Stretch Wrapping vs Shrink Wrapping - Understanding The Difference
May 30, 2019
When it comes to protecting products, or holding products together and intact for transport; stretch and shrink wrapping are often employed. Although these two types of wrapping have many differences, they are often confused. This blog aims to outline the differences between the two products and under what application they are both utilized.
What is it?
Stretch wrapping is stretchable plastic film that is wrapped around a load of products allowing it to be stretched; this elasticity holds the load tightly together.
Shrink Wrapping is covered loosely around a product or load & it shrinks tightly when heat is applied.
What is it made from?
Most commonly made from polyethylene plastics.
Most commonly made from polyolefin plastics.
What is it used for?
This type of wrapping is usually employed to hold loads and products together on a pallet for transportation or storage purposes. Stretch wrap can come in a variety of specialty films. Some examples are: UV stretch wrap, vented pallet wrap, anti-static stretch film, colored stretch film, pre-stretched stretch film, etc.
This type of wrapping is usually employed to protect a single product from dust or weather; or to tightly combine smaller items together. It can also wrap products together on a pallet; but is less common. This wrapping is widely used for covering foods; for example, cheese, meats and vegetables.
