Is there a difference between Smooth or Embossed Polyester Strapping?

When it comes to polyester strapping, a question we're repeatedly asked is what’s the difference between smooth or embossed strapping?

PET strapping differences are more than just width, length, thickness, and finish smooth or embossed. But what it all really comes down to is the chemical makeup of the strapping, the quality of resins, machine used, the production process and additives used.

So, when we're focusing on smooth and embossed strapping, there actually aren't that many differences - in fact, when most people have had a bad experience with smooth or embossed strapping, the thing they are actually comparing about the strapping types is the composition of it.

Embossed strapping is just strapping that has had an embossed roller rolled over it towards the end of the production cycle and had a nice pattern applied to it, that’s it.

Now that we know the main differences between smooth and embossed strapping is the chemical makeup, production method and additives used between manufacturer, lets assumed you have a smooth strapping and an embossed strapping from the same manufacturer, and the only difference between them is ones smooth and embossed, what's the difference?

Is smooth stronger than embossed strapping? Simply put yes, smooth PET in this scenario is stronger than embossed, let’s say you have a 1mm embossed strapping a 1mm smooth strapping, the 1mm embossed strapping is actually ~0.95mm before it hits the embossing roller, once embossed the height is raised to 1mm. because there is less PET in each cross section of the strapping, the embossed strapping is weaker.

Does embossed strapping tension easier than smooth? Yes, given the formula of PET is the same between the 2, the embossed will make tension easier for 2 reasons:

Thinner and weaker strap is always easier to tension than thicker strap as its less rigid and easier to bend.

Embossed strapping has less friction, as only the top of the embossed strap touch each other, less friction is generated when tensioning so embossed strapping does tension easier.

Does embossed strapping weld better than smooth? We don’t believe so, as we mentioned above, embossed strapping when the strap touches each other has less surface touching, for this reason, we expect the smooth strapping that starts as 100% of each strap touching each other heats up faster and therefore welds faster.

Is embossed better quality than smooth? This is a tough one. We've been in the strapping game since 1999, and in that time, we've tried a lot of samples of PET from all over the world and the different types of strapping offered by competitors. What we can gather is that basically the good manufacturers can make embossed strapping that looks good, they have high end machines, high quality materials, high quality winders, and proper cooling for their straps so they can make strap to the precision and accuracy required to use the embossing rollers.

Manufacturers with more basic equipment and production method tend to favor smooth, they can’t pull off the embossing method to make the strap look good embossed, when poor quality strap is embossed, you get this curved look to it which tools don’t like.

So, it comes down to the quality of the manufacturer and as we mentioned earlier, the make-up of the products used to create the actual strapping.

My tool only runs smooth or embossed strapping, is that true? Sounds like somebody been speaking to a sales rep with an agenda, selling you the strap they sell. Again, a tool not liking smooth or embossed strapping is again more due to the technical limitations of a tool and the samples of smooth or embossed from perspective suppliers.

If you have any questions about strapping or need any guidance, we're always available to help you. Just give us a call at 813 242 6995 or get in touch online at sales@quickpakinc.com