Strapping bands: types and closures

The strapping bands listed here include PET and PP strapping, steel strapping, cord and textile strapping, as well as paper and OPP band. PET and PP strapping are joined by friction welding with battery powered or pneumatic tools. PP strapping can also be sealed using a metal seal and a manual tool. Steel strapping is closed with a clip or by a sealless tool. Cord and textile strapping are fastened with a wire buckle. Paper and OPP band are closed by the paper banding machine.

The same strapping products are found in the strapping bands category, together with their tools, banding clips, buckles, banding carts and machines. That category is divided into plastic strapping, steel strapping, paper strapping and cord strapping. This page lists only the materials themselves, not the associated tools or machines.

Strapping bands function by holding a load to a pallet or keeping a bundle together under tension. The type of strapping you choose determines the force it can withstand and how much it stretches under load. Steel strapping stretches very little and is suitable for heavy loads with sharp edges. PET strapping stretches less than PP strapping. Paper banding is only suitable for light bundles and loses strength if it becomes wet.

Begin with the tool or machine you already use. Its compatible strap material and width range will determine which strapping you can select. If your dispenser or banding cart is designed for a 406 mm core, only PET and PP strapping on that core will fit.

The strength of a strapping application depends on the joint, not just the strapping itself. For battery powered tools where a figure is given, the friction weld retains about 75 percent of the PET or PP strapping’s strength.

The closure component for each strapping is chosen according to its width. PP strapping seals are available in 13 mm for 12–13 mm strapping and 16 mm for 15–16 mm strapping. Steel clips come in 16 x 40 mm for manual or pneumatic strapping, and 19 x 57, 25 x 57 or 32 x 57 mm for pneumatic tools. Wire buckles are sized for 16, 19, 25 or 32 mm cord and textile strapping. Paper strapping cannot be used in a friction-weld machine for PP strapping, as these machines melt the strapping to create the joint and paper does not melt. Textile strapping can be tied with a knot instead of a buckle, but cord strapping cannot. Manual tensioners for cord and textile strapping are not suitable for PET, PP or steel strapping, so a site using both types will require a separate tool for each. A buckle joint can be re-tensioned after the load settles, but a crimped steel joint cannot.

PET, PP and steel strapping: sizes and packs

PET strapping is available in 12, 15.5, 19, 25 or 32 mm widths on a 406 mm core, either by the coil or as a pallet of 60 coils. PP strapping is supplied in 12 or 15.5 mm widths on a 406 mm core. Steel strapping is offered in 16, 19, 25 or 32 mm widths as a 25 kg coil, 10 coils (250 kg) or a pallet of 40 coils (1000 kg). The 25 kg coil and 1000 kg pallet are both coated and painted.

Select PET, steel or cord strapping for heavy loads. PP strapping is suitable for loads that do not require high tensile strength. At the same width and thickness, PP strapping holds roughly half as much as PET and stretches more.

The narrower and thinner the strapping, the more metres you receive per coil. For example, 12 x 0.6 mm PET strapping contains 2500 m per coil, while 32 x 1.2 mm has 500 m. When ordering PET strapping by the pallet, you receive 60 coils of the same size. This is convenient for busy warehouses using one size daily. If you use several sizes, order coils individually to avoid surplus stock.

The 12 x 0.55 mm PP strapping has 3000 m per coil, while 12 x 0.8 mm and 15.5 x 0.7 mm have 2000 m. Use PET strapping for heavy pallets and long-distance transport where the load must remain secure. PP strapping is intended for lighter packages and cartons.

A steel strapping pallet contains 40 coils of one width. A 1000 kg pallet is heavy and requires a forklift or pallet truck for handling in the warehouse.

Steel strapping stretches very little, making it suitable for heavy loads with sharp edges that must not shift during transport. If a load settles or shrinks, steel strapping can become loose as it does not stretch to take up slack. In these cases, a plastic strapping such as PET, which stretches slightly, maintains its tension better. When cutting any tensioned strapping, especially steel, always use a strap cutter, wear gloves and eye protection, and stand to one side. Strapping can recoil suddenly and steel edges are sharp.

Table of packaging material families

The table below lists the packaging material families, their category, their typical uses, available sizes and pack formats.

To use the table, start with the task you need to complete: securing a load to a pallet, keeping layers together, sealing a carton or wrapping a single product. Identify the material family that matches your requirement, such as PET strapping for heavy loads or pallet wrap for wrapping pallets. Then check the sizes listed against your machine or tool, for example, the core diameter or width. Choose the pack size based on your weekly usage. The category column shows where to find the compatible tools and machines.

Cord, textile, paper and OPP band: features and applications

Cord strapping is a composite polyester strap with a polypropylene coating, available in widths of 13, 16, 19, 25 or 32 mm on a 200 mm core. Its breaking strength ranges from 485 kg at 13 mm up to 2360 kg at 32 mm. Both cord and textile strapping are fastened using a wire buckle. Textile strapping is made from polyester fibres, 16 or 19 mm wide on a 76 mm core. Waste bale strapping is 16 mm wide and tied by hand around waste bales.

Paper and OPP bands are designed for use in paper banding machines. Paper band is available in 12 mm and 30 mm widths, each roll 150 m. OPP band is a plastic film band for paper banding machines, not an adhesive tape, also in 12 mm and 30 mm widths, 150 m per roll. Paper strapping is available in 9, 12 or 15 mm widths for bundling lighter items and cartons.

Cord strapping is supplied as 2 coils in a box or by the pallet. It is used for heavy loads as an alternative to metal strapping, as it does not rust.

The breaking strength is the force required to break a new strap, but the joint made with a wire buckle will always hold less than the strap itself. In practice, the load you can secure depends on the weakest point, which is the joint. For example, a 19 mm cord strapping with a breaking strength of 800 kg will have a wire buckle joint that holds less. Always take this into account when deciding how many straps to use on a pallet.

Textile strapping is supplied as 2 rolls in a box. The 19 mm roll contains 600 m. Both cord and textile strapping are fastened with a wire buckle and tensioned using a tool. This method allows you to tighten the strap securely around the load without welding or sealing.

The 16 mm textile strapping for waste bales is supplied in 340 m rolls, packed in sets of 4 rolls. This strap is tied by hand around bales produced by a baler.

Paper band is supplied in 12 mm (100 rolls per box) and 30 mm (56 rolls), each roll 150 m. OPP band is a plastic film band, available in 12 mm (100 rolls) and 30 mm (40 rolls), also 150 m per roll. Paper loses strength when wet, so it is not suitable for damp conditions. OPP band, being plastic, is not weakened by moisture. Banding is used to keep a stack together, such as a bundle of brochures, but is not suitable for securing heavy pallet loads.

Textile strapping should not be used for goods with sharp edges or hot surfaces, as these can cut or damage the strap. For loads with sharp edges, use cord or metal strapping.

Paper strapping is intended for moderate tension only. If you pull it as tightly as PP strapping, it will break. The width of paper strapping should match the bundle: 9 mm for small bundles, 12 mm for standard cartons, and 15 mm for heavier or sharper-edged bundles. Waste bales should be tied with the waste bale strapping while the baler platen is still holding them down. If tied later, the bale will expand and the straps will become loose.

Stretch film for manual and machine application

All stretch films listed are 500 mm wide and 23 microns thick, made from LLDPE. Hand film is available on 3 kg rolls (6 per carton, 40 cartons per pallet) or 5 kg rolls (120 per pallet, 600 kg total). Machine stretch film is supplied on 16 kg rolls in two types: Standard A and PRESTRETCH POWER, available by the roll or as a pallet of 46 rolls (736 kg).

Stretch film provides limited UV protection and is recyclable where local collection is available. The stretch wrap category also offers a hand dispenser for the film. Machine stretch films are intended for use with pallet wrappers.

Stretch film works by stretching as it is wrapped around the load. The film then contracts, holding the load firmly together. When wrapping a pallet, begin by wrapping the film around the base of the load and the pallet itself. This secures the load to the pallet, forming a single unit for transport.

The 3 kg rolls are lighter and easier for staff to handle when wrapping pallets by hand throughout the day. The 5 kg rolls require fewer changes but are heavier to lift. Select the roll size based on the number of pallets wrapped per shift and the physical requirements for your team.

Machine stretch film is supplied on 16 kg rolls for use in pallet wrappers. These rolls are too heavy for manual use and are loaded onto the film carriage of the machine. You can order a single roll or a pallet of 46 rolls. The film is available in Standard A and PRESTRETCH POWER versions.

The amount of film used per pallet depends on the number of wraps, the overlap and the stretch applied by the machine or operator. This means usage varies between warehouses. To measure your own usage, weigh a roll before and after wrapping a set number of pallets. Standard stretch film offers only limited UV protection, so cover pallets left outside for long periods.

Parcel tapes for carton sealing

The parcel tapes subcategory includes BOPP tape and kraft paper tape. BOPP tape is 48 mm wide, 66 m per roll, 50 microns thick, available in brown or transparent, and suitable for temperatures from -20 °C to +60 °C. It is suitable for cartons up to 60 kg, packed as 72 rolls per carton or 3024 rolls per pallet. Kraft paper tape is 50 mm wide, 50 m per roll, and supplied as 72 rolls per box.

FLEX TAPE, TOP TAPE and AUTO-TAPE carton sealers take tape widths of 48–72 mm, so both types of tape are compatible. RUBBER and AUTO&FOLD-5050 accept 48–60 mm tape, so both tapes fit. The AUTOBOX10 case erector uses 50 or 60 mm tape, so only the 50 mm kraft paper tape is suitable.

Kraft paper tape is a self-adhesive paper tape; a box of 72 rolls provides 3600 m. Kraft tape is water-resistant but not fully waterproof, and it is less effective in very hot or cold conditions. In warehouses, kraft tape is used for sealing cartons by hand or with a carton sealer. A kraft tape closure is made from the same material as the carton.

Tape adheres by pressure, so press it firmly along the seam and at the ends folded over the carton. Dust, moisture or cold surfaces reduce adhesion and may cause the tape to lift. Transparent tape allows labels and printing to remain visible, while brown tape matches brown cartons for a consistent appearance.

A carton of BOPP parcel tape contains 72 rolls, each 66 m long, giving a total of 4752 m of tape per carton. In a packing line using a case sealer, both the top and bottom of the carton are sealed in one operation. This means two rolls are used at the same time, one in the upper tape head and one in the lower. Keep spare rolls close to the machine to prevent downtime if a roll runs out during a shift.

Paper tape is thicker than BOPP tape, so the tape head requires increased tension to apply it properly. Each tape head can only run one width and type of tape at a time. If you switch between BOPP and kraft paper tape, you must reset the tape head. The tape leg, which is the section folded over each end of the carton, can be set on the tape head, for example from 5 to 50 mm on the RUBBER model. For each carton, the tape used is the seam length plus the two legs on the top and the same on the bottom. Kraft paper tape is self-adhesive and applied dry, unlike water-activated gummed paper tape, which needs a wetting dispenser. For heavy or fully loaded cartons, apply a second strip across the first at right angles to reinforce the seal. Case sealers require dry, clean, undamaged corrugated cartons. Cartons with a plastic coating cannot be taped with either type.

Shrink film for secure packaging

The shrink film section includes POF shrink film, 15 microns thick, available on rolls 200, 500 or 550 mm wide. The 200 mm roll contains 1259 m, while the 500 mm and 550 mm rolls each have 1335 m. The film is clear and glossy, allowing the packed product to be seen through it.

POF shrink film shrinks tightly around the product when heated in a shrink tunnel or under a hood. Our shrink wrapping machines use POF film in these widths and thicknesses: T4535 takes POF 100–550 mm wide and 15–25 microns, AUTOSHRINK takes POF 200–550 mm wide and 0.01–0.03 mm, T5040 takes POF 0.015–0.019 mm up to 570 mm wide, B4255 takes POF, F7060 takes PVC or POF, A450 takes POF or PVC, and V4530 can shrink POF or PE.

To use POF shrink film, first wrap and seal the product in the film. Then apply heat in a shrink tunnel or under a hood. The film will shrink tightly around the product.

Always check the film width and thickness are within your machine’s specifications.

Select the roll width based on the largest product you need to wrap, allowing extra width for the seal. If the film is too narrow, it will not close around the product. Make sure the roll fits your machine’s film holder. Store rolls in their packaging, in a dry place away from heat and sunlight, to prevent the film from shrinking before use. Protect the roll edges from knocks, as damaged edges can tear during unwinding.

Some shrink wrapping machines, such as the B4255 and F7060, pierce the shrink film with a needle wheel. This allows air to escape from the pack as the film shrinks. Without these holes, trapped air can break the seal.

In a shrink tunnel, belt speed and temperature must be set together. A faster belt requires a higher temperature to shrink the film in the same time. POF shrink film needs a higher tunnel temperature than PVC, so if you change from PVC to POF, adjust the tunnel settings. To set up a tunnel, preheat it, set the belt speed to the middle of its range, then find the temperature that shrinks the film at that speed. Record this setting for future use with the same product. Start with a short sealing time and increase it gradually until the film seals and cuts cleanly. Use the shortest time that works. If the sealing wire smokes, the sealing time is too long or there is film residue on the wire. Clean the sealing wire or knife immediately after sealing, while it is still hot, using a dry cotton cloth. Use the minimum amount of film around the pack, as any film trimmed off is paid for but not used.

Choosing the right packing materials for each task

Each type of packing material is designed for a particular purpose. Strap secures a load to a pallet or keeps a bundle tightly together. PET strap and metal strap are used for heavy loads. PP strap is suitable for lighter loads that do not require high tensile strength. Cord strapping is an alternative to metal strap for heavy loads and does not rust.

Pallet wrap holds the layers of a pallet load together and protects against dust and moisture. Parcel tape seals cartons. Shrink film is used to wrap a single product or pack tightly by shrinking it with heat. Heavy or unstable pallet loads are often secured with both strap and pallet wrap.

To secure a stack or bundle without a pallet, use paper or OPP band on a paper banding machine, or paper strapping. These are suitable for light stacks and bundles, such as brochures or small boxes.

To seal a carton, use BOPP parcel tape or kraft paper tape, either by hand or with a case sealer.

To wrap a single product or a small pack so it remains clean and visible, use POF shrink film with a shrink wrapping machine.

At sharp corners or edges of a load, place edge protectors or corner boards under plastic strap and pallet wrap. Sharp edges can cut plastic strap and tear pallet wrap during handling or transport.

If one strap is not enough to secure a load, use a stronger strap or add more straps. For the same thickness, a wider strap provides greater strength.

For goods stored in damp conditions, cord strapping does not rust and leaves no rust marks, whereas bare metal strap can. Pallet wrap applied around the sides of a pallet leaves the top uncovered. A top sheet protects against dust and rain. Some pallet wrappers, such as the EASY-IN models, the SMARTWRAP B3 PRESTRETCH and the ROBI-600B, have a function that stops at the top of the load so you can place a top sheet before finishing the wrap.

Packing materials must be compatible with the machine

A packing material must be suitable for the machine or tool it is used with. Strap must be the correct width and core size for the tool or machine. For example, PET strap and PP strap are supplied on a 406 mm core, while cord strapping is on a 200 mm core. The coil must fit the banding cart or dispenser.

Pallet wrap must match the film width and core size required by the pallet wrapper or hand dispenser. All pallet wrap here is 500 mm wide. Tape must be the correct width for the case sealer. FLEX TAPE, TOP TAPE and AUTO-TAPE take tape from 48–72 mm wide, so both 48 mm BOPP tape and 50 mm kraft paper tape fit. Shrink film must be the right material, thickness and width for the shrink wrapping machine, such as POF shrink film in 200, 500 or 550 mm rolls.

Textile strap is supplied on a 76 mm core. For example, a cart designed for a 406 mm core will not hold a cord strapping coil with a 200 mm core.

A paper banding machine takes one band width, and the core must fit: the 12 mm paper band and the 30 mm OPP band are both on a 40 mm core. Check the band width and core size against your paper banding machine before ordering.

The banding cart for PET and PP strap takes coils on a 405 or 406 mm core and strap 10–19 mm wide. PET strap in 25 mm and 32 mm widths does not have a cart available in the shop. Cord strapping, textile strap and metal strap each require their own banding cart, so the core and strap width must match the cart you use.

Manual tensioners for cord and textile strap are available for 13–19 mm, 19–25 mm and wider strap up to 50 mm. There is no 13 mm buckle, so before ordering 13 mm cord strapping, check how you will close the joint.

Paper banding machines under paper strapping use band rolls with a 40 mm core, which fits all paper and OPP bands listed here. Most pallet wrap clings on one side only. When loading a roll onto the film carriage, ensure the cling side faces the load and thread the film following the arrows marked on the carriage.

How to store strap, film and tape

Keep packing materials indoors, dry, away from heat and direct sunlight, in their cartons and off cold floors. Paper strap and paper band absorb moisture from concrete floors and lose strength if they become damp. A damaged film edge will tear when stretched.

Shrink film stored near heat can shrink before it is used. Dust on a tape roll transfers to the adhesive, reducing its stick. Dust, damp or cold cartons reduce adhesion, and a cold roll will not stick well: store tape at room temperature.

A 25 kg steel strap coil should be placed on a dispenser cart for metal strapping, which is designed to hold up to 50 kg. If unwound by hand, a steel coil can spring open and become tangled.

Store machine pallet wrap out of sunlight both in storage and during use, as prolonged exposure to sunlight will degrade the film.

Take tape rolls from the box one at a time to keep the rest clean. Plan lifting when moving boxes of strap: a box with two coils of cord strapping weighs about 20 kg, and a box with two rolls of textile strapping weighs 16 kg. Keep these boxes on a low shelf rather than high up.

Ordering by coil, carton or pallet

Packing materials are supplied by the coil, carton or pallet. Each pallet contains one size: a PET strap pallet has 60 coils of one size, a steel strap pallet of 1000 kg contains 40 coils of one width, and a BOPP tape pallet holds 3024 rolls. Hand film 3 kg is supplied as 40 cartons per pallet. Check your weekly usage before ordering a pallet.

The table above lists the pack sizes for each family of packaging material. Check the load or product, the machine or tool it is used with, the pack size and your weekly usage.

Count the coils of strap, rolls of film and rolls of tape you need, then choose between a single coil or roll, a carton or a pallet. If your usage is low, order by the coil or carton to avoid tying up space and capital in unused stock.

Other pallet pack options: hand film as 120 rolls of 5 kg (600 kg total) and machine film as 46 rolls of 16 kg (736 kg total).

A pallet of packing materials requires space in a dry store and a forklift or pallet truck for unloading.

Compare strap by price per metre, not per coil, as coils of the same width can vary in length. For example, a 15.5 x 0.7 mm PET strap coil contains 1750 m, while a 15.5 x 0.9 mm coil contains 1250 m.

To estimate how many coils of strap you need each week, calculate the length of one strap by adding the girth of the load and the overlap at the joint. Multiply this by the number of straps per load and the number of loads per week, then divide by the metres on a coil.

Compare packs by the total metres supplied. Cord strapping contains 1000 metres per box for 19 mm or 25 mm, and 500 metres for 32 mm. Textile strapping in 19 mm width comes as 1200 metres in a box of two rolls. Waste bale strapping is 1360 metres in a pack of four rolls. Paper band 12 mm is 15000 metres in 100 rolls, and 30 mm is 8400 metres in 56 rolls. OPP band 12 mm is 15000 metres in 100 rolls, and 30 mm is 6000 metres in 40 rolls. A cord strapping pallet contains coils of one width. The hand film 3 kg pallet is 240 rolls, packed as 40 cartons of 6. For a site starting to strap pallets, a pallet strapping kit includes the tool, the strap and a cart in one order.

Questions about packing materials

Which tape is suitable for my case sealer?

Both tapes fit the five case sealers in the shop: the 48 mm BOPP tape and the 50 mm kraft paper tape are within the 48–72 mm or 48–60 mm range. The AUTOBOX10 case erector takes 50 or 60 mm tape, so only the 50 mm kraft paper tape is suitable.

Should I use pallet wrap or shrink film?

Pallet wrap is used for wrapping and securing pallets, available in hand and machine rolls, all 500 mm wide and 23 microns thick. Shrink film is used to wrap a single product or a pack and is shrunk tightly with heat in a tunnel or under a hood.

Which strap is best for heavy pallets?

For heavy pallets, use PET, steel or cord strapping. Steel strapping hardly stretches and secures heavy loads with sharp edges; cord strapping is the alternative to steel that does not rust.

Can I purchase packing materials by the pallet?

Yes, several packing materials are available by the pallet. PET strapping is supplied as a pallet of 60 coils, steel strapping as a pallet of 40 coils (1000 kg), hand film on pallets, and BOPP tape as 3024 rolls per pallet.