Slip sheets, tier sheets and corner boards
Slip sheets, tier sheets and corner boards are the inexpensive pieces that keep pallet loads square, stable and undamaged. We supply all three, sized to your load and delivered with the rest of your packaging.
Delivered pricing on one invoice.
What each one does
Slip sheets
A sheet that replaces the pallet under a load. A lip sticks out on one or more sides so a forklift with a push-pull attachment can grip it.
Tier sheets
Flat sheets between layers of cartons, cans or bottles on a pallet. They spread weight, keep layers level and protect the layer below.
Corner boards
Also called edge protectors or angle boards. They run down the corners of a load to protect carton edges, add stacking strength and keep strapping from cutting in.
Slip sheets: when they save money
A slip sheet costs less than a pallet, weighs far less and adds almost no height, so more product fits in a trailer or an ocean container. That is why exporters and high-volume shippers use them.
The trade-off is handling. Both ends of the trip need a push-pull attachment on the forklift, and slip sheets are not rigid enough for rack storage. If either end cannot handle them, a pallet is still the right call. Slip sheets are made from solid fiber, corrugated or plastic, and the sheet weight and lip size are matched to the load and how often it gets handled.
Tier sheets: steadier layers
Tier sheets, also called layer pads or separator sheets, go between layers on a pallet. They are common with cans, bottles, bags and mixed cartons, and they make tall loads more stable once they are wrapped. Paperboard and corrugated tier sheets are the usual choice. Plastic sheets cost more but can be cleaned and reused in a closed loop.
Size tier sheets to the pallet footprint, usually 48 x 40 for standard pallets, and tell us the weight of a layer so we can match the board to it.
Corner board sizes
Corner boards are sold by leg size, thickness (caliper) and length. Typical options:
| Duty | Thickness | Common leg size | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | 0.120 inch | 2 x 2 inches | Lighter cartons, protecting edges from strapping |
| Medium | 0.160 inch | 2 x 2 inches | General pallet loads |
| Heavy | 0.225 inch | 2 x 2 or 2.5 x 2.5 inches | Heavy or tall loads and double stacking |
Lengths are cut to load height, from short pieces for single cartons to full-height boards for pallets. Sizes vary by maker.
Where cardboard corner protectors pay off
- Strapped loads, so the strap does not crush carton edges
- Pallets that get double stacked in a trailer or a warehouse
- Loads that travel far or get handled many times
- Shipments that keep arriving with crushed corners
Using slip sheets or corner boards now?
Send a photo of the case label or a recent invoice and we will quote the same size and caliper delivered, or a close equal.
Get a quoteCommon questions
What is the difference between a tier sheet and a slip sheet?
A slip sheet replaces the pallet and has a lip for a push-pull forklift attachment. A tier sheet goes between layers on a pallet and is never used to lift the load.
Can slip sheets go in racking?
No. Slip sheets are not rigid enough to hold a load in a rack. Use pallets for racked storage.
What size corner boards do we need?
Match the length to the load height and pick the thickness by load weight and stacking. Many general pallet loads use 2 x 2 inch legs at 0.160 inch thick.
Are edge protectors the same as corner boards?
Yes. Edge protectors, corner boards, angle boards and cardboard corner protectors are names for the same product.
Get a delivered price
Pricing comes back within two business days, with freight in the price.
Buying several things? Send one invoice for a free cost review.