Pallet Wrap & Stretch Film

How to choose the right pallet wrap

Start with three decisions: hand or machine application, film type, and micron thickness.

1. Hand wrap or machine wrap: Hand pallet wrap is applied manually, either freehand using an extended core roll or with a hand-held dispenser. For more than 15 pallets per day, a stretch wrap machine is the more efficient and economical choice — entry-level machines suit 50-150 pallets per day, industrial machines suit 300 or more.
2. Cast or blown stretch film: Cast stretch wrap is clear, glossy, and quiet to unwind, with cling on one side — the standard choice for general warehouse and logistics use where label and barcode visibility matters. Blown stretch wrap is produced by blowing air through melted plastic rather than casting on a roller, giving it higher cling, greater tear and puncture resistance, and performance in extreme temperatures including deep freeze storage — better suited to demanding loads and tough conditions.
3. Micron thickness by load weight: Choose film thickness based on the weight of your palletised load.
   • Up to 250kg — 15 micron cast stretch wrap
   • Up to 500kg — 17 micron cast or blown stretch wrap
   • Up to 700kg — 20 micron cast or blown stretch wrap
   • Up to 800kg and tough conditions — 30 micron cast, or 25 micron blown
4. Clear or black: Clear stretch wrap keeps pallet contents visible, allowing barcodes and labels to be scanned through the film without removal. Black stretch wrap conceals load contents, used for security-sensitive goods and high-value cargo where visibility is a concern.

Pallet wrap and stretch film ranges

Cast stretch wrap

Clear, glossy film that sticks only to itself — no adhesive residue on products or boxes. Quiet to unwind, making it well suited to busy warehouse environments. Available in 15, 17, 20, and 30 micron to cover load weights from 250kg up to 800kg. Manufactured from 30% recycled low-density polyethylene. Available in hand rolls with extended core for freehand application, and in black for load concealment.

Blown stretch wrap

Produced by blowing air rather than casting on a roller, blown stretch film has high cling on both sides, greater tear and puncture resistance than cast film, and performs well in extreme temperatures — including deep freeze storage. Available in 17 and 25 micron, in clear and black. Pre-stretched blown film is also available, using up to 50% less film per pallet than standard hand wrap.

Machine stretch wrap

Stretch film for use with pallet wrapping machines and turntables. Available in power cast (30% recycled, transparent) and blown machine formats. Cast machine film is quiet and allows barcode scanning through the wrap. For high-volume operations wrapping 50 pallets or more per day, machine wrap combined with a stretch wrap machine delivers consistent containment, faster throughput, and lower material cost per pallet than hand wrapping.

Paper pallet wrap

100% kraft paper pallet wrap — a plastic-free alternative to polyethylene stretch film. Fully recyclable at kerbside. Stretches up to 30% for load stabilisation. Applied by hand with no machine required. Suitable for standard uniform pallet loads with no overhanging or protruding elements. The correct choice for operations with plastic elimination or kerbside recyclability commitments.

Frequently asked questions

What is pallet wrap?

Pallet wrap is a highly stretchable polyethylene film used to unitise and secure palletised loads for storage and transport. It works by elastic recovery — the film is stretched to 200-300% of its static length during application and then contracts, gripping the load tightly. It is also called stretch wrap, stretch film, and pallet wrapping film. It is not the same as shrink wrap, which requires heat to activate and contract. For a full explanation of the difference, see the RAJAPACK guide to stretch wrap vs shrink wrap.

Is pallet wrap the same as cling film?

No. Both are made from polyethylene and cling to surfaces, but they are entirely different products. Pallet wrap is a heavy-duty industrial film engineered for load containment on pallets in warehousing and logistics, stretched to 200-300% of its length during application. Cling film is a thin domestic food-wrap product with no load-bearing capacity and is not suitable for securing freight loads.

What is the difference between cast and blown stretch wrap?

Cast stretch wrap is produced by extruding melted plastic across a chilled roller — it is clear, glossy, quiet to unwind, and sticks to itself on one side. Blown stretch wrap is produced by blowing air through melted plastic — it has cling on both sides, higher tear and puncture resistance, and performs better in extreme temperatures and deep freeze storage. For most standard warehouse applications, cast is the correct choice. For heavy, irregular, or demanding loads and cold storage environments, blown offers greater protection.

What micron pallet wrap do I need?

Choose micron thickness based on the weight of your palletised load. For loads up to 250kg, 15 micron cast stretch wrap is sufficient. For loads up to 500kg, use 17 micron. For loads up to 700kg, use 20 micron. For loads up to 800kg or in tough conditions, use 30 micron cast or 25 micron blown. If you are unsure, contact the RAJAPACK team for a recommendation based on your specific load type.

How many pallets can I wrap with one roll?

The number of pallets per roll depends on load size, number of revolutions applied, and film micron. For guidance on the right roll quantity for your operation, contact the RAJAPACK team — our packaging specialists can advise based on your pallet dimensions and wrapping requirements.

When should I use a stretch wrap machine instead of wrapping by hand?

For more than 15 pallets per day, a stretch wrap machine is the more efficient and economical choice. Entry-level semi-automatic machines suit operations wrapping 50-150 pallets per day. Industrial machines suit operations wrapping 300 or more pallets per day. Machine wrapping delivers more consistent containment, faster throughput, and lower material cost per pallet than hand wrapping at volume. See the full stretch wrap machine range.

Can pallet wrap be recycled?

Standard polyethylene stretch wrap is recyclable but is not accepted in most kerbside collections — it should be taken to a soft plastics collection point or collected by a specialist recycler. It should not be contaminated with food or adhesives before recycling. If kerbside recyclability is a priority, paper pallet wrap is 100% recyclable and plastic-free, suitable for standard uniform pallet loads with no overhanging elements.

Can I buy pallet wrap in bulk?

Yes. RAJAPACK supplies pallet wrap and stretch film in bulk to businesses across the UK, with volume discounts applied automatically at the basket. Available for next-day delivery to mainland UK on orders placed before 4pm. Free delivery on orders over £180 excl. VAT. All orders are covered by the RAJAPACK service promise. For high-volume requirements, contact the RAJAPACK team for a quote.

You might also need

• Stretch wrap machines and dispensers — turntable machines for high-volume operations and hand-held dispensers for lower volumes.
• Strapping — polyester and polypropylene strapping for additional load containment alongside or instead of pallet wrap.
• Protective packaging — edge protectors, corner boards, and layer pads to protect palletised loads before wrapping.
• Pallet boxes — cardboard pallet boxes for consolidating loads before wrapping.

Need help choosing the right pallet wrap for your load and volume? Contact the RAJAPACK team.