Stretch Wrap and Packing — Gauge, Pre-Stretch and Tips in Canada
Stretch Wrap & Packing — Gauge, Pre-Stretch & Tips (Canada)
1) Film types: hand, machine & pre-stretch
Hand film — 12–23 µm (47–90 ga) common.
- Short runs, mixed pallets, field work.
- Use a dispenser to reduce strain and improve tension.
Machine film — 17–30+ µm (67–120 ga).
- Consistent pre-stretch (150–300%) with turntable/rotary arms.
- Best for volume and repeatable loads.
Pre-stretch film (hand): factory-stretched thin film on a light core; very tight with minimal effort and less waste.
2) Gauge vs micron — quick conversion
| Gauge (ga) | Micron (µm) | Typical usage |
|---|---|---|
| 47–60 | 12–15 | Light, stable cartons; pre-stretch hand film |
| 70–80 | 18–20 | General hand wrap on mixed pallets |
| 90–100 | 23–25 | Heavier goods / edges / short transport |
| 115–120+ | 29–30+ | Very heavy or sharp loads; machine wrap |
Rule: If you need to “mummy wrap” to stop shifting, go wider or stronger film and improve the pattern — don’t just add more layers.
3) Cast vs blown — which to pick?
| Type | Pros | Watch-outs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast | Clear, quiet, good cling, consistent thickness | Lower puncture than blown at same gauge | General use, machine wrap |
| Blown | Tough, high puncture, great load retention | Cloudier, noisier unwind | Sharp edges, cold docks, outdoor transport |
4) How to size film by load type
- Type A (uniform boxes, flush sides): 15–20 µm cast; pre-stretch 200%.
- Type B (mixed, minor protrusions): 20–23 µm cast or 18–20 µm blown; add edge boards.
- Type C (irregular/sharp, heavy): 23–30 µm blown or reinforced; consider strapping + corner boards.
5) Wrap patterns that actually hold
- Base lock: 2–3 wraps capturing pallet deck; this prevents “walking.”
- Upward spiral: 50% overlap up to top → 1–2 cap wraps over the top layer.
- Downward return: spiral back to base for compression and containment.
- Neck-down (hand): pull film to reduce width for corner reinforcement.
6) Cores, widths & dispensers
- Hand cores: 3″ (76 mm) standard; light-core pre-stretch reduces fatigue.
- Widths: 12–18″ (300–450 mm) hand, 20–30″ (500–750 mm) machine.
- Use pistol-grip or two-handle dispensers to maintain tension and protect hands.
7) Cold weather & outdoor docks (EN/FR)
- Pick blown film or cold-rated cast for docks at or below 0 °C.
- Store rolls indoors; cold film loses cling and can tear.
- FR/EN: Utiliser des films adaptés au froid et conserver à l’intérieur / Use cold-rated films and store inside.
8) Damage, waste & safety checklist
- Don’t over-tension → crushed cartons and product damage.
- Cut tails clean; avoid trip hazards and loose film around wheels.
- Recycle LLDPE where facilities exist; keep film dry and uncontaminated.
9) Packing extras: tape, edge boards, strap
- Tape: acrylic (cold), hot-melt (fast grab), natural rubber (dusty/recycled cartons).
- Edge boards/corner protectors: prevent film puncture and improve stacking.
- Strapping: PP for light bundles, PET for heavy pallets; tension + seals/buckles.
- Label holders and “Do Not Stack” cones for fragile loads.
10) Bundles & related pages
Important Legal/Compliance Note (Canada)
This page is informational, not legal advice. Packaging operations must follow occupational health & safety requirements (e.g., ergonomics, machine guarding) under your provincial regulator. Waste handling may be subject to local recycling bylaws and extended producer responsibility (EPR) rules. Where internal SOPs or standards specify pallet stability tests or materials, those documents prevail. Consult your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) and your safety program.