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The right choice depends mainly on how many pallets you wrap per day. Under about 30 pallets, hand stretch film is usually cheaper overall. Above that, machine stretch film saves film, labor and time. Both are made from LLDPE and do the same job: holding goods tightly on a pallet during storage and transport. But they are produced, packed and used differently. Picking the wrong type means paying for film you waste, or for labor you don't need. What is hand stretch film? Hand stretch film is wrapped by a worker walking around the pallet. The rolls are small and light, so one person can hold them all day. It is usually 12 to 25 micron thick and 450 to 500 mm wide. Each roll weighs about 1.5 to 3 kg, and rolls are often packed 4 to 6 per carton. By hand, the film is typically stretched 100 to 150%. Hand film is best for small warehouses, shops, removal companies, and any business that wraps only a few pallets a day or needs to wrap odd-shaped goods. What is machine stretch film? Machine stretch film is loaded onto a pallet wrapping machine, which applies the film at a steady tension. It is usually 15 to 30 micron thick and 500 mm wide. Each jumbo roll weighs about 15 to 20 kg, on a strong paper core of 1 to 1.2 kg. On machines with power pre-stretch, the film can be stretched 200 to 300%. Because the film is stretched further, each pallet uses less film. Machine film is best for factories, distribution centers and logistics warehouses wrapping dozens or hundreds of pallets a day. The main differences Hand film needs no equipment, but wrapping is slower and uses more film per pallet. Machine film needs a wrapping machine, but it is faster, more consistent, and uses less film per pallet. Hand film suits low volumes and irregular loads; machine film suits high volumes and standard pallets. How to choose First, count your pallets. If you wrap a few to about 30 pallets a day, hand film is enough. If you wrap more, a wrapping machine with machine film usually pays back quickly. Second, check your equipment. If you already have a wrapping machine, ask your supplier to match the film to your machine's pre-stretch rate. Third, look at your loads. Light, even boxes need thinner film; heavy or sharp-edged loads need thicker film. As a rough guide, use 12 to 17 micron for pallets under 500 kg, 17 to 23 micron for 500 to 1,000 kg, and 23 to 30 micron or more for loads over 1,000 kg or with sharp edges. Fourth, if you resell film, consider jumbo rolls. Many distributors buy jumbo rolls and rewind them into hand rolls locally, which saves freight. If you are not sure, test two thicknesses on your own pallets. The thinnest film that holds your load safely is the cheapest choice. Get both from one factory Dongrun Packaging is a stretch film manufacturer in China. We produce hand and machine stretch film from 12 to 50 micron, and make our own paper cores in-house, which keeps our prices competitive. Hand film and machine film can be mixed in one container. We offer OEM printing with your brand on cores and cartons, jumbo rolls for rewinding, and shipping from Qingdao port. Tell us your thickness, width and monthly quantity, and we will send a quotation and free samples. WhatsApp: +86 15092461495 Email: yann@zzdrbz.com |
