Pattern before quantity
A pallet held by six strips in a planned pattern is more stable than one wrapped ten times at random. The common patterns are a single vertical band over the centre, a cross over both axes, and a full wrap that passes under the pallet lip. Each adds stability in a different direction.
Vertical bands resist layer separation and keep the stack compressed. Cross bands control the corners, which is where cartons crush and loads lean. Under-pallet wraps add the most security but slow the operation and are mainly used for export.
Tension and corner protection
Filament tape has almost no stretch, so over-tensioning does not tighten the load, it crushes the top layer and cuts the carton edge. Apply with enough tension to remove slack and no more. On loads with sharp corners, fit a corner board or a folded card protector before taping.
- Two vertical bands minimum on a standard pallet
- Cross the top layer diagonally for racking resistance
- Use corner protectors on heavy or sharp-edged loads
- Finish the tape end on a flat face, not an edge
Check the finished pallet by pushing the top layer sideways. If it moves more than a few millimetres, the pattern is wrong, not the tape. Adding wrap without changing the pattern usually just hides the problem until the truck turns a corner.
Document the pattern on a work instruction with a simple diagram. Pallet stability depends on the operator repeating the same sequence every time, and a diagram on the wrapper removes the guesswork. Review it whenever carton size or pallet height changes, because a pattern tuned for one load rarely suits another.
