There is a simple system for figuring out how much strapping you need to secure a load. When working with pallets or bundled products, strapping is one of the common materials you use to maintain unitized items. Selecting the right form of strapping is the first step, which you can read more about here. The next step is determining how much strapping you need to ensure your load will survive its journey.

Strapping is applied to give structures added security. When determining how much strapping you need, first look at the weight of your load. The heavier the load, the stronger your strapping should be, which means more straps wrapped around the structure. Lighter loads will use less strapping. It’s important to understand how much strapping to use based on weight, so you don’t waste materials securing items that were already sturdy enough.

The integrity of your load is also a factor for how many straps you’ll need to use. If the integrity is low, that means your load is unstable. Unstable loads require more straps to secure everything in place. Products on pallets are typically more stable and use less strapping than products that are unitized without a pallet. B-Load and C-Load pallets might require more strapping because they’re not as compact or uniform compared to A-Loads.

How items are transported or stored can also determine how much strapping you need. Generally speaking, the rougher the journey and the environment the more strapping you need. This means companies who ship products on rail cars or freight trucks might want to add a few extra straps to ensure products survive the extra shifting and bumping. Products stored in difficult environments need to be properly strapped to withstand temperature fluctuations and any movement they might experience. Failing to add the right amount of strapping in these situations can result in thousands of dollars’ worth in product damage.

For most products, the starting point is two straps in the load direction. Load direction refers to how the skid or pallet is moved by a forklift or other piece of equipment. From there, you can add more straps to secure heavier and more rugged loads.

Corners will also make a difference in your strapping strategy. If the corners are sharp, you should add corner protectors under the strap to make sure it won’t break. Softer corners won’t require this type of protection unless the secondary packaging is at risk for being crushed by the strapping.

Understanding how much strapping is necessary to secure your load will help you protect your products while ensuring there is no wasted materials in your packaging strategy. The last thing you want is for your strapping to fail and leave your products vulnerable during the journey.

The Packaging Group offers various forms of strapping and the tools you need to apply it. Place your strapping order today or contact us to speak with a packaging professional about your specific packaging and shipping needs.