Types of Stretch Film

There are many types of stretch wrap film. Each has qualities that are particularly suitable in addressing the specific needs of your stretch wrapping operation, such as load size and type, performance requirements as well as budget. The following lists some of the most important types of stretch film, their attributes and applications. Click on a stretch wrap film below for details.

Cast Stretch Film 
Cast stretch film also called cast film or cast wrap, is manufactured using the cast extrusion process. Typical characteristics of cast stretch films are: excellent optics, clear, glossy, superior tear resistance, quiet unwind, consistent cling and consistent film thickness.

Blown Stretch Film 
Manufactured using the blown film extrusion process and also referred to as blown film. Typical blown stretch film characteristics are: poor optics, hazy, dull, excellent puncture resistance, very noisy unwind and high force on load.

Hand Stretch film 
Stretch film designed specifically to be applied manually is referred to as hand stretch film. It is also referred to as hand film, hand stretch wrap, hand wrap or manual pallet wrap. It is typically utilized in lower capacity packaging operations. However the efficiency of manual stretch wrap packaging should be regularly re-evaluated against potential benefits of upgrading to a machine wrapper. Choosing the right stretch applicator will result in more efficient and cost effective packaging operations.

Machine Stretch film 
Stretch film designed to be applied with a stretch wrap machine is referred as machine stretch film. It provides many advantages over hand film including: faster and more efficient packaging, reduced packaging material costs, safer application, more secure loads and more. Common machine stretch film types: cast machine stretch film, blown machine film and prestretched films.

Prestretch films
Prestretched film is film that is stretched before wrapping a load. Prestretch film benefits include:

Reduced amount of film used, so film costs are greatly reduced

Requires fewer revolutions to wrap a load, saving time, more efficient

Less packaging film means less waste to clear and dispose

Prestretch films are recyclable

Prestretched film is strong, consistent

Specialty Stretch film 
Specialty stretch films are designed to answer very specific packaging needs that more general-purpose stretch packaging solutions cannot accommodate. A small sample of some specialty stretch packaging films is listed below.