Lageretiketten
Also: Lageretikett, Lagerkennzeichnung, Regaletiketten, Regalkennzeichnung, Lagerlabel, Lagerlabels, Warehouse-Etiketten, Warehouse Labels
AI-generated
Warehouse labels are labels used to identify storage locations, load units, containers and items in the warehouse. They enable unambiguous identification and machine-based capture via barcode or camera-based scanning.
Key facts
- Warehouse labels connect physical storage locations and load units with digital data in the WMS, making them a fundamental prerequisite for error-free scanning processes.
- Material, adhesive and print technology must be matched to the actual environmental conditions – temperature, humidity and chemical influences determine durability.
- The chosen code type (1D barcode or 2D code) and print quality directly determine the read rate and error rate in ongoing operations.
- A regulated reprint process for damaged or obsolete labels is operationally just as important as the initial labeling setup.
- Industry-specific labeling standards such as GS1 can prescribe the choice of symbology, field content and label format as a binding requirement.
What are warehouse labels?
Warehouse labels are physical identification carriers attached in the warehouse to rack locations, floor markings, pallets, containers or individual items. They carry machine-readable codes – such as barcodes, Data Matrix codes or QR codes – as well as human-readable information such as item numbers, storage location identifiers or batch numbers. Only through complete labeling can goods receipts, put-aways, picks and goods issues be reliably scanned and posted in the warehouse management system.
How do warehouse labels work in practice?
In day-to-day warehouse operations, an employee or an automated scanning system identifies the label on a rack or load unit and transmits the captured data directly to the WMS. For this to work without errors, several properties must align:
- Code type and print quality: Barcode symbologies (e.g. Code 128, GS1-128) or 2D codes (Data Matrix, QR) are selected based on scanning distance and information density. Poor print quality leads to read errors and increases mis-postings.
- Material and adhesive: Paper labels are cost-effective but sensitive. In cold stores, humid areas or where chemical exposure occurs, specialized carrier films and adhesives are required that remain adhered even under temperature fluctuations.
- Mounting location: Rack labels are typically fitted in rack channel holders or adhered directly to steel surfaces. Container labels must withstand impacts and cleaning cycles.
- Reprint process: In practice, forklifts, cleaning equipment or environmental influences damage labels. A clear process for reprinting and versioning prevents obsolete or illegible codes from remaining in stock.
What matters when making a selection?
Choosing the right warehouse labels depends heavily on the environmental conditions. Deep-freeze and fresh logistics present different requirements than a dry high-bay warehouse or a production store with oil and solvent contact. Therefore, first assess which temperature ranges, humidity levels and chemical influences actually occur. Only then can material, adhesive and print technology (direct thermal vs. thermal transfer) be sensibly determined.
Equally important is compatibility with the scanners and barcode standards in use. If handheld mobile scanners are used in your facility, different minimum code sizes apply than for fixed tunnel scanners or camera systems. Also clarify whether industry-specific labeling standards (e.g. GS1) must be complied with. Finally, you should plan for the entire lifecycle of a label: initial printing, reprint availability, disposal and, where relevant, traceability of batch data beyond the label itself.
Related terms
- Artikelnummer
The item number is an internally assigned, unique identifier that unambiguously identifies an article within the inventory management and warehouse system. It forms the basis for postings, purchase orders, and communication between purchasing, warehousing, and production.
- Artikelstammdaten
Item master data refers to the permanently valid base data of an item – such as dimensions, weight, packaging units, hazardous goods classification, and best-before date relevance. It forms the foundation for all logistical, procurement-related, and system-driven processes along the supply chain.
- Barcode
A barcode is a machine-readable optical code that represents information as a pattern of bars and spaces or as a two-dimensional matrix. It enables the automatic identification of items, load carriers, and documents along the entire supply chain.
- Barcodescanner
A barcode scanner is an optical reading device that captures printed barcodes and converts them into machine-readable data. It is used in intralogistics for the seamless identification of goods, load carriers, and storage locations.
- Beleglose Kommissionierung
Paperless picking refers to the assembly of orders in the warehouse without paper pick lists, where all instructions are transmitted digitally via terminals, displays, voice, or optical signals.
- Blocklager
A block storage system is a storage method in which load units — typically pallets — are stacked directly on the floor in rows and blocks without any racking structure.
- Chaotische Lagerhaltung
Chaotic storage is a warehousing principle in which items are not stored in fixed, pre-assigned locations, but are instead dynamically placed in any available, suitable slot in the warehouse. A warehouse management system handles the control and tracking of all storage locations.
- Charge
A batch is a uniquely identifiable quantity of products manufactured or processed under identical conditions. It forms the basis for traceability, quality control, and legally required recall processes throughout the entire supply chain.
- Chargenrückverfolgung
Batch traceability refers to the complete and uninterrupted trackability of products and materials along the supply chain based on their batch assignment. It enables companies to quickly identify and selectively block all affected quantities in the event of a quality issue or recall.
- Data Matrix
Data Matrix is a two-dimensional barcode that stores significantly more information in a very small area than conventional 1D barcodes. Thanks to integrated error correction, it remains reliably readable even when partially damaged or soiled.