Pallet Wrapping Guidelines for Every Warehouse

Learning how to wrap a pallet correctly can reduce workplace injuries and help reduce losses from damaged products. The use of hand or machine stretch wrap is a game changer for warehouse and shipping.

Reasons for Wrapping a Pallet

The rise of e-commerce demands accelerated warehouse and shipping operations to ensure a successful supply chain. This process is now automated, allowing for 24/7 shipping. As supply chain technology improves, the gap between ordering and delivery is narrowing.

The adoption of pallet wrapping guidelines is a key factor behind faster processes, fewer worker injuries, and less product damage.

Pallet wrapping is a cost-effective and easy way to protect warehouse pallets during transit, both locally and internationally. 

Our pallet wrapping guidelines are essential for new employee training and certification programs in your warehouse and shipping operations.

How to Wrap a Pallet for Shipping

We have utilized the practice of wrapping a pallet for shipping as our standard for this tutorial. This secures the pallet, protecting its contents from damage caused by sudden movements or jolts through correct stacking and wrapping.

Before You Start Wrapping a Pallet

Inspect the pallet to ensure it can manage the weight of the transported goods. You’ll need adequate space to walk around the pallet during stacking and wrapping. Place heavier items at the bottom of the pallet, ensuring nothing extends beyond the edges. Try to interlock the items as you stack them for added stability. 

Securing Your Pallet Wrap

Before you begin wrapping, you must first attach the stretch wrap to the pallet. This will give you the necessary tension for a secure wrap. Take about half a meter of stretch wrap, twist it into a rope, and tie it to the pallet. Wrap the stretch wrap multiple times over the knot and pallet base to prevent the knot from loosening.

Start Wrapping the Pallet

Start wrapping the pallet from the base. The stretch wrap should partially overlap the side of the pallet to secure the items. Hold the roll of stretch wrap and walk around the pallet and stacked items. When you reach a pallet corner, pull the roll of stretch wrap taut and wrap it around the corner before continuing. 

Wrap the pallet upwards and overlap each layer by as much as 50% as you go. The stretch wrap should always be kept taut and the items under the wrap shouldn't shift. The stretch wrap should also remain tight as the pallet is moved or handled. 

Continue wrapping when you reach the top of the load. The wrap should cover the top of the pallet. Once you’re finished wrapping, tear off the stretch wrap and secure the end under one of the layers.   

After Wrapping

Quickly inspect all four sides and the top of the wrapped pallet and test for any movement of the items. If the pallet is fully secure, it’s ready to be moved or shipped.

Pallet Wrapping with a Machine

Machine-wrapped pallets are becoming popular as they offer a tight and uniform wrap and are faster to use. The pallet is placed on a turntable, and the stretch wrap is attached to it as explained above. Then, the turntable is engaged, and as the pallet revolves, the stretch wrap is guided over it from bottom to top. The turntable is then stopped, and the stretch wrap end is cut off and secured to the pallet. 

Introducing M Stretch Wrap 

MMP Corporation supplies high-quality stretch wrap to warehouses and shippers. We provide three M Stretch Pallet wrap options: hand-rolling stretch film for manual application, and two types designed for machines. 

M Stretch Hand Roll Stretch Film

Our hand-wrapping stretch film boasts superior adhesion and high quality. A range of core sizes and thicknesses are available to suit every application, from light to heavy duty. Clear stretch film is available in 7 core sizes and thicknesses: we also stock black and green opaque varieties.

M Stretch Machine Roll Stretch Film

Our M Stretch Machine Roll stretch films use the latest Metallocene Technology to deliver consistency and strength when used with pallet-wrapping machines. We offer bundling rolls in 5 widths; spiral rolls in 3 widths, and 500 mm wide machine rolls. Each product comes in clear, black or green. 

M Stretch Thaitanium Pallet Wrapping Film

Our new eco pallet wrapping film was designed to reduce the amount of film being used to wrap pallets. M Stretch Thaitanium is a thin yet tough film with high strength, adhesion and stretchability that reduces the amount and cost of use per pallet. It also resists tearing and features thicknesses of 11-17 microns. The new product is suitable for automatic pallet-wrapping machines, power pre-stretch and semi-automatic stretch film machines. 

Explore the entire range of M Stretch film products from M Corp and streamline your operations.