Short answer
Use cast film for quiet unwind and clarity, blown film for tougher, load-holding grip on awkward pallets. Hand rolls suit under about 15 pallets a day; above that a machine roll with pre-stretch cuts film use substantially per pallet.
Cast vs blown
| Cast film | Blown film | |
|---|---|---|
| Clarity | High, labels readable | Hazy |
| Noise on unwind | Quiet | Loud |
| Puncture resistance | Good | Excellent |
| Cling | High on both sides | Cling one side, tack the other |
| Best for | Uniform, boxed pallets | Sharp edges, uneven loads |
Getting the wrap pattern right
- Anchor the film to the pallet itself, not just the bottom carton.
- Two to three wraps at the base, two at the top, and overlap each pass by half.
- Do not over-wrap the middle; containment force matters more than turns.
- Check for load lean before dispatch: a lean means the wrap is too loose or the stack is unbalanced.
Where the savings are
Most sites use more film than they need because they compensate for a poor pattern with extra turns. A thinner high-performance film with pre-stretch usually gives better containment for less money per pallet. We will trial rolls with you before you switch.
Frequently asked questions
- What gauge of stretch wrap do I need?
- Light, uniform pallets are typically fine on 17 micron; heavier or sharp-edged loads usually need 20 to 30 micron or a high-performance thin film.
- Is stretch wrap recyclable?
- Yes, through soft plastics streams, and we can advise on recycled-content films.
- Do you supply pallet wrapping machines?
- We supply machine film and can advise on the right dispenser or wrapping machine for your throughput.
Think your packaging is bigger than it needs to be?
Send us your product dimensions and we’ll come back with a right-sized option. There is no minimum on stock lines, and bespoke corrugated runs can start from as little as one, but we will advise the most cost efficient run rate depending on size and board grade.
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