Where should a label be placed on a polystyrene box?

The label goes on a flat, dry surface away from edges. Polystyrene is rough and cold, so adhesion is tested on the real box.

3 April 2026Updated 28 September 2026

Short answer

Put the label on a flat, dry surface the carrier can see, keeping the lid joint, tape path and box number clear. With an outer carton, the shipping label goes outside and the box ID on the inner box. Polystyrene holds labels poorly in cold and damp, so test the position and the label on the real box in the cold.

The shipping label goes on a flat, dry surface away from edges, with the lid joint, tape path and box number left clear. Polystyrene is rough and cold, so adhesion is tested on the packaging itself.

With an outer carton, the carrier label goes on the carton and the order or box ID on the inner box, with the same reference on both. Pallet labels follow the GS1 rule: on a pallet taller than 400 mm the barcode sits between 400 and 800 mm from the base, at least 50 mm in from a vertical edge, with one label on each of two adjacent sides.

Adhesion weakens in the cold. Label manufacturers separate application temperature from service temperature: most adhesives are designed for application around +5 °C, and deep-freeze adhesives apply down to -20 °C. Taping over a lifting corner can cover the barcode; try the label on a cold, damp box over the real holding time.