Hand Grade vs. Machine Grade Stretch Film: Which One Fits Your Business Best?

Summary:
Choosing between hand grade and machine grade stretch film isn’t about which roll is cheaper. It’s about how much you wrap, what you’re wrapping, and the total cost per pallet (CPP). Low and variable volumes are usually best with hand grade. As volume and risk increase, machine grade on a wrapper often delivers lower CPP, faster throughput, and safer, more consistent results.

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What’s the Difference?

• Hand Grade Stretch Film

  • Designed for manual wrapping

  • Lightweight rolls (easy to carry)

  • Flexible for small or variable volumes

  • Best when you wrap < 15–25 pallets/day

• Machine Grade Stretch Film

  • For semi-auto or fully automatic wrappers

  • Heavy rolls, high-performance material

  • Pre-stretch capability up to 200–300%

  • Best for consistent, higher-volume operations

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When Hand Grade Makes Sense

• Wrapping light, stable loads

• Seasonal or intermittent operations

• Warehouses with limited space/power

• Rework/repair pallets on the floor

Tip: Use pre-stretched hand film to reduce fatigue and film use.

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When Machine Grade Wins

• Wrapping 25+ pallets/day

• Handling tall, heavy, or fragile loads

• Wanting to cut CPP by 15–35%

• Needing repeatable, audited quality

• Improving operator safety & speed

Tip: Tune your wrapper (pre-stretch, tension, wrap pattern) and lock it as an SOP.

Don’t Forget Premium Options

High-performance Premium Stretch (pre-stretched film) is designed to maximize efficiency:

• Thinner gauges with the same strength

• Lower film use per pallet

• Reduced operator fatigue

• More sustainable and recyclable

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Conclusion

The best stretch film depends on your volume, load profile, and goals. Hand grade is ideal for smaller or flexible jobs. Machine grade becomes the smarter choice as you scale. And Premium Stretch is a proven option for businesses that want top performance with minimal waste.

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All Available at McPack

At McPack, we stock the full range:

• Hand Grade Stretch Film for manual use

https://www.mcpack.com.au/collections/hand-stretch-wrap

• Machine Grade Stretch Film for semi-auto and auto wrappers

https://www.mcpack.com.au/collections/machine-stretch-wrap

• Premium Stretch Film for maximum efficiency

https://www.mcpack.com.au/collections/premium-pallet-wrap