Choosing the Right Stretch Wrap

28 Oct.,2024

 

Choosing the Right Stretch Wrap

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It's time to pack and ship your products, and you're unsure which stretch wrap is right for you. Have no fear-- Mr. Shrinkwrap is here! Whether you are packaging products to ship or wrapping equipment for storage, with the proper guidance in this article, you will be able to choose the very best stretch wrap for the job-- ensuring a safe transit for your products, limiting the amount of wrap used/money spent on each pallet or job, and providing maximum safety and efficiency for your company's employees.

What Is Stretch Wrap Gauge ?

Gauge is a measure of a stretch wrap&#;s thickness. Generally, the higher the gauge, the higher its resistance to breakage. General purpose 80-gauge wrap is the industry standard, and can secure loads up to 2,400 lbs.

Higher gauge wraps tend to be more expensive, but are thicker and do not need to be wrapped around as many times on a job.

Gauge can be converted into mils, microns or other units. Here is a conversion chart:

Gauge

Mil

Micron

Millimeter

Inch

35

0.35

8.9

0.

0.

45

0.45

11.4

0.

0.

50

0.50

12.7

0.

0.

60

0.60

15.2

0.

0.

80

0.80

20.3

0.

0.

100

1.00

25.4

0.

0.001

120

1.20

30.5

0.

0.

150

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1.50

38.1

0.

0.

180

1.80

45.7

0.

0.

200

2.00

50.8

0.

0.002

Popular Stretch Wrap Gauges

37 Gauge: A pre-stretch wrap suitable for light, uniform loads of up to 800 lbs

60 Gauge: A light true-gauged film suitable for light to medium loads up to 1,600 pounds.

80 Gauge: A versatile, medium-duty true-gauged film for loads up to 2,400 pounds. This is the most common stretch film thickness.

100 Gauge: A heavier-duty true-gauged film that can hold loads up to 3,000 pounds. Machine stretch wrap in this gauge can be used to wrap pallets of heavy, irregular objects such as steel beams or 55-gallon drums.

150 Gauge: A heavy-duty true-gauged stretch film for extremely heavy loads, loads with many sharp points or corners, and heavy irregular objects that may shift during transit. Typically must be machine-applied to achieve proper tension.

Types of Stretch Wrap

  • Pre-Stretched Stretch Wrap has been mechanically stretched prior to rolling, so it is thinner than its true-gauged equivalent. Pre-stretching 80-gauge film results in a 37-gauge pre-stretch film. This creates a lighter wrap, but with a similar hold to its true-gauge counterpart.
  • True-Gauge Stretch Wrap has not been pre-stretched. The thickness it has afte the extrusion process is the thickness it has on the roll.
  • Hand Films are great for small shipping and containment applications, and can be used to bundle items, or hold items in place on a pallet. A single operator can wrap a pallet with hand film in just a few minutes by stretching the film while walking around the pallet. Hand wrapping is typically ideal for those who unitize less than 10 pallets per day, have decentralized warehousing or need a backup to powered stretch wrapping equipment.
  • Opaque/Product Concealing Wraps are completely solid in color, not clear or tinted. These wraps provide privacy, conceal shipments, and help to prevent theft.
  • Corrosion Inhibiting Wraps protect shipments that are prone to corrode from moisture.
  • Anti-Static Wraps protect shipments that contain sensitive electronics from static discharge.
  • Machine Film is used with powered stretch wrapping equipment. There are several different types of powered stretch wrapping equipment available today. The most common are rotary spiral pre-stretch machines. The Rotary Spiral Pre-Stretch machine wraps the pallet load in a spiral fashion using film widths of 20&#; or 30&#;.
  • Colored/Tinted Stretch Film is used to organize and identify pallets and products.

Things to Consider When Choosing Your Stretch Wrap

  • The weight of the load. The heavier the load, the stronger your stretch wrap gauge will need to be.
  • The shape of the load. Uniform loads, such as pallets of same-size boxes, require less holding power and durability (and a lower gauge) than highly irregular or unstable loads with lots of sharp corners and edges.
  • Do you and your staff have the proper tools and training? Large, heavy, and oddly shaped items that require high-gauge stretch wrap may require the use of stretch-wrapping machines in order to be wrapped safely and efficiently. These machines unfortunately are not typically cheap, and you want to make sure that any staff using such machines is properly trained in order to maximize the machine's benefits and prevent any workplace incidents. (For wrapping of any kind, proper training is also highly recommended to save money long-term; if an employee is over-using stretch wrap on each load, or using a thicker and more expensive wrap than is needed, over time these costs will add up!)
  • Do my products have special needs? Some products need added protection from one thing or another, and this needs to be put into consideration when wrapping. For example, certain electronics might benefit from anti-static wraps, and more expensive products may benefit from opaque wraps to better conceal their value. Consider everything before finalizing your stretch wrap purchase.
  • Do I need a stretch wrapping machine? You will need to evaluate your shipping volume, staff size, and product types in order to answer this question. There are all types of machinery you can purchase to help apply your stretch wrap thoroughly and efficiently. Certain large, bulky, and oddly shaped products will highly benefit from the uniform tension of machine-applied stretch wrapping.

It is not an easy nor risk-free decision to choose and purchase the right stretch wrap for your company. If you are still undecided, have additional questions, or are in conflict between a few options, don't hesitate to call Mr. Shrinkwrap today at 800-847-. At Mr. Shrinkwrap, we care about our customers and want you to use the very best solution for your company's individual needs!

Tips for Properly Applying LDPE Shrink Film: A Step-by- ...

Description

LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) shrink film is a useful packaging material. Industries are widely using it to secure products and enhance their shelf life. LDPE provides an attractive finish in the form of packaging. Whether you&#;re packaging food items, industrial products, or consumer goods, properly applying LDPE shrink film can make a significant difference in the quality of your packaging and it saves your product from scratch and damage too.

You can believe that your packaging process is enough cost-effective and trusted if you are using right techniques. This guide in a practical way for applying LDPE shrink film to achieve great results.

 

Step 1: Choose the Right LDPE Shrink Film Roll

choosing the appropriate LDPE shrink film roll is an important first step. Whenever selecting it don&#;t forget to consider the thickness, strength, and size of the film based on the dimensions of the items you need to wrap.

If you&#;re packing large items, look for a thicker LDPE shrink film roll with a good level of puncture resistance. Conversely, smaller item may fit into a thinner film, which is often more affordable and easier. Consider LDPE shrink film manufacturers who can give detailed information on different types of film. Also, you should keep in mind that the LDPE shrink film price, as the best quality films can come at a premium but offer better durability.. LDPE shrink film rolls are available in the market with a variety of thicknesses, mostly measured in microns. A thicker film has more durability and protection, while thinner films are more economical and it is suitable for lightweight or single-use applications.

 

Step 2: Prepare the Product for Wrapping

Before starting the packing process, ensure that the items to be packaged are neat clean, dry, and free from any sharp edges that may puncture the film. Arrange them on a flat, stable surface and, if necessary.

Aligning items rightly on the surface also helps in an even shrink wrap, reducing the chances of bubbles. For example, managing the products uniformly will help in distributing heat evenly, which is necessary when working with LDPE shrink film. The packaging step is very important for maintaining the qualities of the LDPE shrink film and the overall performance of the finished package.

 

Step 3: Measuring and Cutting the LDPE Shrink Film

Check the film to make sure that length and width are enough to cover the product fully before unrolling the LDPE shrink film from the roll, Leave some extra film margin on each side, as the excess material will help create a good-looking and secure seal. Measuring and cutting the film should be done through a tool.

If you&#;re utilizing a pre-perforated LDPE shrink film roll, the film will already be evenly spaced, making it easy to measure and cut. However, if you&#;re using a standard roll, accurate measurements will help you avoid wasting material to get good results. It is to keep in mind that a few inches of extra film on each side will maintain a strong and good-looking seal of the product that will be wrinkle-free.

 

Step 4: Wrap the Product in LDPE Shrink Film

After cutting the film, pack it around the item by placing it in the center and folding the film to the top side. Pull the film tightly to make it wrinkle-free and fit the product. You can consider taping the edge of the film or using a heat seal.

For added stability, you may consider taping the edges of the film or using a heat-sealing machine to secure the initial wrap.

If you&#;re working with a big item, it can be helpful to have an extra pair of hands to hold the film in place while you pack it around the product. The objective is to create a correct, even layer of film without any large wrinkles or gaps, so taking your time with this step is very crucial. Whenever wrapping an oddly shaped item, take care to cover all sides evenly to avoid bunching or uneven shrinkage.

 

Step 5: Benefit of LDPE Shrink the Film

LDPE shrink film helps companies keep their products safe as well as instill confidence in consumers. This happens because LDPE shrink film is used in the packaging of many products that we often use daily. For example, if we want to buy packaged food, we would prefer to buy only that food whose packaging is clean and attractive.

 

Conclusion

LDPE shrink film has various qualities that can save and seal the product perfectly and increase the value of the product. By applying this step-by-step guide, you can easily use LDPE shrink film to secure and protect your products for the long term. While making the product presentable. Whether you&#;re concerned about LDPE shrink film price or looking for the best LDPE shrink film roll.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is LDPE Shrink Film?
LDPE shrink film is a type of plastic manufactured from low-density polyethylene, generally sed for packaging items. When heat is applied, LDPE shrink film sticks tightly around the item, creating a protective and durable wrap. This type of film is flexible, lightweight, and resistant to punctures, making it useful for various packaging needs.

Q. How to Make LDPE Shrink Film?
LDPE shrink film is manufactured through a deep process. First, low-density polyethylene pellets are melted and pulled out through a die to form a thin film. This film is then cooled and stretched to achieve the desired thickness and strength.

Q. Is Shrink Film Waterproof?
Yes, LDPE shrink film is waterproof.

Q. What is LDPE Film Used For?
LDPE film is versatile and mostly used across many industries. It is generally used for packing food products, consumer goods, electronics, and industrial parts

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