Stretch Wrap Made Simple: Pick the Right One for Your Pallet

Stretch wrap is a plastic film used to wrap boxes on a pallet. It holds loads tight, stops shifting, and protects against dirt and damage. Used in shops, warehouses, and by shippers, stretch wrap UK helps move goods safely.

Pallet wrap film comes in clear or colored, thick or thin. Choosing the right type from stretch wrap UK suppliers keeps products safe and cuts damage costs

What Is Micron?

Micron tells you how thick the film is. The number shows if the stretch wrap is thin or thick. Thin film is better for light items. Thick film works best for heavy or sharp loads. This matters a lot when looking at the differences in 17 micron vs 23 micron stretch film.

Here is a simple guide to help:

• 8–12 microns: Very thin. Best for small, light boxes.
• 12–17 microns: Good for small and medium boxes.
• 17–23 microns: Works for most jobs.
• 23+ microns: Strong for heavy or sharp loads.

If you’re not sure whether to use 17 or 23 micron:

• Pick 17 micron for lighter things like small boxes or soft goods.
• Pick 23 micron for heavy boxes, sharp edges, or large items.

The right stretch wrap thickness helps cut waste and keeps things safe.

What Is Pre-Stretch?

Pre-stretch means the wrap is pulled before you use it. This makes it easier to wrap pallets and helps you use less plastic. Pre-stretch pallet wrap is useful for big jobs and daily wrapping. It sticks better and holds loads tightly.

Types of pre-stretch wrap:

• Hand wrap: Pulled and used by hand
• Machine wrap: Pulled and wrapped by a machine

Pre-stretch wrap makes wrapping faster and safer. It takes less effort to apply and puts less strain on workers. (Source) It also gives a tighter wrap with fewer layers. 

Use high pre-stretch if:

• You wrap lots of pallets
• Your loads are heavy
• You use machines
• You want to save plastic and time
• You need wraps that stay tight over long trips

Use low pre-stretch if:

• You wrap by hand
• Your loads are light
• You ship small items
• You don’t wrap often

Pre-stretch pallet wrap saves money, cuts plastic use, and keeps goods safer. (Source) It also puts less strain on machines. Many warehouses see it as one of the best ways to wrap pallets.

What Color Wrap Should You Use?

Stretch wrap comes in different colors. Clear wrap lets you see what’s inside. Colored wrap hides the contents and adds security.

• Clear wrap: Good for tracking items
• Black wrap: Blocks sunlight and hides goods
• Red, blue, green: Used for sorting by area or type

Coloured stretch film for security helps hide goods and protects them from sun and heat. It’s great for shipping valuable items. Using color also helps teams sort loads faster—like red for fragile and green for storage.

Black stretch wrap adds extra safety by blocking light and hiding contents. This helps stop theft of tools, electronics, or branded goods. It also protects sun-sensitive items like food or medicine.

Using the right pallet wrap film keeps packing smart and safe. It’s one of the best pallet wrapping techniques used across the stretch wrap UK market to speed up work and reduce plastic usage in palletising.

Hand Wrap

Hand wrap is used for small jobs. You stretch and wrap it yourself. It works well for light loads and short trips.

Use hand wrap if:

• You wrap a few pallets a day
• Your loads are small or light
• You don’t use machines

Hand stretch wrap is easy to use and works well for small loads or local shipping. Light rolls are simple to carry, and thicker film gives better grip. It’s great for odd shapes, corners, or uneven stacks where machines don’t work well. Hand wrap is quiet, needs no power, and fits tight spaces or quick jobs.

For on-site or mobile packing, it’s a flexible pick. It also helps reduce plastic usage in palletising, since you control how much pallet wrap film you use each time.

Machine Wrap

Machine wrap is made for bigger jobs. A machine stretches and wraps the film. This helps wrap faster and more evenly.

Use machine wrap if:

• You ship many pallets each day
• Your loads are heavy or large
• You want tight, clean wrapping
• You run a large warehouse or distribution center
• You need the same wrap style on every pallet
• You want to reduce worker strain from manual wrapping

Machine wrap gives consistent results and saves time. It is great for companies with high-volume packing needs. When matched with pre-stretch film, it helps lower plastic use while keeping goods safe

How to Pick the Right Wrap

Every job needs a different type of stretch wrap. The right film helps hold your goods steady and safe. It can also save time, money, and plastic. Think about the weight, shape, and size of your pallet. Use the guide below to choose what works best:

Light Loads (Under 250kg)

These are small or soft items that don’t need much hold. Use lighter film and less stretch.

• Micron: 12–15
• Pre-Stretch: Low
• Color: Clear
   This combo gives a gentle hold while keeping costs down. It’s great for daily use or short trips.

Medium Loads (250–500kg)

These pallets need a bit more hold. Choose a medium film that stretches just enough.

• Micron: 17–20
• Pre-Stretch: Medium
• Color: Any color
   This stretch wrap works well for most shipping jobs. It’s flexible and strong.

Heavy Loads (Over 500kg)

Big or sharp items need strong wrap. This helps stop shifting and tearing.

• Micron: 23–30
• Pre-Stretch: High
• Color: Black or dark
   This thick wrap keeps everything in place, even during long travel.

Food or Medicine

Wrap for these items must be clean and safe. It must also block light and moisture.

• Micron: 15–20
• Pre-Stretch: Medium or High
• Color: Black or blue
   This type of stretch wrap helps protect against spoilage or damage.

To Stop Theft

Some goods need extra care. Dark film hides what’s inside and keeps it safe.

• Micron: 20–25
• Pre-Stretch: High
• Color: Black
   This wrap keeps others from seeing or stealing the items inside.

For Sorting

When you ship many items, colored wrap helps you sort fast.

• Micron: 17–23
• Pre-Stretch: Medium
• Color: Red, Blue, or Green
   Coloured stretch film for security and sorting makes work easier and faster.

This chart makes it easy to match stretch wrap to your job. Using the right one helps reduce plastic usage in palletising. It also helps hold goods in place and cuts down on waste.

How to Wrap the Best Way

Using the best pallet wrapping techniques helps stop damage. It also keeps boxes in place.

Here are a few tips:

• Start low and wrap up
• Overlap each layer a little
• Wrap corners well
• Keep film tight as you wrap
• Use the same pattern every time

Using good stretch wrap and wrapping the right way helps save time, keep goods safe, and use less plastic.

Don’t Waste Wrap

Bad wrapping wastes money and plastic. Here are some things to avoid:

• Using thick film for light items
• Wrapping too loose
• Using clear wrap when you need security
• Using too many layers

Smart wrapping helps reduce plastic usage in palletising. That means less waste and more savings for your business.

Where to Buy Stretch Wrap in the UK

If you’re looking for strong and reliable stretch wrap UK businesses trust, Orange Packaging is a great place to start.

We supply all types of wrap, from clear and coloured rolls to hand and machine options. Our pallet wrap film works well in warehouses, stores, and shipping hubs. It’s made to handle both small and large loads, with smooth application and strong cling. We also offer pre-stretch pallet wrap that helps save time and reduce waste.

Why Choose Orange Packaging for Stretch Wrap

Orange Packaging sells stretch wrap that works across many industries. We offer wrap that fits every type of job and load size. Whether you need wrap for hand use or machine systems, we have you covered.

• Hand Wrap is light, easy to carry, and simple to use.
• Machine Wrap is fast and strong, made for wrapping many pallets quickly.

Our stretch wrap:

• Stays tight and holds shape
• Keeps products clean and dry
• Blocks sun and protects food
• Helps stop theft with strong seals

Each roll gives full length with no short cuts. Our film is smooth, clean, and does not cause a mess. It is also recyclable, helping you reduce plastic usage in palletising. Orange Packaging supports businesses by offering quality wrap and the best pallet wrapping techniques to keep goods safe every time.

Get a quote for your business needs or shop now for pallet stretch wraps.