> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.macleather.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Carton Planning

> How to plan cartons for shipments in Mac Leather Dashboard

# Carton Planning

Carton planning determines how items are packed into boxes for shipping. Good carton planning maximizes space usage and ensures items are protected during transit.

***

## Where to Find It

**Location:** Shipment Detail → **Cartons** tab → **Plan Cartons**

Or click **Carton Planning** button in shipment header.

***

## Setting Carton Dimensions

Each carton needs dimensions set before adding items.

### Creating a Carton

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Cartons tab">
    Shipment Detail → Cartons
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Add Carton">
    Opens new carton form
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter dimensions">
    Length, Width, Height in centimeters
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter max weight (optional)">
    Weight limit in kg
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Carton created and ready for items
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Dimension Fields

| Field       | Unit | Description            |
| ----------- | ---- | ---------------------- |
| Length      | cm   | Carton length          |
| Width       | cm   | Carton width           |
| Height      | cm   | Carton height          |
| Max Weight  | kg   | Maximum allowed weight |
| Tare Weight | kg   | Empty carton weight    |

<Info>
  Standard carton sizes are often pre-configured. Check if a template matches your needs before creating custom dimensions.
</Info>

***

## Adding Items to Cartons

### Method 1: Drag and Drop

<Steps>
  <Step title="View unassigned items">
    Listed in "Unassigned Items" section
  </Step>

  <Step title="Drag item">
    Click and hold on item
  </Step>

  <Step title="Drop into carton">
    Release over target carton
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Method 2: Add Items Button

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click on carton">
    Select the carton to add items to
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Add Items">
    Opens item selection
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select items">
    Check items to add
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    Items assigned to carton
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Moving Items Between Cartons

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the item">
    In current carton
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Move or drag">
    Drag to new carton, or use Move button
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select destination">
    Choose target carton
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Efficiency Percentage

Efficiency shows how well carton space is being used.

### How It's Calculated

```
Efficiency = (Volume of Items ÷ Carton Volume) × 100
```

### Efficiency Indicators

| Percentage | Color  | Meaning                 |
| ---------- | ------ | ----------------------- |
| 90%+       | Green  | Excellent - well packed |
| 70-89%     | Yellow | Acceptable              |
| Below 70%  | Red    | Poor - wasted space     |

### Overall Shipment Efficiency

Displayed at top of Cartons tab:

```
Overall Efficiency = Average efficiency of all cartons
```

<Info>
  **Target: 90% or higher**

  Higher efficiency means:

  * Lower shipping costs (fewer cartons)
  * Better protection (less movement inside)
  * More professional presentation
</Info>

### Improving Efficiency

| Problem                                  | Solution                              |
| ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Low efficiency (large carton, few items) | Use smaller carton                    |
| Can't fit more items                     | Items may be bulky - check dimensions |
| Many partially-filled cartons            | Consolidate items into fewer cartons  |

***

## Weight Limits

### Setting Weight Limits

When creating a carton, enter the **Max Weight** field.

### Weight Warnings

| Warning | Meaning                         |
| ------- | ------------------------------- |
| Yellow  | Approaching weight limit (80%+) |
| Red     | Over weight limit               |

<Warning>
  Do not exceed weight limits. Overweight cartons may be rejected by carriers or incur surcharges.
</Warning>

### Checking Carton Weight

Each carton displays:

* **Current Weight**: Sum of item weights
* **Max Weight**: Weight limit set
* **Remaining**: How much more can be added

***

## Generating Carton Labels

### Printing Labels

<Steps>
  <Step title="Complete carton planning">
    All items assigned to cartons
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Print Labels">
    Button at top of Cartons tab
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select cartons">
    All or specific cartons
  </Step>

  <Step title="Print">
    Labels ready for printing
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Label Contents

Each carton label includes:

| Information        | Description          |
| ------------------ | -------------------- |
| Carton Number      | 1 of 5, 2 of 5, etc. |
| Shipment Reference | Shipment ID          |
| Customer           | Customer name        |
| Dimensions         | L × W × H            |
| Gross Weight       | Total weight         |
| Contents Summary   | What's inside        |

***

## Carton Planning Interface

### Layout

| Section            | Description                       |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------- |
| Unassigned Items   | Items not yet in any carton       |
| Carton List        | All cartons with contents         |
| Efficiency Display | Overall and per-carton efficiency |
| Actions            | Add Carton, Print Labels, Save    |

### Carton Card Display

Each carton shows:

* Carton number
* Dimensions (L × W × H)
* Item count
* Weight (current / max)
* Efficiency percentage
* Expand to see items

***

## Common Scenarios

| Situation                         | Action                                |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Need another carton               | Click Add Carton                      |
| Item in wrong carton              | Drag to correct carton or use Move    |
| Efficiency too low                | Use smaller cartons or add more items |
| Carton overweight                 | Remove items or split across cartons  |
| Need to delete empty carton       | Click Delete on the carton            |
| Print labels for specific cartons | Print Labels → Select cartons         |

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Items won't fit in carton">
    **Cause:** Item dimensions exceed carton dimensions.

    **Solution:**

    1. Check item dimensions
    2. Use a larger carton
    3. If item is oversized, it may need its own carton
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Efficiency showing very low">
    **Cause:** Carton is too large for the items inside.

    **Solution:**

    1. Use a smaller carton
    2. Add more items to the carton
    3. Consolidate with other partially-filled cartons
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can't add item to carton">
    **Cause:** Item already assigned to another carton, or weight limit exceeded.

    **Solution:**

    1. Check if item is in Unassigned Items list
    2. If in another carton, move it first
    3. Check carton weight limit
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Weight shows as 0">
    **Cause:** Item weights not set on source records.

    **Solution:** Go to source sample or production order and enter item weights.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Carton labels won't print">
    **Cause:** Browser blocking popup, or print dialog issue.

    **Solution:**

    1. Allow popups for this site
    2. Try Download instead of Print
    3. Check printer connection
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Deleted carton by accident">
    **Cause:** Clicked Delete.

    **Solution:** Items return to Unassigned. Create new carton and reassign items.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Changes not saving">
    **Cause:** Network issue or session expired.

    **Solution:**

    1. Click Save manually
    2. Refresh page and re-login if needed
    3. Redo changes if lost
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Related Guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Shipment Detail" icon="rectangle-list" href="/exports/shipment-detail">
    Full page reference
  </Card>

  <Card title="Documents" icon="file-pdf" href="/exports/documents">
    Generating packing lists with carton info
  </Card>
</CardGroup>