A pallet stencil is a painted or sprayed mark applied through a cut template, used to put a company name, ownership notice, handling instruction or compliance mark onto pallets. Stenciling is one accepted way to apply the ISPM-15 IPPC mark, provided the result is permanent and legible.
Ownership and handling marks
Owners of reusable fleets often stencil a name and a notice such as property of, do not remove, or return to, on stringers or blocks. Clear marking helps recover pallets in a mixed stream and discourages them from being sold into the recycled market. Stencils can also mark load ratings, fork entry sides or internal pallet types.
ISPM-15 marks
The ISPM-15 standard allows the IPPC mark to be applied by stencil, stamp or brand, as long as it is legible, permanent and not transferable. It should be on at least two opposite sides of the pallet, and hand-drawn marks are not accepted. The standard also advises avoiding red and orange, which are used for dangerous goods labeling. In the US, marks come from facilities in the ALSC program under USDA APHIS oversight.
Practical tips
Keep ownership stencils away from the IPPC mark so neither obscures the other, use paints that hold up outdoors, and avoid pool colors such as blue and red on owned pallets.
Related Terms
- IPPC Stamp
- ISPM-15
- Heat Treatment
- ALSC
- USDA-APHIS
- Pallet Coating
- Closed-Loop Program
- Export Pallet
- Browse all glossary terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the IPPC mark be stenciled instead of branded?
Yes. ISPM-15 allows the mark to be applied by stencil, stamp or brand, provided it is legible, permanent and not transferable, and appears on at least two opposite sides. Hand-drawn marks are not accepted, and red or orange should be avoided. Only facilities authorized under the national program, in the US through ALSC agencies overseen by USDA APHIS, may apply the mark.
Does stenciling a company name stop pallet theft?
It does not stop it, but it helps. Clearly stenciled ownership marks make pallets easier to identify in a recycler's yard or a customer's dock, support recovery requests, and discourage resale. Combined with return agreements and tracking, marking is a low-cost part of reducing losses in an owned reusable fleet.