If you’re sending palletised freight, making sure your items are packed correctly is essential. A well-prepared pallet not only protects your products during transit but also ensures they arrive safely, securely and on time. In this guide, we’ll explain exactly how to prepare a pallet so you can ship with confidence.
Why It’s Important to Prepare a Pallet Properly
Incorrectly packed pallets can lead to damaged goods in transit, delivery delays, and additional costs for repacking or failed collections. By learning how to prepare a pallet correctly, you’ll reduce risk, save money and give your shipment the best chance of arriving in perfect condition.
Step 1: Choose the Right Pallet
Select a pallet that matches the size and weight of your goods. Key things to check include:
- Strength – wooden or plastic pallets should be in good condition with no cracks or broken boards
- Size – your items should not overhang the edges of the pallet
- Capacity – ensure the pallet can safely support the total weight of your load
Step 2: Stack Your Goods Securely
When stacking goods, think about stability. Place heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones on top. Keep the load as square and compact as possible. Avoid gaps between boxes to stop items shifting during transport. If you’re sending large or awkward items such as furniture or plumbing returns, secure them tightly and try to keep the load balanced.
Step 3: Protect and Wrap Your Load
Wrapping is one of the most important parts of preparing a pallet. Use stretch wrap or shrink wrap to secure items to the pallet base. Wrap from the bottom up, covering the goods several times for strength. Make sure the wrap goes over the corners of the pallet itself to keep everything tightly in place. For fragile items, add extra padding such as bubble wrap or edge protectors.
Step 4: Secure with Straps if Needed
For heavy or irregular loads, consider using strapping in addition to wrapping. Straps keep items fixed to the pallet and add an extra layer of security.
Step 5: Label Your Pallet Clearly
Finally, make sure your pallet is clearly labelled. Place the label on the outside of the stretch wrap, ensure it’s easy to read and scannable, and double-check that the delivery address and contact details are correct. Remember to add a ‘Do not stack’ label to your pallet if your items are delicate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When learning how to prepare a pallet, avoid these pitfalls
- Allowing goods to overhang the pallet edges
- Using damaged pallets
- Wrapping too loosely
- Forgetting to label the pallet clearly
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to prepare a pallet correctly makes all the difference when shipping through the Palletways network. By choosing the right pallet, stacking safely, wrapping securely and labelling properly, you’ll protect your goods and ensure they arrive in perfect condition. Whether you’re a business sending regular shipments or an individual booking a one-off pallet delivery, taking the time to prepare your pallet properly is always worth it.
Contact us if you need more information.