Shipping products can often be the point in the order fulfilment cycle when they are most vulnerable.
Hard weather, insecure loads, theft, and environmental factors like damp are all issues that can lead to product loss, reducing profits for businesses and making margins even finer.
Luckily, preparing and protecting pallets before shipping is an effective way to minimise product loss and ensure that customers receive the goods that they paid for.
In this article, we will be providing a step-by-step guide explaining how to prepare a pallet for shipping, covering points including:
- Choosing The Right Pallet
- Stacking Goods Securely
- How To Wrap Pallets Efficiently
- Stability Testing
- Labelling The Pallet
At the end of this article, we will have provided a simple, comprehensive guide to wrapping pallets, ready for shipping.
Choosing The Right Pallet
The first step in learning how to prepare a pallet for shipping is choosing the right size and style of pallet.
There are three key points to consider when selecting a pallet for shipping:
- Condition: If a pallet is rotted, broken, or is missing slats, it may contaminate products or break in transit. If this happens, products could be lost, forcing the business to replace or refund the order. To avoid this, pallets should always be in good condition and suitable for use. Pallets should be inspected regularly, and old or damaged pallets should be identified and recycled.
- Size: The pallet selected should provide adequate space for the goods being shipped. However, this can be something of a balancing act: the pallet shouldn’t be filled so high that products are likely to be lost, but any unused space represents additional cost. To make the most of your pallet, choose a size that can fit stock comfortably with a minimum of excess space.
- Durability: No matter how much you can fit on the pallet, if the load is overweight, this could cause the pallet to collapse. If a pallet collapses, it becomes much more difficult to move, as hand-pump trucks and trolleys will not fit under the slats. Ensure that you choose a pallet with an appropriate load limit to make transport as simple as possible.
Stacking Goods Securely
The next step in learning how to prepare a pallet for shipping is understanding how to stack goods securely.
When stacking a pallet, it is important to consider both size and weight. To maximise the pallet’s capacity, it should be stacked widely at the bottom so that other objects can be stacked on top.
In addition, heavy objects should be stored at the bottom, with lighter objects stacked on top. Obviously, if any items are particularly delicate, they should be wrapped securely before loading, and care should be taken to avoid stacking other stock on top.
Finally, it is essential to consider weight distribution. If goods are distributed unevenly, this could cause the pallet beneath to collapse, or could even lead to the entire pallet tipping over. When packing a pallet, remember to keep large, heavy objects as close to the ground as possible and evenly distributed across the pallet.
How To Wrap Pallets Efficiently
After stacking goods onto a pallet, the next step is to learn how to wrap them securely.
Pallet wrap is a popular choice for securing goods on pallets, as it is efficient, cost-effective, and protects them from factors like rain and dirt.
Pallets can be wrapped effectively by two main methods: hand wrapping and machine wrapping.
Hand-wrapping a pallet can be achieved by using a pallet wrap dispenser. One end of the pallet wrap should be secured to the pallet, extending the wrap, and simply walking around the pallet until it is sufficiently wrapped. If you are using smaller, hand-sized pallet wrap, hand pallet wrap dispensers are available to make this process easier.
Although hand-wrapping pallets is effective, it can also take a lot of time, which makes it a good option for small or medium-sized businesses or those that don’t engage in frequent, high-volume shipping.
For larger businesses or those that ship frequently, investing in a pallet wrapping machine may help save time and improve efficiency. These machines are designed to wrap and secure pallets of various sizes, and many models feature programmable settings that allow businesses to create custom wrapping processes.
If pallet wrapping is not a good option for any reason, the primary alternative would be strapping.
Strapping coils and strapping kits can be used to secure loads to pallets. A variety of coil types is available, including propylene, polyester, and steel. Still, it is important to ensure that appropriate strapping tools are used, as not all tools are compatible with all coil types.
Stability Testing
After wrapping or strapping stock onto a pallet, it is important to check for the pallet’s stability.
As mentioned, if a load is unevenly distributed or a pallet fails, this could have catastrophic consequences for the products.
Pallets should be tested for any wobbling or instability when lightly pushed. It is especially important to check for wobbling around the base, as this can compromise the entire shipment.
If any wobbling is evident, this may be resolved by using additional pallet wrap or utilising pallet safety options such as non-slip sheeting or reinforced corners. However, if this wobble is caused by a weakened or broken pallet, it may be best to unload and reload onto a new pallet.
Labelling The Pallet
The final step in preparing a pallet for shipping is labelling it.
There are a few points to remember when labelling pallets for shipping. First, the shipping information must be correct, including the shipping address and the receiver (if relevant). It is also essential that the label is displayed at a level that can be read and that the text is legible.
Secondly, it is important to consider that most modern inventory systems use barcodes and QR codes to perform stock shipping and intake. Placing these labels at a height that can be easily scanned will help the shipping process go more smoothly and protect stock from unexpected knocks or falls.
Finally, there may be some cases where it is appropriate to add additional shipping labels for clarity, such as ‘This Way Up’, ‘Handle With Care’ or ‘Do Not Stack’. These labels should always be applied directly to the stock they relate to, with the label facing in the right direction.
Choose Effective, Protective Packaging For Your Pallets And Shipments
Keeping pallets and products secure in transit requires high-quality, versatile shipping and packaging material.
Choosing the right packaging materials protects goods from environmental factors and accidental loss or damage.
If you are interested in buying protective packaging or shipping materials, contact us to speak to a member of our team.
We also offer custom packaging options for businesses, as well as discounts for bulk orders and free delivery on orders over £50 (EX VAT).