The Best Applications for Plastic Skids and Pallets

When it comes to material handling and storage, plastic skids and pallets are the backbone of efficient, safe, and long-lasting operations. Whether you’re shipping mattresses, organizing your warehouse, or looking for a reliable storage solution, Custom Built Plastic Pallets® designs and manufactures durable, fully customizable pallets and skids that meet your exact needs and specifications.

Below, we’ll explore the best applications for the different types of pallets CBPP offers—from storage pads to flat top pallets—and how each one brings unique advantages to your operation.

1. Plastic Skids: Versatile Strength for Any Industry

If you’ve ever wondered “what is a skid” or how it differs from a traditional pallet, think of skids as the minimalist yet mighty foundation of material handling. Skids are built without a bottom deck, which makes them lighter and ideal for applications requiring mobility, quick movement, and repeated use.

At Custom Built Plastic Pallets®, our plastic skids are made from 100% recycled rigid PVC and can be customized for both static and dynamic load capacities. They’re popular across industries like manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food service, and export because they’re flame-resistant, water-resistant, and cost significantly less than metal alternatives—while offering the same durability.

Best applications for skids:

  • Export and shipping where weight reduction matters
  • Environments requiring easy cleaning or hygiene compliance
  • Heavy-duty warehouse handling with forklifts or pallet jacks
  • Long-term storage without risk of rot, rust, or infestation

Plastic skids are also a sustainable and custom pallet solution—engineered to last for years while reducing waste and downtime.

Storage pad with plastic pallets keeping storage bins off the ground during flooding

2. Storage Pads: Simple, Smart, and Protective

When you need a no-fuss way to keep your belongings elevated and dry, plastic storage pads deliver unmatched simplicity. Designed to protect items from moisture, dirt, and pests, they’re perfect for basements, garages, sheds, or even retail and warehouse spaces.

Unlike wood pads, these are splinter-free, water-resistant, and ready to use straight out of the box—no assembly required. With each pad capable of supporting up to 1,500 pounds, they’re ideal for keeping heavy bins, tools, or furniture off damp floors.

Best applications for storage pads:

  • Preventing water damage in flood-prone areas
  • Organizing residential or commercial storage
  • Creating stable platforms under bins or equipment
  • Supporting items in garages, sheds, or basements

Made in the USA from recycled plastic, these storage pads combine value, strength, and convenience in one lightweight design.

3. Mattress Pallets: Built for Comfort and Protection

Shipping and storing mattresses can be challenging without the right foundation. That’s where mattress pallets and skids come in. Custom Built Plastic Pallets® designs each mattress pallet to prevent snags, splinters, or surface damage—making them perfect for manufacturers and distributors who need to protect bedding of all sizes.

Constructed from rigid PVC and secured with stainless steel screws, these 2-way plastic pallets are smooth, durable, and completely nail-free. They’re also designed to help you “cube out” trailers efficiently, meaning you can ship more products in fewer trips—reducing both costs and emissions.

Best applications for mattress pallets:

  • Shipping or warehousing mattresses of all sizes
  • Protecting bedding materials during transport
  • Preventing snags and abrasions on packaging
  • Reducing wasted trailer space for cost efficiency

4. P4 Pallets: Designed for Safety and Stability

For operations that rely on pallet picker forklifts, P4 Pallets (also known as Pallet Picker Plastic Pallets) are a game changer. Built with a solid composite center stringer, they allow forklifts to grip and lift pallets securely—creating a stable platform for operators working at height.

Safety is paramount in warehouse environments, and P4 Pallets are specifically engineered to prevent shifting or tipping during elevated handling. Made from recycled plastic, they combine sustainability with worker safety and performance.

Best applications for P4 pallets:

  • Warehouses using pallet picker forklifts
  • High-bay racking systems requiring operator stability
  • Operations prioritizing safety and security

These pallets exemplify the best of both worlds—strong, safe, and sustainable.

5. Flat Top Pallets: Smooth, Solid, and Supportive

For materials that can’t risk slipping through the cracks, flat top pallets provide a seamless, solid deck for reliable support. Also known as solid top plastic pallets, these are ideal for bagged goods, printed materials, or fragile products that need flat, stable bases during transport or storage.

With load capacities of up to 1,500 pounds and compatibility with forklifts and pallet jacks, flat top pallets offer both versatility and strength. Their hygienic surface also makes them a preferred option in food and pharmaceutical environments.

Best applications for flat top pallets:

  • Storing or shipping bagged goods (like mulch or salt)
  • Supporting delicate materials (like printed graphics)
  • Operations requiring smooth, easy-to-clean decks
  • Long-term reuse in hygienic or export settings

6. Grab-N-Go Pallets: Quick, Convenient, and Built to Last

When efficiency is everything, Grab-N-Go plastic pallets make material handling faster and simpler than ever. Designed with slip-resistant top deck boards and a 4-way entry, these pallets allow operators to quickly “grab and move” with most hand trucks—no wasted time, no extra effort.

Made from 100% recycled rigid PVC plastic, Grab-N-Go pallets deliver the same dependable strength and longevity as other custom pallets from Custom Built Plastic Pallets®. They’re engineered to perform in a wide range of environments while offering a cleaner, more durable alternative to wood.

Best applications for Grab-N-Go pallets:

  • Fast-paced warehouses and distribution centers
  • Exporting applications where durability and hygiene matter
  • Facilities using hand trucks or manual pallet movement
  • Operations looking to reduce contamination and pest risks

Because they’re water-, fire-, and flame-resistant, these plastic pallets stand up to heavy use and harsh conditions without splintering or absorbing moisture. From manufacturing floors to export docks, Grab-N-Go pallets provide the lightweight durability your team needs to stay productive and safe—day in and day out.

Choosing the Right Plastic Pallet for Your Needs

From plastic skids that streamline material handling to storage pads that protect from the ground up, Custom Built Plastic Pallets® offers purpose-built solutions for every industry. Each pallet is custom-engineered for your specific load, space, and workflow—ensuring that you get the durability, safety, and performance you need.

Ready to design your own? Visit Custom Built Plastic Pallets to build your custom pallet and discover how our products outperform wood and metal alternatives—every time.