Types of Pallet Wrap

What Is Stretch Wrap?

Stretch wrap, also called stretch film or pallet wrap, is used to secure goods to a pallet. It serves as a protective barrier, keeping items tightly bound together during transportation or storage. Stretch wrap prevents goods from shifting, sliding, or toppling, reducing the risk of damage during transit. Most stretch wraps are made from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).

Stretch wrap is available in various thicknesses, widths, and lengths to accommodate different packaging needs. Thicker films offer increased strength and puncture resistance, making them suitable for heavier or more fragile items. Meanwhile, narrower films are ideal for smaller packages or when a lighter touch is required.

Blown vs Cast Stretch Wrap

There are two main classifications for stretch wrap material: blown stretch wrap and cast stretch wrap. Each type features distinct characteristics that set them apart, and both are used for a wide range of industrial applications.

• Cast stretch wrap: This type of stretch wrap material is known for its clarity, making it easy to scan barcodes and labels on your products. It is considered less durable than its counterpart and should be used for light- or medium-duty applications. Cast stretch wrap features a two-sided cling and is significantly quieter during use.
• Blown stretch wrap: This stretch wrap material is less clear than its counterpart, but compensates with a high stretch capacity and durability. Because of this, it is ideal for heavy-duty wrapping applications. It provides extra protection during transit and storage and is useful when wrapping items with sharp edges or irregular shapes. It's important to note that blown stretch wrap tends to make more noise during the wrapping process.

Types of Stretch Film

With so many different types of pallet wrap available, it can be difficult to identify which one fits your warehouse's needs. Ultimately, the type of pallet wrap you choose depends on the types of products you ship and how large your operation is. We'll introduce the most popular types of pallet wrap below:

Stretch Wrap Gauge

Gauge represents how thick a stretch wrap is. Stretch wraps can range from as low as 23 gauge to as high as 150 gauge. The higher the gauge, the more durable your stretch wrap will be. It's important to note that in most cases, the price of stretch wrap increases as the gauge increases. We've outlined some of the most common stretch wrap gauges below:

• 37 gauge: This light-duty gauge is typically found in pre-stretched wraps.
• 47 gauge: A hybrid gauge that can be used for heavier products, but should not be used for products with sharp edges or abnormal shapes.
• 60 gauge: This medium-duty gauge features increased puncture resistance and can be used for heavier objects.
• 70 gauge: This is a medium-duty gauge that features increased durability and can be used to wrap heavy pallets or products with mildly sharp edges.
• 80 gauge: This is the most common gauge for stretch wraps. It is known for its versatility and has a wide range of wrapping applications.
• 90 gauge: This hybrid gauge featured enhanced durability and can be used to wrap some heavy-duty loads.
• 100 gauge: This heavy-duty gauge is ideal for wrapping heavy pallets.
• 115 gauge: This is a heavy-duty gauge that features superior durability and tear resistance.
• 150 gauge: This gauge offers the most strength and puncture resistance. It can be used to wrap heavy-duty pallets and objects with irregular shapes or sharp edges.

Pallet Wrap Cores

There are three different types of stretch wrap cores: standard, one-sided extended, and two-sided extended. Continue reading to learn about both types and what sets them apart:

• Standard cores: These cores are ideal for use with machines or dispensers. They fit perfectly onto the spindle of a stretch wrap machine and are compatible with most stretch wrap dispensers.
• One-sided extended cores: These cores allow for quick and efficient use without the added expense of a dispenser. One-sided extended cores have an extended length on only one side, which makes it easier to apply the wrap by hand.
• Two-sided extended cores: Two-sided extended cores have an extended length on both sides, which makes them ideal for businesses that need to wrap pallets quickly and efficiently.

Glossary

Educating yourself on the key terms associated with pallet wrap and pallet wrapping can help you make informed purchasing decisions and contribute to a successful warehouse environment. We've defined common pallet wrapping terms below:

• Banding: The act of applying multiple wraps of stretch film to a certain area of a load to reinforce it or to band together multiple units.
• Bottom wraps: The revolutions of film applied to the lower layers of a pallet or load. Typically more than one revolution is applied to this area to increase the load stability of the unitized load.
• Top wraps: The extra revolutions of stretch film applied to the top portion of the load to be wrapped.
• Core: The reinforced, hollow cardboard cylinder around which the stretch film is rolled.
• Gauge: The thickness of a plastic sheet, or in this case, stretch film, measured in mils or microns.
• LLDPE: LLDPE stands for linear low-density polyethylene. It is the most common stretch wrap material.