Which One’s Right for Your Operation?

When it comes to palletizing products, stretch wrap is your last line of defense. It protects your shipment, stabilizes your load, and keeps products secure through warehousing, transit, and handling. But not all stretch wrap methods are created equal.

At Flexpak, we get this question all the time: “Should I be using hand wrap or machine wrap?” Let’s break it down.

Hand Wrap: The Basics

Hand stretch wrap is applied manually by warehouse staff. It typically comes in smaller, lightweight rolls and is ideal for operations with lower volume or irregular pallets.

Best for:

  • Small warehouses or low-volume operations
  • Occasional pallet loads
  • Tight budgets
  • Unique or irregularly shaped loads

Pros:

  • Low upfront cost
  • Easy to start using immediately
  • Portable—can wrap pallets anywhere

Cons:

  • Inconsistent application (tightness, number of revolutions, overlap)
  • Higher risk of repetitive stress injuries
  • More film waste due to over-wrapping
  • Slower, labor-intensive

Machine Wrap: The Upgrade

Machine stretch wrap is applied using automated or semi-automated equipment. It delivers consistent tension, load containment, and film usage—plus it speeds up your operation significantly.

Best for:

  • High-volume facilities
  • Standardized pallet sizes
  • Businesses focused on efficiency, safety, and cost control

Pros:

  • Consistent, secure wrapping
  • Faster pallet throughput
  • Reduced film usage = long-term cost savings
  • Lower labor strain and injury risk

Cons:

  • Higher initial investment
  • Requires space for equipment
  • Training and maintenance needed

Cost Consideration:

When thinking beyond just film prices, hand wrap often leads to higher “hidden costs” like labor hours, film waste, product damage, and worker injuries. While machine wrap requires upfront investment, it usually pays off with long-term savings and increased uptime.

So Which One Is Best?

Well, it depends on your operation.

  • Wrapping fewer than 15–20 pallets per day? Hand wrap might still make sense.
  • Wrapping more than 20 pallets per day? It’s time to automate with machine wrap.

Whether you’re scaling up or trying to improve efficiency, Flexpak offers:

  • Expert packaging audits
  • Stretch wrap film recommendations
  • Machine installation and support
  • ROI analysis to show long-term savings

Don’t let inefficient wrapping eat away at your margins. Let’s find the right solution for your line.

Ready to optimize your stretch wrapping process? Contact us today!

Ready to take your packaging to the next level?

Reach out to Flexpak for a free consultation to explore custom packaging options for your product and see the difference it can make for your brand!