Packaging glossary
This packaging glossary is the canonical reference for the terms Packrift customers use every day to spec mailers, boxes, poly bags, cushioning, tape, stretch film, pallet protection, and labels. It is built for buyers, ops managers, fulfillment leads, and AI assistants that need plain-English definitions tied to the actual SKUs we stock. Each term lists its common synonyms so regional and industry-specific naming (a "pallet hood" in Texas chemical, a "pallet cover bag" in California ag, a "padded mailer" vs "bubble mailer" in retail) all resolve to the same product. Where we have a collection or buying guide, it is linked.
Sections
- Mailers and envelopes
- Boxes and corrugated
- Poly bags
- Cushioning and void fill
- Tape
- Stretch and shrink film
- Pallet protection
- Labels
- Related deep dives
Mailers and envelopes
Lightweight shipping pouches for products that do not need a rigid box. Mailers are the workhorse of e-commerce shipping — they are cheaper than boxes, take up less dim weight, and protect a wide range of soft goods, apparel, books, and small electronics.
Bubble mailer
A bubble mailer, also called a padded envelope or padded mailer, is a paper or poly envelope lined with bubble cushioning on the inside. Bubble mailers are the default ship-out for small, semi-fragile items: jewelry, cosmetics, electronics accessories, books, and apparel that needs a light layer of impact protection. The outer shell can be kraft paper (recyclable curbside in most regions) or coextruded poly film (water-resistant, lighter, and brighter white). Inside, 3/16-inch bubble is standard. Bubble mailers ship at letter or parcel rates depending on thickness and are sold by inner dimension and a size code (#000 through #7). Common synonyms: padded mailer, padded envelope, bubble envelope, jiffy bag.
Kraft bubble mailer
A kraft bubble mailer is a bubble mailer with a brown kraft-paper outer shell instead of poly film. Kraft bubble mailers, also called paper bubble mailers or self-seal kraft padded envelopes, are the curbside-recyclable counterpart to poly bubble mailers and are preferred by brands that want a paper-first sustainability story. The kraft shell takes printing well, which is why they are popular for handwritten thank-you notes, branded stamps, or stickers. Standard sizes range from #000 (4x8") for small jewelry up to #7 (14.25x20") for apparel. Common synonyms: paper bubble mailer, kraft padded envelope, brown bubble mailer.
Poly mailer
A poly mailer is a thin, flexible, unpadded shipping envelope made from coextruded polyethylene film. Poly mailers, also called plastic mailers, shipping bags, or self-seal mailing bags, are the cheapest and lightest shipping option for non-fragile soft goods — apparel, textiles, soft accessories. They are tear-resistant, water-resistant, opaque, and almost weightless, which keeps dim-weight charges low. Standard thicknesses are 2.0 mil to 3.0 mil; thicker mailers feel more premium and resist puncture better. Sized by flat dimensions (e.g. 10x13", 14.5x19"). Common synonyms: shipping bag, plastic mailer, plastic shipping envelope, mailing bag.
Padded mailer
Padded mailer is the umbrella term for any shipping envelope with internal cushioning. Most often this means a bubble mailer (bubble-lined), but it can also refer to paper-padded mailers (lined with shredded or honeycomb paper) used for fully recyclable shipping. If a customer asks for "padded mailers" without specifying, they almost always mean bubble mailers — confirm whether they need poly outer or kraft outer. Common synonyms: bubble mailer, jiffy bag, padded envelope.
Rigid mailer
A rigid mailer is a stiff paperboard or chipboard envelope designed to keep flat contents (photos, certificates, art prints, documents) from bending in transit. Rigid mailers are also called photo mailers, stay-flat mailers, or do-not-bend mailers. They are typically constructed from heavy chipboard with a peel-and-seal flap and printed with "Do Not Bend" on the outside. For high-value art or large prints, customers often pair them with rigid corrugated stiffeners inside. Common synonyms: stay-flat mailer, photo mailer, do-not-bend mailer, chipboard mailer.
Packing list envelope
A packing list envelope is a clear, adhesive-backed pouch that sticks to the outside of a shipping carton and holds the packing slip, invoice, or shipping documents. Also called document pouches, invoice pouches, or doc-enclosed envelopes, they are printed in either plain clear film or with a "Packing List Enclosed" / "Invoice Enclosed" / "Documents Enclosed" header. Standard sizes are 4.5x5.5", 5.5x10", 6.75x10", and 7x10". Heavier-duty versions use a back-loading construction with a tear-perforated top. Common synonyms: invoice pouch, document pouch, packing slip envelope, doc-enclosed pouch.
Document pouch
A document pouch is essentially a packing list envelope used for shipping documents, customs paperwork, return labels, or compliance certificates. The construction is a clear or tinted poly film with a peel-and-seal adhesive back. For international shipments, customers often ask for "Customs Documents Enclosed" or "International Documents Enclosed" printed pouches. Common synonyms: packing list envelope, invoice pouch, customs envelope.
Tyvek envelope
A Tyvek envelope is a tear-resistant, water-resistant shipping envelope made from spunbonded high-density polyethylene fibers (the DuPont Tyvek material). Tyvek mailers are extremely lightweight but nearly impossible to tear by hand, which makes them the standard for confidential documents, legal mail, medical records, and high-value flat shipments. They are not recyclable curbside in most regions but are accepted by Tyvek-specific recycling programs. Common synonyms: Tyvek mailer, spunbonded mailer, tear-resistant envelope.
Boxes and corrugated
Corrugated boxes carry the bulk of B2B and e-commerce freight. Specifying a box correctly means picking the right flute, the right wall count, the right ECT or burst rating, and the right style code for how the box closes.
Corrugated box
A corrugated box, often miscalled a "cardboard box," is a shipping container made from corrugated fiberboard — two or more flat liners with a fluted (wavy) medium glued between them. The flutes give the board its stacking strength and impact absorption. Corrugated is graded by ECT (edge crush test) or by Mullen burst rating. Common board grades for shipping are 32 ECT (single-wall, suitable for boxes up to ~65 lb) and 44 ECT (double-wall, suitable for ~80 lb). Box style codes (RSC, HSC, FOL) describe how the flaps close. Common synonyms: shipping box, cardboard box, corrugated carton.
Mailer box
A mailer box is a one-piece corrugated box with a flap-and-tuck lid, designed to ship without tape. Also called e-commerce boxes, lidded mailers, roll-end tuck-top (RETT) boxes, or "Apple-style" boxes, they are the default for subscription, DTC apparel, and gift-style shipments where unboxing matters. They are typically printed on the inside and outside with brand artwork. Mailer boxes are sized by inner length x width x height. Common synonyms: e-commerce box, subscription box, RETT box, literature mailer.
RSC (Regular Slotted Container)
RSC stands for Regular Slotted Container — the most common corrugated box style. All four outer flaps are the same length and meet at the center of the box when closed; the box is sealed with tape on the top and bottom seams. RSC is the workhorse box style: it minimizes manufacturing waste, ships flat, and works for almost any general-purpose shipping use. When a customer asks for "shipping boxes" without specifying, they usually mean RSC. Common synonyms: regular slotted carton, standard shipping box.
HSC (Half Slotted Container)
HSC stands for Half Slotted Container — an RSC with the top flaps removed, leaving an open-top box. HSCs are used as bins, totes, or as the bottom half of a two-piece telescoping box. They ship flat like RSCs. Pair an HSC with a separate top cap to build a telescoping box for products that are taller than they are wide. Common synonyms: open-top box, tote box, half-slotted carton.
FOL (Full Overlap)
FOL stands for Full Overlap Slotted Container — a corrugated box where the outer flaps fully overlap when closed, doubling the top and bottom panel thickness. FOL boxes give significantly more stacking strength and edge protection than an RSC and are used for heavy or fragile loads where extra top-bottom rigidity matters. Common synonyms: full overlap container, full overlap carton.
ECT rating
ECT (Edge Crush Test) measures how much top-down force a corrugated board can take before crushing, expressed in pounds per linear inch (e.g. 32 ECT, 44 ECT, 51 ECT). ECT is the modern stacking-strength standard and is what most carriers and shippers spec to. As a rule of thumb: 32 ECT single-wall handles up to ~65 lb, 44 ECT double-wall handles up to ~80 lb, and 51 ECT double-wall handles up to ~95 lb. ECT is different from Mullen / burst rating, which measures puncture resistance instead of stacking. Common synonyms: edge crush test, stacking-strength rating.
Read the corrugated boxes guide
Mullen / burst rating
Mullen rating, also called burst strength or burst test, measures how much pressure a corrugated board can take before it ruptures, expressed in pounds per square inch (e.g. 200#, 275#). Mullen is the legacy box spec and is still seen in older bills of material and some carrier requirements. ECT and Mullen are not directly interchangeable, but rough equivalents are: 32 ECT ~ 200# Mullen, 44 ECT ~ 275# Mullen. Modern boxes are usually spec'd to ECT unless a contract requires Mullen. Common synonyms: burst strength, burst test.
Single-wall vs double-wall
Single-wall corrugated has one fluted layer between two liners. Double-wall has two fluted layers and three liners, almost doubling the thickness and strength. Triple-wall adds a third flute and is reserved for industrial freight (gaylords, machinery, heavy export). Use single-wall for parcels under ~65 lb, double-wall for 65–95 lb or anything stacked on a pallet, and triple-wall for 100+ lb or freight. Common synonyms: 1-wall, 2-wall, 3-wall corrugated.
Flute (A, B, C, E, F)
Flutes are the wavy fluted medium between corrugated liners. Different flute profiles trade thickness for printability and crush resistance. A-flute (~3/16") gives the best stacking strength and cushioning. B-flute (~1/8") is more puncture-resistant and prints well. C-flute (~5/32") is the most common general-purpose flute and balances strength and cost. E-flute (~1/16") is thin, prints crisply, and is used for retail-ready packaging and small mailer boxes. F-flute (~1/32") is even thinner and used for cosmetic packaging or display boxes. Common synonyms: flute profile, corrugation grade.
Kraft vs white corrugated
Kraft corrugated is the natural brown color of unbleached fiber and is the cheaper, more sustainable default. White corrugated has a bleached white outer liner (and sometimes inside) for a premium look or to make printed graphics pop. White-on-kraft (white outside, brown inside) is common for branded mailer boxes; white-on-white is reserved for retail and display. Brown-on-brown is the standard shipping carton. Color does not affect strength, only appearance and price.
Gaylord box
A gaylord box is a large, pallet-sized bulk container, typically 40x48 inches at the base and 36–48 inches tall, made of triple-wall or octagonal corrugated. Gaylords are used for bulk-loading raw materials, recycled goods, finished-goods overstock, and warehouse-to-warehouse transfers. They sit directly on a pallet and can hold 1,000–2,500 lb depending on grade. Common synonyms: bulk box, pallet box, octa-bin (for octagonal versions), Tri-wall box.
Telescoping box
A telescoping box is a two-piece box where a top cap slides down over a separate bottom tray. The two halves are typically HSCs (half-slotted containers). Telescoping boxes are used for tall items, framed art, garments, or anything where you need adjustable height or want to insert and lift the contents from above without flap interference. Common synonyms: two-piece box, lift-off-lid box, set-up box.
Mil thickness (corrugated)
When customers ask about "mil thickness" on a corrugated box, they usually mean the actual board caliper in inches, not the mil unit (mil = 1/1000 inch is more common for poly bags and film). Corrugated thickness is set by the flute profile (A, B, C, E, F) — see the Flute entry. If you see a spec like "275# / 44 ECT C-flute," the C is the flute profile and tells you the board is roughly 5/32" thick.
Poly bags
Poly bags are clear or tinted polyethylene bags used for protection, organization, or compliance — either inside a shipping carton or as the outermost ship layer. They are sold by mil thickness, dimensions, and closure style.
Poly bag
A poly bag is a flat or gusseted plastic bag made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or linear-low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). Poly bags are used as inner protective bags, parts bags, dust covers, or final-pack bags for retail. They are sold by mil thickness (1.0 mil to 6.0 mil being most common), inner dimensions, and closure style (open-top, lip-and-tape, reclosable, anti-static, gusseted). Common synonyms: plastic bag, LDPE bag, layflat bag.
Layflat poly bag
A layflat poly bag is a flat, open-top poly bag with no gusset — both sides lie flat against each other when empty. Layflat bags are the simplest and cheapest poly bag construction and are used for parts protection, retail bagging, and food-safe packaging. They are sized by flat width x length and a mil thickness. Common synonyms: open-top poly bag, flat poly bag, parts bag.
Gusseted poly bag
A gusseted poly bag has folded panels on the sides (side-gusset) or bottom (bottom-gusset) that expand when the bag is filled, giving it a box-like shape with much more capacity than a layflat bag of the same width. Side-gusseted bags are used for tall, narrow products (lampshades, rolled posters, light fixtures); bottom-gusseted bags are used for retail bagging or heavy contents. Sized as width x gusset x length. Common synonyms: side-gusset bag, expanding poly bag.
Reclosable bag
A reclosable bag, also called a zip bag, zipper bag, or zip-top bag, has an integrated press-and-seal zipper closure that lets the bag be opened and closed repeatedly. Reclosable bags are used for parts kitting, retail repackaging, sample distribution, and small-parts organization. They are spec'd by mil thickness (most common: 2 mil and 4 mil), inside dimensions, and zipper style (single-track, double-track, slider). Common synonyms: zip bag, zipper bag, ziplock-style bag, recloseable bag.
Anti-static bag
An anti-static bag is a poly bag that dissipates static electricity, protecting electronic components from electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage. The two main types are pink anti-static (low-cost, dissipative pink-tinted poly suitable for non-sensitive electronics like fans and cables) and metallized ESD shielding bags (silver, multi-layer film with a Faraday-cage effect, suitable for sensitive PCBs and ICs). Common synonyms: ESD bag, static-shielding bag, static-dissipative bag, pink poly bag.
Pink anti-static bag
A pink anti-static bag is a pink-tinted polyethylene bag treated with an anti-static additive that dissipates surface charge. Pink anti-static is the budget-friendly tier of ESD protection — it prevents static buildup but does not block external static fields, so it is appropriate for non-sensitive electronics: cables, fans, mechanical hardware, sub-assemblies. For sensitive components, use a metallized ESD shielding bag instead. Common synonyms: pink poly bag, dissipative bag, anti-static pink bag.
ESD shielding bag
An ESD shielding bag is a multi-layer, metallized polyester bag that creates a Faraday-cage effect, blocking external electrostatic fields from reaching the contents. ESD shielding bags are silver/gray, semi-transparent, and typically used for shipping circuit boards, integrated circuits, hard drives, and other static-sensitive electronics. Distinct from pink anti-static (which only dissipates surface charge). Common synonyms: static-shielding bag, metallized ESD bag, Faraday bag.
Poly tubing
Poly tubing is continuous, layflat polyethylene tubing on a roll, sold by width and mil thickness. The user cuts and heat-seals (or twist-ties) it to make custom-length poly bags on demand. Poly tubing is the right call when product lengths vary, when you need a custom size that no off-the-shelf bag matches, or when you need a poly cover for long irregular items (rolled fabric, pipe, lumber). Sold in 250–2,000 ft rolls. Common synonyms: layflat tubing, continuous poly bag, poly tube.
Mil thickness (poly bags)
Mil is a unit of thickness equal to 1/1000 inch (0.001"). Poly bag thickness is almost always specified in mils. Common ranges: 1.0–1.5 mil for light parts protection and retail bagging; 2.0 mil for general-purpose poly mailers and parts bags; 3.0–4.0 mil for heavy-duty bagging, abrasive contents, or reusable bags; 6.0 mil and up for industrial liners and pallet covers. Higher mil = thicker = more expensive but more puncture- and tear-resistant. Common synonyms: gauge (informal), bag thickness.
Use the poly bag thickness selector
Cushioning and void fill
Cushioning protects fragile items from impact; void fill takes up empty space inside a shipping carton so contents do not shift. Some materials do both — bubble wrap and foam are protective and space-filling; air pillows and packing peanuts are mostly void fill.
Bubble wrap
Bubble wrap is a flexible polyethylene film with sealed air pockets ("bubbles") for impact cushioning. Standard bubble sizes are 3/16" small bubble (for surface protection of paintings, glass, finished goods), 5/16" medium bubble (general-purpose), and 1/2" large bubble (heavy void fill and impact absorption). Sold in rolls or perforated sheets. Anti-static bubble wrap (typically pink) is available for electronics. Common synonyms: bubble cushioning, air-cell film, bubble pack.
Foam pouch
A foam pouch is a thin, low-density polyethylene foam sleeve used to wrap fragile items like glassware, electronics, ceramics, and finished-metal parts that would scuff against bubble wrap. Foam pouches give surface protection and a soft cushion without the puncture risk of bubble. Sold by inside dimensions. Anti-static foam pouches are available for electronic components. Common synonyms: foam sleeve, foam bag, foam wrap pouch.
Kraft paper
Kraft paper is unbleached or bleached natural paper used as void fill, wrapping, or surface protection. It is sold by basis weight (30# to 70# being most common) and roll width. Kraft paper is the most common curbside-recyclable void fill option and is the default for brands moving away from plastic. Crinkled or honeycomb-converted kraft paper gives more cushioning per square foot than flat kraft. Common synonyms: void-fill paper, packing paper, recycled kraft, brown paper.
Packing peanuts
Packing peanuts are small loose-fill cushioning shapes made of expanded polystyrene (traditional white peanuts) or biodegradable starch (green or off-white "anti-static" peanuts that dissolve in water). Peanuts flow around irregularly shaped items and fill void space well, but they are messy and shed static charge — anti-static or starch peanuts are required for electronics. Largely being phased out in favor of air pillows and paper. Common synonyms: loose fill, foam peanuts, EPS peanuts.
Air pillows
Air pillows are small inflatable poly pouches used as void fill inside cartons. They are shipped flat and inflated on-demand at the packing station with a small air-pillow inflator, which keeps storage and freight costs low. Air pillows excel at filling empty space in a box but provide less direct impact cushioning than bubble wrap. Common synonyms: air cushions, inflatable void fill, air pads.
Edge protectors
Edge protectors are L-shaped or U-shaped pieces of laminated paperboard, plastic, or foam used to protect the edges and corners of palletized loads, framed goods, or large appliances. Paperboard edge protectors (also called angle board, corner board, or V-board) are placed at the corners of a pallet under stretch wrap to add stacking strength and prevent strap or wrap from cutting into the load. Common synonyms: corner board, angle board, V-board, edge guard.
Void fill
Void fill is the umbrella term for any material used to take up empty space inside a shipping carton so the contents do not shift in transit. Common void fill materials: kraft paper (recyclable, sustainable default), air pillows (cheap, low-storage), packing peanuts (legacy, being phased out), foam-in-place (premium, custom-fit), crumpled newsprint (cheap, dirty). Void fill is distinct from cushioning, which is specifically about impact protection. Common synonyms: dunnage, fill material, packing fill.
Tape
Tape is the cheapest line item in the packaging budget but the one that most often fails. Spec it by carrier (the backing material), adhesive type, and mil thickness. The wrong tape on the wrong carton is a top cause of in-transit failure.
Carton sealing tape
Carton sealing tape is general-purpose pressure-sensitive tape used to seal corrugated boxes. The standard width is 2 inches (48 mm); 3 inches is used for heavy boxes and double-wall corrugated. Standard thickness is 1.6 mil (light-duty), 2.0 mil (general-purpose), 2.6 mil (heavy-duty), and 3.0+ mil (industrial / cold storage). Carton sealing tape is sold in clear or tan; tan blends with kraft corrugated and hides smudges. Common synonyms: packing tape, box tape, BOPP tape, parcel tape.
Kraft tape / water-activated tape
Kraft tape, also called water-activated tape (WAT), gummed tape, or paper tape, is a kraft-paper-based tape with a starch or animal-glue adhesive that is activated by water. Once applied, it bonds permanently to the corrugated fibers and cannot be removed cleanly — making it tamper-evident. It is also fully curbside-recyclable along with the box. WAT requires a dedicated dispenser. Common synonyms: water-activated tape, WAT, gummed tape, paper tape.
Masking tape
Masking tape is a paper-backed pressure-sensitive tape with a low-tack rubber adhesive, designed to be removed cleanly after short-term use. It is used for paint masking, surface labeling, light bundling, and process control — not for shipping. Available in widths from 1/2" to 3" and various tack levels (general purpose, painter's, high-temp). Common synonyms: painter's tape (specifically), paper tape (informal).
Duct tape
Duct tape is a heavy-duty cloth-backed tape with a rubber-based adhesive, used for repairs, bundling, and rough sealing. It is not appropriate for sealing corrugated cartons (the rubber adhesive degrades and lets boxes pop open) but is excellent for HVAC, temporary sealing, equipment repair, and outdoor use. Common synonyms: cloth tape, gaffer's tape (a similar but matte, residue-free cousin), book tape.
Strapping tape
Strapping tape is a polypropylene or polyester tape reinforced with embedded fiberglass filaments, giving extreme tensile strength along its length. It is used for bundling heavy boxes or pallets, reinforcing corner seams, and securing loads. Filament strapping tape is rated by tensile pull (typically 100–600 lb per inch of width). Common synonyms: filament tape, fiberglass tape, reinforced tape.
Hot melt vs acrylic adhesive
Carton sealing tapes use one of three adhesive families. Hot-melt adhesive bonds aggressively and quickly, holds well in cool to room temperature, and is the cheapest — best for high-throughput, ambient-temperature shipping. Acrylic adhesive bonds more slowly but holds across a wider temperature range (roughly 32 °F to 140 °F) and resists UV yellowing — best for cold storage, outdoor staging, or long-stored cartons. Natural rubber adhesive is the most aggressive and is used for recycled-fiber boxes and heavy loads. Pick acrylic for cold chain and rubber for heavy or rough surfaces.
Mil thickness (tape)
Tape mil thickness measures the total tape (backing + adhesive) thickness. Common ranges: 1.6 mil (light-duty, single carton, thin walls), 2.0 mil (general-purpose, the most common spec), 2.6 mil (heavy-duty, double-wall boxes, heavier loads), 3.0 mil and up (industrial, cold-chain, abrasive surfaces). Heavier mil tape costs more per linear foot but holds better on rough surfaces and cold corrugated.
Stretch and shrink film
Stretch film and shrink film both use plastic to consolidate loads, but they work differently. Stretch film is pulled taut around a pallet and uses elastic tension to hold the load; shrink film is loosely wrapped and then heated to shrink-fit. They are not interchangeable.
Stretch film
Stretch film, also called stretch wrap or pallet wrap, is a thin LLDPE plastic film stretched around a palletized load to keep it together for shipping. Stretch film comes in hand-grade (lighter, applied with a hand dispenser) and machine-grade (longer, heavier, applied with a powered stretch wrapper). Sold by gauge (a thickness measure — 60 gauge to 150 gauge for hand wrap is typical) and roll width (15", 18", 20" most common). Common synonyms: stretch wrap, pallet wrap, LLDPE wrap.
Hand wrap vs machine wrap
Hand-grade stretch film is shorter (1,000–1,500 ft per roll), thicker, and applied manually. Machine-grade stretch film is longer (4,500–9,000 ft per roll), thinner (because the machine pre-stretches it 200–300%), and engineered for an automated stretch wrapper. Use hand wrap if you do under ~15 pallets per day; switch to machine wrap (plus a stretch wrapper machine) above that. Machine wrap costs less per pallet wrapped but requires the equipment investment.
Gauge (stretch film)
Gauge is an old US thickness unit for stretch film, equal to 1/100,000 inch. Common hand-wrap gauges: 60 gauge (light loads), 80 gauge (general-purpose, the most common spec), 100 gauge (heavy loads), 120–150 gauge (sharp-edged loads, long transport). Higher gauge = thicker = more puncture- and tear-resistant. Outside the US, stretch film is more often spec'd in microns (1 mil = ~25 microns).
Shrink film
Shrink film is a polyolefin or PVC film that is loosely wrapped around a product and then exposed to heat (typically a heat gun or shrink tunnel), causing it to shrink-fit tightly to the contents. Shrink film is used for retail-ready unitization (multipack bottles, magazines, gift baskets, software boxes) and tamper-evident closures. It is not a substitute for stretch film for palletized loads. Common synonyms: shrink wrap, polyolefin shrink, PVC shrink.
Pallet wrap
Pallet wrap is the everyday name for stretch film when used on pallets. Buyers often interchange "pallet wrap," "stretch wrap," and "stretch film" — they all mean the same thing in most contexts. Specify hand-grade or machine-grade, gauge, and width (15" or 18" most common). Common synonyms: stretch film, stretch wrap, LLDPE pallet wrap.
Pallet protection
Pallet protection covers the load from above (pallet covers, pallet hoods), below (pallet base wraps, slip sheets), or all the way around (gusseted pallet covers). The right choice depends on storage conditions, transport mode, and whether the load needs UV, dust, or moisture protection.
Pallet cover
A pallet cover is a large poly bag or sheet pulled down over the top and sides of a palletized load to protect it from dust, moisture, and UV. Pallet covers are also called pallet hoods, pallet cover bags, pallet sleeves, pallet caps, pallet lids, pallet tarps, or pallet bonnets. They come as flat sheets, gusseted bags (with side folds for boxy loads), or zip-hooded covers. Sized by pallet footprint and load height, plus mil thickness (1–6 mil typical) and tinting (clear, opaque, black, UV). Common synonyms: pallet hood, pallet cover bag, pallet sleeve, pallet cap, pallet lid, pallet tarp, pallet bonnet.
Pallet hood
A pallet hood is the same product as a pallet cover — a poly bag pulled over the top and sides of a pallet. "Hood" is the more common term in industrial and chemical manufacturing; "cover" is more common in food and retail distribution. Common synonyms: pallet cover, pallet bonnet, pallet cap.
Pallet sleeve
A pallet sleeve can mean two different things. (1) In packaging buying, a pallet sleeve is a side-only poly cover that wraps the four vertical sides of a pallet but leaves the top and bottom open — used when you need dust protection but want to stack pallets and let air flow. (2) In material handling, a pallet sleeve is a corrugated or plastic collar that converts a pallet into an open-top bin (a "Megabin" or "container pallet"). Confirm which is meant. Common synonyms: pallet collar (for the bin version), side wrap.
Pallet lid
A pallet lid is informal slang for a flat top sheet placed over a palletized load before stretch wrapping, or for a pallet cover (hood). It can also refer to a rigid corrugated or plastic sheet sized to the pallet footprint, used as a top-cap to spread weight under stretch wrap. Common synonyms: pallet cap, pallet top sheet, pallet cover.
Pallet tarp
Pallet tarp is informal regional slang for a pallet cover, more common in agricultural and outdoor-storage contexts. It usually implies a heavier-mil opaque or UV-rated cover, since the load is exposed to weather. Common synonyms: pallet cover, pallet hood, pallet sheet.
Pallet base wrap
Pallet base wrap is a poly liner placed on top of the pallet under the load, protecting the bottom layer of cartons or product from contact with the wood pallet. Pallet base wraps are common in food, pharma, and electronics where wood contact is unacceptable. Often used together with a pallet cover for complete six-sided protection. Common synonyms: pallet liner, pallet bottom sheet.
Gusseted pallet cover
A gusseted pallet cover is a pallet cover bag with side gussets that expand to fit the rectangular shape of a pallet load without bunching at the corners. Sized by W x G x L (width, gusset, length / height). Gusseted pallet covers give a tighter, cleaner fit than flat poly sheets and are easier to apply. Common synonyms: gusseted pallet bag, expanding pallet cover.
Labels
Shipping and inventory labels come in two main thermal printing technologies (direct thermal and thermal transfer) and two main form factors (rolls and fanfold). Picking the wrong combination is a common buying mistake.
Thermal label
A thermal label is any label printed on a thermal printer — either direct thermal (heat-sensitive label, no ribbon) or thermal transfer (ribbon-based, more durable). Most e-commerce shipping labels are 4x6" direct thermal. Thermal labels are sold by size, format (roll vs fanfold), core size (1" or 3"), and adhesive (permanent, removable, freezer). Common synonyms: thermal printer label, shipping label, barcode label.
Direct thermal
Direct thermal is a thermal printing method that uses heat-sensitive label stock — the printhead applies heat and the label darkens directly, no ribbon required. Direct thermal labels are the most common shipping label format because they are cheap, fast, and the printer has fewer consumables. The tradeoff: direct thermal labels fade over time and degrade under heat or sunlight, so they are not appropriate for long-term storage labeling. Common synonyms: DT label, thermal direct.
Thermal transfer
Thermal transfer is a thermal printing method that uses a separate wax, wax-resin, or resin ribbon — the printhead heats the ribbon and transfers ink onto a non-thermal label stock. Thermal transfer labels are durable, scratch-resistant, and last for years, which is why they are used for inventory labels, asset tags, product labels, and any application where the label needs to survive abrasion, heat, or long-term storage. Common synonyms: TT label, ribbon-printed label.
Shipping label
A shipping label is a label that carries the recipient address, return address, tracking barcode, and carrier routing data for a parcel. The standard shipping label size is 4x6" — adopted by USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Amazon, ShipStation, and almost every shipping platform. Most shipping labels are direct thermal on a 1" core for desktop printers (Zebra ZP450, Rollo, DYMO 4XL, Zebra ZD420) or 3" core for industrial printers. Common synonyms: 4x6 label, parcel label, address label.
Inventory label
An inventory label is a label applied to product, bins, totes, or shelves for warehouse inventory tracking. Inventory labels are often printed thermal transfer (so they last) on durable substrates like polyester or polypropylene, and they carry barcodes (Code 128, Code 39, QR) plus human-readable SKU and location info. Common synonyms: warehouse label, bin label, SKU label, asset label.
Fanfold vs roll labels
Roll labels are wound around a 1" or 3" core and feed through the printer from the side or back. Roll labels are the standard for desktop printers and are cheaper per label. Fanfold labels are folded accordion-style in a stack and feed up from underneath the printer — they hold more labels per pack (1,000–4,000 typical) and never run out mid-shipment as obviously as a roll. Pick fanfold for high-volume shipping stations; rolls for general use. Common synonyms: fan-fold, stacked labels (fanfold); core labels, rolled labels (rolls).
Related deep dives
Calculators, buying guides, and tools that go deeper than a glossary entry.
Calculators
- Box size calculator — pick the right corrugated box from your product dimensions
- Dimensional weight calculator — see whether a parcel will be billed by weight or by dim
- Poly bag thickness selector — pick the right mil for your contents
- Mailer vs box selector — decide between a poly mailer, bubble mailer, or corrugated box
- Packaging cost calculator — model your per-shipment packaging spend
Buying guides
Tools
- Bulk cart builder — paste a SKU list and build a cart in seconds
- Compare to Uline — match Packrift SKUs to Uline equivalents