How to Lower Stretch Film Costs

The experts at Viking Plastic Packaging, Inc. can reduce your total stretch film cost in a straightforward and measurable way. Even though stretch film is priced per pound, the real cost that matters is how much film you use on each pallet. We’ll evaluate your wrapping techniques to determine what it costs to wrap each individual pallet and identify cost-saving opportunities.

Here are some ways to optimize stretch film costs:

1. Use a Premium High-Performance Film

Choose a film type that provides the puncture resistance, stretch strength, smoothness and other qualities the job requires. For example, Steelflex Nano is a cutting-edge film from Alliance Plastics made with 67 nanolayers. This advanced construction makes the film much stronger and more efficient than traditional films.

2. Down-Gauge the Film

The load weight and shipping conditions determine the best film gauge for the pallet. However, getting a higher-strength film than what your load requires unnecessarily increases your costs. Since Steelflex Nano film is stronger, you can usually move to a thinner gauge while still holding the load securely and improving containment.

3. Perform a Cut and Weigh Test

Optimizing your wrapping technique reduces overwrapping and wasted film, so every pallet is wrapped efficiently and consistently. Viking Plastic Packaging, Inc. will wrap the pallets and perform the cut and weigh test:

1. We wrap a pallet as usual.
2. We measure the force on the load to confirm containment is acceptable.
3. We then cut the film off that pallet and weigh it.

The film weight tells exactly how many pounds of film were used to wrap one pallet. We’ll evaluate if this amount of film is excessive for your loads and determine the minimum number of revolutions needed to wrap your pallets safely.

4. Calculate the True Cost per Pallet

Understanding the total cost of stretch film involves more than the price per roll. The cost per load accounts for the material cost as well as:

• Film usage: How much film is needed to wrap and secure a load
• Application cost: The equipment, labor and time used to apply the film
• Stretch percentage: How far the film can stretch without breaking

Because film is sold by the pound, Viking Plastic Packaging, Inc. calculates the cost based on the results. We determine the real costs of stretch film by evaluating the pounds of film used per pallet and the cost per pound to calculate the cost to wrap each pallet.

We have successfully used Steelflex Nano to:

• Reduce film usage per pallet.
• Lower the total cost per pallet.
• Improve load containment and stability.

The cut and weigh test shows the real cost savings we achieve by switching to Steelflex Nano.

Save on Stretch Film With Viking Plastic Packaging, Inc.

If you want to learn how to lower stretch film costs, our packaging experts will help by making cost-saving recommendations, such as Steelflex Nano from Alliance Plastics. See how much you can save by contacting us online today.