Shrink Wrap for Pallets: Sizes, Price & Where to Buy

What Is a Shrink Wrap for Pallets & Why Does It Matter?

When people search for "shrink wrap for pallets," they are usually looking for pallet stretch wrap, a stretchable polythene film used to bundle and secure goods on pallets during storage and transit. 

Technically, shrink wrap and stretch wrap are different products: shrink wrap requires heat to tighten around a load, whereas stretch wrap clings through tension and tack alone. In practice, both terms are used interchangeably across the industry, and pallet stretch wrap is by far the more common product in UK warehouses and logistics operations.

This article covers the key sizes, price points, and types of pallet wrap available in the UK, along with guidance on selecting the right product for your needs. We'll also explain where to buy it with reliable stock availability and fast delivery.

Pallet Wrap Sizes: What's Available

Pallet wrap comes in a range of sizes and specifications, and selecting the right one depends on how you plan to apply it and what you're wrapping. The main categories are hand pallet wrap, mini pallet wrap, and machine pallet wrap.

Standard Duty Hand Pallet Wrap (17mu)

Standard-duty hand pallet wrap has a film thickness of 17 microns (17 µ) and is the most popular choice for everyday pallet wrapping in warehouses, dispatch areas, and storage facilities. 

It is widely available in a 400mm film width, which suits most hand-wrapping applications. This thickness provides a good balance of stretch, cling, and strength for standard-weight pallets and parcels.

At Globe Packaging, 17mu rolls are available in both standard and extended core formats. Extended core rolls feature handles on each end, making them easier to grip when wrapping pallets by hand. Both formats are available in clear, black, and blue colours.

Standard 17mu hand pallet wrap is the go-to thickness for everyday warehouse wrapping, offering a reliable balance of stretch, cling, and strength.

Heavy Duty Hand Pallet Wrap (25mu)

For heavier loads or items with sharp edges and corners, heavy-duty 25mu pallet wrap is the better option. This thicker film provides greater puncture resistance and holding force, making it ideal for wrapping pallets that contain irregularly shaped goods or particularly weighty products. Heavy-duty rolls are typically 500mm wide, offering broader coverage per wrap cycle.

We also stock extra-length heavy-duty rolls at 500mm wide and 250 metres in length. These longer rolls reduce the frequency of roll changes during high-volume wrapping sessions, saving both time and labour.

Heavy-duty 25mu pallet wrap offers extra puncture resistance and holding force for heavier loads or items with sharp edges.

Mini Pallet Wrap

Mini pallet wrap is a compact, handheld roll designed for lighter bundling tasks. It is commonly used to wrap smaller parcels, bundle loose items together, or add an extra layer of security to part-pallets. 

Mini rolls are narrower and shorter than full-size hand rolls, making them portable and convenient for quick jobs around the warehouse or shop floor. They are available in both clear and black at Globe Packaging.

Mini pallet wrap is a compact, portable option designed for bundling smaller parcels and securing loose items on the go.

Machine Pallet Wrap

For operations wrapping large volumes of pallets each day, machine pallet wrap is the most efficient option. Machine rolls are designed to work with semi-automatic or fully automatic pallet wrapping machinery. At Globe Packaging, we stock both standard 150% stretch films and power-pre 250% stretch films. 

The 250% stretch option is recommended for operations wrapping more than 30 pallets per day, as the greater stretch capacity means more coverage per roll and lower long-term consumable costs. It is important to match the film type to your specific machine, as using the wrong stretch capacity can cause tearing or waste.

Machine pallet wrap is built for high-volume operations, with stretch films designed to match semi-automatic or fully automatic wrapping equipment.

Pallet Shrink Wrap Prices in the UK

Pricing for pallet wrap varies depending on the thickness, roll width, and quantity ordered. Bulk purchases consistently deliver better per-roll value. Below is a snapshot of clear standard duty (17mu, 400mm) pallet wrap pricing from Globe Packaging:

• 6 rolls — £23.95 (approx. £3.99 per roll)

• 12 rolls — £44.95 (approx. £3.75 per roll)

• 24 rolls — £84.00 (approx. £3.50 per roll)

• 36 rolls — £118.00 (approx. £3.28 per roll)

• 60 rolls — £180.00 (approx. £3.00 per roll)

• 180 rolls — £499.00 (approx. £2.77 per roll)

Heavy-duty 25mu rolls and extra-length formats cost more per roll due to the increased material thickness and length, though they often offer better value in heavy-use environments by reducing the total number of rolls consumed. Machine pallet wrap pricing is typically available on enquiry, as it depends on the stretch capacity and roll specifications suited to your equipment.

Black and blue rolls are generally priced similarly to clear rolls, though pricing may vary by quantity.

How to Choose the Right Pallet Wrap

Selecting the correct pallet wrap comes down to three main factors: load weight, application method, and visibility requirements.

Load Weight & Shape

Load weight and shape are the primary considerations. Standard 17mu wrap is sufficient for most pallets carrying uniform, lightweight to medium-weight goods. If your pallets carry heavy items, contain sharp edges, or are irregularly shaped, 25mu heavy-duty wrap will offer better protection and reduce the risk of punctures.

Application Method

Application method matters because hand-wrapping and machine-wrapping require different film specifications. Hand rolls come in 400mm or 500mm widths, and extended-core rolls add convenience with built-in handles. Machine rolls, meanwhile, must match the stretch capacity of your equipment; using the wrong type can lead to film breaks or wasted material.

Color Choice

Colour choice is often a practical decision. Clear wrap allows for visual inspection of goods without unwrapping, while black opaque wrap conceals pallet contents for security or discretion. Blue wrap is less common but useful for colour-coding purposes.

Pallet Shrink Wrap at a Glance: Comparison Table

Where to Buy Your Shrink Wrap for Pallets: Globe Packaging

Globe Packaging stocks a full range of pallet wrap from their UK depot, with same-day dispatch and free delivery on orders over £50.

We stock the full range of pallet stretch wrap at Globe Packaging: standard duty, heavy duty, mini, extended core, and machine rolls, all held in our 60,000 sq ft UK depot and ready for same-day dispatch on orders placed by 4 pm. Every roll we sell is manufactured in Europe using 5-layer coextrusion technology, producing a high-quality, high-tack film that clings reliably and stretches evenly.

For businesses ordering pallet wrap regularly, our competitive bulk pricing means the per-roll cost drops significantly as order volumes increase. Orders over £50 (exc. VAT) qualify for free next-working-day delivery across the UK mainland, so there's no need to plan weeks ahead or hold excessive stock.

We are also official distributors of Robopac pallet wrap machinery, which means we can support your entire wrapping operation, including consumables and equipment. With a 4.7-star rating across thousands of reviews, Globe Packaging is trusted by thousands of UK businesses for reliable, fairly priced packaging supplies. 

Browse our pallet wrap range today!

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