Glossary Term
Pallet Stretch Wrap Labeling
Rules and best practices for applying logistics labels to pallets after they have been wrapped in plastic film.
The Final Step in LTL
When you are shipping a large amount of goods, you stack them on a pallet and wrap them in stretch film. But once it's wrapped, where do the labels go? You must never put labels *under* the wrap. They must always go on the *outside* of the plastic so they can be easily scanned.
Placement Matters
Amazon and Walmart have very specific rules: you need four labels per pallet, one on each side. They should be placed in the upper center of the pallet. If you only label one side, and the forklift driver is approaching from the other, they have to stop and rotate the pallet just to find the ID.
- Label all four sides of the pallet.
- Place labels on the outside of the stretch wrap.
- Do not place labels over a seam or corner.
Adhesion Problems
Standard paper labels don't always stick well to smooth plastic wrap, especially in cold or humid warehouses. It's a good idea to use high-tack adhesive labels designed specifically for shipping. If a label falls off during transit, your entire pallet becomes 'lost inventory.'
Mixed vs. Single SKU Pallets
If your pallet contains only one type of product, the labeling is simple. But if it's a 'Mixed SKU' pallet, you often need an extra 'Mixed SKU' warning label. This tells the warehouse worker to be careful because they need to sort the items inside instead of just scanning one box and assuming they are all the same.