Secure Every Pallet: Choose Machine Stretch Film That Works

Understanding Pallet Stability

Pallet stability means the whole stack of goods on a pallet stays in one piece when people move it, store it, or send it on a truck. Nothing tips over. Nothing slides off. The load looks exactly the same when it arrives as when it left the warehouse. When a pallet is not steady, boxes can fall and break. Workers can get hurt. Companies lose money on damaged items and extra claims. Stretch film holds everything together. It stops dust and water from getting in. It keeps the load safe from bumps on the road. In places that ship ceramics, big televisions, or heavy bricks, a shaky pallet is never acceptable. One loose pallet can stop the whole truck at the border for hours.

Key Factors Affecting Film Selection

The best film depends on what you actually put on the pallet.

Load weight and distribution

Some pallets carry 500 kg, others carry 1,500 kg or more. If the weight sits only on one side, the film has to fight harder. A thin, weak film will split open halfway to the customer. A stronger film with good pulling power keeps even very heavy or uneven loads in place.

Load shape and sharp edges

Metal parts, wooden frames, or ceramic tiles often have sharp corners. Normal film tears easily on those points. You need a tougher type that does not rip when it rubs against edges. For example, one ceramic factory used to lose 3–4 tiles per pallet because the film tore. After they changed to better film, broken tiles dropped to almost zero.

Load shifting risks in transit

Long truck rides make everything shake. Fruit boxes or light plastic parts move the most. A film with strong sticky sides holds layer to layer. The wrap never comes loose, even after 1,000 kilometers on rough roads.

Machine Stretch Film Performance Traits

Look at these simple points when you pick a film for the wrapping machine.

• Puncture resistance: A good PE stretch wrap does not tear easily. It works well on pallets with rough boards or metal edges sticking out. One hardware company wraps steel pipes every day. Their old film broke ten times a shift. New film with high tear strength cut breaks to one or two a week.

• Elasticity and stretch ability: The film must stretch a lot—sometimes from 1 meter to 3 meters—while still pulling tight. That way, you use less film but still get a rock-solid pallet.

• Cling and holding force.: The outside of the film sticks to itself very well. Once the layers touch, they stay together. No gaps open up later when the forklift turns fast or the truck brakes hard.

Matching Film to Product Type

Different goods need different films.

Heavy and dense loads

Home-appliance factories and brick plants stack heavy boxes. They use machine stretch film from 0.025mm to 0.050mm thick. A washing-machine maker wraps 40 machines per hour on an automatic line. The thick film keeps every pallet perfectly still, so nothing moves even when the truck climbs steep mountain roads.

Irregular or sharp-edged loads

Ceramic tile pallets and machine parts have many sharp corners. Workers put paper corner protectors first, then wrap with strong, tear-resistant film. The corners spread the pressure, and the film never gets a hole. One tile company told us their damage rate fell from 5% to 0.2% after adding both protectors and better film.

Lightweight or unstable loads

Cartons of apples, clothes, or empty plastic bottles are light but tall. They fall easily. Thin film with extra sticky cling works best here. Sometimes workers add a few rounds of PP strapping tape across the top for double safety. The film plus tape lets them stack pallets two high in the warehouse without worry.

Choosing the Right Film from Weide Chuangyi Packaging

Overview of available film types

At Weide Chuangyi Packaging, we make both machine stretch film and hand stretch film from top-grade LLDPE.

• Product Name: Stretch Film/Stretch Film Roll

• Brand: Weide Chuangyi Packaging

• Material: LLDPE

• Standard Width: 100-1400mm

• Standard Thickness: 0.018-0.050mm

These rolls fit automatic wrapping machines in big warehouses and also work when workers wrap by hand on the factory floor.

How to compare specifications effectively

Check four simple things:

• Thickness (0.025mm for normal jobs, 0.050mm for very heavy ones).

• Width that matches your machine.

• Core size (our rolls use 76mm cores).

• Machine film or hand film.

Pick the one that fits your daily work.

Tips for Optimal Application

Small changes on the machine make a big difference.

• Correct pre-stretch settings: Set the machine to stretch the film 200% to 300%. That means 1 meter of film becomes 3 meters on the pallet. You save film and still get a tight wrap.

• Wrapping patterns for different load types: For tall, wobbly loads, tell the machine to go up and down twice in a crisscross pattern. For normal square pallets, a simple spiral from bottom to top is enough. Always start by sticking the film to the pallet wood first. That locks the whole load so it cannot slide.

Benefits of Proper Film Selection

The right film pays for itself quickly.

• Enhanced load security and safety: Well-wrapped pallets rarely fall. Fewer accidents mean happier workers and lower insurance costs.

• Reduced film usage and cost savings: High-stretch film uses 20–30% less plastic per pallet. One metal-can factory cut its film bill by 68,000 yuan last year just by changing to our machine stretch film rolls.

• Lower risk of product damage: Strong film plus corner boards keep boxes safe. Customers receive clean, undamaged goods every time. Returns drop, and your company name stays good.

Conclusion

Choosing the correct machine stretch film transforms pallet handling from a risk to a reliable process. By matching film type, thickness, and application method to your load, you reduce product damage, save on materials, and ensure safer transport. The right film isn’t just packaging—it’s peace of mind for your business and your customers.

FAQ

Q: What’s the difference between hand stretch film and machine stretch film?

A: Both start from the same high-quality LLDPE material. Machine film comes in big, heavy rolls for automatic wrappers. Hand film is lighter and shorter for workers to use without a machine.

Q: Can your stretch films be used in cold or humid environments?

A: Yes. They stay sticky and strong in cold storage rooms down to -20℃ and in rainy coastal areas all year round.

Q: Are custom sizes available?

A: Absolutely. We can make any width, thickness, or color you need for your machines or branding.

Q: Which film is best for sharp-edged products?

A: Take thicker machine stretch film (0.035mm or more) and add paper corner protectors. That combination stops almost all tears.