HOW TO AFFIX SHIPPING LABELS ON PARCELS : USEFUL TIPS

A significant stage after production of goods or their procurement is the preparation for their shipping or to dispatch them to the customers. This involves labeling, packaging, packing and marking. Labeling requirements differ from country to country and the same should be ascertained well in advance from the buyer. shipping becomes important since that is what gives the first impression of your company but also can gain customer’s trust in the company. This is why it is extremely important that the whole procedure is followed through to the end to ensure a smooth delivery. A properly attached shipping label will guarantee the smooth service. A shipping label includes the name and address of the Shipper and the Recipient both. It also includes a barcode for the shipping company to scan.

Packaging and Labeling of product

Unquestionably, shipping labels play a crucial role in the entire delivery process that may or may not be as obvious. A shipping label firstly indicates where the package is to be delivered and where it is being shipped from, but it also enables  the customers to get in touch with the shipping company so that they can inquire further about their parcel, lodge a complaint if they’re dissatisfied, or even send  in a good word about the company if they’re happy with the service. Simply put, this is one way through which a company can provide their clients with customer support since all the necessary contact information is printed on the label.

Let's presume that now you have securely packaged your parcel, ensuring you have used the correct size box for your product, sealed it using the right tapes and adhesives properly & it's ready to head to the destination. But hold on, as the checklist is still incomplete. Because now comes the labeling part.

Below are some useful tips that will avoid problems at the time of delivery.

• Pack the box with the items you want to ship.
• Tape the box closed. Ensure no part of the box is left open.
• Create and print off a shipping label which is provided by the courier partner. The label that you attach to your parcel must have accurate information.
• This includes the sender’s name, address details, postcode and phone number. Those same   details need to be visible alongside the barcodes. If the package is going to another country, add the country name after the city, Zip code, and state. 
• Remove or erase any old addresses or labels on the outside of the box. Because this will create confusions for the courier company in delivering the package.
• Don’t forget to include your return address.
• Place the label on the center of the package.
• Attach all barcoded shipping labels on a completely flat surface on the exterior of the package.
• Ensure your computer printer has an adequate supply of ink or toner to make sure barcodes are clearly printed.
• Please check the barcodes before fixing to avoid wrinkles.

Don’ts Of labeling.

• Do not cover the tapes on the labels and the barcodes.
• Make sure to avoid wrapping labels around the packages corner, edge or seam. chances of the shipping label ripping apart are high.
• The bar codes should be clearly visible, and should not be wrinkled, creased, folded or placed on the parcels in a manner that may make it difficult to scan or read.

Ways to affix shipping label on carton boxes

BEST PRACTICE OF POSITIONING SHIPPING LABELS

We need to understand the proper positioning of shipping labels since this point also contributes to the smooth delivery of the parcel. Before shipping, it is advised to the shipper to understand how barcode scanners function. The best position for a shipping label is at a 90-degree angle to the light emitted by the scanner. In simple words, the label needs to be perpendicular with respect to the source of light and it has to avoid corners or edges since scanners will not be able to read the codes.

Ways to affix shipping label on different shapes product

Just for instance, if the packaging of the product is cylindrical, then the best way to position the label would be horizontal with the cylindrical package lying down. That way, the barcode would be readable to the scanner. Else if the label is placed vertically on the package, then the tube’s curvature would make it almost impossible for the scanner to scan the barcode or to read the tracking number. Therefore, in the case of cylindrical or tube-like packages, one needs to be very careful when placing the labels.

So, tube packaging is not as common as normal rectangular boxes or cartons. While positioning the shipping or barcoded label, ensure that it doesn’t bend around the corners, again, just like with the vertical placement of the label on tube packages, it would be difficult to scan the barcode. Another thing to be very careful about is avoiding the seams of the package, that is basically because if the barcode is positioned on the seams, the jostling and moving around of the package during the journey of the shipment may cause the edges to tear apart, which, in turn, may cause the barcode to rip apart as well. Certainly, the ripped apart barcode will not be readable anymore. And the shipment may be misplaced or misrouted or lost.

Finally, it is recommended to all the shippers/sellers to follow the best practices of labeling and packaging which will ensure the guaranteed delivery of the products and undoubtedly will bring back happy & satisfied customers to your doorstep.