Having accurate labels plays a crucial role in supply chain and logistics businesses, ensuring seamless timely delivery and overall customer satisfaction. As it happens, even seemingly minor labeling errors such as using labels that don't stick properly, and failing to consider weather conditions; can have significant and drastic consequences causing issues like delayed shipment and a decrease in seller-client trust level. Therefore, it is important to understand the various shipping errors that a delivery partner may face during a shipment. Double-check all information before printing, use high-quality labels, properly format addresses, and ensure barcodes are clear and affixed well.
Few companies like Amazon have documented the true cost of shipping errors, though everyone knows the impact on customers is painful, often causing customers to never purchase from the same brand again. It also leaves a negative impact on the customer's mind hence creating a bad image of the company or logistics partners. Having wrong details on shipping labels can also become a disaster, delaying packages, ruining your company's reputation, and digging into your bottom line.
According to a report, the cost of a fulfillment or shipping error to an average business is between $38.50 and $58.50, without customer service costs. These numbers can vary depending on your average parcel shipping costs. But the most severe error not factored into this number is an error that causes you to lose a customer and their lifetime value.
Avoiding these disasters means you need to find the right tricks to innovate and streamline your shipping process. A key aspect of that is the shipping label itself. That tiny slip of paper can make or break any shipment. Use advanced technologies like RFID and QR codes for your shipping labels where shipping errors can be minimal and accuracy is improved drastically.
What Are Shipping Labels?
A shipping label is a combination of written data with barcodes and QR Codes. Sometimes these labels are RFID labels with QR codes and added information printed on the same. An RFID label is an electronic identification tag containing essential information about a package or parcel in the form of an EPC, facilitating efficient and accurate movement through the shipping and delivery process. RFID and QR Code-based shipping labels serve as a crucial communication tool between senders, recipients, and logistics providers, ensuring the proper handling and timely delivery of consignments and parcels.
How to Avoid Common Shipping Label Mistakes with RFID and QR Code?
Printer mistakes, Barcode and QR Code label quality, and human errors can give rise to errors present in a shipping label. Let’s see how to deal with potential label errors and solutions easily, ensuring a smoother delivery process. Here are a few common shipping label errors that a business might face during their operation of shipment or delivery.
1. Improper Printer Configuration or Label Size
Utilizing incorrect printer settings or an inappropriate shipping label size often results in labels that are misaligned or have important information cut off and you get a useless label production and improper label size which can further add more to the problem. Such errors can lead to significant issues, including difficulties in Barcode scanning, which is essential for an asset-tracking system.
To avoid these errors, proper printer configuration settings should be maintained according to the labels that are to be printed. Knowing accurate label size is essential before printing as accurate size labels serve proper benefits with seamless utilization. Using carrier-provided templates can prevent size-related errors. Running a few test prints can be beneficial as errors can be diagnosed in the early stage before actual printing.
2. Shipping Labels That Fail to Stick Properly
Few product labels might not stick effectively to packages due to several factors, such as poor adhesive quality, surfaces that are not clean, or the use of label materials unsuitable for the package surface. When shipping labels detach during transit, the risk of packages becoming lost or undeliverable significantly increases. It can disrupt the delivery process and negatively impact customer satisfaction.
Choosing appropriate quality labels with superior adhesive quality can reduce errors. Moreover, preparing the surface before sticking the barcode is essential for proper affixation. You can select the best quality barcode and RFID labels from ENCstore.com as we offer a range of different labels for varied applications.
3. Incorrect Information on Labels
A common mistake in shipping labels that keeps happening is the omission of key details or including incorrect information such as wrong address, improper service code, or wrong product details. Sometimes, a label may get smudged due to the use of a thermal printer with inappropriate material. These errors can cause packages to be delayed or sent to the wrong destination. In some cases, carriers may also charge extra fees for correcting or rerouting shipments.
All these errors and financial costs can be avoided by using proper barcoding solutions, these solutions help find errors and mistakes in a label before printing. Double-checking for accuracy should be done to find mistakes in the details of labels, which improves overall printing and shipment efficiency.
4. Improper Label or Barcode Placement
The placement of the label should be kept in mind to enhance its readability and operational efficiency. Placing shipping labels on edges and uneven package surfaces can compromise the label’s readability and durability. This makes it difficult to scan barcodes, which can result in delays or misdelivered shipments.
Adopting optimal placement techniques and preparing the surface before applying is essential to remove label placement issues in a shipment. Avoiding high-risk areas like edges, uneven surfaces, and corners for placing barcodes can help achieve operational efficiency.
5. Inappropriate Packaging for Weather Conditions
Every shipment needs proper packaging to safeguard the items present inside it. Failing to use waterproof or weather-resistant RFID labels or shipments exposed to elements like rain, snow, and humidity can compromise the label’s durability. Exposure to harsh weather can make labels unreadable, erasing vital shipping details and barcodes. It can hinder tracking and lead to misdeliveries, delays, or lost shipments.
The use of weather-resistant labels can help as they are specially designed to withstand weather conditions. Adding extra packaging can help create a package that can handle the bumpy roads and sudden unevenness in the journey.
Why Accuracy Matters in Shipping Labels?
Ever wondered where your package will end up if it consists of a damaged barcode? Well, the chances of it getting lost increase in such cases. As mentioned above, shipping labels serve as an essential part of the logistics and shipment ecosystem. Labels are responsible for the product’s details, origin, address of delivery, harmonized system (HS) codes, and package content. Various factors like achieving cost-efficiency and streamlined logistics are only possible once accurate shipping labels are present on the package. Using QR Code labels instead of 1D barcode labels helps in such cases as these labels can be read when slightly damaged.
When labels are accurate, they help ensure that goods are directed correctly through complex logistics networks, minimizing the chances of delays or misdirection. Cases like the risk of loss and theft can be abruptly reduced by implementing accurate shipping label techniques.
To summarize, the creation and application of shipping labels are critical components in the logistics and delivery process. It is crucial to ensure that the information on the labels is accurate, meets international standards, and is produced with good quality to prevent issues that could cause delivery delays, extra costs, or unhappy customers. From printing mistakes to misplacement of labels, every error should be mitigated to increase efficiency and achieve greater return on investments.
Please visit Encstore.com for a range of barcode and RFID labeling products. We deal in RFID scanners, printers, barcoding labels, NFC cards, antennas, etc. at industry-best rates.
Disclaimer: The information presented here is for general information purposes only and true to best of our understanding. Users are requested to use any information as per their own understanding and knowledge. Before using any of the information, please refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
