What is the Difference between Shrink Wrap and Stretch Wrap?
 

The difference between Shrink Wrap and Stretch Wrap is often confused. In simple terms one film is designed to shrink and the other to stretch. Shrink Wrap is produced in ‘LDPE’, ‘PVC’, ‘polyolefin’ type films. This heat activated film is used to contain and protect products of many shapes and sizes. Stretch Wrap is manufactured in ‘blown’ and ‘cast’ type films and most commonly used for pallet wrapping applications.

‘Pallet Shrink Film’ is often confused with ‘Pallet Stretch Film’, both used to protect and secure a pallet load during storage or transportation. Shrink Wrap and Stretch Wrap are designed to contain different pallet load types and are applied to the pallet using different methods.

Shrink Film

Pallet Shrink Film is a heat activated LDPE plastic that moulds itself around the object. Heat is often applied with a gas heat gun to shrink the film. This shrink film is commonly sold in 50, 100 and 200um thickness and is available in standard pallet width bags and tubing. We also custom make shrink film to different sizes and grades to suit our clients requirements. Heat Shrink Tubing is continuous film on a roll that can be cut to the required length to suit different height pallet loads. Shrink tubing is often used as an available to heat shrink bags as it allows for flexibility of pallet sizes without wastage.

Stretch Film

In comparison to heat activated shrink film, Pallet Stretch Film or Pallet Stretch Wrap is a much thinner plastic that stretches around the pallet to secure and contain the load. The stretch wrap can be applied to the pallet by hand or with a pallet wrapping machine. There are an extensive range of pallet stretch film types, thickness’s, colours and strengths to suit different applications. Click here to view more information on Pallet Stretch Wrap or contact a consultant to receive packaging advise.

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