A pallet coating is any paint, sealer or surface treatment applied to a pallet after it is built. Common reasons are color-coding a fleet, adding anti-slip grip, limiting moisture pickup or marking ownership. A coating changes the surface, not the structure, and it does not replace heat treatment for export.
Common types
Color paint on blocks or stringer ends marks ownership or a closed-loop fleet. Anti-slip coatings add grit or a high-friction finish to the top deck so loads slide less in transit. Water-repellent sealers slow moisture uptake on pallets stored outdoors. Plastic and metal pallets may have factory finishes or textured tops instead of an applied coating.
Pool colors and ownership
Some colors are strongly associated with rental pools, such as blue for CHEP and red for PECO. Painting owned pallets a pool color can cause them to be swept into a pool return stream or rejected at a dock, so most owners pick a distinct color or use stenciled marks instead.
Export and food contact
A coating does not make a wood pallet ISPM-15 compliant. Export pallets still need approved treatment such as heat treatment and the IPPC mark, which must stay legible, so paint should not cover the mark. For food or pharmaceutical use, confirm that any coating is suitable for the application and does not flake into product.
Related Terms
- Pallet Stencil
- CHEP Pallet
- PECO Pallet
- ISPM-15
- IPPC Stamp
- Moisture Barrier
- Closed-Loop Program
- Food-Grade Pallet
- Browse all glossary terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Does painting a pallet affect ISPM-15 compliance?
Paint does not satisfy ISPM-15 on its own and does not take its place. A wood pallet for export still needs an approved treatment, such as heat treatment, and the IPPC mark. Painting over or obscuring the mark can create problems at inspection because the mark must remain legible. If you paint export pallets, mask the marked areas or apply color only to surfaces that do not carry the mark.
Why not paint owned pallets blue or red?
Blue and red are widely recognized as rental pool colors in the US market. Owned pallets painted those colors can be mistaken for pool assets, collected by the pool, or refused by receivers who sort pallets by color. Choosing a distinct color, or using a stenciled company name, keeps owned pallets identifiable and reduces losses in a mixed pallet stream.
Do anti-slip coatings replace stretch wrap?
No. Anti-slip finishes help a load resist sliding on the deck, but they do not unitize cartons or hold layers together. Most shippers still use stretch wrap, strapping or both, and treat an anti-slip surface or slip sheet as an extra layer of load security.