Stretch Wrap Is Two-Sided: Are You Applying It Properly?
If you didn’t realise that stretch wrap has two sides and a specific method of application, you wouldn’t be alone.
Busy warehouses have plenty going on and amidst the pace to package up products and get them on the next truck, even a small oversight in training or communication can translate into a much larger problem down the track.
Not properly understanding how stretch film works is a good example; when it is applied incorrectly, it can expose a pallet load of product to damage and spoiling, and result in the customer returning shipments.
How to wrap pallet loads with two-sided stretch film
All stretch wrap has two sides. One side is designed to be sticky, while the other side is smooth and glossy.
Before use, it is important to identify which side of the film is tacky, and which side is smooth. Some films can come wound from the manufacturer with adhesive on the outside, while others may be wound on the inside.
When you have properly identified which side is which, the sticky side of the stretch film should always be wrapped facing the pallet load.
As the stretch film is wrapped around itself revolution after revolution, the tacky side will stick firmly first against the product, and then to itself.
The final part of the stretch wrap, the tail, will also then stick to the film, creating a cleaner pallet.
How two-sided stretch film protects your pallet load
A cleaner looking pallet is not the only benefit; in fact, two-sided stretch film is designed to protect your products during shipping.
During shipping, pallet loads are placed tightly next to one another to save space.
If the sticky side of the stretch film is not applied properly and faces outwards, pallets can stick and rub against one another, with the resulting friction ripping and puncturing film and damaging the products being shipped.
When stretch film is wrapped around the pallet load with the glossy, smooth side facing outwards, it prevents friction between the pallets.
Proper application of stretch film will also boost the stability of your pallet load.
When the sticky side stretch wrap is applied against the product, it enhances the integrity of the load and reduces instability during shipping.
How to load two-sided film into your stretch machine
To wrap the sticky side of the stretch film to the pallet load, the film’s sticky side must face against the pre stretch machine rollers which can then grip and stretch the film.
If the film’s smooth, glossy side however faces towards the pre stretch machine rollers, it will slip against the rollers and reduce the machine’s ability to stretch it.
Simply understanding how to hold or feed a roll of two-sided film into a stretch machine can save a business a lot of money. When two-sided film is wrapped against a pallet load correctly, it will also prevent loads rubbing against each other, ripping the film and reducing the stability of the pallet load.
The importance of training
It isn’t uncommon for stretch machine operators to think their machine isn’t working properly when in fact the issue could be as simple as the two-sided film being fed into the machine the wrong way.
That’s why regular training and communication is so important, as it can remind machine operators how to hold or load two-sided film into the machine so it is applied properly to the pallet load.
At Vorteck, we have more than 50 years’ experience in end-of-line packaging solutions alongside a deep understanding of shipping challenges and how to overcome them.
We are always happy to support our customers with training and advice which can help to optimise packaging processes and the efficiency of their machinery. We can also take a closer look at your packaging processes and provide advice that can save your business valuable time and money, whether through specialist training or a machinery upgrade.
Speak with a member of our expert team today on 01 685 2096 to find out how Vorteck can help with a customised solution for your business.
