How to choose suitable stretch film packaging for your business

Stretch film packaging is straightforward, but choosing the suitable stretch film for your packaging comes with a lot to consider, such as the cost of the stretch film packaging you choose, its strength and reliability, and shipping costs. Stretch film packaging doesn’t only work to protect your products from dust and dirt during storage in transit. It also acts as a protector for the loads, preventing expensive damage during shipping.

Many factors need to be looked into when choosing your stretch film packaging. This article will discuss these factors to ensure you match the correct stretch film to the application.

Factors to consider when choosing stretch film packaging 

If you are in the process of selecting the best stretch film packaging for your products, you’re most likely concerned about several things, such as cost per roll when selecting the stretch film. But unfortunately, This mentality of uncertainty can lead to unexpected waste and damage to your load. Below are some factors to consider when choosing stretch film packaging for your products. 

Your chosen stretch film packaging should align with the specific requirements of each pallet load. The specifications are called pallet profiles and require stretch film packaging that can offer adequate security regarding positioning, weight, and type of packaged items. To make your selection process more manageable, you should consider the following characteristics: 

Load characteristics 

• Irregular with uneven edges 
• No conformity with sharp edges
• Uniform profile with clean edges 

The next step is to consider the stretch film packaging holding force or containment force. The holding force is how far you can stretch the stretch film packaging, how it snaps back, and how it shows how well it holds together. Some films have more adequate holding force than others and may fall into the more expensive category. 

After the holding force, you must consider that pre-stretch limits differ for different loads. The holding force and secondary stretch work together. 

The pre-stretch limit, in simple terms, is how much stretch film packaging can be stretched out when placed between two machine rollers while turning at different speeds. 

Secondary stretch refers to the tension between the machine's last roller and the load. It lets you increase tension control on the machine while adjusting the holding force. 

Stretch packaging film is often measured by mild or microns, and commonly when the gauge is high, the film is more likely to be thick and durable, making it more reliable too. 

Purchasing a lower gauge leads to wrapping the load more times to ensure security. This leads to more cost-per-load, an increase in the wear and tear on the machine, and exhaustion if done by hand. 

Choosing the ideal stretch film also requires you to consider the volume and frequency of the items you will be shipping. The number of pallets, the amount of time and labour used, and the quantity of film you’ll need to use per load. 

You need to understand the shipping cycle because that information will help determine how secure you need to make your products. This is because the time and distance applied when your goods are in transit can affect them due to changes in environment and weather throughout the journey. Avoid complaints about faulty packaging by factoring in how well you must wrap your packages with the stretch film for delivery. 

Final thoughts 

TMS packaging offers you the best in stretch film packaging. Browse our website today and find your ideal packaging products. 

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