If you’re looking for a way to protect your items from damage while in transit, stretch film is the best solution. Whether stretch film wrap is made by hand or stretch wrapping machine, it will keep your business product safe during shipping and storage.
It provides an airtight seal around any object that you wrap with it. You can use stretch film in conjunction with shrink bags or boxes if desired as well. The best stretch wrap is the kind that is available from a trusted, reputable company. To find this type of stretch film, you need to do your research.
18″ Stretch Film
Duck Brand Stretch Wrap Roll
15 Inch Stretch Wrap
Our Best Review on Stretch Film
Stretch film is a great invention that can make your life easier and help you save money. It’s lightweight and easy to use because it stretches over things to cover them up or take the place of other items that may have been lost.
We will review some of the most famous stretch wrap products on the market and help you narrow down which one would best suit your needs.
1. International Plastics Co. Heavy Duty Shrink Film
International Plastics Co. 18″ Stretch Film is the best solution for its high-quality, cost savings features for all of your packaging needs. The 1200ft stretch film is ideal for packaging and bundling household items such as furniture, mattresses before putting them into boxes or bins.
You get a lower gauge and more plastic with ECO Rolls that make storage and handling much more accessible for the same weight. The film’s thickness is perfect for protecting your packages from damage. In addition, its elastic properties increase tear resistance and make it easy to use without breaking or getting tangled.
It offers supper load stability so that you can create an adorable seal to protect your household or business products in transit. This hand stretch film has up to 500% stretchability that reduces film breaks. So it is easy to apply and remove the plastic without tangling or breaking.
18″ Stretch Film is the best stretch wrap product in the market for its many key features. The most commonly recycled plastic in the United States is LLDPE-based stretch wrapping film. Recycled weaker materials ensure that this film is clear and never cloudy.
Pros:
- Wrap Quickly and Efficiently
- Durable and Strong
- Flexible
- High Tear Resistance
- Self-Adhering
- Dustproof
Cons:
- Inappropriate for food packing
2. Duck Brand Stretch Wrap Roll
Duck brand with stretch wrap roll solutions makes your next pallet load and move more accessible, and your property will be more secured. For storage or moving, clear plastic wrap is a perfect choice. Upon unpacking, it doesn’t leave a messy residue behind.
This hand stretch film protects your items from moisture and makes them easy to handle. This wrap is excellent for wrapping televisions. In addition, doors and drawers of cabinets and dressers will be secured by this wrap.
It holds the bedframe’s hardware in place. Moreover, it provides dust and stain protection for plush furniture. It helps prevent scratches, scuffs, and damage to surfaces and furniture legs. As a result, you don’t have to worry about your valuable household or business wrapping items.
This stretch wrap film roll has a diameter of 5 inches and a length of 1000 feet.
Pros:
- Dust and Stain Protective
- Durable
- Self-adhesive
- Clear Film
- Low Priced
Cons:
- Unsafe for food
3. Simply Cool Stretch Wrap Extra Thick
This heavy-duty stretch wrap is a better solution for you to get the job done quickly and easily. A 3″ core has an easy-to-cut blade that will make cutting to size a breeze. Furthermore, the flexibility of plastic film makes it useful for consumer and commercial purposes.
It’s durable, reusable, and made with 20 microns (80 gauge) film, which means you can secure anything securely and fast. It features 80 gauge to speed up your work instead of strapping and taping. It’s long-lasting and can be used for all kinds of stuff.
This stretch wrap can stick to themselves and not just the surface they’re being used. As a result, no adhesive is needed when wrapping a box or parcel. This stretch wrap is a much more economical alternative to other typical packaging methods. Additionally, it’s faster and easier to use than other alternatives like tape, strapping, or twine.
It takes half the time to wrap your package without compromising on quality.
Pros:
- Durable
- Easy to adhere
- Flexible
- Long-Lasting
Cons:
- Low Stickiness
4. Modern Innovations Clear Plastic Stretch Wrap
15 Inch Stretch Wrap by Modern Innovations is an innovative product made from high-quality materials. It is designed for durability and strength, so you don’t have to worry about fragile or broken oversized packages.
It is lightweight and straightforward to use, making it a versatile and helpful product for you. This stretch film is for many purposes, such as wrapping heavy objects, covering furniture, or wrapping perishable items.
It comes in handy when you want to protect your fabric furniture from scratches, stains, rips, and dirt. Stretch wrap doesn’t leave behind a residue like a tape. As a result, stretch wrap fills most of the logistical needs of industrial workers and movers alike.
With these easy-to-use handles, you will get the job done in minutes. Just wrap it with these handles instead of finding a way to do so on your own.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Suitable for Food Packaging
- No sticky residue
- Scratches proof
Cons:
- Handles are needed
5. Sam Wrap (R) Pallet Shrink – 2 Roll
Sam Wrap (R) Stretch Wrap features heavy-duty stretch thickness and firmly sticks to itself. So it will last throughout all packing, moving, shipping or storage. This wrap works great for packaging suitcases, wrapping furniture, and protecting luggage.
The wrap also comes 5 inches wide, perfect for small boxes, packaging together small items, or wrapping a picture frame while in transit. You can use this to pack pallets, firewood, tools, or boxes until your next project.
Whether you carry a load with sharp corners or even a flat surface, it’s excellent for bundling and securing it. The film is powerful, and it clings to itself. Moreover, this shrink wrap is glossy and slippery on the surface. As a result, you see no dust and dirt stick to it.
Using this high-quality pallet wrap, you will be assured of a clean removal without a trace of adhesives. The self-dispenser makes it easier than ever to bundle up your items. Furthermore, its stretchy substance eliminates the danger of over-tightening your load, which can lead to injury or damage.
Pros:
- Self-dispenser
- Small Item & user friendly
- Stretchy
- Slippery
Cons:
- Food Packaging Unfit
Key Factors to Consider Before Buying a Stretch Wrap
Having the best stretch wrap for your application is essential to getting the job done. There are some factors that you should check before purchasing stretch wrap, but the most important considerations are:
Material
Stretch wrap film is made of either PVC or polyester, and both have their advantages. Polyester films are better for cold environments because they’re more resistant to cracking in cold weather.
On the other hand, PVC can stretch much farther, which is excellent if you need a long piece. So check the weather and pallet loads you’ll be wrapping before making your decision.
Size
Stretch wraps come in various widths that range from one inch wide up to six inches. Narrower films might be better if you have light loads because working with them is more manageable.
However, suppose you’re wrapping large crates or pallets. In that case, more comprehensive films could help make sure everything is fully covered in an even layer.
Applications
Stretch wrap is used for various purposes: shipping packages or pallets full of goods; sealing food in plastic containers; stretch wrapping up fragile objects like vases before being moved into storage.
So it would help if you thought about what your needs are when it comes to stretch film. For example, suppose you have more than one application in mind. In that case, it might be best to buy a roll that can accommodate both your needs so that you don’t have to worry about purchasing different types of stretch films every time.
Adhesive
If you’re wrapping more delicate items, then stretch films with a stronger adhesive are better. Still, the weaker glue would be acceptable if the load is heavier and won’t move around. Therefore, you need to check self-adhering features before selecting one.
Gauge
When buying stretch wraps, you’ll also need to look at the gauge. Gauge is a measurement of thickness that ranges from 45 microns up to 100 or more. The higher the number, the thicker and more robust your film will be.
However, lower gauges might be better if you have many delicate items since they’re easier to apply to fragile items.
Stretchy Level
There is another factor to consider when looking at stretch film: the stretchy level. It measures how much a stretch wrap can stretch something wrapped before it breaks.
Higher levels might need to be considered if you’re securing heavy or unstable loads. It ranges anywhere from 400% to 1200%. The higher the number, the more elasticity there will be in your wrap.
Scratches Proof
Some stretch wrap films are designed to prevent scratches and scuffs on your pallet load, which is helpful if a forklift or other machinery will handle the cargo you’re wrapping after it’s covered.
Food Grade
If you are using your film in a kitchen, then food-grade stretch films should be considered because they won’t contaminate any food items.
Lasting
Stretch wraps are typically designed to last three months before they start tearing, and the average lifespan of a stretch wrap film is about five years.
Cost
Stretch film costs vary depending on the size and feature it has, but you should also consider what kind of return you’ll get for the price if things don’t go according to plan. For example, PVC stretch films are more expensive, but they’re also more durable and easier to use.
Wrapping Techniques
It is an essential consideration because stretch wrapping techniques vary depending on the material.
For example, PVC stretches and gets tighter when pulled, while polyester stretches and gets looser. Knowing how the material will stretch can help you wrap your load as efficiently as possible to avoid wasting any film.
Weight
Depending on the application, stretch wrap films come in weights that range from 20 pounds per square foot to 110. The weight you choose will depend on how much protection is needed for your load: heavier wraps are better at resisting punctures and tears, whereas lighter ones can be easier to work with because they’re more flexible.
Transparent
Transparent stretch wrap film is a great way to protect your load while still being able to see what’s inside. It will allow you to identify where the contents are accessible. It can also be used as a shipping label on packages without any additional tags needed.
Extra Features
One thing to look out for is whether or not a pre stretch film has features like handles on it. These can help ensure that you have a good grip, which will reduce the risk of dropping it while trying to load heavy objects onto trucks and such. They also come with various patterns, which can help make sure that your load is well-covered.
Types of Stretch Film
Although there is a wide variety of stretch film, the most common types are :
- Blown Stretch Films
- Cast Stretch Films
- Hand Stretch Films
- Machine Stretch Films
- Pre-Stretch Films
Blown Stretch Wrap:
The blown stretch wrap has a higher degree of memory and can retract perfectly for heavy loads. Because it has a bubble-like structure that provides extra elasticity and industrial strength. A benefit of using blown stretch wrap is that it can be reused if you store it correctly.
Cast Stretch Film:
Cast stretch wrap is the second most common type of stretch wrap. Cast films are made from a specially formulated polymer that produces excellent tear and puncture resistance. It means it’s perfect for heavy loads but can be more expensive than other types of stretch wraps.
Hand Stretch Film:
Hand stretch film is a stretch wrap that can be easily applied by hand, perfect for small pallets or smaller quantities.
Hand stretch film is typically used on smaller pallets or for more manual transportation of goods. This type of pre stretch wrap comes with a safety release tab to make it easy to use without needing any other tools such as scissors.
Machine Stretch Film:
Machine stretch film is a machine-made and pre-cut type of plastic wrap that comes in various widths. It provides high performance, long-lasting results when protecting pallets, boxes, or other products during storage and transit. Machine stretch film also offers superior resistance to creases for optimum load protection while reducing the need for costly manual labor.
Pre Stretch Film
The pre stretch film is a type of stretch wrap that has been pre stretched, treated, and manufactured for increased durability. It is perfect for moving heavy loads or products with sharp corners without wrapping tearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Strongest Stretch Wrap?
Answer: The strongest stretch wrap is the thick one, heavy-duty, and most resistant to tearing. Eighty-gauge stretch wrap is the strongest and can stretch to a length of 1300 feet.
Is Stretch Wrap the Same as Shrink Wrap?
Answer: No. Stretch wrap is used to secure uniform loads of 1,000 pounds or more, whereas shrink wrap will only protect items under 50 pounds in weight.
What does Gauge Mean in a Stretch Wrap?
Answer: Gauge refers to the thickness of the stretch wrap. The higher gauge, the thicker and heavier duty it is.
What is the Best Gauge for Shrink Wrap?
Answer: The best gauge for shrink wrap is between 70 and 80 gauge. It provides enough protection to fragile items, yet also easy enough to cut through when the need arises.
How do You Stretch Shrink Wraps?
Answer: To use, you remove the release paper from one side and place it around the product or group of similar items. Once in place, the next step is to pull on both ends until tight enough for your desired protection level.
Final Words
It’s no secret that stretch film is a popular product in the packaging world. It’s also become popular as an alternative to cling wrap. Stretch wrap is proven to be more environmentally friendly, healthier than superior cling wrap, and easier to use. But, of course, the best stretch wrap is the one that keeps your packaging line straight and safe. We hope that you can now make an informed decision on what kind of stretch wrap to have.