Shrink Wrap vs. Stretch Wrap: What’s the Difference?

In the packaging industry, stretch wrap and shrink film are commonly used industrial films. Although both are used for packaging, the differences are obvious. This article will dissect their differences, including material characteristics, application scenarios, and so on. We will help you figure out their advantages and disadvantages. So that is in the actual packaging. We will be able to accurately select the right film according to the specific needs. Avoid choosing the wrong one to lead to poor packaging results or even safety hazards.

What is shrink wrap film?

Shrink film is a very common packaging material. It is usually made from polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride, and polyolefin. It is usually transparent. It is strong and durable. It is also heatproof, low-temperature resistant, moisture-proof, and dustproof. It is very practical. This kind of packaging film is usually used for wrapping wrapped goods and palletized wrapping (pallets). It can be used for securing items tightly together. Convenient for storage and transportation. When using shrink film packaging.Usually with the help of a shrink-wrapping machine or a heat gun. The heat gun generates heat by burning butane, which causes the film to shrink. Shrink film is also dustproof. It also prevents bacterial contamination and is suitable for packaging food. It can also be used to package electronics or large items.

What are the different types of shrink film?

Shrink film is mainly divided into PVC, POF, and PE shrink film. The three production materials are different, in the characteristics and use of different scenes. You need to understand the characteristics of each one in order to make a better choice!

PVC Shrink Wrap

PVC shrink film is a cheap and lightweight plastic packaging. It is made from polyvinyl chloride. It has a high shrinkage rate and is strong. It can wrap items tightly. It is commonly used to wrap non-edible items such as CDs, DVDs, and small jars.PVC is divided into rigid PVC and flexible PVC. They can be used to wrap different items. However, PVC contains harmful chemicals. Especially it cannot be heated. It should be handled carefully. To be put in a ventilated place. However, there is some controversy about environmental protection. But because it is cheap, lightweight, and has a high shrinkage rate. It is still very popular in the packaging field.

POF Polyolefin Shrink Wrap

The main component of POF shrink film is polyolefin. A very commonly used advanced packaging material.Transparent and sturdy. Flexibility is also good and durable. Excellent puncture resistance as well. It can protect the products being transported or stored very well. And there is no odor. Refrigeration and printing can be used. The POF film can be heated to provide a tighter conformity to the item. It has also passed FDA certification. It is a very safe food packaging material. It is a very good choice.

PE Shrink Wrap

PE shrink film is made of polyethylene (PE). It can wrap large or heavy items. Although it is on the expensive side, it has a lot of toughness. Patterns can also be printed on the film without affecting the film or the item. It is slightly less transparent but thicker and sturdier. Shrinks when packaged in the cold and fits tightly to the item.

Uses of shrink film

Shrink film is very versatile. It is a very important choice in many fields. In the food industry, frozen foods like dumplings are packaged in it. It maintains both freshness and flavor. The sealing property is also excellent. It can also be used for books, DVDs, etc. in daily life. It is dustproof and prevents wear and tear. Shrinkwrapping is also used for large items, large instruments, and other bulky items. Although the scene of assembling items on pallets is used less. However, shrink film still plays a key role in protecting boats, outdoor furniture, food vacuums, sealing, and more.

What is stretch wrap film?

Stretch wrap is generally made from polyethylene (PE). It is a thin film that can also be stretched. It can be stretched to two to three times its original length, usually when machines are wrapping pallets and products. When stretched, it springs back and can be wrapped tightly around goods. It does not need to be heated and heat sealed like shrink film. Its principle is to rely on the shrinkage of the film to secure the goods. It is usually wrapped with many layers when packing. The more it is wrapped, the tighter it gets. When wrapping pallets, the stretch wrap can generate a certain tension. It can be stretched up to 3 times its length. It forms a contraction force around the goods. It can bind the goods firmly. It also belongs to a kind of plastic film. Often used as secondary packaging. Suitable for bundling and securing various products during transportation or storage. It can effectively be dustproof and moisture-proof. Stretch wrap can be hand-wrapped or machine-wrapped.

What are the types of stretch film?

Manual stretch wrap is supplied in long rolls, making it convenient for manual operation. Common kitchen cling film falls into this category. Manual stretch wrap is specifically designed for manual use and is widely used in the packaging industry. It can be further categorised into strapping-type and anti-static-type. It is suitable for small-batch packaging.
Machine stretch wrap is designed for stretch wrapping machines. It can be used for large-scale packaging and effectively reduces labour and time costs. It can be used with various packaging machines.
Blown stretch film is tear-resistant and puncture-resistant, making it suitable for storage in deep-freeze environments. Blown stretch film comes in different thicknesses and widths. The colours are typically black or transparent.
Cast stretch film is transparent and tear-resistant. It can tightly adhere to products without sticking to other surfaces. It prevents products on pallets from shifting during transportation. It is widely used in pallet packaging in the food industry. When packaging goods of different weights, different film thicknesses can be selected. For example, for goods weighing less than 500 kilograms, 15 or 17-micron film can be used. For goods weighing up to 700 kilograms, 20-micron film is used. If higher strength and adaptation to more stringent environments are required, 30-micron black film can be used.

Applications of stretch film

Stretch wraps are very practical packaging materials. It is flexible and puncture-proof. It can tightly wrap items that tend to fall apart and fragile items. Things like pallets, boxes, lumber, bricks, carpet rolls, and large pieces of glass can be wrapped in it. It is commonly used in warehouses and distribution centers to wrap product pallets. For easy storage and transportation. It can also be customized with different types of films such as colored, UV resistance, pre-stretch, etc.

What equipment is required to use stretch film?

There are two main cases of wrapping goods in stretch wrap. In case of manual operation, a stretch wrapping dispenser is required. The worker first tucks the wrapper into the corners of the pallets. Then wrap the product around the pallets from bottom to top. The stretch wrap is then stretched taut to complete the package.

If you want to improve efficiency, you can use a machine with stretching. One type is a pallet turntable. It can rotate heavy pallets to make it easier for workers to palletize goods wrapping faster. There is also a stretch wrapping machine. When the pallets turn, the machine can automatically wrap the products with stretch wrap. It greatly improves the packing speed. Usually, a small amount of packaging will use manual labor. For high-volume packaging use a professional pallet turntable with a stretch wrapping machine.

What equipment is required to use shrink film?

The following equipment is usually required to use shrink film:

• Automatic side sealers: use a mechanical arm to trim and seal the shrink film around the product. It is fast and can run continuously. Sealing speeds of up to 100 packages per minute can be achieved. Ideal for high-volume packaging operations.
• SHRINK TUNNEL: Key to the shrink wrapping process. A temperature-controlled chamber can be formed to tighten the wrapped shrink film. Available in single and double chambers. Double chambers can speed up the packing speed.
• Shrink bundling machine: It used for packaging water bottles, cans, and other products (with or without pallets). Need to activate the shrink film with the shrink-wrapping machine.
• Sealing machine: can seal the opening to form a closed end.Commonly used I-type or L-type;
• Heat gun: used to heat shrink film.Suitable for low-output packaging scenarios;
• Heat Tunnel: heats shrink film over a larger area.Increases packaging output.

What are the benefits of stretch film and shrink film?

There are many benefits of stretch wrap and shrink film.

Benefits of Stretch Wraps

Stretch wrap is economical. It can be cost-effective. The price is much cheaper than other pallet wrapping materials. The associated equipment is also relatively inexpensive. It also has excellent protective features. It can prevent dust and waterproofing from entering the package. Some stretch wraps also have UV resistance. It can protect the product’s safety very well. And it is highly adaptable. Whether it is a special shape or difficult to stack the goods. The high toughness and high elasticity can make it tightly wrapped. Suitable for different application scenarios.

Benefits of shrink film

Shrink film excels in product protection. It resists the entry of dust, moisture, and contaminants bacteria. It is also tamper-evident. Once an item has been tampered with it can be detected immediately. Customized printing is also available. It can add space for products to showcase your brand. When wrapping fresh produce, using it with air-conditioned packaging can extend shelf life. Shrink wrap does not require the item to be thoroughly wrapped in plastic. It only requires a loose wrap. It is then shrunk with a heat gun or other heating device. It saves both time and energy. It also has the function of sealing and ventilation. It can avoid the harm caused by too much moisture.

The difference between shrink wrap vs stretch wrap

Shrink Film and Stretch Wraps

The main difference is in the way they are wrapped and their use. Stretch wrap is to wrap the product tightly. It can be stretched to 300 times its original size and then retracted for securing. Commonly used in transportation, like packing cartons. Securing goods on pallets for easy transportation and other scenarios will be used. Shrink film, on the other hand, has to be heated to 100 – 150°C first. Then it is cooled down and shrunk further so that it fits the item more tightly. It is often used to display products. It is commonly used in industries like retail, food, and pharmaceuticals to package goods for sale.

How to choose?

Choosing a package depends on the situation. Individual food items, small accessories, and are good with shrink wrap. Can be operated in large quantities by machine. Ensure product safety and hygiene in the hands of customers and users. If the pallets are piled on a large pile of goods, we need to use stretch wrap. Strong and flexible, can wrap the various shapes and sizes of goods. The goods are transported smoothly. Have to combine the characteristics of the product, how much to wrap, and transportation requirements to choose the right packaging film.

BESTYPACK

BESTYPACK is a high-quality packaging supplier. We mainly sell shrink film, stretch wrap, and other kinds of packaging products. The prices are affordable. Our products are oriented to the Spanish and American markets. Dedicated to meeting the packaging needs of different customers matter what kind of packaging challenges you have, we can provide customized solutions. Feel free to contact us at any time, we are dedicated to serving you.