Shipping Label Inlays in Molded Pulp Packaging: Designing the Label Pocket Into the Tray

Shipping labels applied directly to molded pulp sit on a textured, sometimes curved surface and peel or wrinkle in parcel sorting. A molded-in label pocket — a recess with a flat floor the label size — gives the label a clean seat, protects its edges in transit, and keeps barcodes scannable through automated sorting systems.

The Scenario: Labels that must stick and scan

Labeling molded pulp faces three challenges:

Pain Points

• Textured fiber surfaces give labels poor adhesion and cause edge peeling;
• Curved tray walls make labels wrinkle and barcodes fail to scan;
• Labels applied at the wrong spot get damaged by handling before delivery.

The Solution: Three label-inlay solutions

Three design choices make labels reliable:

1. Molded-in label pocket A flat recess sized to the label gives it a smooth, protected seat on the tray.

2. Edge protection Pocket walls shield label edges from scuffs and peeling during sortation.

3. Scanner-friendly placement A flat, unobstructed pocket location keeps barcodes scannable through automated sorters.

The Result: Labels that arrive intact

Labels sit flat, stay adhered, and scan cleanly through automated parcel sorting.