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Stretch Film & Pallet Wrap

Find stretch film products to suit any packaging project, from heavy-duty stretch wrap for large and awkward items to pre-stretched hand wrap. Our range includes a clear stretch wrap, ideal for retail, warehousing, transportation, and storage use. Our plastic film can be used as furniture stretch wrap to protect delicate items during a house move. Orders for 50 or more rolls of machine wrap for pallet wrapping machines ship free to commercial addresses within the contiguous United States.

Hand Stretch Film Wrap

Hand Stretch Film

12-18 Inch Wide Rolls

Machine Stretch Film

Machine Stretch Film Wrap

20-80 Inch Wide Rolls

Bundling Stretch Film Wrap

Bundling Stretch Film

2-5 Inch Wide Rolls

Specialty Stretch Film

Specialty Stretch Film

Colored, Vented, & Anti-Static Stretch Film

Extended Core Stretch Film

Extended Core Stretch Film Wrap

10-30 Inch Wide Rolls

Stretch Film

What is Stretch Film?

Stretch film, also known as stretch wrap, is a versatile plastic film made from linear low-density polyethylene, designed to securely bundle and stabilize your products.

By stretching the film around items, you create tightly secured loads that stay in place during transport.

Available in various widths, thicknesses, and colors, stretch film is perfect for a range of applications.

While it may resemble heat shrink wrap, it offers distinct advantages. No heat source is needed, making it ideal for pallet wrapping, and it’s waterproof — keeping your items safe from moisture.

Find out more about the difference between shrink wrap and stretch wrap in our guide!

With the ability to stretch up to 300%, using stretch film also means less material waste, leading to lower costs and a reduced environmental impact.

Choosing Stretch Film

We offer multiple types of stretch film for different applications.

Hand Stretch Film

*Hand Stretch Film- 12 - 18 Inch Wide Rolls

Extended Core Stretch Film

*Extended Core Stretch Film- 10 - 30 inch wide rolls with built-in handles.

Bundling Stretch Film

*Bundling Stretch Film- 2 - 5 inch wide rolls

Machine Stretch Film

*Machine Stretch Film- 20 - 80 inch wide rolls

.Specialty Stretch Film

*Specialty Stretch Film- Colored, vented and anti-static stretch film

Types of Stretch Film

Benefits of Using Stretch Film

Stretch film has several key benefits that make it perfect for smaller, or even oddly-shaped loads and large industrial-scale production. These include:

*Load Stability: Keeps products securely in place during transport.

*Cost-Effective: Minimizes material waste, reducing overall packaging costs.

*Versatility: Suitable for a variety of applications, from pallets to individual items.

*Protection: Shields against moisture, dust, and UV rays, enhancing product longevity.

*Puncture Resistance: Durable enough to withstand sharp edges and rough handling.

*Easy Application: Available in both hand and machine options for convenience.

*Environmentally Friendly: Many types are recyclable or biodegradable.

*Visibility: Clear options allow easy identification of packaged goods.

*Stretchability: Can stretch up to 300%, ensuring tight wrapping with less material.

*Reduced Labor: Streamlines the wrapping process, saving time and effort.

Hand Stretch Wrap VS Machine Stretch Wrap

Hand stretch wrap is manually applied and ideal for smaller or irregular loads, offering flexibility while remaining easy to handle.

Typically available in widths of 12-18 inches, it provides control over tension and coverage.

In contrast, machine stretch wrap is designed for high-volume operations, available in wider rolls (20-80 inches) that are applied using machines for consistent tension and speed.

This type is more efficient for large, standardized pallets, reducing labor time and material waste.

While hand wrap is suited for varied applications, machine wrap excels in efficiency and uniformity for bulk packaging.

Popular Stretch Film Sizes

True Gauged Stretch Film- For years, businesses have relied on true gauged stretch film for its exceptional stretch, cling, and strength. However, as this thicker film uses more petroleum-based resins, its cost has increased. This has led many manufacturers to seek more affordable alternatives.

Equivalent Stretch Film- If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, equivalent stretch film is the answer. These films are crafted using a different resin blend and multi-layering techniques, resulting in a thinner yet stronger product that uses less petroleum.

We offer two great choices: Hybrid and Micron.

•    Hybrid rolls are thinner and made with more layers, providing excellent hold and stretch.

•    Micron rolls strike a balance, offering more stretch than Hybrid while still ensuring good tear resistance.

Both options deliver outstanding performance at a price that won’t break the bank, making them perfect for all your packaging needs.

Now you’re familiar with stretch film gauges, it’s important to talk about popular stretch film sizes.

Stretch Film Thickness Calculator

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Popular Stretch Film Sizes

5" x 1000' x 80Ga. - Common bundling film size often used to secure two or more products together

18" x 1500' x 80Ga. - Superior hand pallet wrap offering excellent stretch and puncture resistance

18" x 1500' x 63Ga. - An excellent option for customers looking to reduce hand stretch film costs

18" x 1500' x 47Ga. - Considered a hybrid hand stretch film offering increase performance with a thinner film

20" x 5000' x 80Ga. - Superior machine pallet wrap offering excellent stretch and puncture resistance

20" x 5000' x 63Ga. - A down gauge film with excellent performance offering the ability to lower film costs

How To Wrap a Pallet With Hand Stretch Film

No stretch wrapper? No problem. Here's how to wrap a pallet with hand stretch film:

1. Determine the amount of film needed based on pallet weight and height, as well as the type of stretch film best suited for your wrapping or packaging project.

2. Tie stretch film to the corner of the pallet.

3. Begin revolutions by wrapping the bottom of the pallet while pulling the film to reach maximum stretch and hold tension.

4. Wrap multiple revolutions around the pallet base. The heavier the pallet, the more revolutions will be needed.

5. Slowly work up the pallet, moving up half the film width with each revolution.

6. Once complete, wrap multiple revolutions around the top of the pallet for stabilization.

Ready to start your next packaging and wrapping project? We offer discounts on price and shipping. Call sales or fill out our quote form to take advantage of our amazing prices, or contact us today to learn more!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What Is the Difference Between Shrink Film and Stretch Film?

A: Shrink film and stretch film serve different purposes in packaging. Shrink film tightly hugs products when heat is applied, providing a secure, tamper-proof seal. Stretch film, on the other hand, is stretched around items to hold them together, offering flexibility and protection without the need for heat.

Q: Is Stretch Film Food Grade?

A: Not all stretch films are food-grade. Food-grade stretch films are specifically designed to meet safety standards for direct contact with food, ensuring they don't leach harmful chemicals. Always check for certifications or labeling indicating that the stretch film is safe for food packaging before use.

Q: Can stretch film-wrapped pallets be stored outside?

A: For outdoor storage, a UVI inhibitor is needed to slow the degradation of the film. This is a custom option that can be done upon request with U.S. Packaging & Wrapping. Even with UV protection, outdoor storage is limited before the film breaks down.

Q: Is stretch film the same as food cling (Saran) wrap?

A: Stretch film is not the same as food cling wrap. It is made from a different material and designed to have much more stretch. Most stretch films are not made for direct food contact. 

Q: What percentage of stretch does stretch film have?

A: Depending on the type of roll and extruding process, stretch film can have up to 300% stretch or more.

Recent Stretch Film Blog Posts

Stretch Wrap Roping Top Loads

  Using a stretch wrap roping technique, operators can make the film stronger and secure a load on top of pallets that are smaller and do not [...]

Hand Stretch Wrapping vs. Machine Stretch Wrapping

  Watch the difference between hand and machine stretch wrapping side-by-side. Both are wrapping identical pallets with comparable stretch film. Find out why [...]

5 Things to Know About Stretch Film Converting

 Stretch film conversion is a process commonly done after the extrusion of stretch film. The conversion process enables end-users to have a variety of widths and [...]

Stretch Film Terms

Asymmetrical Load- An unevenly aligned pallet load. Asymmetrical loads are more prone to toppling than symmetrical pallet loads. 

Blown Stretch Film- A stretch film derived from the blown extrusion process that has a higher puncture resistance. Click on the stretch film info page to view detailed information about blown stretch film.

Bottom Wraps- The wraps a stretch wrap machine uses to apply film to the bottom section of the load. Forming a durable bottom wrap will help to ensure load stability.

Cast Stretch Film- A stretch film derived from the cast extrusion process. Less manufacturing costs allow cast stretch film to be the more widely used stretch film. Visit the stretch film info page to view detailed info about cast stretch film.

Cling- Allows the film to stick to itself and not the product. Some films have one-sided cling, and others have two-sided cling.

Co-extrusion- Extruding two or more materials through a single die to enable the two elements to merge.

Dart Drop- A commonly used test to measure the puncture strength of a stretch film. It is conducted by dropping a semi-circular-shaped object onto the film.

Elastic Recovery-The ability of a stretch film to recover to its original shape after being stretched.

Elmendorf Tear- Another common test used for stretch film and other products to measure tear resistance.

Extruder- Equipment used to change solid polymers into molten polymers.

Film Feed- In a stretch wrap machine, it is the speed at which stretch film is supplied to the load. 

Film Force- This refers to the amount of tension applied to the film as the film wraps the load. 

Film Memory- The ability of the film to return to its pre-stretched form after being stretched. Retained memory enables the film to maintain a tight load during transportation.

Film Tail- The start and end pieces of stretch film applied to the load. It is important to cut, tie, or tuck film tails during transport.

Gauge- A measurement used to measure film thickness or caliper. One gauge is equal to .254 microns. Microns are another common form of film measurement.

Gloss- The amount of light reflected from a film’s surface. Cast stretch films tend to have a higher gloss than blown stretch films.

Haze- Refers to a lack of clarity in a film. Blown stretch films commonly have more fog than cast stretch films due to crystallization during the manufacturing process.

LLDPE Stretch Film- Linear Low-Density Polyethylene stretch film. A preferred plastic in a variety of films due to its toughness, stretchability, and relative transparency.

Metallocene- A compound used to make a new form of stretch film. Metallocene stretch films offer increased puncture resistance and many other useful benefits.

Microns- A unit of measurement commonly used to measure the thickness of a film. A micron is equal to one-millionth of a meter. One gauge is equal to .254 microns.

MSDS Sheet- Stands for Material Safety Data Sheet. A detailed list of information about a specific product and potential safety hazards the product may have.

Overwrap- The amount of stretch film applied over the top of the load. Used to provide a downward force on the load. 

Pallet Covers- A poly film cover used to protect pallets from dust, UV rays, and conceal the load. Feel free to check out the various pallet covers we offer. 

Post-stretch- Stretching a film when wrapping the load to achieve tighter tension on the load 

Pre-stretch- Stretching the film before applied to shipments. Pre-stretch films can result in improved load integrity and lower packaging costs. 

Roping- Bunching the stretch film into a rope shape. Roping is used to start many loads and offers increased strength for additionally securing a load. 

Symmetrical Load- An evenly aligned pallet load with flat sides.

Tackifiers- Additives used in the manufacturing process to add cling to the film.

Tear Resistance- Refers to the resistance of the film to tearing forces. 

Tension Stretch- A pulling force that stretches the materials 

Wide Web Stretch Film- A sizeable film used for larger equipment. Generally, it refers to machine stretch film wider than 30 inches

Yield Strength- The amount of stretch a film can have without permanently deforming. 

Pallet Diagonal Calculator

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Shrink Film Width Calculator

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