A shipping label acts as the package’s passport, containing all the information needed for its journey from sender to recipient. Ensuring this document remains securely affixed and legible throughout the automated sorting process and transit is necessary for timely delivery. A poorly secured label can detach or become unreadable, leading to delays, misrouting, or the package being returned to the sender. Proper preparation is the first step toward a successful shipment.
Gathering the Right Supplies
The quality of the materials used impacts the label’s longevity during shipping. Clear acrylic or hot melt adhesive packing tape is the superior choice due to its strong bond and durability against abrasion and moisture. The transparent nature of this tape allows scanning equipment to read the printed information underneath without distortion. Avoid using materials like masking tape, scotch tape, or duct tape, as they lack the necessary adhesive strength and may obscure the barcode.
Preparing the Label and Box
Before applying the label, the corrugated surface of the box must be clean and completely dry to ensure maximum tape adhesion. Any dust, moisture, or residue will compromise the bond and increase the risk of the label detaching during transit. Remove or completely cover any old shipping labels, barcodes, or hazard markings to prevent confusion in the automated sorting facility. Select a single, flat, non-creased surface on the largest side of the package as the optimal area for placement.
Step-by-Step Guide to Taping the Label
Once the label is positioned, begin the taping process by anchoring the clear packing tape onto the box surface, starting a few inches away from the label’s edge. The goal is to completely cover the entire printed document with a single, smooth layer of tape, extending the adhesive past all four edges onto the box material itself. This complete encapsulation provides maximum protection against environmental damage and accidental snagging.
To maintain optimal readability, gently smooth out the applied tape immediately after placement, ensuring there are no wrinkles, air bubbles, or creases over the barcode area. These imperfections can distort the linear light reflection used by scanners, causing a read failure. If the label is too large to cover with a single width of tape, multiple strips must be used with careful attention to the overlap.
When using multiple strips, the tape should overlap by less than a quarter of an inch, and this seam must avoid running directly over any scannable elements like the barcode or the address block. Running a seam across the barcode can interrupt the pattern and render the package unscannable. After the main body is secured, run additional short strips of tape along any exposed perimeter edges of the paper label that were not sealed in the initial pass.
Essential Tips for Shipping Label Security
After the tape is applied, perform a final inspection focusing on the scannable components of the label. The barcode and any QR code must be entirely smooth, fully visible, and free from any tape seams or heavy creases that could obstruct the scanner’s light. If the barcode is wrinkled or obscured, print and reapply a new label entirely.
For added security, consider placing a duplicate copy of the label or a note with the recipient’s address inside the box. This serves as an internal identifier should the external label become completely detached or destroyed during the shipping process. Ensure the tape has sealed the paper edges to the box, creating a moisture-resistant barrier that protects the ink from rain or condensation.