Best Way To Prepare Pallets for Shipping
Most companies that ship freight make use of pallets, flat platforms that provide additional protection for your products during the loading, transport, and unloading processes. You must prepare these pallets correctly if you want to reap their benefits. Ahead, we’ll explain the best way to prepare pallets for shipping.
Package Boxes Properly
Before you can load the pallet, you need to prepare the individual boxes full of product. You must use the right materials when packing. This includes sturdy and appropriately sized boxes along with packing materials—such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and corrugated cardboard—for extra protection. Don’t forget to seal every box with packing tape and label them, too. You also need to pick the right pallet size for your shipment. Choose a size large and sturdy enough to accommodate all the boxes.
Stack the Packages With Care
The easiest and most efficient way to prepare pallets for shipping is to use specialized machinery. A dedicated palletizer will sort, transfer, and stack your pallets for you. However, some companies still prefer to stack their pallets by hand. To properly hand-stack pallets, adhere to these simple guidelines:
- Choose the right pallet size
- Put heavier boxes on the bottom and smaller boxes on top
- Make sure to distribute weight evenly across the pallet
- Stagger boxes for greater stability and to prevent overhang
- Place a sheet of cardboard between certain layers for improved stability and weight distribution
The Final Touches
You must make a few final touches before you ship. The first involves applying either shrink or stretch wrap. These two types of super-elastic film can bind your products and ensure they stay secure. Whether you’re relying on wrapping machinery or wrapping by hand, make sure you use high-quality film and wrap each pallet from the bottom to the top at least three times around.
After this, you can move on to the final step in the preparation process. This involves labeling the pallets. Each pallet needs two labels—one on the side and one on the top—that feature the address and contact information of both the shipper and the consignee. After that, they’re ready to head out into the world!
