Shrink wrap is heat-shrinkable polyethylene film used for retail-ready unit loads.
Detailed Definition
Shrink wrap differs from stretch wrap: shrink film is applied loosely and then heated so it contracts tightly around the load, while stretch wrap is held by mechanical tension created as it is applied. On pallet loads, shrink film is often used as a shrink hood or bag pulled over the load and shrunk with a heat tunnel or a handheld heat gun. It is common in retail-ready shipments where the unit load reaches the store as shipped, and where loads need cover from dust or weather.
Shrink film vs stretch film on a pallet
Stretch film relies on elastic recovery and is wound around the load layer by layer. Shrink film is cut or formed to size, placed over the load, and then heated so it tightens on its own. A shrink hood covers the top and all four sides in one piece, which gives better protection from rain, dust and tampering than a spiral stretch wrap. A third option, the stretch hood, is a tube of stretch film pulled over the load with no heat at all.
How shrink hoods are applied
In high-volume plants, a machine places the hood and passes the load through a heat tunnel or heat frame. In smaller operations, a worker pulls a pre-made bag over the load and uses a handheld heat gun, often propane fueled. Heat guns are a fire and burn hazard, so follow the manufacturer's instructions, keep extinguishers nearby, and keep flames away from flammable products and labels.
When shrink wrap is worth it
- Loads stored outdoors or shipped on open flatbed trailers.
- Products where tamper evidence or a clean retail appearance matters.
- Irregular loads where spiral wrap struggles to hold the top layer.
- Check that the products tolerate the heat, and that the film is shrunk down onto the pallet so the load is tied to its base.
Authoritative Sources
- Material Handling Institute (MHI): the largest US trade association for material handling, logistics, and supply chain technologies.
- Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA): the trade association representing large US retailers; individual retailers set their own pallet and receiving requirements in their vendor routing guides.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Is shrink wrap stronger than stretch wrap?
Not automatically. Both can secure a load well if the right film and method are used. A shrink hood covers the whole load and resists weather and tampering, and when shrunk under the pallet top it ties the load to its base. Stretch wrap is usually faster and cheaper to apply in most warehouses and holds loads well when wrapped correctly. Choose based on storage conditions, product type and the receiver's requirements.
Can pallet shrink film be recycled?
Polyethylene pallet film is generally recyclable where a film collection program exists, but many curbside programs do not accept it. Warehouses often bale clean film and sell or hand it to a recycler. Keep film free of labels, tape, food residue and other plastics, since contamination can make it unacceptable. Ask your waste hauler or a local plastics recycler what grades of film they take.