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What Is Stretch Wrap?

Stretch wrap is a highly stretchable plastic stretch wrap film used to unitize, secure, and stabilize pallet loads before transport and storage. Applied around the outside of a loaded pallet by hand or by machine, it stretches under tension to conform tightly to the load and hold every layer in position throughout the freight journey.

The core function of stretch wrap for cargo is to prevent individual boxes, bags, and units from shifting, toppling, or separating during handling and transit. A correctly wrapped pallet reduces freight damage claims, product losses, and return costs. It also provides a surface layer that protects outer packaging from dust and minor moisture contact during storage and loading operations.

Stretch wrap for pallet loads is available in three primary formats. Manual rolls are used for low to medium volume hand-wrapping without machinery. Machine rolls are engineered for automated high-volume pallet wrapping lines. Pre-stretched film is specified for operations that prioritize consistent wrap tension and reduced material consumption per load.

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Stretch Wrap Products

Dunnage Systems supplies two primary stretch wrap formats to match your operation volume, wrapping method, and load profile. Select the product that fits your daily pallet throughput and facility setup.

Manual Stretch Wrap

Best for: Low to medium volume operations and hand-wrapping without machinery.

A manual stretch wrap roll is designed for easy hand application, making it a practical solution for warehouses, shipping stations, and smaller packaging operations. This stretch wrap provides flexibility and control during wrapping while helping secure palletized products for storage and transit. Stretch wrap for pallet loads is commonly used where portability and quick application are important.

Sub-types:

  • Blown Stretch Wrap
  • Cast Stretch Wrap
  • Pre-stretched Stretch Wrap
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Machine Stretch Wrap

Best for: High-volume automated and semi-automated pallet wrapping operations

If you need to optimize your production performance, machine plastic stretch wrap is the specification to consider. Tailor your machine industrial plastic wrap to specific wrapping parameters such as pre-stretching levels and number of wraps per load, for maximum efficiency and consistency across high-volume automated pallet wrapping operations.

Sub-types:

  • Blown Stretch Wrap
  • Cast Stretch Wrap
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Stretch Wrap Product Specifications

All stretch wrap roll formats from Dunnage Systems are available in cast and blown film types across standard and custom gauge options. Select by material type, stretch percentage, gauge, puncture resistance rating, and optimal load application for your operation.

Inflator Comparison by Type
Format Film Type Gauge Range Stretch Percentage Puncture Resistance Optimal Use Case
Manual – Cast Linear Low-Density PE 47 to 80 micron Up to 200% Standard Light to medium pallets, hand-wrapping
Manual – Blown Linear Low-Density PE 50 to 80 micron Up to 150% High Irregular loads, sharp corners, outdoor staging
Manual – Pre-Stretched Linear Low-Density PE 12 to 17 micron Factory pre-stretched Standard High-efficiency hand-wrapping, reduced fatigue
Machine – Cast Linear Low-Density PE 17 to 35 micron Up to 300% (machine) Standard High-volume automated pallet wrapping lines
Machine – Blown Linear Low-Density PE 20 to 35 micron Up to 250% (machine) High Heavy and irregular machine-wrapped loads
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How to Choose the Right Stretch Wrap for Your Operation?

Match these four decision points to your load profile and operational setup before placing an order. Selecting the correct stretch wrap specification from the start eliminates film waste, wrap failure, and reorder costs.

Product Type: Load Size and Shape

Match the film format and gauge to the dimensions and shape of your load. Standard rectangular pallet loads use cast film for clarity and quiet unwinding. Irregular or sharp-cornered loads need blown film with higher puncture resistance. Tall or unstable loads need a higher gauge stretch wrap for cargo that holds tension across more wrap layers.

Volume: Manual or Machine-Assisted Wrapping

Choose the right stretch wrap roll format based on your daily packaging volume and wrapping process. Manual wrapping works well for flexible, lower-volume operations, while machine-assisted wrapping is better suited for consistent, high-volume pallet handling. Selecting the correct format helps improve wrapping efficiency, film control, and load stability.

Strength and Durability: Blown vs. Cast Film

Cast plastic stretch wrap unwinds quietly, offers high clarity, and provides consistent stretch across all gauge options. Blown film has higher memory and puncture resistance, making it more suitable for sharp or irregular loads and outdoor storage environments. If your loads include sharp-edged boxes or protruding corners, blown film reduces the risk of film failure during wrapping and transit.

Sustainability: Eco-Friendly Film Options

If your packaging program has a plastic reduction or recyclability target, choose recyclable LLDPE stretch wrap in a reduced gauge that delivers equivalent load retention with less film per pallet. Pre-stretched film also reduces total material consumption per load cycle. Confirm recyclability with your local plastic film recycling program before committing to a new sustainable film specification.

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Cost Efficiency

Correct film gauge and pre-stretch specification reduces per-pallet material waste and total packaging spend per shift. Stretch wrap orders from Dunnage Systems are available in bulk quantities at volume pricing, lowering the per-roll cost for operations with high weekly film consumption across multiple packing lines or facilities.

High Stretch and Secure Fit

Plastic stretch wrap in cast and blown formats delivers consistent stretch memory that keeps tension locked against the pallet load throughout transit. High elongation film conforms to irregular load shapes and sharp corners without tearing, ensuring every unit on the pallet stays in position from the dispatch dock to the delivery point.

Why Choose Stretch Wrap from Dunnage Systems?

Customizable for Your Specific Needs

Stretch wrap is available from Dunnage Systems in a range of gauges, film types, stretch percentages, and roll widths to match any pallet format, wrapping equipment, and load requirement. Custom specifications are available on request for non-standard loads, tinted security wrap, or UV-resistant outdoor staging applications across your operation.

Durability Against Transit Damage

Multi-layer LLDPE film construction resists puncture, tear propagation, and film break under the physical handling forces experienced during loading, transport, and unloading. Durable stretch wrap for cargo maintains its tension and cling across temperature changes and vibration without loosening, protecting the load profile across every leg of the freight journey.

Eco-Friendly Film Options

Recyclable LLDPE stretch wrap film grades are available across all manual and machine formats for operations with plastic reduction or sustainability targets. Reduced-gauge pre-stretched film uses less plastic per pallet while maintaining equivalent load retention. All recyclable grades are compatible with standard plastic film collection and recycling programs.

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How to Use Stretch Wrap?: Five Steps to a Secure Pallet Load

Correct stretch wrap application produces a stable, unitized pallet that maintains its load profile from the dispatch dock to the destination. Follow these five steps for consistent results on every wrap cycle.

1
step-1-select-the-appropriate-stretch-wrap-for-your-loa

Select the Appropriate Stretch Wrap for Your Load

Match the stretch wrap type and film format to your pallet load and wrapping method. Lightweight products may only require standard hand film, while heavier or unstable loads often benefit from machine-applied film with higher holding strength. Confirm the film format is compatible with your wrapping equipment before use.

2
step-2-position-the-wrap-on-the-palle

Position the Wrap on the Pallet

Anchor the leading edge of the stretch wrap to the base of the stretch wrap for pallet load before beginning the wrap cycle. Tuck the film end under a box edge or around a pallet stringer to create a secure anchor point. A loose starting point causes wrap to slip during application and produces uneven tension across the finished load.

3
step-3-wrap-tightly-from-base-to-top

Wrap Tightly from Base to Top

Begin wrapping at the base of the load, working upward in overlapping horizontal layers. Apply consistent pull tension on manual wraps to activate the film stretch and cling properties. For machine wrapping, set the pre-stretch percentage to the film specification before starting. Each pass should cover 50 percent of the previous layer as you move up the pallet.

4
step-4-overlap-the-wrap-layers-to-secure-the-load

Overlap the Wrap Layers to Secure the Load

Each wrap layer should overlap the previous layer by at least 50 percent throughout the full height of the load. Overlapping layers build the cumulative tension that holds the full pallet stack together as a single unit. On the final top pass, overlap the uppermost layer of boxes by at least two full wrap bands to lock the top of the load.

5
step-5-seal-the-wrap-and-prepare-for-shipmen

Seal the Wrap and Prepare for Shipment

At the top of the load, fold the film edge over the top layer of boxes and press it firmly against the film on the side of the load to activate the self-cling bond. Cut the film from the roll. For high-security loads, apply a second pass from top to base before cutting. Confirm no loose film ends remain before the pallet is cleared for dispatch.

Sustainable and Recyclable Stretch Wrap Options

Dunnage Systems supplies stretch wrap in recyclable LLDPE grades compatible with standard plastic film recycling programs. Eco-friendly stretch wrap film options support plastic reduction targets without compromising load retention performance or tear resistance in demanding commercial freight environments.

Industries We Serve

Our dunnage airbags are trusted by shippers across a wide range of industries.
If your business moves palletized goods, we have a solution built for your load.

Automotive Parts
Food and Beverage
Paper and Pulp
Chemical and Industrial
Consumer Goods and Retail
Building Materials
Pharmaceuticals
Electronics and Technology
Agriculture and Grain
Third-Party Logistics (3PL)

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    Frequently Asked Questions About Stretch Wrap

    What is stretch wrap used for?

    Stretch wrap is used to unitize, secure, and stabilize pallet loads before transport and storage. It holds individual boxes, bags, and units together so they do not shift, tip, or separate during handling and transit. It also bundles irregularly shaped cargo, protects outer packaging surfaces from dust and moisture, and provides a tamper-evident layer on completed pallet loads before dispatch.

    Match the stretch wrap roll type to your load weight, pallet shape, and wrapping method. Cast film works well for standard pallet loads, while blown film offers better puncture resistance for irregular or sharp-edged products. Choose manual film for hand wrapping and machine film for automated stretch wrap for pallet operations with higher daily volume.

    Standard LLDPE stretch wrap film is recyclable through plastic film collection programs where available. Dunnage Systems offers reduced-gauge and pre-stretched eco-friendly film options that use less plastic per pallet while maintaining equivalent load retention performance. If your operation has a plastic reduction or sustainability packaging target, ask our team to confirm the right recyclable film specification for your load and equipment.

    For pallets of fragile items, apply stretch wrap over a base layer of protective packaging material such as honeycomb wrap or foam padding before the final wrap cycle. The stretch wrap for pallet film layer holds the inner protective material in place and prevents individual units from separating, while the cushioning layer absorbs the impact forces that cause surface damage to fragile products during transit.

    You can purchase stretch wrap in manual and machine formats directly from Dunnage Systems Inc., a USA-based supplier in Little Rock, Arkansas. We supply pallet and truckload quantities to logistics operations, manufacturers, and distribution centers across all 50 states. Call (870) 942-4830 or submit a quote request on our website for a same-day response from our team.

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    Ready to Secure Every Pallet Load
    Before It Leaves Your Dock?

    Contact Dunnage Systems today for custom stretch wrap solutions matched to your operation volume, load profile, and wrapping equipment. Secure your cargo efficiently with our complete stretch wrap for cargo range. Our team confirms the right film specification and bulk pricing within one business day.

    Request a Quote (870) 942-4830
    Protect Cargo Now! (870) 942-4830