Manual stretch film is the film that seals the pallet from a manual dispenser without the need for an automatic wrapper. The choice between transparent and black goes beyond just color: it defines whether the operation needs visibility of labels and codes or if content confidentiality and additional light protection for the pallet are paramount. This comparison of the two Fortemo manual films helps you decide which one fits your logistics flow.
🎯 Choose in 10 seconds
- If you palletize general merchandise, group boxes, and need to see labels and codes under the film: go to Transparent Film
- If you ship sensitive goods, export valuable products, or store pallets in the sun that need opacity: go to Black Film
What to consider before choosing
Before buying, evaluate these four criteria. They define whether the film provides only mechanical sealing or also content discretion and added light protection.
- Need for content visibility: Transparent film keeps labels, barcodes, and package markings legible without the need to cut the packaging at each logistics center. Black film completely blocks vision, which provides content discretion at the cost of requiring labeling outside the film.
- Exposure to sun and UV radiation: Both films are 80-gauge (20 µm) LLDPE and resist standard handling. Fortemo black film adds a UV additive with pigment that extends the lifespan of the wrap in sun storage or prolonged outdoor transit, a useful condition in covered yards or outdoor Caribbean exports.
- Protection of light-sensitive products: Certain chemicals, electronic products, and packaged dry foods degrade with prolonged exposure to direct light. Black film blocks visible and UV radiation, extending the product's shelf life during transit or storage that may last days.
- Visual differentiation of batches: In warehouses with multiple SKUs and high rotation, wrapping specific batches in black film allows them to be recognized from a distance for visual management. Transparent film remains the standard for inventory identified by direct label on the pallet.
Transparent Manual Stretch Film: Visible General Palletizing
- Full visibility of labels and barcodes
- Virgin LLDPE with controlled cling between layers
- 80 gauge (20 µm) uniform throughout the 305 m roll
- Compatible with standard manual dispenser
- Tear resistance on sharp edges of cardboard
- Does not conceal pallet contents
- No additional UV protection for prolonged sun exposure
Roll of transparent manual stretch film made of virgin LLDPE, 45 cm (18 in) width and 305 m (1000 ft) length, 80 gauge (20 µm) — 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) net weight roll, in a box of 6 rolls. Designed for palletizing general merchandise in warehouses, distribution centers, and e-commerce operations; grouping boxes for consolidated and inter-island shipments; packaging furniture, appliances, and fragile products during moves; and securing pipes, profiles, and bundles of material in hardware stores, construction, and agro-industry.
Black Manual Stretch Film: Opaque Palletizing with UV Protection
- Total opacity that blocks content visibility
- UV additive with pigment that extends lifespan in the sun
- Same virgin LLDPE and 80 gauge (20 µm) as the transparent film
- Compatible with standard manual dispenser
- Useful for visual batch management in warehouses with many SKUs
- Higher unit cost than transparent film
- Requires labeling outside the film for inventory
- Not suitable when barcode visibility under the film is needed
Roll of black manual stretch film made of virgin LLDPE with UV-stable pigment, 45 cm (18 in) width and 305 m (1000 ft) length, 80 gauge (20 µm) — 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) net weight roll, in a box of 6 rolls. Designed for export shipments, inter-island transit, and consolidation of sensitive value cargo; outdoor pallet storage in covered yards where sun and indirect light degrade sensitive products; color differentiation of batches in warehouses with multiple SKUs for visual management; packaging for moves and furniture transfers where opacity prevents scratches from dragging and conceals product brand names.
Comparative Table
| Feature | Transparent Film | Black Film |
|---|---|---|
| Color / opacity | Crystal clear | Opaque black |
| Material | Virgin LLDPE | Virgin LLDPE + UV pigment |
| Gauge / thickness | 80 (20 µm) | 80 (20 µm) |
| Roll width | 45 cm (18 in) | 45 cm (18 in) |
| Length per roll | 305 m (1000 ft) | 305 m (1000 ft) |
| Net weight per roll | 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) | 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) |
| Packaging | Box of 6 rolls | Box of 6 rolls |
| Visibility of labels underneath | Yes | — |
| Additional UV protection | — | Yes |
| Application type | Manual with dispenser | Manual with dispenser |
Use case matrix → recommended product
| If your case is… | Recommended product |
|---|---|
| Palletizing general merchandise in a warehouse or distribution center | → Transparent film |
| E-commerce shipping with labels and codes visible under the film | → Transparent film |
| Packaging furniture and appliances during a move with identification | → Transparent film |
| Grouping boxes for consolidated shipping where content is visible | → Transparent film |
| Securing pipes, profiles, or bundles in hardware and construction | → Transparent film |
| Exporting sensitive products traveling for days under the Caribbean sun | → Black film |
| Shipping valuable merchandise where confidentiality matters | → Black film |
| Outdoor storage in a covered yard with indirect sunlight | → Black film |
| Differentiating specific batches in a warehouse with many SKUs | → Black film |
| Moving furniture where opacity conceals brands and prevents scratches | → Black film |
Before buying, define three pieces of information: whether you need to see the contents (labels, codes), the pallet's sun exposure time, and the product's light sensitivity. The practical rule: general palletizing with labeling underneath → transparent; sensitive shipment, prolonged sun exposure, or content discretion → black. Both Fortemo films share technical specifications (LLDPE, 80 gauge, 305 m), so the decision is based on the operational scenario.
Do not expect UV protection from clear stretch film for pallets that will spend days in the Caribbean sun. Although both gauges are the same, only the black film contains the UV pigment formulation that extends the life of the wrap under direct solar radiation. Using clear film in prolonged sun exposure results in brittle wrap and leaks within a few weeks.
Not sure which film color to use?
If you combine general shipments with sensitive exports, or have products with different light protection requirements, ask the virtual assistant with the type of operation and the destination of the pallet. You will receive an instant recommendation with the appropriate film and, if convenient, how to maintain both formats in storage.
All products compared
Frequently asked questions
Is there a technical difference between clear and black film beyond color?
Both share virgin LLDPE, 80 gauge (20 µm), 45 cm width, and 305 m length. Black film adds UV-stable black pigment, providing total opacity and greater resistance to prolonged solar degradation. The basic mechanical properties (stretch, cling, tear resistance) are equivalent.
Can I use black film for shipments where the customer needs to read barcodes?
Not directly. The opacity completely blocks reading underneath the film. If you need to combine opacity (security, UV protection) with identification, label over the black film with adhesive labels or compatible markers.
Is the box of 6 rolls sold individually or only as a full box?
Fortemo rolls are distributed in a box of 6 units as a standard logistical presentation. For smaller volumes, please consult your Dodom sales representative directly for available fractionation options.