Why Edge Protectors Are Essential for Palletized Shipping

Palletized shipments can be exposed to shifting, vibration, compression, strapping pressure, forklift handling, and other forces during storage and transportation. Edge protectors are a simple way to reinforce vulnerable corners and help other load-securement materials perform more effectively.

Used correctly, edge protectors can help protect cartons and products, distribute strapping pressure, support load alignment, and improve the overall stability of a palletized shipment.

What Are Edge Protectors?

Edge protectors, sometimes called corner boards, angle boards, or V-board, are rigid protective angles positioned along the edges or corners of cartons, pallet loads, and other packaged products. Depending on the application, they can help:

• Distribute pressure from strapping across a wider area.
• Protect carton corners from crushing, denting, or abrasion.
• Help keep stacked cartons aligned.
• Reinforce vertical edges of some palletized loads.
• Provide a more consistent surface for stretch film or strapping.

Edge protectors are available in different leg lengths, lengths, thicknesses, constructions, and strengths. The right configuration depends on the product, load weight, pallet pattern, strapping system, handling environment, and the amount of protection required.

Explore load edge protectors for available sizes and configurations.

Protect Cartons from Strapping Pressure

Strapping concentrates tension along a relatively narrow contact area. On corrugated cartons or other compressible packaging, that pressure can deform corners or create strap marks if the load and tension are not properly managed.

Placing an edge protector between the strap and the load spreads that pressure over a larger surface. This can help protect carton edges while allowing the strap to secure the load without bearing directly against a vulnerable corner.

Edge protection is especially worth considering when strap tension is high, cartons are relatively soft, products have sensitive edges, or the same load will be handled multiple times during distribution.

If you are also selecting the strapping system itself, use our Strapping Selection Guide to compare polypropylene, polyester, steel and cord strapping by load, tension requirements, joint method and application equipment.

Help Maintain Load Alignment

A stable pallet starts with a sound pallet pattern and properly aligned cartons. Vertical edge protectors can help maintain cleaner load edges by supporting corners and helping keep stacked cartons aligned.

They are not a substitute for proper stacking, stretch film, strapping, or other load-securement methods, but they can work with those materials as part of a complete palletizing system.

For guidance on pallet patterns, overhang, load height, weight distribution, and stabilization, see our Palletizing Best Practices guide.

Support Stretch Film and Load Securement

Edge protectors can also provide defined corners for stretch film and help prevent sharp or irregular load edges from interfering with the wrap. On some loads, this can make it easier to create a more consistent unitized package.

The complete load-securement system may include stretch film, strapping, edge protection, top sheets, anti-slip materials, or other components depending on the product and transportation environment.

Our Palletizing & Load Securement Supplies resource explains how these materials work together.

Reduce Exposure to Packaging Damage

Damage to cartons or palletized products can create costs beyond the value of the damaged item. Repacking, replacement shipments, freight claims, customer service time, and production or fulfillment delays can all add expense.

Edge protectors cannot prevent every type of shipping damage, but they can address specific vulnerabilities such as strap pressure, crushed corners, abrasion, and loss of alignment. For loads exposed to those risks, they may be a relatively simple addition to the packaging system.

If corner crushing, abrasion, punctures or load movement are already recurring problems, use the Packaging Damage Troubleshooting Guide to identify the likely failure before changing the packaging system.

Choose Edge Protectors for the Actual Load

Not every pallet requires the same edge protector. Selection should be based on the job the protector needs to perform.

Consider:

• Load weight: Heavier or more highly compressed loads may require a stronger construction.
• Strap tension: Higher tension can increase pressure at carton edges.
• Leg size: Wider legs distribute force across more surface area.
• Length: The protector should fit the section of the load that requires reinforcement.
• Moisture exposure: Storage and transportation conditions may affect the material or treatment required.
• Load configuration: Uniform cartons, mixed loads, irregular products, and exposed product edges can have different protection needs.

For a more detailed selection process, see our guide on how to choose the right edge protector strength.

Consider Material and Disposal Requirements

Paperboard and plastic edge protectors are available for different applications. Material composition, coatings, adhesives, contamination, and local recycling programs can affect whether a used protector is accepted for recycling.

If recycled content, recyclability, reuse, or moisture resistance is important to your operation, evaluate those requirements when selecting the edge protector rather than assuming every product has the same environmental profile.

The Bottom Line

Edge protectors can be a useful part of a palletized packaging system when a load needs protection from strapping pressure, reinforced corners, improved alignment, or a more consistent surface for load-securement materials.

They work best as part of a complete approach that considers pallet pattern, carton strength, stretch film, strapping, handling conditions, and transportation requirements.

If you're reviewing a palletizing operation, start with our Palletizing Best Practices guide and Palletizing & Load Securement Supplies resource.

Need Help Selecting Edge Protection?

Packaging HERO can help you evaluate edge protectors and other load-securement materials based on your pallet configuration, product, strapping method, and shipping environment.

Contact Packaging HERO to discuss your palletizing or load-securement application.

Frequently Asked Questions