Stretch film and stretch wrap for pallet loads
Stretch film, also called stretch wrap or pallet wrap, holds a pallet load together from your dock to your customer. We supply hand and machine stretch film in the gauges and roll sizes you already run, delivered to your dock.
Delivered pricing, one invoice, and quotes back within two business days.
What is stretch film?
Stretch film is a thin polyethylene film that stretches as it goes on and pulls back tight around the load. It keeps cartons on the pallet, keeps dust and moisture off, and shows quickly if a load has been opened.
Stretch film, stretch wrap and pallet wrap are names for the same product. Most stretch film for pallet wrapping is clear, but black, tinted and recycled-content films are made too. Shrink film is a different product: it tightens with heat instead of stretch.
Hand stretch film or machine stretch film
Hand stretch film
Applied by a person walking the pallet, from a roll on a handle or dispenser. Common hand rolls are 18 inches wide and 1,500 feet long. Suits lower volume and mixed loads.
Machine stretch film
Runs on a turntable or rotary-arm stretch wrapper. Common machine rolls are 20 inches wide and 5,000 feet long. Tell us your wrapper and we quote film that fits it.
Pre-stretched film
Stretched at the factory, so it goes on with less effort. A thin pre-stretched roll can hold about like a much heavier standard roll.
Coreless stretch film
Wound without a cardboard core and used with a reusable handle, so there is no core to throw away when the roll runs out.
Cast vs blown stretch film
Both are polyethylene. The difference is how the film is made, and you notice it on the dock.
| Cast film | Blown film | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is made | Extruded through a flat die onto chilled rollers | Extruded through a round die and blown into a bubble |
| Unwinding | Quiet | Louder |
| Look | Clearer and glossier | Hazier |
| Strength | Resists tears spreading | Resists punctures from sharp corners |
| Cling | Lower than blown | Higher |
| Common use | General warehouse loads and machine wrapping | Irregular or sharp-edged loads |
These are general rules. Every maker formulates its film differently, so test a roll on your own loads before you switch.
Gauge, microns and how heavy a film you need
Gauge is film thickness. 100 gauge equals 1 mil, which is 25.4 microns, so 80 gauge is about 20 microns.
| Gauge | About microns | Typical load, per maker guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 15 | Uniform loads up to about 1,800 lb |
| 70 | 18 | Up to about 2,200 lb |
| 80 | 20 | Up to about 2,400 lb. The general-purpose standard. |
| 90 | 23 | Up to about 2,600 lb |
| 100 to 115 | 25 to 29 | About 3,000 lb and up |
| 150 | 38 | Sharp, irregular or tall loads |
Thinner "equivalent" or high-performance films, such as 47 gauge, use stronger resins and can hold like a heavier standard film. Ratings vary by maker.
Black, colored and PCR stretch film
- Black stretch film hides what is on the pallet, which helps with high-value or private loads.
- Colored and tinted film marks loads by shift, customer or destination.
- PCR stretch film contains post-consumer recycled plastic, for buyers who track recycled content.
- Stretch film dispensers and handles save wrists and film on hand rolls.
Compare cost per load, not cost per roll
Stretch film is quoted per roll, but what you really buy is film per pallet. A 2,000-foot roll holds a third more film than a 1,500-foot roll, so compare price per foot, not per roll. A thinner performance film can wrap the same load with less plastic when it is applied right, so test it on your own loads first.
Send us what you run now and we will price it per roll and per foot, delivered. If a thinner film makes sense, we will quote it too so you can test the two side by side.
What to send for a stretch film quote
- Gauge, width and length, or a photo of the case label
- Hand or machine film, and the wrapper make and model if you run one
- Cast or blown, and clear, black or tinted
- Rolls or cases a month and the delivery address
Common questions
What is the difference between cast and blown stretch film?
Cast film is made on chilled rollers. It is clearer, quieter to unwind and resists tears spreading. Blown film is made in a bubble. It clings more and resists punctures, so it suits sharp or irregular loads.
Is stretch wrap the same as stretch film?
Yes. Stretch wrap, stretch film and pallet wrap are names for the same product.
What gauge stretch film should we use?
80 gauge is the common general-purpose film. Light, even loads can use less, and sharp or heavy loads need more. Send a photo of a typical load and we will suggest a gauge to test.
Are you a stretch film distributor or a manufacturer?
A distributor. Film ships from established stretch film manufacturers straight to your dock, at our delivered price and on our invoice.
Do you sell stretch wrappers?
No. We supply film for the wrapper you have. Tell us the make and model and we will quote rolls that fit.
How much stretch film does a pallet take?
It depends on load height, gauge, how many times the wrap overlaps and whether the film is pre-stretched. Track rolls used against pallets shipped for a week, and we can price it per load.
Get a delivered price
Pricing comes back within two business days, with freight in the price.
Buying several things? Send one invoice for a free cost review.