What is a Pallet Wrap?

The film wrap, stretch film, or pallet wrap has been used since the 70s by different industries and businesses. Made from stretchable polythene, the pallet wrap helps ensure the safe transport of goods, particularly a large number of goods fixed into pallets through stretch wrapping. People wrap pallets manually, or with a pallet wrapper, not just to secure loads, but also to protect objects against scuffs, weather damage, and other types of accidental damage, especially when packaging loads are in transit. The practice of pallet wrapping keeps items tightly bound and makes your loads more stable! 

How Does Stretch Wrapping Work?

When you wrap pallets using a film wrap or a stretch wrap, you stretch it around objects on a pallet, and the pallet wrap, being made of polythene which is a commonly produced plastic, creates an elastic effect that holds your load securely in place. The pallet wrap works on loads, no matter their size and shape, and tightly wrap them. Pallet wrapping isn’t as complicated as you’d think, and unwrapping pallets is easy, too – just cut down one side of the film wrap for the tension to get released, then remove it by hand, then recycle.

Benefits of Pallet Wrapping

Different businesses wrap pallets, whether through a pallet wrapper, or their staff because stretch wrapping or using a film wrap for your loads has several benefits:

1. Load and Object Protection
   
   Wrapping objects on a pallet with a Packaging Chimp pallet wrap gives better protection against the elements such as moisture, dust, and dirt. As the film wrap is made from polythene, it also has a waterproof quality, so it can protect your loads against rain. Pallet wrapping can also help decrease the risk of objects getting damaged, scuffed, scratched, or broken, especially while the loads are being moved from one place to another.
2. Better Packaging, Handling, and Shipping 

   
   Stretch wrapping also makes packaging, shipping, and handling more convenient and more effective. Combine the pallet wrap with an angled board and you’ll find out how easier it is to stack those loads even higher on pallets. Pallet wrapping also allows you to stabilize loads better, even the odd-shaped ones, so worker injuries may be decreased. To wrap pallets even more quickly, especially for big businesses, consider utilizing a pallet wrapper.

    

Choosing the Right Film Wrap for Your Business

It’s crucial that you choose the best pallet wrap for your business needs. Low-quality stretch films, even if their prices are very cheap, won’t help you save on costs. Imagine having damaged items even after stretch wrapping them. Whether you’re doing the pallet wrapping by hand or via a pallet wrapper or machine, all efforts and resources would go to waste if you don’t select the right film wrap! Below you’ll find tips on what you should look for before deciding on which wrap to purchase:

1. What type of loads would you be securing?
   
   If you’re securing evenly shaped boxes or “A class” loads, you’ll need a stickier type of pallet wrap, particularly an elastic film wrap with a static yet sticky material that can cling well to the even, flat edges of square boxes.
   
   

   For uneven boxes or the “B class” loads, what you’ll need for effective stretch wrapping is a very elastic pallet wrap that’s thicker, more durable, and with higher tear resistance.

   
   Pallet wrapping very uneven boxes or the “C class” loads that usually have boxes of different weights, sizes, and shapes, require custom film wrap, and a seasoned staff who knows how to wrap “C class” pallets to protect the loads from damage when in transit. More often than not, you’ll need a pallet wrap of a higher gauge that can handle both the shape of the objects and the weight of the load well. You can also use steel or polyester strapping when stretch wrapping very uneven loads.
   
   At Packaging Chimp we have helped many companies choose the correct packaging for them. For example, we helped the website Firewood Farm select 17mu clear pallet wrap whilst also helping them find the correct packing boxes which they use every day to wrap and send pallets.

1. Coloured or Transparent Film Wrap?
   
   You can wrap pallets with a transparent wrapper or a coloured wrapper, depending on your needs. For example, if you want to protect your goods from prying eyes, wrap them with coloured pallet wrap, e.g. black or other dark-hued wraps. For easier identification or documentation of goods, using a transparent film wrap is the answer.
2. Will pallet wrapping be done manually or by a pallet wrapper?
   
   Stretch wrapping can be done manually by humans, or by a machine. Any business that needs to wrap pallets needs to consider whether it’ll be done by hand or by machine. Pallet wrapping machines can stretch the film wrap 200x to 300x, so your stretch film should be strong enough and shouldn’t tear when a pallet wrapper is used. The manual way of wrapping pallets means it’s your staff who does it, so a pallet wrap that can be stretched 10x to 20x would do!
3. Is the stretch film sustainable?
   
   More and more business owners and consumers nowadays prefer environmentally-friendly materials and resources. There are film wraps that are recyclable or sustainable, which means that they could help lessen your carbon footprint. If you’re eco-conscious, or if you care for the environment, go with a supplier that offers recyclable pallet wrap that won’t end up in landfills and would allow you to be kinder to Mother Earth.
4. Does your pallet wrapping supplier have the right qualities?
   
   To succeed in stretch wrapping, you also need the right supplier. The qualities you should look for in a pallet wrap supplier include:
   
   

   * Reasonable pricing

   * Fast delivery

   * Reliable customer service

   * Offers a wide range of good quality packaging and pallet wrapping supplies

   Has sufficient and consistent stock

We at Packaging Chimp offer you different types of pallet wrap, stretch wrapping supplies, and other types of packaging products for various business needs! Enjoy free next-day delivery on orders over £75. Feel free to contact us via chat or email and we’ll be glad to assist you with your queries and orders!