Colored Stretch Film Uses

stretch film

Minimizing product damage and streamlining performance are crucial when managing packaging operations. For some teams, stretch film is a daily essential. However, relying solely on clear film may present missed opportunities to improve efficiency, organization and load security.

Learn how colored stretch film improves inventory management below.

What Is Colored Stretch Film?

Colored stretch film is a polyethylene stretch wrap with colorant blended into the resin before the film is cast or blown. The pigment is part of the plastic, so the wrap keeps its shade even after repeated handling or minor scuffs. The film clings without adhesives, stabilizing pallet loads and protecting goods from dirt, dust and moisture.

Typical tints include:

Red
Blue
Green
Orange
Yellow
Black
White

Uses of Colored Stretch Film

Colored stretch film has various uses. Some applications include:

International color coding: Companies use colored film to differentiate shipments by region or country.
Product and SKU organization: Assigning specific colors to product lines or SKUs streamlines picking and sorting processes.
Branding: Businesses use colored stretch film to improve the presentation of branded shipments without investing in printed packaging.
Bundling and unitizing: Colored film is useful for grouping smaller or irregularly shaped items for easier handling and storage.

Types of Colored Stretch Film

Colored stretch film is available in two main categories — hand stretch film and machine stretch film. Each option suits different packaging volumes and workflows.

Colored Hand Stretch Film

Colored hand stretch film is designed for manual wrapping, making it ideal for small operations, field packing or warehouses without automated systems.

Hand stretch film characteristics and specifications include:

Length: 18 inches wide and 1,500 feet long
Thickness: 80 gauge
Stretch capacity: Stretches up to 250%
Film type: Cast

The strengths of colored hand stretch film center on mobility, low startup cost and adaptability. Advantages of colored hand stretch film include:

Flexibility: Colored hand stretch is flexible and portable, making it perfect for small production runs, off-site projects or facilities with varying pallet sizes and load profiles.
No special equipment required: The film can be applied with a handheld dispenser and basic training, helping you avoid the expense and complexity of specialized equipment.

Despite its versatility, hand film comes with drawbacks. These include:

Labor-intensive: Manual application is labor-intensive. It can also be inconsistent because film tension and coverage vary from one operator to the next.
Slower throughput: Throughput is slower than that of automated systems, making hand film less efficient for operations handling high pallet volumes.
Risk of repetitive strain: Extended manual wrapping increases the risk of repetitive strain injuries and worker fatigue.

Colored Machine Stretch Film

Machine film is engineered for automated or semi-automated wrapping systems that require speed and consistency.

Its primary characteristics and specifications include:

Length: 20 inches wide and 5,000 feet long
Thickness: 80 gauge
Stretch capacity: Stretches up to 300%
Film type: Cast

Colored machine stretch film offers clear performance advantages. The benefits of colored machine stretch film include:

Efficient wrapping: Automated application maximizes wrapping efficiency and consistency, delivering uniform force across teams.
Material savings: Powered pre-stretch mechanisms reduce material usage and lower the cost per pallet by stretching the film to its optimal yield.
Increased throughput: Machine wrap increases production rate by automating a labor-heavy process.

While machine stretch film is advantageous, companies should weigh it against some trade-offs. These include:

Inflexibility: Fixed machinery offers less flexibility for mobile wrapping needs, making it hard to respond quickly to remote projects.
Unsuitable for low volumes: For low-volume operations, the capital cost of automation may outweigh the efficiency gains.

Industries That Use Colored Stretch Film

Colored stretch film streamlines organization, compliance, branding and load integrity for various industries. Here's how different sectors use the packaging solution.

Agriculture

In agriculture, colored stretch film helps teams identify, operate and protect delicate or perishable products. For example, green or yellow film might indicate fresh-picked produce, while black opaque wrap shields young plants or soil amendments from UV exposure during transport.

In greenhouses, the packaging solution can influence light transmission, manage temperature and protect crops. For example, white film reflects light, reducing heat buildup. Green film can reduce glare and create a more comfortable environment for certain crops.

Baking

Teams assign stretch film to various types of baked goods, making it easier to identify products at a glance. For instance, one color can be used for bread and another for cakes.

Some bakeries use colored stretch film to track production by assigning a specific color to each day of the week. This process allows for easy identification of older batches and helps manage inventory.

Construction

The construction industry benefits from colored stretch film as a high-visibility protective packaging solution. On busy jobsites, pallets wrapped in orange, yellow or green film are easier to spot. Clear visibility reduces the time crews spend locating materials and improving on-site efficiency. Black or opaque film is used to conceal tools or materials during transport, helping deter theft and protect items from sun and moisture exposure.

Distribution and Warehousing

Distribution centers and warehouses use colored stretch film to manage shipping operations. Assigning specific colors to customers, product lines or shipping zones makes it easier for teams to sort and track goods.

In some operations, temporary storage areas are identified by the color of the film, allowing for a more organized dock-to-stock process. Colored wrap becomes a lightweight, built-in tracking layer within an inventory control system.

Food Processing

Colored film helps maintain hygiene protocols and streamline batch control. For example, red wrap might signify allergen-containing goods, while blue suggests ready-to-ship products. Colored stretch film can make it difficult to tamper with or switch products without leaving visible signs.

Black or white opaque film conceals and protects temperature-sensitive products from heat and moisture.

Freight and Logistics

In the freight and logistics industry, opaque black film is used for electronics, pharmaceuticals or consumer goods in transit. This protection prevents tampering and shields product branding from public view.

For international freight, color-coded wrap helps operators identify container contents without unpacking. It's also a time-saver at busy docks because color cues help align shipments with their correct outbound lanes.

Lumber

Lumber yards use colored stretch film to protect and categorize various wood products. Bright colors like yellow or red make it easy to spot bundled materials from a distance in large outdoor storage yards. Opaque film shields woods from sun damage or drying, while colored wrap helps indicate treatment type or delivery readiness.

Manufacturing

Manufacturers use colored film to align pallets with operating systems. Each color represents a specific production stage, destination or urgency level.

For example, green film may indicate finished goods ready for shipment, while red film signals a rush or priority order. In mixed SKU settings, color-coded wrap helps reduce packing errors and improves traceability.

Exhibits and Trade Shows

Crews use colored stretch film to bundle booth components, equipment and signage. White or black opaque film conceals high-end gear or keeps event branding under wraps before setup. Color-coded wrapping helps installers identify which materials go to which stage or exhibit hall.

Benefits of Using Colored Stretch Film for Packaging

Colored stretch film can improve efficiency, reduce losses and protect products across the supply chain. Explore six perks of adding it to your packaging solutions arsenal below.

1. Improved Inventory Control

Instead of relying solely on printed labels or scanning barcodes, teams can use color cues to determine what product is wrapped, what stage it's in and where it needs to go.

For example, assigning red wrap to priority orders or green to finished goods gives workers a visual system that reduces mispicks and improves sorting speed. In facilities with multiple customers or product lines, using distinct colors helps reduce cross-shipments and ensures the right load ends up on the right truck.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

Colored film can reduce the need for extra labels, colored tags or corner boards, helping save money throughout the packaging process.

The packaging solution also helps reduce errors. Shipping the wrong load or losing inventory can be more expensive than the cost of a roll of film. Machine-grade colored film stretches further and provides consistent wrap force, which means you're using less material per pallet, keeping costs controlled.

3. Versatility

Colored stretch film adapts to nearly every kind of product and workflow. It's available in hand and machine rolls, cast and blown formats, and a range of tints and opacities.

If you need to scan barcodes, choose a tinted translucent wrap. To hide loads or block UV exposure, go for an opaque black or white film. This level of flexibility makes colored film a valuable tool for most industries. Manufacturers can customize packaging solutions, allowing businesses to align film usage with internal systems or branding guidelines.

4. Environmental Benefits

Stretch films offer high stretch yields. This means less plastic is used per load. When you replace other forms of labeling or secondary packaging with colored film, you reduce packaging waste.

By improving load stability and minimizing product damage, colored stretch film reduces the environmental cost of remanufacturing or reshipping damaged goods. Some suppliers offer recyclable or biodegradable options, giving businesses another way to align with green packaging goals.

5. Tamper-Proof Protection

Colored stretch film conceals what's inside a pallet, preventing opportunistic theft during storage or transport.

The packaging solution also makes tampering more obvious. If someone attempts to open or alter the load, disturbed or torn layers are easier to spot. This visual barrier acts as a deterrent and detection method, supporting warehouse integrity and customer trust.

6. Reduced Product Damage

Colored stretch films have the same strength, elasticity and cling properties as clear film. They hold pallets tightly together, minimizing shifts during handling and transit.

Stretch film can help cushion delicate items, prevent cartons from rubbing or tearing, and keep products clean and dry. Load stability gains can also reduce the number of damaged shipments.

Colored vs. Clear Stretch Film

Both colored and clear stretch film offer specific advantages for various industries. Here are the perks and limitations so you can select the right option.

Colored Stretch Film

Colored stretch film improves control and security across a supply chain. Benefits include:

Visual management: Assigning colors to SKUs, orders or production stages adds clarity and reduces processing time.
Improved security: Opaque colors conceal valuable or sensitive products, deterring theft and tampering during transit.
Compliance and safety: Colored stretch film helps separate allergen-containing goods or different batches in the food or chemical industries.
Tamper evidence: Cuts, tears or disturbed layers stand out against colored film.
Branding and aesthetics: Colored film can be used to signal premium, seasonal or specialty shipments.

While it provides plenty of advantages, the solution comes with the following drawbacks:

Reduced visibility: In fully opaque versions, internal product labels and barcodes may be obscured, unless applied externally.
Limited availability: Some specialty sizes or film types may have fewer color options or longer lead times.

Clear Stretch Film

Clear stretch film is the go-to standard for many warehouses and shipping teams. Its advantages include:

Cost-effectiveness: Clear stretch film is an affordable option and is available in various gauges and widths.
Transparency: Clear options provide visibility for internal documents, barcodes and labels, simplifying scanning or inspections.
Universally stocked: The packaging solution is available from nearly every distributor, making it easier to access.

Organizations should be aware of some clear stretch film limitations, including:

No visual control layer: You may not be able to color-code goods without additional tags, tapes or labels, which might add time and costs.
No concealment: Clear wrap offers little to no protection against theft or unauthorized product exposure.
Tamper evidence limitations: Clear stretch film may make it challenging to spot tearing or manipulation visually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the common questions we receive regarding stretch film.

What's the Difference Between Cast and Blown Stretch Film?

Cast stretch film is produced using a flat die and chilled rollers, which gives it excellent clarity and visibility of packaged goods. It:

Unwinds quietly.
Has tight thickness tolerances.
Clings easily.

Blown stretch film is made by blowing molten plastic into a bubble and cooling it with air. This process creates a hazier film that is much stronger and more puncture-resistant.

Which Kind of Stretch Film Should I Use?

Here's when you should use each option:

Use hand stretch film if you wrap fewer pallets per day, need flexibility, or work in a mobile or remote location.
Use machine stretch film if you're running a high-throughput operation where consistency, speed and reduced labor are crucial.
Choose cast film if you need clarity, quiet application and smooth unwind.
Choose blown film for high-performance wrapping on uneven or heavy loads that require extra strength.

Get Tamper-Proof Packaging Solutions From Neway Packaging

Neway Packaging is your partner in packaging materials. With over 44 years of technical expertise, we help you choose stretch film that fits your unique needs. We provide cost-effective packaging options, such as shrink wrap, packaging tape and strapping. Our custom manufacturing capabilities allow us to tailor solutions to fit your exact specifications.

You'll receive free quotes and delivery, and a team ready to answer your questions. We keep products in stock to keep your operations on track.