Stretch wrap secures pallets, prevents damage/load shifts.
Choose based on Performance, Cost, and Compliance.
This guide covers specs, hand vs. machine and useful tips.

Key Specs

1. Thickness (mils)

1 mil = 0.001 in. Thinner high-performance films save cost.

Mils	Use
0.6–0.9	Light (≤1,100 lbs), uniform, short-term indoor
0.9–1.2	Medium (1,100–3,300 lbs), mixed SKUs, regular storage
1.2–2.0	Heavy (>3,300 lbs), sharp edges, long-term outdoor

Pro Tip: 1.0 mil LLDPE: best balance, works for 80% of loads, uses 20–30% less material than 1.5 mil low-quality.

2. Width (inches)

Hand wrap: 12, 14, 18″
Machine wrap: 20″ (fits 48x40″ pallets)
Narrow 4–8″: bundling or reinforcement

3. Stretch Ratio

Hand: 200–400% (actual 250–300%)
Machine: 300–500% (consistent)
Pre-stretched hand: reduces effort by 50%

4. Material

LLDPE: standard, puncture-resistant
LDPE: cheap, flexible, less durable
HDPE: rigid, tear-resistant, minimal stretch

5. Cling

Single-sided: cleaner (avoids sticking to equipment)
Double-sided: for lightweight/uneven loads
Avoid excessive cling (jams, damaged packaging)

6. Color

Clear: barcode scanning
Black/colored: UV protection, theft deterrent
Tinted: UV + visibility

Hand vs. Machine Wrap

Feature	Hand	Machine
Speed	1–2 pallets/min	3–5 pallets/min
Labor	High	Low
Stretch ratio	200–400%	300–500%
Cost per pallet	$0.75–1.25	$0.30–0.60
Best for	≤10 pallets/day, irregular	≥10 pallets/day, standard

Key Insight: 20+ pallets/day → semi-auto machine ($5-8k) pays back in 6–8 months.

Selection by Scenario

By Load (lbs)

≤1,100: 0.7–0.9 mil hand LLDPE
1,100–3,300: 1.0–1.2 mil pre-stretched LLDPE
≥3,300: 1.5–2.0 mil machine LLDPE
Sharp edges: 1.2–1.5 mil blown LLDPE

By Storage

Indoor short (≤3 mo): clear 0.9–1.0 mil
Indoor long (>3 mo): 1.0–1.2 mil strong cling
Outdoor: black 1.5–2.0 mil UV-resistant
Humid/refrigerated: anti-fog

By Cost

Budget: 0.9 mil hand LLDPE
High-volume: machine pre-stretched (40% less material)
Premium: true-gauge film

Quick Reference Table

Scenario	Film	Specs
E‑commerce hand	LLDPE hand	0.8 mil, 14″, 300%
Retail machine	Pre-stretched LLDPE	1.0 mil, 20″, 400%
Sharp edges	Blown LLDPE	1.5 mil, 20″, high puncture
Outdoor (TX/FL)	UV-resistant LLDPE	1.8 mil, black, 20″
Cold storage	Anti-fog LLDPE	1.0 mil, clear, 18″

Final Tips

Test samples on your loads.
Total cost = roll + labor + coverage.
Train 4–6 base wraps, 2–3 top (DOT standards).
Sustainability – recyclable or bio-based LLDPE.
Compliance – FDA/GMP for food/pharma.

Balance Performance, Cost, and Compliance.