Stretch film is typically used to hold boxes and products together on a pallet for transportation. It can also be used to hold other objects together and protect objects during transportation and storage. The elastic recovery keeps the items tightly bound. Machine stretch film is designed to be used with automated or semi-automated wrapping machines.

Pre-stretch film is a type of stretch wrap film that has been stretched near its breaking point and then wound onto rolls. The film is typically pre-stretched to approximately 90% at the factory, which is why pre-stretched film has thinner gauges than traditional film.