Short answer
Stretch film specifications come down to eight fields: film type, cast or blown, thickness in microns, width, core size, roll weight or length, quantity, and destination with Incoterms. Hand rolls are typically around 450–500 mm wide on small cores, while machine rolls are commonly 500 mm wide on 76 mm (3-inch) cores. Put all eight in your RFQ and quotes become directly comparable.
Most quoting problems start with incomplete stretch film specifications. “Need 20 tonnes of stretch film, best price” gets 20 different answers. This guide covers the specs that matter, typical sizes for hand and machine rolls, and a checklist you can copy into your next RFQ.
Hand vs machine stretch film: typical sizes
| Spec | Hand stretch film | Machine stretch film |
|---|---|---|
| Width | Commonly 450–500 mm (18–20 inches in North America) | Commonly 500 mm; 750 mm on some wrappers |
| Thickness | Often around 15–25 µm; pre-stretched hand film thinner | Often around 17–30 µm |
| Core inner diameter | 38 mm, 50 mm or 76 mm, or an extended core | 76 mm (3 inches) |
| Roll weight | Often around 2–5 kg so one person can lift it all day | Often around 15–20 kg or more |
| Roll length | Hundreds of metres | Often 1,000–2,500 m or more, depending on gauge |
| Applied with | Hand or a handheld dispenser | Turntable, rotary arm or ring wrapper, often with powered pre-stretch |
These are typical market sizes. Many manufacturers will cut other widths, weights and lengths, usually with a higher minimum order.
When to move from hand to machine film
Hand wrapping makes sense at low volumes, for irregular loads and where space is tight. Once a site wraps pallets steadily through the day, a semi-automatic wrapper with powered pre-stretch usually applies film more consistently and uses less of it per pallet. Changing over also changes the spec: wider rolls, 76 mm cores and much heavier rolls.
The specification fields that matter
Film type
Hand, machine, pre-stretched, coloured, UV-resistant or vented. Coloured film is used for coding or opacity, UV-resistant film for outdoor storage, and vented (perforated) film for produce and goods that need airflow.
Cast or blown
Cast film is clear and quiet; blown film is tougher. See cast vs blown stretch film. If you don’t mind, say “no preference”.
Thickness in microns
State the figure and, ideally, the tolerance. Our stretch film micron guide covers typical ranges and gauge conversion.
Width
In millimetres. Check your wrapper’s carriage or your dispenser.
Core
Inner diameter (for example 76 mm), material (usually paper or cardboard), and for hand rolls whether you need an extended core. Core weight matters because it affects price per kg if quotes are on gross weight.
Roll weight or length
Give one and ask the supplier to state both, plus net film weight per roll.
Cling
One-sided cling stops pallets sticking to each other in transit and storage; two-sided cling is common in general-purpose film. Mention it if it matters to you.
Quantity, destination and Incoterms
Quantity in tonnes, rolls or containers; destination port or city; and the Incoterm (FOB, CIF, EXW or DDP, for example). For cross-border terms, see how to import stretch film from India.
Packing and labelling
Specify how rolls should be packed: rolls per carton (for hand film), cartons or rolls per pallet, pallet type (ISPM 15 heat-treated wood, or plastic), stretch-wrapped and corner-protected pallets, and the label content (product, thickness, width, length, net and gross weight, batch number). For export, ask for a loading plan showing pallets or cartons per container.
An example RFQ
Machine stretch film, cast, 23 µm (±5%), 500 mm wide, 76 mm paper core, 1,500 m per roll (state net film weight and core weight), two-sided cling, clear. Quantity: one 40-foot container. Destination: Jebel Ali, CIF. Please include price per kg net in USD, quote validity, lead time, payment terms, technical data sheet and sample availability.
This is an illustration of the format, not a recommendation for your loads.
Questions to ask with every quote
- Price per kg net (film only), or per roll, and in which currency.
- Quote validity and whether it is linked to resin prices.
- Lead time from order confirmation and from receipt of advance.
- Payment terms.
- Technical data sheet and test methods.
- Sample availability, cost and courier time.
- Documents supplied with shipment.
RFQ checklist: what to send for comparable quotes
Each item matches a field on the Zradona quote form, so you can copy it straight across.
- Film type: hand, machine, pre-stretched, coloured, UV-resistant or vented (or “not sure, advise me”)
- Cast or blown: or no preference
- Thickness (microns): for example 23
- Width: for example 500 mm
- Core size: for example 76 mm
- Roll weight or length: for example 16 kg or 1,500 m
- Quantity: for example 20 tonnes or one 40-foot container
- Destination port or city: for example Jebel Ali, Mombasa or Pune
- Incoterms: FOB, CIF, EXW or DDP, or leave it open
- Anything else: application, packaging, delivery timing, sample needs
How Zradona helps
Zradona is built around spec-first RFQs. You enter these fields once, AI matches your request to vetted Indian manufacturers and converters whose catalogues fit, and quotes come back in a comparable format. The Zradona team follows up personally, and you can see the product on a live video call before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard size of stretch film?
There is no single standard, but 500 mm width is very common for both hand and machine rolls. Machine rolls usually use a 76 mm (3-inch) core; hand rolls use 38–50 mm cores or 76 mm cores, depending on the dispenser.
What core size does stretch film use?
Machine film almost always uses a 76 mm (3-inch) inner diameter core. Hand film is commonly on 38 mm, 50 mm or 76 mm cores, and sometimes on extended cores that act as handles. Always state the inner diameter in your RFQ.
Should I specify roll weight or roll length?
Either works if you also give thickness and width, because one determines the other. Many buyers specify length for machine film (for wrapper changeovers) and weight for hand film, and ask suppliers to state both.
What should a stretch film RFQ include?
Film type, cast or blown, thickness in microns, width, core size, roll weight or length, quantity, destination port or city, and Incoterms. Add the application, packing requirements, sample needs and required documents.
