Warehouses and industrial facilities can quickly become disorganized or difficult to navigate. The solution? Having a rack labeling system can dramatically increase the efficiency of your workplace and simplify inventory management. You will need to take some time to develop a plan, it is important to think critically about the system and cover all your bases. Below we have compiled some details to consider when planning your rack labeling program.
Color Coding
When it comes to rack labels, color coding can help operators understand which label is associated with each location, or to emphasize the importance of information regarding safety, urgency, etc.
Common uses for color coding in rack labeling:
- Make labels on the same rack cross beam stand out from each other
- Quick identification of each label
- Highlight important location information (aisle, bay, position, etc.)
Bin Labeling
Rack labeling helps locate items to a certain point, but racks are huge. They often hold similar items that fit under a broad umbrella category like “gardening” or “plumbing,” but how do you find specific items that are stored in this section? Without a method to narrow down your search, you still have a waste time searching. Bin labeling solves that.
Within each larger section identified on each rack are smaller sections called bins. Bins allow workers to quick track down individual products quickly and efficiently so they can spend less time searching and more time working.
Totem Rack Labeling
This method of labeling offers a creative solution tightly-packed, upper rack positions by bringing the location barcodes for upper racks down to a ground level. The Totem Pole approach allows bar codes to be stacked and placed on a vertical post in an easy-to-scan location.
Best Totem Pole Labeling practices:
Label every location. Placing additional barcodes in the actual location of products make special circumstances like audits or inventories easier.
Include levels on totem pole labels. This makes scanning consistent through your warehouse and makes locating products on shelves even easier.
Preprinted labels vs. Printing labels in-house
A common question people have when creating rack labeling is, well, how do we get these things? Do we buy them? Make them? What should we do?
There are advantages to both options, but when it comes to rack labeling, having the flexibility to print on-demand labels to your specific needs makes printing in- house the most practical and cost-efficient choice.
With In-house printing:
- Barcode labels can be printed in small batches with no minimum order requirements
- Labels are printed in real-time with product-sensitive data
- Flexibility to customize labels independently with whatever specs fit your needs
- Can easily create replacement labels without having to wait for the mail
- Gives you the ability to print other visual communication tools like OSHA-compliant signs
To do rack labeling sufficiently and cost-effectively, an industrial printer is the right choice.
With the right tools and a solid organizational system, you can tackle your rack labeling job with confidence. A few final reminders before developing your system:
- Plan ahead before implementing a label system.
- Use a barcode system to help with inventory and organization
- Be consistent with labeling and signs so new, as well as experienced workers know what to expect for navigation and identification.
- Label everything. Communication is the best way to avoid confusion.
- Invest in a good quality label printer and supplies.
- Remember that floor and aisle signs are part of rack labeling.
Additional Resources
- Rack Labeling– creativesafetysupply.com
- Managing Inventory with Rack Labels– blog.creativesafetysupply.com
- What is Rack Labeling?– hiplogic.com
- DIY Workplace Labels – Make These 8 Types Yourself– creativesafetypublishing.com
- A Guide to GHS Labels– iecieeechallenge.org
- Pipe Labels – In house vs pre-made– safetyblognews.com
- How to Create Custom, Durable Labels– thermalboss.com
- Creating Arc Flash Labels– babelplex.com
- Exploring Different Types of Floor Marking– facilityfloormarking.com