You can use the packing material groups as well as add individual items using the Design > Packing section. 


For common groupings of internal packing you can create Packing Material Groups  in Preferences > Construction > Packing. With one click have the packing materials applied when you create a new design. Setting these up will be explained in the third section.



In the Design module > Packing  there are four tabs for packing materials that can be auto calculated: Wrapping, Floater Deck(2)  and Padding. If you select any option in these tabs that uses the 'content dimensions' you'll want to ensure the content dimensions are accurate. 

  •  Crate Pro will initially use your 'Clear Area' value in Preferences > Settings > "Clear Area" to set the content dimensions.  This is the clearance to be applied around your content item.  Your actual content dimensions can be adjusted when you create a new design AND after you've created it.


  • If you are adding auto-calculated packing materials that do not use your content dimensions, you do not need to set your content dimensions unless you would like to see the values on your reports.




In the NEW design section you can select the 'More Dimensions' tab. Content dimensions Displayed is the Content DImensions based on your 'Clear Area' setting. You can change it here as well as select one of your Packing Material Groups if desired. If you are building a floater deck and it will not be centered on the base, adjust the clear area dimensions in the 'Estimated Clear Area' section.



Click on the Green Arrow or Enter key on your keyboard when done so your design is created.


<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. Section 2

Using the Design > Packing > WRAPPING


1> Inner, Mid, Outer wrapping are based on the Content Dimensions. Using the terms Inner, Mid, Outer help staff understand which wrapping is placed first. If you only use one wrapping material, use the Inner Wrapping field. If you only enter material in the" Outer"  Wrapping field, it can be confusing for staff to see "Outer Wrapping" on the cut list. They might assume its outer crate wrapping.


2> Crate Wrapping: Uses outside dimensions and assumes you are wrapping the exterior of the crate


3> Your caseline defaults will be preselected when you add caseline. Defaults settings are located in Preferences > Settings.

Caseline is used to line the interior panels of the crate. It uses the outside dimensions as caseline typically folds over the panels edges. Select to 'apply to Cap' which will cover ends, sides and top panel. Select 'Base' for coverage of the base panel.


Chose to fasten the caseline using stitch fasteners or glue. Fasteners that can be used for this position must have the 'Caseline" box checked in Inventory > Fasteners. 


4> If you select to GLUE the case line, chose the adhesive here. The adhesives are located in Inventory > Coating




Using the Design > Packing > FLOATER DECK POSITION & FLOATER DECK  MATERIAL


1> If you are going to use a Floater Deck, it needs to be positioned on the base of the crate. If your content item has protrusions it might need to floater deck to be placed more to one side of the crate than the other.


Ensure your correct content item dimensions are shown.  Adjust any of the values so that the values around the floater deck are as desired.


2 > Your floater deck materials will be set in the next tab. But here you can select to add fill materials. Fill material is managed in Inventory > Fill




1> Floater Deck Material. You can add items manually in each field or you can use one of your preset Packing Material Groups. Use the dropdown to select your prefered packing group. Then click on AUTOBUILD


2> The materials will be applied based on the group selected. You can modify any of the fields and even delete a material by clicking on the red X for the appropriate line.


3> If the material is to be counted as dunnage, check the box here. This is helpful if you're using Crate Pro 6 to create ISPM15 reports.


Using the Design > Packing > Padding


1>  Use the drop down to add a preset Packing Material Group or enter padding materials manually. Click AUTOBUILD


2> If you selected any material in the Floater Deck Material tab and it applies as padding material, it will be shown here. Make any changes desired.



Using the Design > Packing > OTHER


1> You can add other items that are not auto calculated. Chose the Category that the material appears on.


2> In the Item ID field use the drop-down to select the available materials. In the Notes field you're able to enter any notes such as how you want the material applied. This appears on your cut lists.


3> Any field that appears in yellow needs additional information. Such as using lumber pieces, you need to enter the length of each piece.


4> You may optionally select what section of the CUT LIST BY PANEL, the material will be listed under.


The labor time to install not calculated here. Crate Pro doesn't know how you're going to apply the material or what labor is involved. . Add the installation time for these materials in the Times tab > select any field that you feel applies.


A waste % is not applied to materials used here except if the material is used in any of the other tabs.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. Section 3


Setting up your Preferences > Packing Material Groups


1> Name the group based on your preference.


2> In each field enter the default material you want to be used for that group.  


3> Wrapping materials will be applied, upper section, when you select the Material Group in a new design.


  Floater deck and foam has options to be applied when you select the Material Group OR to be listed as a suggested material in the Packing tabs. So instead of a blank box to auto-calculate, your preset material will appear.


Chose the APPLY check boxed for the items you want to be applied. Leave blank if you only want the material to be suggested.  If RAILS or FOAM LINING is added, review your preferred settings in the APPLY boxes.