Abstract: Graphic means in the form of one or more symbols applied to one or more of the panels of a plurality of cargo containers to be loaded in a cargo receiving space, such as the cargo receiving space of a vehicle. The symbols provide graphic instructions to a loader as to how the cargo containers should be oriented in the cargo space of a vehicle in order to obtain a loading pattern which substantially maximizes the number of cartons that can be loaded in the cargo receiving space. The loading pattern obtained from the graphic instructions provided by the symbols also serves to reduce the clearance between the cartons and the walls of the cargo receiving space and hence the possibility of damage to cargo in the containers or cartons due to shifting while in transit.