Plastic packaging is common across parcel, SKU, and pallet workflows. A product might arrive in a polybag, a parcel might be covered in stretch film, or a finished pallet might be secured with shrink wrap before shipping.
For a dimensioning system, the packaging material and the shape it creates around the product both affect how the outside dimensions are identified. vMeasure handles several common forms of plastic packaging, with some differences across parcel and pallet dimensioning products.
What types of plastic packaging does vMeasure measure?
vMeasure measures polybags, plastic-wrapped products, and several types of shrink-wrapped freight. The exact support depends on the vMeasure product and how clearly the packaged item’s outer boundary is visible.
| Plastic packaging | vMeasure support |
|---|---|
|
Polybags |
Supported by vMeasure parcel dimensioners for regular and irregular packages |
|
Poly mailers |
Measured based on the outside shape of the packaged item |
|
Cling film and stretch wrap |
Suitable when the wrapped item maintains a clear outer boundary |
|
Transparent plastic packaging |
Requires a clear visible boundary around the packaged product |
|
Colored pallet shrink wrap |
Supported by Pallet Ultima |
|
Transparent pallet shrink wrap |
Supported by Pallet Ultima |
|
Black or reflective pallet shrink wrap |
A documented limitation for Pallet Ultima |
Does plastic packaging affect vMeasure measurement?
Plastic packaging itself does not automatically prevent measurement. What matters more is how clearly the dimensioner identifies the outside shape of the packaged item.
A tightly packed polybag or wrapped parcel usually presents a clearer outer edge. Loose, heavily crinkled, highly transparent, or reflective plastic may make that edge harder to identify.
Strong reflections from glossy plastic may also affect the visible outline. vMeasure lists transparent and highly reflective objects among the materials that may not measure reliably in some dimensioning situations.
This is why the packaging type and the vMeasure product need to be considered together.
Does plastic packaging support differ between vMeasure products?
Yes. Parcel dimensioners and Pallet Ultima handle different types of plastic packaging, so the packaging needs to be considered with the specific product being deployed.
vMeasure parcel dimensioners
vMeasure parcel dimensioners measure both regular and irregular polybags. The system identifies the outside dimensions of the packaged item without requiring a rigid carton shape.
This supports products such as apparel and other SKUs packed in flexible polybags.
Transparent or highly reflective packaging needs a clearly visible outer boundary. When transparency, glare, or reflections prevent the full item from being identified, the measurement becomes unreliable.
vMeasure Pallet Ultima
Pallet Ultima measures standard, oversized, and irregular palletized freight with colored or transparent shrink wrap. It also captures pallets with uneven stacks, protrusions, and overhangs.
Black or reflective shrink wrap is a documented limitation. Pallet Ultima does not reliably dimension pallets wrapped in these materials.
This distinction is important for operations that measure freight after the pallet wrapping process.
What should you check when measuring products wrapped in plastic?
Plastic packaging changes how clearly the product outline appears during measurement. A few simple checks help keep that outline easy to capture.
- Keep the entire package inside the ROI.
- Glossy plastic reflects light, so avoid strong glare on the surface.
- Leave some clear space around the item during measurement.
- Take a quick look at the captured outline. If part of the package is missing, reposition it and measure again.
- Before deployment, try vMeasure with the polybags, parcels, and wrapped products you regularly handle.
Trial the dimensioner with the plastic-packaged products you handle regularly.
vMeasure documentation recommends reviewing the displayed bounding box after measurement and repeating the scan when reflections, positioning, or irregular shapes prevent the complete object from being captured.
Why should you trial your regular plastic packaging before deployment?
Plastic packaging differs in transparency, reflectivity, shape, and how tightly it sits around the product. Testing the actual parcels, polybags, or shrink-wrapped freight from your workflow gives you a clear picture of how those materials perform with the selected vMeasure product.
This is especially important when your operation regularly handles transparent packaging, glossy plastic, heavily crinkled polybags, very dark materials, or reflective shrink wrap.
For Pallet Ultima, include your finished wrapped pallets in the trial. For parcel dimensioners, use the polybags and plastic-packaged SKUs your operators process every day.
Check your plastic-packaged products with vMeasure
Trial vMeasure with the polybags, plastic-wrapped parcels, or shrink-wrapped freight from your regular workflow.