Paying attention to packing in warehouses is vital for maintaining the logistics traceability of products. To achieve this, it's essential to utilize shipping labels that comply with industry standards. Paying attention to packing in warehouses is vital for maintaining the logistics traceability of products.
What is a Shipping Label?
A shipping label is a document containing all the necessary details to identify a package, enabling a carrier to transport it from its origin to its final destination. This information typically includes the sender’s and recipient’s addresses, the order tracking number, as well as the parcel’s dimensions and weight. Generally, generating a shipping label and attaching it to the exterior of the package is required to ensure it reaches its destination.
Employing digital or electronic shipping labels offers a competitive edge for businesses, particularly in e-commerce. These formats significantly enhance outbound logistics and the management of e-commerce returns.
How to Make a Shipping Label for a Package
Carriers utilize various templates, so there isn't a universal method to create a shipping label step by step. These labels must be legible for both humans and machines, which is why they often incorporate barcodes, numbers, and letter sequences. After including all the necessary information, the label is printed and affixed to the package.
Common Elements Found on Shipping Labels:
- Sender’s name and address
- Recipient’s name and address
- Barcode readable from any direction
- Route code
- Destination postal code
- Tracking number provided to the customer
- Service level
How to Generate Shipping Labels in the Warehouse
In logistics facilities, there are several methods to create shipping labels. However, the most efficient way to save time and reduce errors is by automating this step along with order processing.
One straightforward method is to generate shipping labels directly through the carrier’s website, although this requires manual entry of order details, which may not be the most efficient approach. Another option is to download a shipping label template from the carrier and save it on your computer for offline work, but this method doesn't optimize the time spent on this task.
Thus, to provide effective logistics services, many businesses depend on specialized software to automatically generate shipping labels. This module, an extension of the Easy WMS warehouse management system, automates shipment management, ensuring faster deliveries and enhanced customer satisfaction.
The program organizes and automates the processes involved in the final stage of the supply chain: order packing, labeling, and distribution. While items are being packed, the software communicates shipping information to the selected delivery agency. The system automatically generates and prints a label for each parcel, including the tracking number so customers can track their orders in real time.
How to Label Products in the Warehouse
Properly labeling goods, boxes, and pallets facilitates the quick location of items needed for each shipment, whether done manually or via RF scanners and WMS software, expediting product retrieval.
Using barcodes that can be scanned from various angles saves time and reduces physical strain on warehouse staff, as they don’t need to handle the materials to identify them. Here are the three most common types of labels:
- Barcodes: These labels fall into two main categories—one-dimensional and two-dimensional—based on their format and the information they store. One-dimensional barcodes are a straightforward solution, but if their surface is damaged, they become unreadable.
- FIRD Tags: Utilizing radio frequency identification technology, these tags allow for rapid information capture and product traceability through a signal receiver.
- E-Ink Labels: Also referred to as electronic shelf labels (ESLs), these labels are increasingly common in stores, supermarkets, and warehouses.