Stretch film and shrink film are both used to wrap and protect goods, but they work differently and suit different jobs.
Stretch film
Stretch film is applied at room temperature and clings to itself as it’s stretched around a load — most commonly used to secure cartons or stock to a pallet. No heat or equipment beyond a dispenser (or a wrapping machine at higher volumes) is needed.
Shrink film
Shrink film is heat-sealed around a product and then shrinks tightly around it, giving a close, tamper-evident wrap. It needs a heat source (a heat gun or shrink tunnel), which makes it better suited to individual product wrapping than pallet loads.
Which to use
If you’re securing multiple items or cartons together for storage or transport, stretch film is the simpler and cheaper option. If you need a tight, tamper-evident wrap around an individual product, shrink film is the better fit.
Browse our strapping, stretch wrap and void fill range.