Guide
How to Label Moving Totes, Bins and Crates
Last updated: September 2026
Plastic totes, storage bins and rented crates need the same basic system as cardboard boxes: a number, a destination room and a searchable list of what's inside. The extra work is the label itself. Plastic can be smooth, textured or temporary, so place the label where it will survive the move.
iPhone & iPad · iOS 17+ · Free to start
Totes vs cardboard boxes: what changes when you label them
The inventory system does not change: every container still needs a clear ID, a room and a list you can search. What changes is the surface you are labeling.
Smooth plastic can reject paper labels, textured plastic can leave gaps under the adhesive, and lids come off when people pack fast. Test one label before you label a whole room. If the label curls or slides, use your own stronger sticker, tape the edges flat, or choose the hand-written code.
Stacking matters too. A label on the top of a tote disappears as soon as another bin sits on it. Start with the main moving box labeling guide and adjust the placement for plastic.
Where to put the label on a tote
Put the main label on the body of the tote, not only on the lid. The end panel is usually the best spot because it stays readable when totes are stacked.
If you can, add a second label on another face. One label helps when the tote sits on a shelf; two labels help when it is turned sideways in a truck or under other bins. Keep QR codes flat and away from curved corners so the camera can read the full square.
Labeling rented moving crates
Rented moving crates need labels that come off cleanly. Check the rental company's rules before you stick anything permanent to the crate.
The hand-written code works well here. BoxSmartly generates a short code for each box; you write it on the crate's label with a marker, then type it back into the app to find that crate later. When the move is done, remove the temporary label before return.
Which labeling method fits totes and bins?
BoxSmartly has four free labeling methods, and the best fit depends on the surface. Choose the method once per move before your first box, tote or bin.
| Method | Best for | Honest note |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed QR labels | Totes packed in a planned room-by-room flow. | Uses US Avery 5163 sheets. Print at 100% / Actual Size and test adhesion on plastic first. |
| Blank claim sheets | Fast packing when you want to stick first and name the container later. | Uses US Avery 5160 sheets. Print at 100% / Actual Size before you start packing. |
| Your own stickers | Plastic surfaces where your chosen QR or barcode stickers already hold well. | Scan a blank code from your own stock to pair it with a box in BoxSmartly. |
| Hand-written code | Rented crates, textured plastic or any container where you do not want a paper label. | BoxSmartly generates the code. Write it with a marker, then type it back in to find the box. |
If you want the QR-specific setup, read the guide to QR labels for moving boxes.
Clear bins still need a list
Clear bins help you see the top layer, not everything inside. A searchable list still beats unstacking three bins to find one small item at the bottom.
Add the hidden items as you pack: cables under towels, spare keys inside a pouch, tape rolls under tools. Later, search tells you which box has the item before you lift anything. For the full move timeline, use the 8-week moving checklist.
Frequently asked
Can you put QR codes on plastic totes?+
Yes. QR codes can work on plastic totes, storage bins and moving crates. Put the code on a flat part of the body, not only the lid, and test one label first. Some smooth or textured plastics need your own sticker stock, tape, or the hand-written code instead.
Should I label the lid or the tote?+
Label the tote's body first. Lids come off, get stacked separately and can be swapped between totes during packing. The end panel is usually the easiest face to read when bins are stacked. If you can, add a second label on another visible side.
How do I label rented moving crates without leaving stickers behind?+
Use a method that comes off cleanly, and check the rental company's rules first. The hand-written code works well: BoxSmartly generates a short code for each box, you write it on the crate's label with a marker, then type it back into the app to find that crate.
Do I need a separate app for totes and boxes?+
No. In BoxSmartly, every container is a box. Cardboard boxes, plastic totes, storage bins and rented crates are tracked the same way: label it, add what's inside, then scan or search when you need to find something later.
Label the tote once. Find it later.
BoxSmartly keeps the list searchable on your iPhone or iPad.
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