Poly mailers are lightweight, durable plastic envelopes frequently used for shipping non-fragile items like apparel and accessories. Their polyethylene construction offers effective protection against moisture and tearing, while their low weight helps minimize overall postage costs. Proper placement of the shipping label is fundamental to ensuring a package moves efficiently through automated sorting systems. An accurately placed label ensures quick scanning by carrier equipment, which prevents processing errors and avoids unnecessary delivery delays.
Best Practices for Label Placement
The ideal location for a shipping label on a flexible poly mailer is the largest, most even surface of the package. This area provides the best chance for the label to adhere smoothly and be easily visible to automated scanners. Positioning the label near the center of this flat surface helps prevent it from being obscured or damaged during handling.
The label should always be affixed horizontally, aligning the text and barcode parallel to the longest dimension of the mailer. This orientation is standard for most carrier scanning equipment and helps ensure a quick, clean scan. Ensure the entire barcode and the delivery address block are completely visible and not covered by any markings, tape, or folds.
Preparing the Poly Mailer for Label Adhesion
Before applying the label, the surface of the poly mailer must be thoroughly prepared to maximize the bond of the adhesive. Polyethylene is a low-energy surface, making a clean application area important for reliable adhesion. The surface should be completely dry and free from contaminants, such as dust or dirt, which can weaken the adhesive bond.
The mailer should be fully sealed and structurally sound before the label is placed. Ensure the self-sealing adhesive strip is pressed down firmly and that the contents are not causing wrinkles or excessive stretching of the outer plastic material. A smooth, taut surface allows the pressure-sensitive label to make maximum contact and prevents peeling during transit.
How to Properly Secure the Label
Securing the label beyond its inherent adhesive is a necessary step to protect it from the rigors of the shipping environment. Using a high-quality, pressure-sensitive label designed for shipping is the first line of defense, but supplemental protection is often recommended. Clear packing tape, not thin cellophane or masking tape, should be used to cover the entire surface of the label.
Covering the label completely with tape provides protection against smudging, moisture, and abrasion, which can render the printed text unreadable. When applying the tape, it is important to keep the surface flat, avoiding any wrinkles or air bubbles, especially over the barcode. While clear tape is permissible over a barcode, a wrinkled area can cause light refraction that confuses the scanning equipment, potentially leading to manual processing and delays. Pressing down firmly ensures a tight seal and full contact with the mailer surface.
Avoiding Common Label Placement Mistakes
One of the most frequent errors is placing the label across the mailer’s seams, folds, or edges. Because poly mailers are flexible, placing a label over a seam creates a point of weakness where the label is more likely to lift, tear, or crease when the package is handled or shifts in transit. The label should remain entirely on one flat plane to ensure maximum adhesion and readability.
Another common mistake is allowing the label to wrap around a corner or edge. This practice can distort the barcode, preventing optical scanners from reading the tracking information properly. The entire barcode, which is the machine-readable component of the label, must lie perfectly flat and unobstructed for automated sorting systems to function correctly. Applying the label to an area that is tightly stuffed or subject to stretching can cause the plastic to pull away from the adhesive. Always confirm that no part of the label obscures the return address, as this information is needed if the package is undeliverable.
What Other Information Needs to Be Visible
Beyond the primary shipping label, several other pieces of information must be clearly visible on the mailer’s exterior. The return address, which is typically integrated into the printed label, must be present and legible in the event the package cannot be delivered. If the label format does not include a return address, it should be placed in the upper left-hand corner of the same face as the main label, keeping it distinct from the delivery address.
For shipments crossing international borders, a customs form is required, which details the package contents and value. This form must be securely attached, often using a clear plastic pouch, and should be placed adjacent to the main shipping label, not covering it. Handling instructions, such as “Do Not Bend” or “Fragile,” should be written clearly in large print using a permanent marker, positioned away from the primary barcode and address fields.