The Complete Handbook of Shipping Tags

Chapter 1: Understanding Shipping Tags

Shipping tags are the workhorses of the logistics and inventory world, though they rarely receive credit. Think of the last time you received a package; the focus is usually on the box itself, or the packing tape, or the printed adhesive label on top. The tag, however, is a distinct piece of the ecosystem. It is a piece of paper, plastic, or card stock that is physically attached to an item, a bag, or a container. Unlike a label which has a permanent adhesive backing, a tag is usually hanging or affixed using a string, a wire, a plastic fastener, or a single spot of adhesive that is not meant to be permanent. This distinction is not pedantic; it is the core of what makes a shipping tag useful. It is designed to be seen, and more importantly, it is designed to be read.

The primary function is simple: to communicate data that is not otherwise obvious from the object itself. This data might be a destination address, a tracking number, a part number, a quantity, a lot code, or a set of handling instructions. The tag exists to bridge the gap between the physical item and the digital record. When a warehouse worker scans a barcode on a hanging tag attached to a tote of parts, they are instantly connecting that physical plastic bin to a row in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) database. When a freight carrier picks up a pallet with an