What Does Stretch Film Thickness (Micron) Mean?

What Is Micron?

Micron is the unit of measurement used to indicate the thickness of stretch film.

1 micron = 0.001 millimeters

The strength, elasticity, and tear resistance of stretch film are directly related to its micron value.

Why Is Stretch Film Thickness Important?

Stretch film thickness directly affects the following factors:

• Load security

• Stretch film consumption

• Cost and waste rate

• Risk of tearing during wrapping

Choosing the wrong micron can cause:

• Pallet instability

• Film that is too thin → tearing and load shifting

• Film that is too thick → unnecessary cost

Most Common Stretch Film Micron Values

8–12 Micron

• Lightweight products

• Food stretch film

• Market, kitchen, and retail use

Advantages: Economical, thin, transparent
Disadvantages: Not suitable for pallet wrapping

15–17 Micron

• Light to medium-weight pallets

• Manual (hand wrap) applications

• Boxed and carton-based loads

One of the most commonly preferred thickness ranges.

20–23 Micron

• Medium to heavy loads

• Machine stretch film

• Logistics and industrial applications

Advantages: High strength, reduced breakage
Note: With proper machine settings, it enables lower stretch film consumption.

25 Micron and Above

• Heavy industrial products

• Irregular and sharp-edged loads

• Long-distance transportation

Suitable for pallets requiring high load security.

The Relationship Between Micron and Weight

As the micron value increases:

• The stretch film becomes heavier

• Weight per meter increases

• Net film weight (excluding the core) becomes more important

Therefore, it is essential to ask not only “how many kilos”, but also
how many microns and how many meters the stretch film has.

How to Choose the Right Micron?

Quick Guide:

• Light loads → 15–17 microns

• Medium loads → 17–20 microns

• Heavy and irregular loads → 23 microns

• Machine wrapping → pre-stretch + appropriate micron selection