Skip to content 
It’s important to consider a few key points when selecting and using hand-stretch film for your packaging needs. Here are the five essential considerations for successful hand stretch film use.
Select the right film gauge to ensure proper load stability. Pre-stretching the film can reduce the amount of film used. Choose the right core size to ensure compatibility with your equipment. Select the right dispenser for easy and efficient application. Use stretch wrap machine-grade film for automated applications.
Once you’ve decided to use hand stretch film, there are five key considerations you should keep in mind. These include choosing the right size and type of film, understanding its load capacity, considering the environment it will be used in, its ease of application, and finally its cost.
1. Introduction of hand stretch film
Hand stretch film is a type of plastic film used to wrap and protect products during storage and shipping. It is designed to be applied by hand, without the need for any special stretch wrap machine, making it easy and economical to use.
Hand stretch film is made from a flexible and stretchable plastic material, making it ideal for stretch wrapping and securing items of varying shapes and sizes. It is also highly resistant to moisture, dust, and dirt, making it ideal for protecting products from environmental damage during storage and shipping.
With its easy application and cost-effective nature, hand stretch wrap equipment is a popular choice for many businesses.
2. Advantages Of Hand Stretch Film
low-price cover
There are a variety of hand-stretch films available on the market, ranging from budget options to more expensive films. Budget films typically range from $8-$12 per roll and are usually made from thinner, lower-grade plastic than machine stretch wrap equipment. These films are typically used for short-term pallet stretch wrapping and provide basic protection against dust, moisture, and abrasion. More expensive films can cost upwards of $20 per roll and are usually made from thicker, higher-grade plastic.
use in various industries
The food and beverage business, the pharmaceutical industry, the paper and printing industry, the automobile industry, and the construction sector are just a few of the industries that employ hand-cast stretch film or pallet wrapping.
Pallet loads of food and beverage products are wrapped and secured in the food and beverage industry using hand-cast stretch film. In the pharmaceutical industry, hand stretch film with stretch wrapping specifications is used for packaging and shipping pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and other sensitive products.
Hand stretch film is used in the paper and printing industries to bind, secure, and safeguard stacks of paper or printed goods together with a machine stretch film following stretch wrapping guidelines. Hand stretch film is used in the automotive sector to package and secure goods for shipping. Hand stretch film is employed in the building sector to hold and safeguard tools and supplies for construction during transit.
protects against dust, impact, and moisture
Hand stretch film protects against dust, impact, and moisture when items are being transported or stored. It is a highly stretchable plastic film that is wrapped around a pallet or item. The film can be pulled tight to the item, providing tension and stability.
Hand stretch film is an economical and efficient solution for bundling, grouping, and unitizing items. It is an ideal solution for companies that need to secure items during transport, as the film provides a tight grip and prevents items from slipping, shifting, or falling off the pallet.
Available in various widths and thicknesses.
Hand stretch film is available in a variety of widths, ranging from 2 inches to 20 inches. It is also available in thicknesses ranging from 15 microns to 80 microns. The film is typically made from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). The film is UV stabilized, meaning it can be used outdoors and is designed for hand use to provide a secure hold on items being wrapped.
transparent and colorful types.
Transparent hand stretch film is clear and offers good clarity, allowing the user to view the product or items that have been wrapped. Colored hand stretch wrap is available in various colors and offers a good level of opacity while still providing a secure stretch wrap.
Colored hand stretch film is commonly used to identify products and differentiate between different items. Both types of hand stretch wrap are available in various sizes, thicknesses, and lengths for different applications.
3. Disadvantage of hand stretch film
Lower Productivity And Higher Cost
When stretch wrapping or palletizing objects that cannot be applied with a stretch wrap machine, hand stretch film is often utilized. It is a manual process and has much lower productivity than a stretch wrap machine. Additionally, it requires more labor and the cost can be higher than a stretch wrap machine application. The amount of film used will also be more than a stretch wrap machine application, further increasing the cost of the hand wrap stretch film.
Less Protection
Hand stretch wrap offers less protection against damage such as punctures, tears, and moisture than other types of packaging materials. It can be difficult to apply and secure hand stretch wrap tightly enough to ensure adequate protection of the product.
Hand stretch wrap is not as reliable as other packaging materials such as corrugated cardboard in protecting against shock and vibration. If the hand stretch wrap is not applied correctly, the product may be exposed to air, dust, and dirt, resulting in contamination.
Due to its thin nature, hand stretch wrap offers less protection against extreme temperatures and UV rays.
Missed Potential
One potential disadvantage of hand stretch wrap is that it is not as secure or as durable as a stretch wrap machine. This can be a problem if the stretch wrap is being used to secure items that require a higher level of security, as the items may not be secure enough.
Furthermore, using a hand stretch wrap can take more time because it needs to be stretched by hand around the goods, but using a stretch wrap machine can be done quickly and with less effort. This can be a problem for businesses that need to secure large amounts of items in a short amount of time.
Load Damage
Hand stretch wrap has a disadvantage in that it can cause load damage. This is because the hand-stretch wrapper can stretch too much and cause the load to become deformed or crushed. Additionally, if the stretch wrapper is not applied properly with the correct tension, it can become loose and cause the load to shift or move around during transport, which can lead to further damage. Finally, if the hand wrapping is applied too tightly, it can cause the load to be crushed or deformed.
4. Five Key Considerations for Using Hand Stretch Film
Safety Measures
Always wear gloves when handling and use hand wrapping to protect your hands from any cuts or abrasions. Ensure the area where the stretch wrapper is being used is clean, dry, and well-ventilated. To stop the stretch wrapper from blowing away or becoming dirty, place it on the ground. Use a minimum of two wraps and two inches of overlap to secure the hand wrapping to the weight. Use a minimum of two wraps and an overlap of two inches to fasten the hand wrapping to the pallet.
Film Stretchability
When using hand wrapping, it is important to consider the film’s stretchability. The higher the stretchability, the more stretch wrapper can be used to secure a load. For example, a stretch wrap machine produces a stretchability of 250% and can stretch to 2.5 times its original length, allowing for greater coverage and a tighter, more secure wrap.
The user should also consider the stretch wrapper’s tensile strength, which is the amount of force needed to break or tear the hand wrapping. The higher the tensile strength, the more secure the load wrap will be. Additionally, the hand wrapping thickness is important.
A thicker hand wrapping can handle higher loads, but it will also require more force to stretch and apply. When selecting hand wrapping, it is important to find a balance between stretchability, tensile strength, and thickness.
Film Tension
When using hand wrapping make sure the stretch wrap machine eliminates tension to the right degree. Too much tension may cause the stretch wrapping to snap, while too little tension will not provide the right amount of protection.
Start at the base of the load and work your way up. Wrap the stretch wrapper around the load a few times in the same direction, then cross over the top and wrap in the opposite direction. Wrap at least 3-4 layers of stretch wrap machine film. Use a sharp blade to cut the stretch wrapper at the end of each wrap. Pull the film tight before cutting to ensure a tight seal and to prevent it from unraveling.
Keep the film tension consistent throughout the stretch-wrapping process. If the tension is too tight, the film may tear or the stretch wrap machine eliminates and lose its effectiveness. If the tension is too loose, the film won’t provide the necessary protection. Finish by tucking the end of the film underneath the last layer. This will secure the end of the wrap and prevent it from unraveling.
Film Overlap
When using stretch wrapping, it is important to consider the film overlap. The overlap refers to the amount of the previous layer of film that is covered by the next layer of film. Generally, the amount of overlap should be around 20-50%, depending on the type of film being used.
This indicates that when surrounding the item, the film should overlap by at least 20%. Too much overlap can be costly and the stretch wrap machine eliminates the efficiency of the stretch wrapping process, while too little overlap may prevent the stretch wrapping from securely securing the item being wrapped.
Additionally, it is important to consider the weight of the stretch film being used. For heavy loads, a thicker stretch film should be used to ensure that the product is adequately secured for shipping.
Film Cut
When using a stretch wrap solution, it is important to consider the different types of film cuts available. There are three main types of film cuts: static cuts, dynamic cuts, and gap cuts.
Static cuts are typically used for lighter loads and require minimal effort to apply. This kind of cut is created by continuously running the stretch film under and around the load.
Dynamic cuts require more effort to apply but are more effective for heavier loads. This type of cut is made by running the film over and around the load in a criss-cross pattern.
Gap cuts are typically used for irregularly shaped loads. This type of cut is made by cutting the film into smaller pieces and running it around the corners and edges of the load to secure it.
It is crucial to take into account the type of cut that is most appropriate for the load when using hand-stretch film. A cargo can be adequately secured and made safe for transport with the help of a suitable cut.
Using hand-stretch film is a great way for businesses to save money and ensure the safety of their products. With all of these considerations in mind, businesses can find the perfect stretch film to meet their needs.
