In the world of packaging and logistics, stretch film might seem like a humble material—transparent, disposable, and often overlooked. But behind every stable pallet and successful delivery, is a careful science of engineering the right film for the job.

Understanding how film thickness and pre-stretch performance affect your bottom line isn’t just good practice—it’s smart business. It’s the difference between waste and efficiency, damage and delivery, trial and precision.

Thicker Isn’t Always Smarter

Let’s start with the obvious: film thickness. Measured in microns (or gauge), thickness affects how resistant a film is to punctures and tears. Many businesses assume that a thicker film equals better protection. But in reality, thickness without performance is just added weight.

A 23-micron film that isn’t optimised for your pallet load may cost more and perform worse than a well-engineered 17-micron film with better elasticity and memory. This is where the conversation shifts from just thickness to smart load analysis, tension control, and stretch consistency.

Stretch More, Spend Less

Pre-stretch is where things get even more interesting. It refers to how much a film can be elongated before it’s applied to the pallet—usually done by a stretch wrapping machine.

For example, a pre-stretch ratio of 250% means that 1 meter of film becomes 3.5 meters once stretched. This increases surface coverage without using more raw material and also enhances the film’s ability to hold the load together under pressure.

What does that mean in real-world terms?

Less film is used per pallet. Fewer roll changes. Lower plastic consumption. And better performance during transit.

The key takeaway: a highly pre-stretchable film doesn’t just wrap—it works harder.

More Than a Wrap—It’s a Safety Net

The most important factor in selecting stretch film is load stability. Your film needs to secure everything from fragile glassware to industrial components across hundreds or thousands of kilometres.

If the film is too thin and lacks holding force, the load shifts. If it’s too thick and over-applied, you’re paying more in material and labour.

The “right” film matches:

 1. Your load weight and shape

2. Type of goods (fragile, sharp-edged, etc.)

3. Handling method (manual or machine)

4. Environmental conditions (humidity, temperature)

5. This isn’t guesswork—it’s engineering.

Efficiency = Savings + Safety

Optimising your film choice means saving on both cost and consequence. Businesses that switch from a thick, over-applied film to a thinner, performance-driven one can reduce film consumption by 20–30%, lower downtime, and improve throughput.

Consider this: A company wrapping 500 pallets a day improved wrap efficiency and reduced material usage by switching to a thinner, high-performance stretch film, without compromising load safety.

The shift wasn’t about cutting corners—it was about elevating standards.

Conclusion: Wrap with Intelligence

Packaging is no longer an afterthought. In today’s high-speed supply chains, it’s a frontline defence for safety, sustainability, and savings.

At Triomada, the future of packaging lies in engineered performance, not guesswork. By understanding the science behind film thickness and pre-stretch, you don’t just protect your products—you optimise your operations.

Let’s help you match your load with the right film. Reach out to our technical team to explore solutions tailored to your workflow and machinery.