Heavy-Duty Stretch Wrap for Pallets: Best Thickness & Where to Buy

What Thickness of Pallet Wrap Do I Need?

Pallet stretch wrap thickness depends mainly on how heavy the load is and how it will be handled, with 17mu, 20mu, 23mu, and 25mu covering most situations. Warehouses that guess at thickness often end up buying more film than they need, or leaving heavy pallets under-protected against sharp edges and long transit times. Getting the gauge right the first time keeps costs down and cuts back on wrap failures during handling.

Hand wrapping and machine wrapping are not interchangeable, and using the wrong gauge for your equipment can cause film breaks or inconsistent tension partway through a pallet. Machine-wrapped operations also need to match stretch percentage, not just thickness, since a film rated for 150% stretch won't perform the same way in equipment built for 250% Power Pre film. That distinction often gets missed until a roll starts tearing mid-wrap.

Globe Packaging stocks all four thicknesses across hand and machine formats, so businesses can match film to their actual wrapping setup rather than guessing. Same-day dispatch and next-working-day delivery across the UK mainland mean packing teams can restock the right gauge before a shortage slows down dispatch.

Six Pallet Wrap Roll Formats

Standard Core Rolls: Best for Everyday Pallet Wrapping

Standard core rolls are the most popular hand pallet wrap format. Options include 17mu standard-duty and 25mu heavy-duty, with 17mu rolls in 400mm width and 25mu rolls in 500mm width. Clear, black and blue options are available, with clear commonly used for visibility, black for concealing loads and blue often used where colour-coding helps separate stock or departments.

17mu handles uniform box stacks; step up to 25mu for sharp edges.

Extended Core Rolls: Best for Easier Hand Wrapping

Extended core rolls provide a longer grip area, making them useful for businesses wrapping pallets manually and regularly. Globe Packaging stocks extended-core hand pallet wrap in both standard-duty and heavy-duty specifications, with clear and black options.

They can be a practical choice for teams handling repeated wrapping tasks, particularly where easier grip and operator comfort matter. For high-volume hand wrapping, they can also help maintain a more consistent wrapping technique throughout the day.

Extra Length Rolls: Best for Fewer Roll Changes

Extra-length rolls contain more film per roll, helping reduce the number of roll changes required during busy packing operations. This can make them useful for businesses wrapping larger numbers of pallets and looking to improve packing efficiency.

There are extra-length pallet wraps in different thicknesses and colours, including options designed for both standard and heavier-duty applications. The additional film length can also provide better value when wrapping frequently, while reducing interruptions at busy dispatch areas.

Pre-Stretch Wrap: Best for Lower-Effort Manual Wrapping

Pre-stretch wrap is a lighter-duty option designed to reduce the effort required during manual wrapping. The pre-stretch range includes 400mm-wide, 7mu film supplied in 600m rolls.

Because the film has already been stretched during manufacture, operators do not need to rely as heavily on their own strength to stretch the film during application. The longer rolls can also reduce roll changes, helping save labour time in regular packing operations.

Mini Pallet Wrap: Best for Smaller Loads & Parcels

Mini pallet wrap provides a more convenient format for smaller loads, parcels and applications where a full-size pallet wrap roll would be unnecessary. Globe includes mini pallet wrap within its pallet stretch-wrap range, alongside extra-length options designed to improve packing speed and value.

Machine Pallet Wrap: Best for Automated Pallet Wrapping 

Machine pallet wrap is designed for automated and semi-automated wrapping equipment. Globe Packaging stocks standard 150% stretch film alongside Power Pre 250% stretch film, with options available in 20mu and 23mu thicknesses.

The 250% Power Pre film is intended for compatible machinery capable of stretching the film to that level. It can provide greater film yield, but businesses should always check that their wrapping equipment is suitable before choosing this format.

20mu and 23mu options are available for compatible machine-wrapping applications.

17mu vs 20mu vs 23mu vs 25mu: Choosing the Best Thickness

Mu means microns, with one micron equal to one-thousandth of a millimetre. So 17mu film is 0.017mm thick, while 25mu is 0.025mm. That small difference can provide greater puncture resistance, tear strength, and load stability.

The most suitable gauge depends on the weight and shape of the pallet, handling conditions, and whether the film is being applied by hand or with wrapping equipment.

17mu: Best for Medium-Duty Loads

For standard warehouse and distribution operations, 17mu is a reliable choice for palletised boxes, uniform stacks, and lighter goods. It stretches easily and provides good holding power without using more material than necessary.

The Extra Length Pallet Wrap 17mu is well suited to medium-volume operations, offering more wrap per roll and fewer roll changes. Clear and black options are available for different visibility and security needs.

For heavy, dense, or awkward loads with sharp edges, however, 17mu may be more vulnerable to punctures and tears.

20mu: Best for Versatile Machine Wrapping

20mu is available for machine pallet wrapping and can be used in both 150% and 250% stretch formats. It is designed for compatible automated or semi-automated equipment, making it suitable for businesses that rely on machinery for consistent pallet wrapping.

The appropriate stretch level should match the capabilities of the wrapping equipment. Using the correct film helps maintain consistent application and reliable load containment.

23mu: Best for More Demanding Machine-Wrapped Loads

23mu provides a thicker machine-wrap option for automated and semi-automated applications. It is available in 150% and 250% stretch formats, giving operations different choices depending on their equipment and wrapping requirements.

It can be considered when a machine-wrapping operation requires a heavier film specification, particularly for loads that need additional protection during handling and transport.

25mu: Best for Heavy-Duty Load Security

The Clear Pallet Stretch Wrap 25mu is designed for heavier and more demanding loads, including dense stacks, machinery parts, and irregularly shaped goods. Its greater thickness provides stronger resistance to punctures and tearing during handling and transport.

If your pallets face rough handling, sharp edges, or long-distance transport, 25mu provides an added layer of security that can help keep the load stable from warehouse to delivery.

17mu vs 20mu vs 23mu vs 25mu: Pallet Stretch Wrap Comparison

Where Can I Buy Heavy-Duty Pallet Wrap?

For UK businesses, Globe Packaging stocks a broad range of pallet stretch wrap for different loads, wrapping methods, and operational volumes. The range includes standard, extended-core, extra-length, pre-stretch, mini and machine pallet wrap, with clear and black options available across suitable formats.

If you're wrapping pallets by hand in a small despatch operation or using automated equipment in a busy warehouse, Globe Packaging provides packaging supplies designed to support reliable day-to-day fulfilment. With same-day dispatch and next-working-day delivery available across the UK mainland on orders over £50, businesses can also restock packaging quickly when stock runs low.

Choose the Right Pallet Wrap Thickness with Globe Packaging

Globe Packaging supplies pallet stretch wrap in different gauges and formats for a range of load requirements.

The right pallet stretch wrap depends on your load, wrapping method, and handling conditions. Choosing the appropriate thickness, format, and stretch level can improve load stability, reduce unnecessary material use, and help prevent tears or failures during storage and transport.

At Globe Packaging, we offer pallet stretch wrap in a range of formats, gauges, and colours for different packaging needs. Browse Globe Packaging's pallet stretch wrap range to find an option that fits your operation and keep your packing process running reliably.

*Note: Product listings, prices, and delivery times shown are approximate and subject to change. Contact Globe Packaging for the latest information.