TI-HI Versus Pallet Pattern: When To Use Each For Load Planning

TI-HI A pallet configuration notation showing the number of cases per layer (TI) and the number of layers high (HI). Both TI-HI and pallet pattern descriptions describe how products are arranged on a pallet, but they serve different operational roles in planning, documentation, and execution.

TI-HI offers a compact numeric summary; a pallet pattern describes the physical layout (for example, 3×4 block, pinwheel, or interlocked layers). Use TI-HI when communicating counts quickly—for freight quotes, EDI fields, or labels. Use the pallet pattern when you need to convey load stability, orientation, or handling specifics to pickers and carriers.

Key Differences

TI-HI is concise and machine-friendly; pallet pattern is descriptive and human-friendly. TI-HI answers "how many" while pattern answers "how arranged." A single TI-HI can represent multiple patterns: 12-6 could be a 3×4 block or a 4×3 orientation, and those choices change load center, weight distribution, and forklift approach.

• TI-HI Strength: Compact for systems, EDI, and freight billing.
• Pattern Strength: Communicates stacking method, orientation, and interlock details important for stability and damage prevention.
• When They Overlap: Use both together—for example, put TI-HI on the pallet label and the layer diagram on the ASN or WMS pick ticket.

How Choice Affects Operations

Choosing TI-HI alone can save time but hides critical handling details. For instance, two pallet loads with identical TI-HI but different patterns may have different centers of gravity and require different banding or strapping. Carriers assessing load securement under FMCSA rules need to know if the load is uniform and stable; a pattern description or photo prevents surprises at pickup.

How TI-HI And Pattern Impact Costs

Freight rates for LTL and palletized shipments often reference cases per pallet. Shippers using higher TI-HI effectively reduce freight-per-case. However, if a high TI-HI uses an unstable pattern that increases damage or requires additional dunnage, total landed cost can rise. Warehouses should model both cube efficiency (TI-HI) and damage risk (pattern) when setting standard pack configurations.

Who Should Record Which Detail

• Merchants: Provide TI-HI plus a pattern note for new SKUs; include photos where possible.
• Warehouses: Store TI-HI in the WMS master record and keep pattern instructions in the pick/pack documentation.
• Carriers: Require TI-HI for rate calculations and pattern/stability details for securement decisions.

Practical Example

A cosmetics supplier sends two SKUs with identical case size. SKU-A uses a 4×3 block (TI 12) stacked 6 high (HI 6) yielding 72 cases — pattern is stable and stackable. SKU-B uses a 3×4 alternating pattern (also TI 12, HI 6) that shifts weight toward one side due to case shape, requiring inner dunnage and palletizing two cases fewer per layer in practice. If a buyer only views TI-HI, they assume 72 cases; the pattern note prevents misloads.

Best Practice Recommendations

• Include Both: Put TI-HI and a short pattern description on the ASN and pallet label.
• Use Photos: Add a reference photo in the item master for complex patterns.
• Standardize: For high-volume SKUs, standardize both TI-HI and a single pattern so pickers and carriers know what to expect.

In short, the TI-HI shorthand and the pallet pattern are complementary. TI-HI gives the numeric summary used for costing and system records; the pattern gives the physical arrangement essential to safe handling and damage prevention. Use both to minimize errors and optimize cost versus risk.