It can be difficult to decide between using hand stretch film and machine stretch film for packaging applications. At TigerPak Packaging, we’ve helped countless businesses to improve their packaging operations by advising them on which type of stretch film they should use. In this blog post, we compare hand stretch film and machine stretch film to help you select the right option for your packaging needs.
Hand Stretch Film
Hand stretch film is a plastic film product that’s wrapped over products to secure them and provide them with the protection they need when placed in storage or being transported from site to site. Hand stretch film is applied by hand or by using a hand pallet wrap dispenser and is ideal for workplaces that wrap moderate quantities of pallets, boxes, furniture and other products.
Machine Stretch Film
If you plan on wrapping large quantities of products, it’s worth considering using machines to do so. Machine stretch film is specifically made to be applied by machinery such as our TPX Pallet Wrappers, By automating the process, items can be wrapped much faster.
Which Option is Right for You?
There are a few factors to consider when choosing between hand stretch film and machine stretch film. These factors include:
Cost
Although using a stretch wrapping machine to wrap products is far quicker, it is also more expensive. If your budget doesn’t allow for you to purchase a stretch wrapping machine, using hand stretch film is a more cost-effective option.
Product Volume
Consider how many products you need to wrap daily. If you’re wrapping less than 50 pallets per day, hand stretch film may be a more suitable option. However, companies that wrap a high number of pallets could benefit from using machine stretch film for increased productivity.
Speed
Having employees manually apply hand stretch film over products with a handheld dispenser is fine for moderate quantities of products, but this is a far slower process compared to using a stretch wrapping machine that applies machine stretch film. If you have large quantities of products that need to be wrapped fast, using a machine will drastically speed up the process and allow more items to be wrapped.
Contact TigerPak Packaging to Learn More
If you’re having trouble deciding between hand stretch film and machine stretch film, get in touch with TigerPak Packaging for further advice and assistance. Call us on 1300 525 325 or submit an online enquiry today.