The pricing and costs of stretch wrap are important to consider when you are packaging any type of merchandise. Stretch wrap and stretch wrap equipment are readily available from many vendors on the Internet. Stretch wrap is available in varying thicknesses, colors and lengths. Thicker stretch wrap film is more durable and will be more expensive than thinner films. Stretch wrap is not the only cost to consider, you will also need to figure in the price of stretch wrap equipment.

When you are not in the position to purchase expensive stretch wrap equipment up front, look to stretch wrap that comes spooled on extended cores which form disposable handles. While this option is less expensive up front, in the long run it is more cost effective to purchase proper equipment. As you research the pricing and costs of stretch wrap, consider the following options:

1. Look into extended-core stretch wrap.

2. Price standard rolls of stretch wrap.

3. Consider the cost of stretch wrap supplies and equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Price extended-core stretch wrap from stretch wrap material suppliers

Eliminate the need for a stretch wrap machine when you purchase stretch wrap wound on an extended core. Extended cores are disposable and easy to use. A 1000-foot roll of stretch wrap on an extended core will sell for $12 to $25. Vendors typically sell this type of stretch wrap by the case, with incremental discounts determined by the number of cases you purchase.

I recommend: Paper Mart is a supplier of plastic wrap film on extended cores. Choose from black or clear stretch wrap in varying strengths and lengths. PTIPackaging.com is another supplier of stretch wrap film on extended cores. It sells 70-gauge stretch wrap in cases of four rolls.

Get price estimates for standard rolls of plastic stretch wrap

Standard plastic stretch wrap is less expensive than stretch wrap on extended cores. When purchasing this type of stretch wrap, it's critical to figure in the cost of stretch wrapping equipment. Rolls of standard stretch wrap cost anywhere from $12 to $20.

I recommend: Uline Shipping Supplies is a supplier of shipping supplies that sells stretch wrapping supplies. It sells 60-gauge to 100-gauge rolls of stretch wrap in 1,000-foot to 2,000-foot rolls. Another supplier of plastic stretch wrap is Allstar Supply. This company sells smaller rolls of stretch wrap in cases of 4 to 24 rolls.

Budget for stretch wrap machines and equipment

Wrapping pallets without the help of stretch wrap machines will prove to be a very difficult and frustrating task. You can purchase stretch wrap equipment from almost any provider that sells pallet wrapping supplies. Stretch wrap machines range in price depending on their features. A manual machine will cost around $50, while a semi-automatic stretch wrap machine can cost as much as $8,000.

I recommend: SJF Material Handling sells stretch wrap equipment including manual and semi-automatic stretch wrap machines. Its semi-automatic machines will wrap from between 25 and 35 loads in an hour. Easy Rack sells semi-automatic pallet wrapping machines. With offices throughout the United States, it's able to provide service to businesses in all 50 states.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When comparison shopping for stretch wrap film, verify the square footage on each roll of film and the film gauge. A lower price may be an indication of smaller rolls or less-durable stretch wrap.

Plastic wrap film, also known as stretch wrap, is essential to have on-hand whether you are packaging toys or pallets of merchandise, There are a number of stretch wrap suppliers offering a variety of stretch wrap supplies including black stretch wrap and colored stretch wrap.

Invest in stretch wrap machines and equipment to save time, money and hassle in the long run. This is especially useful if you wrap a lot of pallets. Stretch wrap manufacturers offer a variety of stretch wrap equipment and stretch wrap film. Determine your stretch wrap needs, decide between suppliers and manufacturers and build a solid relationship with your new stretch wrap provider.

1. Determine your needs for stretch wrapping supplies.

2. Consider wrap material suppliers versus stretch wrap manufacturers.

3. Build a solid relationship with your stretch wrap provider.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine your needs for stretch wrap film

Take note of the volume of merchandise you are wrapping each day. Then calculate that into monthly and yearly figures, adding in projected growth. This will give you a good estimate of the volume of stretch wrapping supplies you need. Decide how often you will purchase stretch wrap supplies and you will have what you need to find the best stretch wrap supplier.

I recommend: Provincial Paper & Packaging Ltd. offers a stretch film calculator on their site, to help with the ordering process. They also have warehouse clearance prices to help your dollar go farther. International Plastics is one of the industry's leading providers of stretch film. They offer great information on how to choose the right style, size and thickness of stretch wrap for your business.

Learn the difference in services provided by suppliers versus manufacturers

Decide the best deal and method of attainment for your stretch wrap needs. Direct from the manufacturer will often save you money, but suppliers are more prevalent and often located in large cities for easy distribution.

I recommend: ThomasNet offers a listing of stretch wrap providers with links to online catalogs to help you make the best decision based on the products offered. Pierce Packaging Equipment Inc. offers a variety of pallet wrapping equipment including table top strapping machines and vertical strapping machines.

Build a solid relationship with your provider of plastic wrap film

Keep vigilant communication with the supplier or manufacturer you choose. This is important to the future reliability of the company. You may also be able to negotiate discounts, additional services, higher security options and the stretch wrap film supplier will grow to anticipate your needs.

I recommend: Pliant Corporation offers industrial pallet wrapping supplies, as well as food safe stretch wrap. They also developed a wrap embedded with radio frequency tags offering package tracking and tamper detection technology. IBM Global Business Services offer this wrap through their company as well.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you have the space, buy in bulk to save money and run the risk of running out during a vital time.

Stretch wrap is a necessity when your business wraps merchandise and pallets. When an item is a necessity, it's sometimes difficult to see ways to reduce expenses or make better use of the necessity.

While there are not a large variety of ways to make better use of it, there are some things you can do to make sure you are making the most of stretch wrap. As you look for ways to cut expenses and increase your customer base, consider the following:

1. Use stretch wrap film machines to cut back on waste.

2. Purchase directly from stretch wrap manufacturers or discount providers.

3. Choose environmentally friendly stretch wrap to increase your customer base.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Cut back on waste by using stretch wrap machines and equipment

You can apply stretch wrap manually or with a machine. It's difficult to control the tension, application pattern and amount of material used when you apply stretch wrap by hand. Stretch wrap machines and equipment apply the perfect amount of tension, keeping box edges free from damage. They also apply the correct amount of stretch wrap, cutting down on waste.

I recommend: Several different types of pallet wrapping machines are available at Arpac Group. It sells manual, semi-automatic and fully automated stretch wrap machines. Another company that sells pallet wrapping supplies is Star Packaging Equipment. It also has several manual to fully automated machines to choose from.

Find stretch wrap at discounted and wholesale pricing

Purchasing stretch wrap from wholesalers or discount providers is an easy way to cut expenses on plastic stretch wrap. Many stretch wrap manufacturers sell their own products, cutting out the cost of the middle man. It may be necessary to set up an account with discount providers in order to get the best price options.

I recommend: Stretch Associates is a manufacturer of stretch wrapping supplies. It offers money saving programs to account-holding customers. Purchase stretch wrap at wholesale prices from BoxQuest. It offers free next-day delivery and no sales tax for Internet orders.

Choose environmentally friendly stretch wrap

In a world where people are increasingly concerned about the environment, choosing stretch wrap film that is environmentally friendly is a smart move. Using green products not only allows you to make wise environmental choices, it also opens up your marketing capabilities to a new group of prospective customers. As more and more people move towards earth friendly products your choice of stretch wrap material suppliers that offer green stretch wrap will increase.

I recommend: USA Stretch Film Manufacturer makes environmentally friendly plastic wrap film. Search through its green line items for earth friendly items. Birchwood Laboratories manufactures INTERCEPT SPS Protective wrap that is environmentally friendly.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It is not always financially feasible to convert completely to environmentally friendly products. Use standard stretch wrap for customers that are not concerned with this feature and keep green stretch wrap on hand for your earth conscious clients.