Securing Pallet Loads for Safe Shipping
HOW TO SECURE
A PALLET LOAD
Stretch film, strapping, edge protection, and pallet covers: everything you need to know to keep product contained from warehouse to delivery.
WHY PALLET CONTAINMENT MATTERS
An improperly secured pallet is one of the most preventable causes of freight damage, product loss, and warehouse injuries. Load shifting during transit (whether by truck, rail, or air) can crush product, damage packaging, and create liability for your operation.The right containment approach depends on your load type, transit distance, weight, and storage environment. Most pallets benefit from a combination of methods: stretch film for unitization, strapping for compression, edge protection to prevent crush damage, and covers for moisture or dust exposure.
At Benchmark, we help operations across Ohio and the Midwest select the right combination of pallet securing products for their specific freight, from light consumer goods to heavy industrial loads.
02 Stretch Film
03 Strapping
04 Edge Protection
05 Pallet Covers
06 How to Choose
07 FAQs
08 Related Articles
Use stretch film.
HEAVY LOADS
Add steel or poly strap to your stretch film
SHARP EDGES
Use cornerboards with stretch film
OUTDOOR STORAGE
Add pallet cover
WAYS TO SECURE PALLET LOADS
Most pallet loads use more than one method. Stretch film handles general unitization; strapping adds compression for heavy or unstable loads; edge protectors prevent crush damage at corners; covers protect against moisture and dust..png)
The standard starting point for most pallet loads. Wraps and unitizes the load, keeping boxes from shifting during transit. Provides moisture resistance and tamper evidence.
Adds vertical or horizontal compression for heavy, dense, or unstable loads. Available in steel, poly, and paper to match load weight and surface requirements.
Corner boards and edge protectors distribute strap tension evenly across box edges, preventing strap crush damage and improving top-to-bottom stacking stability.
Poly bags and top covers protect against moisture, dust, and weather during outdoor storage or long-distance transit. Complements stretch film rather than replacing it.
HOW DOES STRETCH FILM SECURE A PALLET?
Stretch film works by wrapping a pallet load under tension, then clinging to itself as it relaxes. This creates a containment force that holds the load together as a single unit, preventing boxes from shifting or toppling during transit.HAND FILM
Hand film is applied manually using a roll or handheld dispenser. It works well for low-volume operations and irregular load shapes.MACHINE FILM
Machine film is applied by a stretch wrapper and delivers more consistent tension, better load containment force, and lower film cost per pallet at higher volumes.Film gauge (thickness) determines how much weight and transit stress a wrap can handle. Lighter gauges (37 to 47 gauge) work for standard consumer goods. Heavier gauges (60 to 80 gauge) are better for dense, heavy, or sharp-edged loads.
WANT THE FULL BREAKDOWN?
Our Complete Stretch Film Guide covers cast vs. blown film, gauge selection, hand vs. machine wrapping, wrap patterns, load containment force, and specialty films in full detail.
WHICH TYPE OF STRAPPING IS RIGHT FOR YOUR LOAD?
Strapping compresses and bundles loads that need more than stretch film alone: very heavy pallets, dense products, or loads subject to high-vibration transit. The right type depends on load weight, surface sensitivity, and the tools available in your operation.
Highest tensile strength of any strapping type. Does not elongate under load, making it best for rigid, very heavy pallets where maximum holding force is required.
Requires tensioners, seals, and crimpers or a combination tool. Edges can be sharp; use gloves when handling.
BEST FOR: Heavy Loads
The most versatile strapping option for general freight. Lightweight, flexible, and safe for handlers. Stretches slightly to absorb transit shock, which helps it maintain tension longer than steel on non-rigid loads.
Will not rust or cut through product packaging. Works with tensioners and buckles or a combination tool.
BEST FOR: Medium Loads
Eco-friendly and fully recyclable with corrugated. Good for surface-sensitive goods where poly or steel might mark or damage packaging. Lower tensile strength than poly or steel.
Not recommended for heavy loads, outdoor use, or applications requiring high tension. Best suited for light consumer goods and retail-ready pallets.
BEST FOR: Light Loads
WHEN SHOULD YOU USE EDGE PROTECTORS?
Edge protectors (also called corner boards) sit at the corners of a pallet load between the strapping and the boxes. They distribute strap tension evenly across the full edge of the boxes rather than concentrating it at a single point, which prevents strap-bite damage to packaging.They also improve top-to-bottom load stability, giving the stack a more uniform column to compress against when pallets are stacked in warehousing or transit.
Strapping is applied over corrugated boxes
Loads will be double-stacked
Packaging is fragile or easily dented
Anytime strapping would otherwise contact bare product edges
DO YOU NEED A PALLET COVER?
Stretch film provides a degree of moisture resistance, but it is not a vapor barrier. Pallet covers and bags seal the load completely, protecting against rain, condensation, dust, and contamination during outdoor storage or extended staging.Pallet covers complement stretch film, they do not replace it. The film holds the load together structurally; the cover handles environmental protection.
When covers are most useful: outdoor or dock storage, humidity-sensitive products, loads staged for more than a few days, and any application where dust contamination is a concern.
SECTION 06
WHICH SECURING METHOD IS RIGHT FOR YOUR LOAD?
Use the table below as a starting point. Most pallets benefit from more than one method: stretch film as the base, with strapping or covers added depending on load weight, transit, and storage conditions.| LOAD TYPE | PRIMARY METHOD | ADD IF NEEDED | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard mixed freight | Stretch film | Poly strapping for tall loads | Film alone handles most standard pallets |
| Heavy or dense products | Stretch film + poly or steel strapping | Corner boards | Strapping prevents load settling under weight |
| Surface-sensitive goods | Poly or paper strapping + film | Edge protectors | Avoid steel where packaging is easily marked |
| Outdoor or long-term storage | Stretch film + pallet cover | Strapping if load is heavy | Covers protect against moisture and dust |
| Irregular or loose loads | Steel strapping + stretch film | Corner boards | Steel holds tension better than poly on non-uniform shapes |
| Fragile or stackable loads | Stretch film + edge protectors | Poly strapping | Edge protection improves compression strength across the stack |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Answers to the questions we hear most about pallet securing materials.
Do I need strapping if I'm already using stretch film?
Not always. Stretch film handles most standard pallets. Strapping is added when loads are very heavy, unstable, or subject to high-vibration transit where film alone is not enough to prevent shifting.
What is the difference between poly and steel strapping?
Steel holds higher tension and does not elongate, making it better for rigid, very heavy loads. Poly stretches slightly to absorb shock during transit and is safer for handlers. Poly is the more versatile option for general freight.
When should I use a pallet cover instead of just stretch film?
When loads will be stored outdoors, exposed to moisture or condensation, or warehoused long-term in dusty environments. Pallet covers are a barrier against environmental exposure that stretch film alone does not provide.
Can I recycle strapping and stretch film?
Yes. LLDPE stretch film and poly strapping are recyclable through appropriate plastic film recycling programs. Steel strapping is recyclable as scrap metal. Paper strapping recycles with corrugated. Check with your local recycler for accepted materials.
How do I know what gauge stretch film to use?
A good starting point is 47 gauge for standard mixed freight up to about 1,500 lbs and 60 to 80 gauge for heavier, denser, or sharp-edged loads. Our Stretch Film Guide covers gauge selection in full.
Do edge protectors work with stretch film, strapping, or both?
Edge protectors are most commonly used with strapping, where they prevent strap bite on box edges. They also improve load stability under stretch film alone, particularly for stacked pallets where uniform column strength matters.
KEEP LEARNING
Explore more tape and packaging guides from Benchmark Industrial.Strapping Solutions Guide
Steel, poly, and paper strapping: tools, seals, tensioners, and application tips for securing your pallet loads.
Poly Bags Guide
Poly bags are a common companion to pallet covers for moisture and dust protection.
Protective Packaging Guide
Find out how you can upgrade your carton sealing machines with new tape heads.
Corrugated Guide
Learn how to choose the right corrugated box for your product.
Need help choosing the right products to secure your pallets?
Browse Benchmark's full selection of shipping supplies.