Tips for Shrink Wrapping Pallets

Before booking a pallet delivery, you should consider adding an extra layer of safety to your pallet.

You can do this through various means while you stack your pallet. However, one of the best ways of securing your goods is via shrink wrapping pallets.

While we recommend you shrink wrap your pallets, you must make sure that this process is carried out properly.

If the shrink wrapping process is not done correctly, you may even risk damaging your goods while they are in transit.

Shrink wrapping a pallet is key to ensuring the product gets from A to B in the best possible condition.

We’ll provide you with a guide on how to wrap a pallet correctly using pallet shrink wrap. Let’s begin!

How Does Shrink Wrapping Work?

The terms 'shrink wrapping' and 'stretch wrapping' are often used interchangeably.

But depsite both offering the same level of protection, the process behind the two are different. 

When stretch wrapping, you have to apply multiple layers of stretchable plastic film to the load.

The most common material used in this process is LLDPE (Linear Low-Density PolyEthylene) but PVC and other types of PolyEthylene can be used.

Shrink wrap, however, requires a slightly different application.

You have to secure the pallet and heat the shrink wrap carefully to tighten the film around your goods.

Before you secure the pallet and heat the shrink wrap, you need plenty of wrap to cover your goods.

If you fail to properly cover your pallet, when you heat the shrink wrap, your items may be uncovered in places. 

Both wrapping techniques provide your pallet and your items with protection while they are in transit.

Moreover, stretch wrapping can also protect your goods against moisture, dust, and pilferage.

Now, let’s find out how to correctly wrap a pallet in shrink wrap!

How to Properly Shrink Wrap a Pallet

As you may know, if you don't know how to wrap a pallet in shrink wrap, then you may risk your goods becoming damaged in transit.

So, here are some tips on how to effectively use pallet shrink wrap!

• Preparing the Load – when preparing the load of your pallet, make sure the individual boxes/items are as close to each other as possible. If you leave spaces between them, the load can shift around even after you’ve shrink wrapped it.
• Load Elevation – although optional, elevating your load can save you some back pain and can also help you prioritise the corner of the load when shrink wrapping. To elevate your load, either place your pallet on an elevated surface or on a stack of empty pallets.
• Attaching the Film – before you start to roll the film around the load, pull some shrink wrap from the roll and shape it like a rope. Then use this shrink wrap rope to thread it around one corner of your pallet while folding the remaining of the rope over it. You don’t need any knots, as the film adheres to itself.
• Focus on the Base – it is important that you focus on the base of the pallet. When wrapping the film around the base, follow the same direction as to that of the rope in the corner. Make sure the edge of the film goes underneath every corner of the pallet so that the load has no chances of slipping off the pallet.
• Working Your Way Up – as you continue to wrap upwards, keep the film tightly stretched. Each layer of the film has to overlap with the previous one by around 50% to ensure the load’s safety. For more stability, wrap the top of the pallet twice as much.
• Pallet Check – after wrapping the pallet, check that you have got a sturdy pallet. You might have to wrap it one more time, from the top to the base. When the load is stable on the pallet, tear the film with a pocket knife or a cutter, and fold its end under one of the layers on the pallet’s side. The final product should not have any tails of shrink wrap around it. 

Conclusion

As you can gather, it's not that difficult to shrink wrap a pallet.

However, make sure you always apply enough force when using pallet shrink wrap to properly cover the load.

The force you apply must be constant as you work your way up on the pallet.

As an extra tip, make sure that you don’t move too quickly from the middle of the pallet to the top and that you give yourself enough time to equally shrink wrap all the areas of your load.

By doing all of the above, you will have learnt how to wrap a pallet in shrink wrap the right way!

Shrink wrapping pallets can be made easier with our shrink wrap pallet service; simply have your goods ready to go, sit back and let us do the rest.

Our drivers are experts at shrink wrapping pallets ready for delivery, so you can trust us! Contact us today for more information about our Pallet and Wrap service.