it’s easy to manipulate and will adhere to your items without extra tape or glues. This is an effective and less expensive alternative to twine, wire, or other strappings. What Kind of Stretch Wrap Should I Choose? The type of stretch wrap film you invest in can make a huge difference for your business. Each offers distinct advantages for a diverse range of applications. We hope this explainer gives you a good idea of what to select, but you’re always welcome to contact The Packaging Group for further assistance.