Tool

Strapping & Banding Supplies — Securing Pallets and Large Shipments

Strapping (also called banding) secures large boxes, bundles, and pallet loads against the forces of freight transit. A poorly secured pallet load becomes a carrier damage liability and a warehouse safety hazard. The right strapping material depends on load weight, transit method, and whether it's a one-way or reusable application.

Types of Strapping & Banding Supplies

Polypropylene (PP) strapping

Lightweight plastic strapping — the most common for light-to-medium loads.

Best for: Carton bundling, light pallets under 1,000 lbs, box reinforcement

Polyester (PET) strapping

Stronger than PP, maintains tension over time and through temperature changes.

Best for: Heavier pallets 1,000–3,000 lbs, outdoor storage loads, long-distance freight

Steel banding

Metal strap — highest breaking strength, doesn't stretch.

Best for: Very heavy loads (3,000+ lbs), metal/lumber bundles, rail and sea freight

Cord strapping / composite strap

Polyester cord-reinforced strap — flexible and absorbs impact shock better than rigid strapping.

Best for: Vibration-sensitive freight, fragile loads that need tension without rigidity

Practical Tips

  • •PP strapping is for securing cartons; PET or steel is for pallet loads going through freight handling — match the material to the force it needs to resist
  • •For hand tensioning, use a strapping tensioner tool — under-tensioned strapping is nearly useless and over-tensioned strapping crushes boxes
  • •Seal strapping with friction-weld sealers (PP) or metal buckles (polyester/steel) — never just tie it
  • •Apply at minimum 2 straps around a pallet: one near each end; add a third in the middle for tall loads
  • •Combine strapping with stretch wrap for maximum pallet stability — strapping alone without stretch wrap still allows individual boxes to shift

Frequently asked questions

What strapping do I need for a standard shipping pallet?
For standard 40×48 pallets with 1,500 lbs or less, 3/4-inch polypropylene strapping with 2–3 horizontal bands is standard. For heavier loads or outdoor storage, use 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch PET strapping.
Do I need a machine to apply strapping?
Not for low volume. Manual strapping tools (tensioner + crimper, around $30–80) handle PP and light PET strapping. Semi-automatic and automatic strapping machines make sense at 50+ pallets/day.
Is strapping required for LTL freight?
LTL carriers don't mandate strapping but recommend it. Unstabilized pallet loads frequently arrive damaged because they tip or shift during transit. Strapping combined with stretch wrap is standard practice for any LTL shipment.

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