Shrink Wrap 101, protecting your brand with stretch film

Tons of today’s shipping and warehousing tasks depend on a light, flexible innovation of the last 50 years: stretch wrap film. While shrink wrap and other plastic films were already popular for bundling goods, stretch film’s 1970’s debut revolutionized a manufacturer’s ability to unitize, organize and transport pallet loads. Stretch wrap film could tightly encircle bulk cartons, maintaining enough tension to secure them for shipping, distribution or long-term storage.

Today, stretch-wrapped pallets are the material-handling standard for busy U.S. transportation hubs, distribution centers and storage facilities. The widespread use of pallet wrap has led to films with varying strengths, innovative features and turnkey application methods. With so many choices, Seattle shippers look to experienced packaging suppliers for guidance on selecting premium, cost-effective stretch wraps. For your convenience, PackageIt carries stock and custom stretch wraps that meet every business need, large or small. Consider these basic stretch wrap facts before you choose from our exhaustive inventory of stretch film and warehouse supplies.

Type & Quality of Stretch Wrap

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), the plastic used in stretch wrap, has exceptional elongation and elastic recovery. Its ability to stretch long distances and return to its resting state creates a tension level that optimally secures wrapped cartons.

The two types of LLDPE manufacturing methods result in films with different characteristics:

• Cast extrusion produces a film with easier stretch, good tear resistance, a clear finish, two-sided cling, and quiet unwinding from the roll. Lower cost and more uniform manufacturing processes result in a broad range of available film thicknesses.
• Blown extrusion produces superior film with exceptional tensile strength, stretch capacity and tear resistance. This film is preferred for cold temperatures or loads with sharp edges. Blown film is more expensive, louder when unrolled—and opaque in appearance.                                                                                                                               

Additional Stretch Film Properties

Choosing a suitable plastic film to handle your shipping or storage load depends on several factors. Ask yourself these questions as you decide on the best shrink or stretch wrap solution for your business application.

• Does your palletized load consist of uniform packages or a mix of different sizes and shapes? Loads with varying sizes and weights require stronger stretch wrap for enhanced stability and minimal breakage.
• Will the stretch wrap be applied by hand or machine? The wrapping method determines the optimum roll size and film gauge (thickness) needed for best results.
• What conditions will your pallets encounter in transit and storage? The length of time in transit or storage, along with environmental factors like temperature, dust and weather exposure, dictate a wrap’s required tensile strength, gauge and special characteristics. 
• What film gauge yields the best load-holding profile for the lowest cost? Selecting a thinner, cheaper film may seem wise at the time, but it could cost you money in the long run when loads shift and goods are damaged. PackageIt sales representatives assess your load profile and provide a cost-benefit analysis to help with your film choice.
• Do your palletized products require stretch wrap with additional features like these? If so, PackageIt can help.
• Reinforced layers 
• Venting 
• UV protection
• Corrosion inhibition
• Anti-static properties
• Custom printing
• Color or opacity                                                                                                                                         

Pre-Stretched Wrap Saves Time & Money

Wrap machines provide consistent film stretch that results in better film utilization, lower material costs and increased load stability. Pre-stretched wrap delivers these benefits for handheld pallet wrapping, too.

Manufacturers extend blown or cast films to 80 or 90 percent of their full stretch potential in order to produce pre-stretched wrap. This film is then rolled onto an easy-to-manage core for hand application. Pre-stretch products have significant advantages over standard gauge, hand-stretched film. Benefits include:

• Easier handling & less physical strain for workers 
• Fewer employee repetitive motion injuries
• Reduced employee falls & accidents
• More consistent wrap tension for better load stability
• Greater application control and consistency with lighter-weight rolls
• Up to 50 percent less film for load securing 
• Minimal edge damage & narrowing of film width 
• Decreased waste & material costs

Bottom Line Benefits of Stretch Wrap                                 

Protecting your goods with versatile, effective stretch film is one of the best ways to unitize loads and palletize shipments. Today’s product innovations also reduce wrap cost, minimize waste and improve stretch film’s overall usefulness. Before you choose the best solution for stabilizing and unitizing your pallet loads, remember to weigh the stretch wrap benefits that also impact your bottom line. Examples include:

Damage & Loss Prevention   

• More products arrive at their final destination without breakage or loss.
• Packages are safeguarded from the damaging effects of light, contamination, moisture or rough handling. 
• Opaque and reinforced films can deter loss from theft and tampering.

Improved Operational Productivity 

• Visible but protected labeling and color-coding features help with inventory management.
• Unitized loads that are easier to move, shelve, stack and maintain.
• Stretch film can be applied by hand or machine with ease and safety.

Cost-Effective Option

• Securing loads with stretch wrap costs less than using strapping or shrink-wrap machines.
• Pre-stretched film and films with reinforced tensile strength further reduce material costs and stretch wrap waste.
• Easy handling eliminates product waste from load failures or do-overs. 
• Securely unitized loads require fewer employee hours for handling, transport and storage.

Sustainable Stretch Wrap Solutions for Your Business

Using stretch wrap to palletize shipments combines cost containment and environmental stewardship efforts. New film innovation produces stretch films that achieve superior strength and load control with lower gauge films, reducing wrap waste. In addition, recycling facilities accept many stretch wrap films. But the greatest environmental savings comes from stretch films’ effectiveness in preventing product damage and eliminating re-shipping costs. By ensuring products arrive at their destination intact, inexpensive stretch films relieve overburdened landfills.

PackageIt VMI Services                                                                

An unexpected shortage of pre-stretched wrap or custom printed cartons is no longer a worry when you put PackageIt’s Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) services to work for your company. Our VMI specialists chart, manage and replenish your packaging, shipping and warehouse supplies—so you’ll always have the materials you need. Trust our dedicated PackageIt inventory team will:

• Visit your facility at regular intervals.
• Take stock of available supplies.
• Restock packaging materials as needed.
• Assess future supply demands.
• Educate you about packaging innovations that improve business operations and ease your budget.

And throughout the VMI process, you will receive customized inventory reports from your assigned sales team member, resulting in ultimate peace of mind.

Order Stretch Wrap Today

Since 1974, Seattle businesses have turned to our Pacific Northwest packaging supply experts for quality supplies, competitive pricing and unmatched customer service. Call 888.743.0907 to schedule a VMI consultation—or request a quote for pre-stretched wrap film online—from the convenience of your home office.