If you've ever stood in front of a supplier's website wondering whether you need stretch film, shrink film or pallet wrap, you're in good company. The names get used interchangeably, the descriptions sound almost identical, and it's genuinely tricky to tell them apart. The good news is that once you understand what each one actually does, choosing becomes straightforward. Here's a warm, no-nonsense guide to help you buy the right thing the first time.
The short answer
Stretch film and pallet wrap are essentially the same family of product: a stretchy plastic film that clings to itself and holds loads together. Shrink film is a different beast entirely, it goes on loose and then tightens when heat is applied. The key difference comes down to one thing: stretch relies on tension, shrink relies on heat.
What is stretch film?
Stretch film is a thin, elastic plastic, usually polyethylene, that stretches as you apply it. As it's pulled taut around items, it wants to return to its original size, and that recoil is what grips everything firmly in place. No heat, no special tools beyond a simple dispenser.
It's brilliant for:
- Bundling boxes or awkward items together
- Securing goods to a pallet for transport
- Protecting furniture and equipment from dust and knocks
- Temporary jobs where you may need to unwrap and re-wrap
Because it clings to itself rather than to your products, it peels away cleanly and leaves no residue. That makes it a friendly choice for warehouses, small businesses and anyone shipping regularly.
What is pallet wrap?
Here's where the confusion usually starts. Pallet wrap is stretch film, it's simply the name given to stretch film when it's used specifically for wrapping pallets. You'll see it sold in wide rolls designed to spiral around a full pallet load, either applied by hand or by machine.
There are two common types:
- Hand pallet wrap comes on manageable rolls with a core you can hold or slot into a dispenser. Ideal for lower volumes.
- Machine pallet wrap is longer and thinner, designed for automatic wrapping machines in higher-volume operations.
So if someone asks whether they need stretch film or pallet wrap, the honest answer is that they're asking for the same material, just described by its job. If your goal is to stabilise a stacked pallet so nothing shifts in transit, pallet wrap is the term you want.
What is shrink film?
Shrink film looks similar on the roll but behaves very differently. You apply it loosely around a product, then use a heat source, a heat gun, a shrink tunnel or sometimes a hairdryer for small jobs, and the film shrinks tightly to the contours of whatever it's covering.
It's the material behind those neatly sealed multipacks of drinks, the tight film around a boxed gift set, and the tamper-evident wrap on many retail products. Shrink film is prized for a clean, professional, almost vacuum-tight finish.
Reach for shrink film when you want:
- A tight, tamper-evident seal on individual products
- A polished retail-ready appearance
- Protection that follows the exact shape of an item
- Multipacks bundled snugly together
The trade-off is that you'll need heat to apply it, which means a little more equipment and care than stretch film.
How to choose the right one
Think about the job rather than the name. Ask yourself these questions:
Are you moving a pallet or bundling large loads?
Go for stretch film, sold as pallet wrap. It's fast, needs no heat and holds heavy, stacked goods securely.
Do you want a tight, sealed, shop-ready finish on a product?
Shrink film is your answer. That snug, contoured look is exactly what it's built for.
Will you need to open and re-wrap?
Stretch film wins here, because you can unwind it and reapply without any fuss.
A few practical tips
Film thickness matters. Heavier or sharp-edged loads benefit from thicker stretch film, while lighter bundles can use a thinner gauge to save money. For pallets, apply a few wraps around the base first to anchor the load to the pallet itself, then spiral upwards with an overlap on each pass.
Getting your outer packaging right goes hand in hand with getting the boxes right underneath, so it's worth reading our guide on how to measure cardboard boxes for shipping before you wrap anything. And if you're building out your supplies as you grow, our simple packaging checklist for growing food businesses is a handy reference to keep your store stocked with the essentials.
Once you know the difference, it really is simple: stretch and pallet wrap for holding things together, shrink film for sealing things tight. Match the material to the job and you'll pack faster, spend less and send your goods out looking their best.