Which Stretch Film is Best for You?

Which Stretch Film is Best for You?

Stretch film, also known as stretch wrap, is a stretchy plastic made from polyethylene commonly used in industrial settings. Its primary functions include efficient handling of units, moisture protection, UV protection, and tamper resistance, among others. Stretch wrap is an excellent solution for securely wrapping a load onto a pallet, ensuring safe transportation and storage. It typically comes wrapped around a cardboard core and is available in shorter lengths for hand wrapping as well as longer lengths for machine wrapping.

Standard Films: Cast vs Blown

Stretch films are available in both standard and specialty varieties. Standard films can be classified into two types: cast film and blown film. Cast film is preferred by 90% of users, making it the more popular option. Although cast and blown films are manufactured using different processes and extrusion methods, the differences between them are subtle yet significant.

Clarity: Cast film offers superior clarity compared to blown film. This makes cast film a better choice for loads with writing or labels underneath the film that need to be visible for identification or scanning.
Noise: When unwinding, cast film is very quiet. Blown film on the other hand makes a loud noise that can be heard throughout the warehouse.
Puncture Resilience: Blown film has greater puncture resilience than cast film. Blown film is less likely to be poked through or torn.
Load Capacity: Blown film can support greater load capacity due to its manufacturing process, as the film's strength is consistent both horizontally and vertically.
Material: Blown film uses an adhesive that feels sticky to the touch. In warmer environments, this adhesive can transfer to the user's hands, which may be inconvenient in a warehouse setting where quick access to a sink may be limited. Because of this, blown film performs better in cooler environments.
Stretch: Blown film will typically stretch more than cast film, however, it requires more force. Films that stretch further allow the users to wrap more pallets with the same amount of film given that they stretch the film to its fullest extent.
Cost: Blown film tends to be slightly more expensive than cast film. However, the stretchiness of blown film allows you to wrap more with less, meaning there isn't a significant difference in cost savings.

When to use cast film vs. blown film?

In most cases, either cast film or blown film can get the job done. However, loads with sharp edges are typically better suited for blown film. The stretchiness/resiliency of blown film makes it less likely to puncture on sharp corners. If the speed at which the pallet is wrapped is important, cast film is typically a better choice. The adhesive in blown film makes it more likely to grab/catch onto itself during wrapping. This makes adjusting the path of the wrap more difficult, especially when wrapping at high speeds. Cast film clings but does not grab, which makes it much easier to adjust on the fly.

Benchmark Best Sellers:

Hexfilm Defender 15” x 1500’ 80ga Cast Hand Film

Grip Premium 16” x 1500’ 35ga Cast Hand Film

Hexfilm Dynamo 18” x 1500 80ga Blown Hand Film

What gauge do you need?

Different films will have different gauges (ga). The gauge measures the thickness of the film. Gauges of stretch wrap typically range from 24ga to 120ga. The higher the gauge, the stronger & thicker the plastic will be. The gauge of film that is right for you depends on the application and is best learned through trial and error. 80ga is the industry standard and can hold/secure loads up to 2,400 lbs.

However, due to down gauging in the industry, manufacturers have been able to strengthen lower gauge film by infusing different types of plastic into the polyethylene. These days you can find 40ga cast films with the same strength as a traditional 80ga. By down gauging, manufacturers have been able to cut costs and lower the price of stretch wrap. Typically, down gauging is only done with cast film. Down gauging blown film is not popular as they have not found a plastic that significantly strengthens blown film.

Specialty Films:

Pre-stretch film is an intermediate between cast and blown films but is fully stretched out before it is wrapped around the roll. It will not stretch while wrapping the pallet. Pre-stretched film is lighter than traditional stretch wrap and offers increased load stability. Because the film is pre-stretched, it guarantees that the user gets the most out of every wrap. With pre-stretch, less film is used per wrap which results in cost savings.

Colored stretch films simplify load identification and concealment with high-strength, puncture-resistant materials. They feature both tinted options for visibility and opaque choices for concealment. They can also provide UV protection, promote consistent branding, differentiate pallets, and assist with transit color-coding. Available in various colors like black, blue, red, green, yellow, and orange, colored stretch films offer numerous practical applications.

Air-Flow pallet wrap is a versatile stretch film featuring die-cut holes for ventilation, making it ideal for agricultural, industrial, and manufacturing applications. This machine film is easy to use on conventional stretch wrappers, requiring only one person. It effectively prevents hot and cold air buildup, allowing loads to breathe and reducing spoilage during storage and transit. With 200% stretch capability and no freeze breaking point, vented stretch film maintains its integrity in cold storage while allowing condensation to escape. Its innovative design cools products quickly, reduces cooling costs, and features ultra-strong bands that enhance its holding force.

Benchmark Best Sellers:

Hexfilm Fortress 18” x 1500’ 33ga Pre-Stretched Hand Film

Hexfilm Defender 20” x 5000’ Black Cast Machine Film

Air-Flow 19” x 3300’ Premium Vented Machine Wrap

Wrapping Pallets: Hand vs. Machine

Wrapping pallets by hand is the most common method for smaller operations that wrap only a few pallets each day. However, hand wrapping can be labor-intensive and tiring, and it also takes time away from tasks that could be better handled elsewhere in the warehouse. To make the process much easier and efficient, a handheld film dispenser is a necessity.

For those who require high-volume wrapping, a pallet-wrapping machine is an excellent choice. While these machines have a higher initial cost, they provide a more consistent wrap, leading to material and cost savings over time. If you’re considering purchasing a machine, Benchmark has a variety of in-stock and custom options available, including complimentary installation. Stretch wrap machines require some setup and training, but they are generally easy to operate and can wrap pallets more efficiently in a shorter amount of time.

Benchmark Best Sellers:

Grip Handheld Film Dispenser

Eagle Semi-Auto Stretch Wrap Machine

How to Wrap a Pallet by Hand:

Choose a pallet that is large enough to safely support all the materials you need to secure.
Load the items onto the pallet in an organized manner, placing the heaviest items at the bottom.
Ensure there is no space between each item, as gaps could cause the products to shift during transport, leading to damage.
Select your preferred style of stretch wrap and begin wrapping your load, either by hand or with a dispenser.
Start wrapping from the bottom of the pallet. Many people prefer to anchor the wrap by tying it to one of the corners of the pallet.
Wrap the load all the way up to the top, and once you reach the top, wrap the material one more time back down to the bottom.
Secure the load by wrapping the stretch film underneath the pallet once more and tucking the excess underneath. You may choose to tie the film to the bottom of the pallet for added security.
Check the stability of your load to ensure that nothing will fall, shift, or break during transport.

If you would like to talk to an expert about stretch film products or schedule a complimentary film assessment, call one of our associates today!