Efficient Use of Stretch Film in Packaging

Stretch film, more commonly known as stretch wrap, is a highly flexible and elastic plastic film. It can be pulled tightly around objects that are being packaged until it is taught, forming a tight seal. Depending on the type of film you purchase, it may stretch up to 500% of its original length, providing a versatile and strong packaging material. However, the more common breaking point is between 100%-300% of the original length. Stretch film should not be confused with shrink wrap which is designed to loosely cover an object, before being shrunk by heat.

Stretch film is versatile, strong, and can be manufactured in many lengths, thicknesses, and widths, and may come as a clear, transparent wrap or a colored product. It can be manufactured as an economical, high performance or heavy duty product and has many retail and industrial applications. 

The uses for stretch film are varied but it is commonly found in general household uses.  A common use is for food storage in both the home and in supermarkets.  It is sold for kitchen purposes in handy rolls and is mostly used for wrapping leftovers or to seal packages of food in order to avoid spoiling.  Its transparency allows for easy identification of the items stored.  In the supermarket it is used for wrapping deli items as well as meats, poultry, fish and sometimes vegetables for display.  Commercial rolls of film are much wider and come in rolls of several hundreds of yards. It is dispensed behind the counter for easy access by the butcher or deli attendant.

There are multiple industrial uses as well.  Stretch film is often used to wrap items on a pallet for storage or shipping.  This provides stability of the stack to create a unit load.   Its advantages include dust resistance and moisture, and in addition it is not prone to tearing or static discharge.   Due to its strength, thickness and its ability to be tightly applied, it even aids in theft prevention. Because of its clarity it is suited for large and busy warehouses for easy identification of products for stacking or shipping. Stretch film is the most cost efficient way for keeping items secured.  Color coated film may be used for inventory or date control.  Some film is available in perforated sheets for easy handling and dispensing. 

A thick, black opaque film is available for outdoor packaging and storage.  It is ideal for concealment or light sensitive items.  In addition, stretch netting comes in various sizes and shapes for different applications.  It may be used to allow products such as fruits or vegetables to breathe to avoid spoilage.  It is also used for protective covering of items to avoid nicks and scratches.

Large applications require stretch wrap machines.  They may be manual, semi-automatic or automatic.  Their sizes vary depending upon the need of the job.  A portable unit is available.  These operate with the pallet sitting on a large turntable and spinning while the film is dispensed from the side.  Their capacity varies from twelve to twenty loads an hour.  The devices contain fork lift slots for easy transport.   Many of these machines have a built in scale for easy weighing of the load.  A lightweight roll with a built in dispenser is available and is the fastest and easiest way for wrapping a pallet eliminating the need for an expensive machine.

Like plastic products of all sorts, stretch film has multiple purposes and fulfills many needs.

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John Jones is an expert on shipping supplies and related products.  He is a packaging specialist with Vertex Packaging Supplies, a company providing a complete line of shipping supplies using an innovative approach to serving its customers. Visit our website for a complete line of shipping supplies.