Warehouse Rack Labeling Best Practices
Highlighting the identification of racks, isles, and sections of a warehouse improves employee productivity. Even with the most elaborate digital tracking system, nothing is faster or easier than looking at a clearly marked label. When that label is equipped with a scannable barcode you have a perfect one-two punch that makes warehouse operations run smoothly. More about warehouse rack labeling.
What do I gain with good rack labeling?
New companies that venture into this industry often find answers to their labeling questions directly from label printers, designers or suppliers. The FDA has posted limited regulations on cannabis and cannabis-derived products here. Most products produced by CBD manufacturers include oil drops, creams, and lotions; these fall under FDA Supplement Label Requirements as opposed to Food Labeling Requirements.
Reduce incorrect shipments, delays.
Pick and move products faster to the right location.
Improved utilization of space
Color grabs attention and distance scannable barcodes improves productivity
Rack label type choices
Barcode Labels- 1D or 2D- These labels contain the human-readable location information and a 1D linear barcode that can be scanned for an immediate connection to a dynamic database. These labels must be printed on a synthetic label and may be pre-printed with color blocks for additional identification. If additional storage information is required beyond the capability of a 1D barcode a 2D barcode can be used. A revision of label design will be required as well as 2D imagers to read the barcodes.
LPN- License plate number (LPN) labels involve sequential barcodes for tracking moveable units. Under this approach, cartons, cases, and pallets are affixed with LPNs as soon as they arrive at warehouses. From there, critical data is inserted into the required warehouse management system to ensure that, as soon as LPNs are checked, they can be retrieved easily. This cost-effective approach is preferred for its capacity to minimize the data entry time burden. These labels are often pre-printed in large quantities by a label vendor or can be done in-house. We can manufacture LPN labels from 100’s to millions. Contact us on your LPN needs.
Magnetic- Custom magnetic labels by the sheet or roll are durable, magnetic labels that adhere and hold to metal surfaces. They can easily be removed and relocated, making it an efficient solution for inventory control across metal storage racks, shelves, and bins. Magnetic labels may be customized with barcodes, color printing and variable information. We can also provide thermal transfer magnetic labels or print magnetic labels from your file.
Metal- When your racks require rugged labeling solutions, metal labels can be affixed to pallets, the floor, or other surfaces that might prompt damage to different types of labels. These urethane-coated steel or anodized metal, are compatible with both 1D and 2D barcodes.
Cold storage- Cold warehouse environments and subzero freezers demand specialty freezer-grade adhesives, protective coatings a. Featuring protective coatings, magnet-backed labels, and freezer-grade adhesives or magnetic labels. Contact us for more information on our stock freezer labels.
Placard Labels- are very often used to identify areas or aisles. They can hang from the ceiling, rack, or be mounted in holders on end caps. Custom shapes are also used for double-sided signs. The rigged plastic material serves as a base for a retro-reflective barcode label. Their larger size (10" x 12") and the reflective material make them scannable from very long distances (65 ft. and further, depending on the scanner). We can manufacture placards with retro-reflective labels, printed from your file. A complete solution, or provide you all the supplier and hardware to do it yourself.
“Here are some more ideas from industry experts on the proper setup of labeling for your warehouse or distribution center. ”
Plan your segments
First, determine how many segments you want your location code to be before starting to assign a location numbering scheme. You may have a location with multiple segments, for example, such as:
Plan your segments. First, determine how many segments you want your location code to be before starting to assign a location numbering scheme. You may have a location with multiple segments, for example, such as:
Section or Zone - should be used to identify distinctly different sections of the warehouse. example – dry goods vs. frozen, assemblies’ vs parts, etc.
Aisle - Identify each aisle with a number. Aisles that will never number more than 99 should start with a 09-. Aisles that number up to 999 should start with 001.
Racks- are defined as units or sections of vertical racking, sometimes called "bays". Assign numbers to the racks beginning with 01 in numerical order with odd numbers on the left side and even numbers on the right side, like common house numbering.
Level or shelf - The physical limitations on building height rarely allow for more than 9 levels and should be assigned as 1 thru 9. If you have more than 9 short-height levels you should start with 01.
Position - assign numbers to each position ascending from 1 thru 9, from left to right as you face the rack. See rack label sample image- 01, Rack 02, Level 1, Position 1.
The simpler the better. The more sections you have, the larger your location code will be, requiring a longer label. Longer rack codes can also be more difficult to read and lead to more errors.
For fast and productive answers to all your questions Contact a Barcode Factory Representative
