Packaging Corner: Streamline packing slip insertion and label application

With the exponential growth of e-commerce—and the corresponding explosion of one- and two-line item shipments—retailers and third-party logistics providers are looking to automate and streamline packing slip insertion and label application for a significant throughput boost, says Rick Fox, president and CEO of FOX IV Technologies.

“For 95% of operations, adding labels and packing slips is a manual process,” he explains. “They’re either placing the 8.5 x 11-inch packing slip into the box or are folding it into quarters and inserting it into a plastic, adhesive-backed sleeve affixed by hand to the carton.”

Transitioning to automated label printer applicators converts a process that might take a worker 30 seconds per package to rates as high as 17 packages per minute. That’s because the worker has to verify that the items in the package match the packing list and the shipping label before manually adding each.

Conversely, print-and-apply machines imprint and affix shipping labels to cartons or pouches using a pneumatic or electric cylinder to actuate a pad that presses it onto the package. While automation can be added to simultaneously print and drop a full-size packing slip into an open carton, many operations are moving to equipment that combines the label and packing slip into a single unit.

FOX IV’s TwinPrint system uses two print heads to mark the shipping information and a confidential packing slip on one label. The liner is die cut so a portion remains when the outer perimeter is peeled off for application. Tamper-evident, the packing slip is accessible with a perforated zipper strip.

TwinPrint Table Top Packing Slip/Shipping Label for Printer Video

“Companies ask about redesigning their packing slip from an 8.5 x 11-inch sheet to a 4 x 6-inch standard label space,” Fox says. “The TwinPrint can print up to 30 items on the liner, but with most e-commerce orders only being one or two items, it’s ultimately not an issue.”

It’s also more convenient for recipients and internal operations, saving time and cost while boosting sustainability, he adds. “By repurposing the liner, we cut the label waste by as much as 70%, plus eliminate plastic packing slip pouches and the 8.5 x 11-inch paper.”

Software ensures that the shipping address matches the order information, he adds. “The system is designed to not print the label and pack slip until both print heads have the data.”