Distribution centers are the heart of modern fulfillment. Whether you’re a 3PL operator scaling operations or an e-commerce brand shipping DTC orders in-house, your supply list of distribution centers supplies can quietly make or break efficiency.
From packing stations to labeling systems, let’s examine the essential supplies every distribution center needs and how the right tools support faster, smarter fulfillment.
What Are Distribution Center Supplies?
At a basic level, “distribution center supplies” refers to the physical tools, equipment, and materials used to move, pack, and ship products within a warehouse or fulfillment center.
This includes:
- Packing materials (boxes, mailers, void fill)
- Shipping labels and printers
- Tape guns and tape
- Pallets and pallet jacks
- Barcode scanners and mobile devices
- Organization bins and storage solutions
- Safety gear (gloves, floor mats, signage)
- Shelving, racking, and workstations
- Shipping software or label generation platforms
Supplies aren’t just about what’s on your shelves — they’re about maintaining flow.
3 Core Supply Categories to Get Right
1. Packing & Shipping Materials
These are your frontline tools for order accuracy, protection, and brand presentation.
- Boxes: Choose right-sized boxes to avoid dimensional weight fees.
- Mailers: Padded, poly, or eco-friendly — it depends on the product.
- Void Fill: Paper, air pillows, or biodegradable peanuts help reduce damage.
- Tape: Branded, water-activated, or just cost-effective — it all adds up fast.
- Labels: High-quality thermal labels speed things up and avoid scanning issues.
🧠 Pro tip: Invest in a label printer that doesn’t require ink cartridges (like a thermal printer) to reduce cost and downtime.
2. Equipment That Speeds Up Fulfillment
Supplies aren’t just consumables. They include tools that help your team move faster, safer, and more accurately.
- Handheld scanners: Essential for batch picking and reducing errors.
- Pallet jacks or forklifts: Required for higher-volume or bulk operations.
- Workstations: Ergonomically designed stations increase team throughput.
- Racking systems: A good shelving system reduces pick times and improves inventory visibility.
3. Safety and Efficiency Tools
These often get overlooked, but they reduce accidents and fatigue while keeping your operation flowing.
- Gloves and back supports: Protect workers during repetitive tasks.
- Floor tape and signage: Maintain safe traffic lanes and reduce confusion.
- Lighting: Poor lighting slows teams down. It’s worth the upgrade.
- Packing stools or mats: Comfort pays dividends in long shifts.
What to Avoid
Not every supply choice is a smart one. Here’s what we recommend skipping:
- One-size-fits-all box sizes: You’ll bleed money on shipping fees and damage.
- Low-quality tape: You’ll pay for it in repacks, lost inventory, or worse.
- Ink-based printers: Too much maintenance and supply cost over time.
- Over-reliance on manual processes: Invest in systems that scale.
Why This Matters for Fast-Growing Brands
If you’re scaling ecommerce or fulfillment, small supply decisions snowball.
The right supplies:
- Speed up pick and pack times
- Reduce carrier fees and chargebacks
- Improve customer satisfaction
- Keep teams safer and more efficient
Even better, they set the foundation for carrier orchestration, automation, and more advanced fulfillment strategies down the line.
Final Takeaway: Build a Smarter Supply Stack
Your distribution centers supplies shouldn’t be static. As volume grows, complexity does too — and the right tools can simplify everything.
At eHub, we help fast-growing ecommerce brands and 3PLs streamline operations with intelligent fulfillment tools, optimized carrier selection, and high-speed label generation.
Need help leveling up your shipping stack? Let’s talk.
