It’s no secret that even before the pandemic, how we buy things was changing – as shown by the continuing growth of e-commerce and the struggle of so many legacy retail businesses.

More e-commerce leads to more shipments of packages from distribution or fulfillment centers direct to us consumers. 

Our #ProMach brand, Panther, has been a leader in labeling for logistics for some time, with multiple installations in many of the largest warehouses and DCs. 

Panther systems carry out such tasks as printing and applying license-plate barcodes to incoming items, identifying cross-docking jobs, and printing and applying the final shipping labels. 

In some cases, there is also a need to apply a Packing Slip or another document (maybe a return shipping label) to the packages, which often is down manually, slowing down the process. 

Panther has some solutions to assist with automating this process. One of them is NEXTStep, a solution that involves printing a long label containing both shipping and Packing information that is folded and applied to the package. See below for more:

NEXTStep is fully automatic, but it is best suited for lower-speed lines since printing and folding the label takes time. 

Panther also has a solution specially designed for higher volume lines – this utilizes a pair of Panther Predator labeling systems operating in tandem, along with specially designed blank labels. 

The Predator is the leading labeling solution for applying labels to variable height packages at high speeds, making it ideal for this job. 

As a package enters the labeling system, the customer’s integration software system provides the needed data. This would include the height of the package, the shipping label data, and the pack-slip information. 

Labeler one prints and applies the pack-list to the product, and labeler two does the same with the shipping label – fixing it right over the packing slip. 

The package is now ready to be shipped. 

When the package is received at its destination, the shipping label is easily removed, giving access to the packing slip.

Panther’s tandem label/packing slip solution is proven and offers an elegant solution to automating this process. 

In these days of supply-chain difficulties, Panther labeling automation systems play an essential role in keeping logistics moving, and we’d love to help you too. 

Our labelers are available from leading logistics and warehouse integrators, and you can also contact out team directly at:

[email protected] or call today at 303-703-9876.

Keep your logistics moving!