When it comes to labelling your packaging it’s important to consider what coding you require at each level. Your tertiary packaging will hold your secondary packaging, which holds your primary packaging. Or in other terms your pallet will hold your case, which will hold your product, and each will need to be effectively labelled with a barcode and other coding.
Pallet labelling is the process of labelling your tertiary packaging, this is generally your pallet. Pallet labelling generally consists of two or more barcodes applied to the shrink wrap, which provides traceability of your products through the supply chain.
The main reason for labelling pallets is for traceability purposes, so warehouses, and logistics teams can scan and read the barcodes fast and without errors. By applying the barcode labels precisely onto the pallet surfaces it means they are a lot easier to scan, it reduces any mistakes, increases distribution centre efficiency, and will save a lot of time and money rectifying any issues with lost or misplaced stock.
Pallets also need to be labelled so they capture important details about the product and its quantities. These include batch codes, best before dates, supplier details, serial numbers etc.
To ensure pallet labelling is effective the labels should be accurately printed and then applied to each pallet at speed. To be efficient at doing this, automating this process by using a print and apply labelling machine is essential.
Manual labelling is still used in many warehouses, and this can be time consuming and inefficient. Think about a warehouse operative who has just unloaded a pallet with a forklift truck. They will have to then go to a computer, find the required labels to print, print them, return to the pallet, and individually apply each label by hand, before getting back on the forklift truck and moving the pallet to the desired location. The result of this process is wasted time, and as we all know wasted time is costly.
As well as that, applying labels by hand leads to inconsistent application, and it may not comply with GS1 height guidelines.
Think about the number of pallets that pass through your warehouse every week, month, and year. The sheer volume of pallets that need to be labelled is a challenge. This volume should justify investing in an effective labelling system that will print and apply labels accurately day in day out. This will help keep production costs down and make sure there are no problems when they move through the supply chain.
Another important challenge is to make sure the pallet labels are compliant with what your customers use and can integrate into their systems. It’s important to be able to label your pallets to suit your customers requirements. If you don’t, I’m sure one of your competitors will!
With GS1 guidelines, you must apply labels in the right locations on the pallet, they must be square-on and without creases or uneven edges. Automated pallet labelling systems overcome human error and ensure consistently accurate labelling.
The factory environment for example if it’s wet and humid or dry and dusty can have a big impact on your tertiary packaging and effectiveness of your pallet labelling. If you work in a wet humid site such as those in the beverage industry, you’ll likely need stainless steel cabinets to protect your labelling machine. Whereas aluminium cabinets can be used at dry sites.
Temperature is also a huge factor and can cause problems with effective pallet labelling. To overcome temperature issues climate control or heaters can be used to ensure the best temperature is maintained.
Another consideration is the software you and your customers use as pallet data is generally stored in an Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP), and if your customer doesn’t have this functionality then you will not be able to integrate into your customers systems. Therefore, a flexible, adjustable system is key. The solution is a pallet labeller that can be configured to meet GS1, customer standards and is easy to use.
As channel partner with Markem-Imaje, Industrial Printer Services Ltd has the perfect pallet labelling solution. The Markem-Imaje 2200 series pallet labeller builds on a proven concept providing reliability, efficiency, and ease of use in demanding 24/7 environments. It takes print and apply to another level, and gives you the end-user unparalleled reliability, efficiency, and speed. It produces perfect clear codes that can be printed and systematically applied to secondary and tertiary packaging.
It can also deliver 1 or 2-side pallet labelling at speeds of up to 120 pallets per hour, offers a compact design and with its robust swing arm applicator - it’s a great long-term investment.
The 2200 Series can fly through the pallet labelling process far more effectively than manually printing and applying labels yourself.
Discover more on the 2200 Series here or contact us today to discuss your specific requirements.
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