Hand film or machine film
Hand film is applied by a person walking the pallet, often with a hand dispenser. It comes on narrower, shorter rolls that one person can handle, and it suits lower volumes and mixed loads.
Machine film runs on a turntable or rotary arm stretch wrapper and comes on longer, heavier rolls. A machine stretches the film further than a person can, so at higher volumes it often uses less film per pallet and wraps each load the same way.
Cast film or blown film
Cast film is made by running melted resin over chilled rollers. It is clear, quiet and unwinds evenly, which makes it a common choice for everyday loads.
Blown film is made by blowing the resin into a tall bubble that cools in the air. It is tougher and more puncture resistant, so it holds up on loads with sharp corners and edges. It is usually hazier and louder to unwind than cast film.
Pre-stretched film
Pre-stretched film is stretched at the factory before it is rolled. It is thinner and lighter, so it is easier to apply by hand and goes further per pound.
Gauge: how thick the film is
Gauge is film thickness. 100 gauge is 1 mil (one thousandth of an inch), so 80 gauge is 0.8 mil, about 20 microns. A higher number means thicker film.
| Load | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Light, even boxes | A lower gauge, or a pre-stretched film |
| Medium loads | A mid-range gauge such as 80 |
| Heavy loads, or sharp corners and edges | A higher gauge, or a blown film |
These are starting points, not rules. Film strength varies by maker, so a thinner film from one maker can outperform a thicker one from another. Test on your own loads.
What to send with a quote request
- Hand or machine, and the make of your stretch wrapper if you run one
- The width, length and gauge printed on the roll you use now, or a photo of the label
- How many pallets you wrap a day or a week
- What is on the pallet, and anything sharp or unstable
Sources: Lantech (stretch wrapper manufacturer): blown vs cast, how stretch film is made.