Stretch wrapping and shrink wrapping are two technologies that most businesses rely on in many ways, even if they’re not immediately obvious. From keeping palletized goods safe while in transit to making sure that products are well protected on store shelves, plastic shipping wrap products are key tools for getting an ever greater variety of products to an ever wider range of markets. However, the terms “stretch wrap” and “shrink wrap” are often used interchangeably, so it can be tough to figure out which is which—and which your business needs. If you’ve been wondering, check out this quick guide to the differences in stretch and shrink wrapping from the packaging experts at Air Sea Containers.Both stretch wrap and shrink wrap are polyethylene or polyolefin plastics that are used for the protective wrapping of goods.Stretch wrap and shrink wrap are both critical tools in the world of commerce and industry. Let’s explore a little bit more about some other factors that make the two different, and examine why they’re both must-haves for many businesses. The main use of stretch wrap is to protect goods while they’re being transported. Palletized goods are commonly wrapped in stretch wrap to keep them attached to the pallet and prevent them from shifting in transit. It also can help prevent dust from settling on goods and keep out moisture. Many freight carriers require pallet goods to be stretch wrapped so that they don’t come loose in transit. When wrapping fragile items, stretch wrap is also commonly reinforced with other materials such as bubble wrap underneath to provide impact protection. Some manufacturers also offer variants of stretch wrap, such as UV-resistant stretch wrap, ventilated stretch wrap and black stretch wrap
A typical application of stretch wrap.
Shrink wrap is more often used for consumer goods. Go to any large consumer goods store and you’ll see thousands of shrink-wrapped products, from DVDs to iPhones to Valentine’s Day candy. The shiny, tight-clinging film is perfect for protecting goods while still showing off what’s inside, and its airtight seal is ideal for preventing ingress—although it’s also versatile enough to be ventilated if necessary. Food and pharmaceuticals are sometimes shrink-wrapped to keep out contamination from dirt, dust and pathogens . Shrink wrapping also has the advantage of showing when a product has been tampered with—think of the plastic seal around a bottle of ibuprofen. It gives the customer a reasonable guarantee that the product they’re buying is brand new, untampered with and complete.Whether it’s stretch wrap or shrink wrap, your business will need to have the right equipment on hand to apply plastic wrap correctly. The typical equipment businesses use to apply these wrap materials includes:
A typical application of shrink wrap.
Air Sea Containers is your premier one-stop-shop for commercial and industrial shipping and packaging materials. We’ve got the expertise and the selection to help our customers find the perfect solution. Call us at (866) 596-9448 to get started on yours.Air Sea Containers is your premier one-stop-shop for commercial and industrial shipping and packaging materials. We’ve got the expertise and the selection to help our customers find the perfect solution. Call us at (866) 596-9448 to get started on yours.
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