Stretch Film for Packaging in India: Complete Buyer Guide 2026

Stretch film is one of the most widely used secondary packaging materials in India — and one of the most misused. Manufacturers, warehouse managers, and logistics teams across the country use it daily, but most are using the wrong thickness, the wrong application method, or buying the wrong type.

This guide covers everything you need to know before buying stretch film for packaging in India.

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What Is Stretch Film and How Does It Work?

Stretch film (also called stretch wrap or cling film) is a highly stretchable plastic film made from Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). When stretched and applied to a pallet or load, it creates tension that secures the load together.

The key property: stretch film is applied under tension. As it tries to return to its original length, it creates a compressive force that holds the load together. This is why stretch film is more effective than other wrapping materials for stabilising pallets — it actively grips the load rather than just covering it.

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Types of Stretch Film

Hand Stretch Film (Hand Roll)

Applied manually by a person walking around the pallet. The roll is held in the hands or on a handheld dispenser and the operator stretches the film as they apply it.

Available in: 300mm to 500mm width. 17 to 25 micron thickness.

Best for: Warehouses and dispatch areas with lower pallet volumes — under 50 pallets per day. No equipment investment needed.

Machine Stretch Film (Pre-Stretch Film)

Applied by a pallet wrapping machine (semi-automatic or fully automatic). The machine pre-stretches the film to 150 to 300 percent of its original length before applying to the pallet.

Available in: 500mm width standard. 17 to 23 micron thickness.

Best for: High-volume operations above 50 pallets per day. More economical per pallet because the pre-stretch means less film is used per pallet.

Coloured Stretch Film

Available in blue, black, red, green, yellow — used for colour-coding pallet loads by product type, customer, or destination. Also provides opacity for security-sensitive shipments.

UV-Stabilised Stretch Film

For loads stored outdoors or in direct sunlight. Standard stretch film degrades under UV exposure within weeks. UV-stabilised film lasts 6 to 12 months in outdoor storage.

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Micron Thickness Guide

The most important specification in stretch film is thickness, measured in microns (one micron = one millionth of a metre).

17 to 20 micron: Light duty. For light pallets under 200 kg with smooth, non-sharp surfaces. Standard for consumer goods, food products, and pharmaceutical pallets.

23 micron: Standard industrial. For pallets 200 to 500 kg with regular-shaped loads. The most widely used thickness for Indian industrial packaging.

25 micron: Heavy duty. For pallets above 500 kg, loads with protruding corners or sharp edges that can puncture thinner film, and outdoor storage applications.

A common mistake: using 17 micron film for industrial loads above 300 kg to save cost. The film tears during wrapping, requiring multiple layers that actually consume more film than a single wrap with 23 micron. The 23 micron option is more economical for most industrial applications.

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How to Wrap a Pallet with Stretch Film — Correct Method

Step 1 — Anchor the film

Start at the base of the pallet. Wrap the film tail around one leg of the pallet twice to anchor it — do not rely on the film just pressing against the pallet surface.

Step 2 — Wrap upward in overlapping spirals

Move upward around the pallet in a spiral, overlapping each layer by 50 percent of the film width. This means each part of the pallet surface gets two layers of film for standard loads.

Step 3 — At the top, wrap the top two layers horizontally

When you reach the top of the pallet, make two horizontal wraps around the top of the load, then bring the film back down to the base.

Step 4 — Secure the tail

Pull the film tight and tuck the tail under the previous layer or press it firmly against the film surface — it will cling to itself.

Step 5 — Total layers

Standard industrial pallet: 3 full spiral wraps up and 2 horizontal wraps at top = 5 total passes. Heavy or unstable loads: 4 to 5 spiral wraps.

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Stretch Film vs Shrink Film

Stretch film and shrink film are completely different products despite similar-sounding names:

Stretch film (LLDPE): Applied at room temperature by stretching. Used for pallet wrapping. Removed by cutting.

Shrink film (POF or PVC): Applied loosely and then heat-shrunk with a heat gun or tunnel. Used for product bundling and tamper-evident outer wrap on retail products.

Do not confuse these when ordering.

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Products from Upackarts

Stretch Film: upackarts.in/products/stretch-film/

PP Straps and Clips (for pallet strapping to use with stretch film): upackarts.in/products/pp-straps-clips/

Angle Boards (corner protection before stretch wrapping): upackarts.in/products/angle-boards/

Wooden Pallets (ISPM-15 certified): upackarts.in/products/wooden-pallets/

Delivery across India within 3 to 4 working days. GST invoice. WhatsApp +91-88560-64045.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What micron stretch film should I use for industrial pallets?

23 micron is the standard for most Indian industrial applications covering pallets of 200 to 500 kg. Use 17 to 20 micron for light pallets under 200 kg with smooth surfaces, and 25 micron for pallets above 500 kg or loads with sharp protruding corners.

What is the difference between hand stretch film and machine stretch film?

Hand stretch film is applied manually by a person walking around the pallet. Machine stretch film is applied by a pallet wrapping machine that pre-stretches the film to 150 to 300 percent before application — using less film per pallet and achieving more consistent wrapping than manual application.

How many layers of stretch film does a pallet need?

For a standard industrial pallet: 3 full spiral wraps upward overlapping 50 percent of film width, plus 2 horizontal wraps at the top. Heavy or unstable loads need 4 to 5 spiral passes.