So, you are looking for a type of film, but you are confused about which type you actually need. While it is not uncommon to confuse stretch film with shrink film, they are not the same material. Stretch film and shrink film are made for very different applications and using one in the wrong application could lead to serious problems.
After such a long time in the packaging industry, Industrial Packaging often gets questions about shrink film and stretch film. One of the more common questions about these materials that we receive is: “What is the difference between shrink film and stretch film?”
One of these films can be used in a heat tunnel to package products. Doing that with the other could result in a fire. It is important to know the differences between these two materials when trying to source one or the other. In this article, we will explore the differences between both types of film and explain the appropriate applications for each.
What Is Shrink Film?
Shrink film (sometimes called shrink wrap), is a packaging material made of polymer-based plastic, most commonly polyolefin, polyvinyl-chloride, or polyethylene. When the film is heated to a specific temperature, it shrinks uniformly around the product being packaged. Heat is usually applied to the film with a heat gun or a heat tunnel.
A heat gun looks similar to a hair dryer and is used to shrink the film around small volumes of small products.
With a heat tunnel, the shrink film is loosely sealed around a product with an L-bar sealer and it is then sent along a conveyor into the heat tunnel. The shrink film then shrinks uniformly around the products as they move through the heat tunnel.
Shrink film is commonly used to package various types of products including frozen pizza boxes, produce, and other types of food and consumer goods.
What Is Stretch Film?
Stretch film (sometimes called stretch wrap) is an extremely stretchy polymer-based plastic film that is used to wrap pallets of products for shipping. The elasticity of the film ensures that the items are bound very tightly. Stretch film is commonly used in tandem with a stretch wrap machine to ensure the superior load containment of pallets.
When being applied manually, stretch film is wrapped and stretched around pallets of boxes of products with a tool called a stretch wrap dispenser.
The stretch film is tucked under the corner of the pallet and the laborer walks in a circle around the pallet from the bottom to the top of the pallet. The stretch film rolls off the dispenser as the laborer walks around the pallet.
The laborer will stretch the film tight by pulling the stretch wrap as they move around each corner of the pallet. This results in the pallet being tightly wrapped prior to being shipped. The securing of the products by the wrap is known as load containment.
What Is Load Containment?
Load containment makes for a load that is securely set in place so that it can be shipped safely to the intended destination of delivery. To achieve the maximum load containment possible, you will want to consider using a stretch wrapping machine.
Additionally, if you have the funding, you could fully automate your stretch wrapping with the proper machinery and cut the costs of human labor.
Depending on the volume of products you are wrapping, a stretch wrapping machine may or may not be a good fit for your business. You should consider having a packaging expert do an audit of your packaging line to see if it makes sense for your business.
What Is The Difference Between Shrink Film And Stretch Film?
Shrink film is used for packaging products. It shrinks to form around the shape of the products being packaged.
Stretch film is used to wrap pallets of pre-packaged goods prior to shipping.
Shrink film does not stretch and you cannot use it as a stretch film. Stretch film does not shrink and it cannot be sent through a heat tunnel or used with a heat gun.