Stretch film and shrink film get lumped together constantly, but they solve different packaging problems. Picking the wrong one can mean damaged product, wasted material, or a machine that can't run the film you bought. Here's how to tell them apart and choose correctly.
How They're Different
Stretch film is a stretchy plastic wrap applied at room temperature, primarily used to secure pallet loads for shipping and storage. No heat is involved — the film is mechanically stretched and wrapped around the load to hold it together.
Shrink film is a looser wrap applied around a product or bundle, then heated so it tightens and conforms to the item's shape. It's used for retail packaging, bundling, and protecting individual products rather than pallet loads.
When to Use Stretch Film
If you're shipping palletized goods and need to keep boxes from shifting in transit, stretch film is the right call. It's fast to apply, inexpensive, and doesn't require heat equipment. Our stretch film is built to hold tight through handling and transport without tearing.
When to Use Shrink Film
If your goal is a tight, retail-ready seal around an individual product — think books, board games, food items, or multi-packs — shrink film is the better fit. It creates a tamper-evident, professional-looking package. Our polyolefin shrink film comes in standard and cross-linked options depending on how much durability you need.
Can You Use Both?
Many operations do — shrink wrap for the individual product, then stretch wrap the palletized cases for shipping. If you're bundling multiple units for retail, a length of machine tape can also help secure bundles before they're shrink wrapped.
Not Sure Which Fits Your Product?
Tell us what you're packaging and how it moves through your operation — individual retail units, bundles, or full pallets — and we'll point you to the right film. Contact our team or browse our full packaging materials lineup.
