Stretch Film
Stretch film is a highly elastic plastic wrap, typically made from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), used to secure products, pallet loads, and bundled materials during storage, internal moves, and shipment. It unitizes mixed or single-SKU pallets, stabilizes loads on conveyors and forklifts, reduces shifting damage, and provides a basic barrier against dust, moisture, and tampering.
In a manufacturing warehouse, stretch film is applied after pallet build and before staging or shipping to keep cartons, bags, totes, or raw-material stacks together as one handling unit. Wrapped pallets often carry labels, barcodes, or lot identifiers on the outside of the film, so the load stays readable while remaining secure; this supports receiving, putaway, and FIFO/lot-control workflows, especially when a pallet is moved several times before consumption. Machine-grade film is selected for high-throughput wrap stations where consistency matters, while hand film suits low-volume or irregular packing areas. Widths around 18–30 inches, gauges around 60–90, and elongation ranges up to 200–300% for machine film and 150–250% for hand film are common. Specialty films—black security, pre-stretch, vented, cold-temperature, and printed—address visibility, air-flow, low-temperature, or identification needs. Selection is driven by pallet weight, wrap pattern, and equipment compatibility.
- Under-wrapping a heavy or tall pallet: Too few film layers or the wrong gauge lets the load rack, lean, or collapse in transit, causing crushed cartons, damaged raw materials, and rework at receiving or line-side staging.
- Using the wrong film grade for the process: Hand film on a high-volume machine line, or machine film applied manually, creates inconsistent containment, excessive film waste, slowed packing, and higher labor strain.
- Choosing the wrong film for environmental or load conditions: Standard film on cold-storage, irregular loads, or loads needing ventilation can fail to cling, become brittle, or trap condensation.
What is the difference between cast and blown stretch film?
Suppliers offer both cast and blown film. Cast film tends to provide quieter unwinding and clearer appearance, while blown film is usually preferred for tougher load containment and puncture resistance.
Why does gauge matter in inventory planning?
Gauge affects containment strength, film usage per pallet, and cost per wrapped load. Suppliers list multiple gauges from roughly 60 to 150 depending on product type, making it a controlled purchasing variable rather than a generic consumable.
How does stretch film affect warehouse throughput?
Machine film reduces manual handling time and improves consistency at high-volume wrap stations, while hand film is better for low-volume or irregular packing areas. This is reflected in suppliers' separate machine and hand product lines.