Pick and Pack vs. Pick and Stick: What’s the Difference?

In the world of order fulfillment, accuracy and efficiency are everything. But not all fulfillment methods are the same — especially when it comes to Pick and Pack vs. Pick and Stick. If you’re wondering which is right for your business, or what each one actually means, this guide breaks it down in simple terms.

What Is Pick and Pack Fulfillment?

Pick and Pack is one of the most common fulfillment strategies used by ecommerce and B2B businesses. It involves picking individual items from inventory and packing them into a box for shipment.

When to use Pick and Pack:

You sell multiple SKUs or products per order


Your orders vary by customer


You offer bundles or kits

How it works:

Order is received


Warehouse staff picks the items from storage


Items are packed together in one shipment


Order is labeled and shipped

Pick and Pack is ideal for businesses that sell a wide variety of products or offer customizable orders.

What Is Pick and Stick Fulfillment?

Pick and Stick is a simplified version of fulfillment where the warehouse team picks a single pre-packed item, applies a shipping label, and sends it out — without repacking.

When to use Pick and Stick:

You sell single SKU items (like subscription boxes or pre-packed kits)


Packaging is already done and only needs labeling


Speed and low touch fulfillment are priorities

How it works:

Product arrives at warehouse pre-packed and shelf-ready


Warehouse picks the pre-packed item


Label is printed and “stuck” on the package


Shipment goes out

Pick and Stick is efficient for high-volume, low-complexity fulfillment where speed is key.

Key Differences Between Pick and Pack vs. Pick and Stick

How 3PL Center Supports Both Fulfillment Models

At 3PL Center, we support both Pick and Pack and Pick and Stick fulfillment methods. Depending on your needs, we’ll help you choose the one that fits your products and operations best.

Pick and Pack:

Real-time inventory tracking by SKU


Box optimization to reduce dimensional weight


Custom inserts, gift wrapping, and kitting available

Pick and Stick:

Address verification to avoid delivery errors


Scan-based processing for label accuracy


Ideal for pre-packed items and subscription models

Whether you’re shipping customized kits or standardized boxes, our team carefully handles every order and delivers it quickly.

Choosing the Right Fulfillment Method

If your business offers a wide range of products with varying customer orders, Pick and Pack is usually the better choice. But if you offer the same item to many customers — especially something pre-packed — Pick and Stick can save time and reduce fulfillment costs.

Not sure which one makes sense for your products?
👉 Try our instant quote calculator to see which fulfillment method fits your needs best.