If you have just purchased Fortemo's clear manual stretch film, you hold in your hands one of the warehouse's most cost-effective tools: a well-applied roll can secure a 1500 kg pallet in under a minute, withstanding transit without a single box shifting. This guide explains, step-by-step, how to correctly anchor the start, apply tension during ascent, cover the top, and cut the film without wasting meters. This procedure applies to the product in its sole presentation of a 305 m roll, 80 gauge.
The difference between good and poor palletizing isn't the meters of film used, but the operator's technique. Read it entirely before your first shift: five minutes of reading saves hours of re-palletizing pallets that arrive open at their destination.
Product Specifications
The clear manual stretch film is offered in a single standard presentation of 45 cm wide by 305 m long. The following table provides the full technical specifications of the only variant available:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 574747 |
| Material | Virgin LLDPE (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene) |
| Color | Crystal Clear |
| Width | 45 cm (18 in) |
| Length per roll | 305 m (1000 ft) |
| Thickness | 20 µm (80 Gauge) |
| Net weight per roll | 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) |
| Stretch capacity | 250-300% (manual stretch) |
| Adhesion system | Unilateral cling on inner surface |
| Core | Industrial cardboard 76 mm (3 in) |
| Application method | Manual (with or without dispenser) |
| Packaging | Box of 6 rolls |
The sister guide for black manual stretch film applies the same palletizing technique but for a different scenario: when the pallet needs content hidden or requires additional protection against solar radiation.
Step-by-step usage guide
The following procedure covers the complete palletizing cycle of a standard pallet with manual film: from the initial inspection of the roll to the final cut and closure. The order is strict; skipping the initial anchor is the main cause of pallets arriving open at their destination.
Pallet and Roll Preparation
Confirm the pallet is centered, boxes are aligned, and there is no overhang. Inspect the roll: the film should appear uniform, without tears, wrinkles, or visible holes in the first few meters. If using a manual dispenser, secure the roll with the cling facing inward—the sticky side is the inner face when unrolling. Verify that the operator wears gloves and closed-toe shoes: the film tears when it rubs against rings or metal watches.
Initial Anchor at a Lower Corner
Take the first 30-40 cm of film and manually tie it around a lower corner of the pallet, forming a simple knot or passing the film under the face and back over itself. The cling will adhere the first layer against the next. This anchor is what prevents the spiral from loosening when it begins to rotate; a weak anchor causes the first three turns to detach and the film to "dance" during ascent.
Ascending Spiral with Constant Tension
Walk around the pallet applying constant tension to the film. The rule is to overlap 50% of the previous turn with the next, which means advancing about 20 cm for each full turn. Keep the dispenser (or both hands if working without a dispenser) at waist height and gradually move upwards to the top edge of the pallet. The correct tension is felt: the film should stretch without breaking and leave faint marks on the boxes it covers.
A well-wrapped pallet is recognized by a uniformly tensioned texture, with no loose folds, no shiny areas (where the film doesn't stretch), and no opaque areas (where it stretches too much). If you see bubbles forming between turns, the cling isn't gripping: slightly reduce the rotation speed and increase the tension. The practical rule is "two minutes per pallet" for standard loads; if it takes less, you're leaving the film loose, and if it takes more, you're over-applying.
Top Coverage and Descending Spiral
Upon reaching the top edge of the pallet, make two full turns at maximum height without advancing — this secures the top part — and then begin to descend in a spiral, also with a 50% overlap. Reaching all the way to the bottom is important for tall loads or rough transits: the double pass (up + down) doubles the hold in critical areas such as the corners of large boxes.
Clean Closure and Cut
Once the descending spiral is complete, make two final turns at the base level, press the film against a previous layer to activate the cling, and cut with scissors or a packaging knife in a transversal direction. The cling will automatically seal the end. Verify by pressing with your hand: if the end hangs loose, repeat with two extra fingers of pressure.
Never start the spiral at the top and descend without anchoring at the bottom. Without a bottom anchor, the first three turns cannot withstand the inertia of rotation, and the film will entirely detach as soon as the pallet moves, leaving it open for the first transport. The order is always: anchor at bottom → ascend with tension → cover top → descend → close.
Is 80 gauge enough for your type of load?
If your operation handles heavy loads (cement, tiles, cans) or long-distance transport on an open platform, 80 gauge (20 µm) might be insufficient. Ask the virtual assistant with your product reference and approximate pallet weight, and we will guide you to the correct combination of gauge and application technique without oversizing.
Complementary Products
To get the most out of your manual stretch film, consider the following complementary products. Each one addresses a specific need in the logistics flow, from professionalizing application to reinforcing loads in transit:
The manual stretch film or net applicator professionalizes the application: it ergonomically holds the roll and allows for controlled tension with less operator fatigue, especially useful when palletizing more than 30 units per shift. The black manual stretch film is the alternative when the pallet requires content to be hidden or additional light protection. The big bag with an open top is a typical palletizing case: a full bag is secured with several wraps of film for inter-island transit. The plastic corner protectors protect the four corners of the pallet when the assembly is to be secured with strapping over the film.
Maintenance and care
Stretch film is relatively easy to store but requires specific conditions to maintain its cling and elongation properties. Store rolls vertically, on a flat surface, in a cool place (ideally below 25°C) and away from direct sunlight. Heat degrades the elongation properties of polyethylene: a roll stored in the sun for several weeks loses its stretching capacity and becomes more brittle, which leads to breakage during application.
Partially used rolls should be placed vertically again between shifts, with the cut end secured against the roll (simply press it against the film with the palm of your hand to activate the cling). Do not leave rolls lying down or leaning against hot walls; both positions deform the roll and compromise unrolling the next day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many pallets can I wrap with a 305 m roll?
For standard pallets of 1.0 × 1.2 m with a typical height of 1.5 m, a 305 m roll with correct technique and 50% overlap covers between 25 and 35 pallets. The number increases if your product is shorter or if your operator applies correct tension (the same pallet can consume twice as much film with poor technique). It is a good indicator to audit consumption: if your warehouse uses more than 12 m of film per pallet, there is probably waste due to over-application or lack of tension.
Is 80 gauge (20 µm) sufficient for heavy loads?
80 gauge is the industry standard for stable loads up to 1500 kg in inter-island transit or on paved roads. For unstable loads (heights greater than 1.8 m, loose cylindrical products, mixed-size boxes) or transit over uneven terrain or loaded on an open platform, it is advisable to reinforce with a double wrap in critical areas or switch to a higher gauge. The rule is: if the pallet arrives at its destination open, it was not sufficient, regardless of the nominal specifications.
Do I need a manual dispenser or can I apply it by hand?
For low volumes (less than 10 pallets per shift), applying by hand is perfectly viable: two people, one holding the roll and the other walking around. For larger volumes, a professional dispenser reduces operator fatigue, improves the consistency of the applied tension, and reduces film consumption by 15% to 25% due to better control. If the warehouse ships more than 50 pallets per day, the dispenser pays for itself with film savings in 2-3 months.