Printing shipping labels is a crucial task for small businesses, and it doesn't have to take a lot of time and cost. In this blog, we will discuss the cheapest ways to print shipping labels without leaving your home.
Choosing the Right Printer
There are usually two common types of printers for printing shipping labels: home inkjet printers and thermal label printers. To help you make the right decision, we'll look at a few factors.
If you're just shipping a few packages and have just started your business: using a home printer you already have will suffice. You can print on standard computer paper, cut out the label, and use tape to affix it to your package. However, ensure that the paper wouldn't be damaged by oil or water; otherwise, you might have to refund it to the carrier and reprint.
If you're shipping a large number of packages and your business is growing: you definitely need a thermal label printer. A 4x6 thermal shipping label is self-adhesive, which saves the process of cutting and taping. Thermal label printers use heat to print on special thermal labels, eliminating the need for ink or toner. This makes them more cost-effective in the long run, especially for businesses with high shipping volumes. They also print faster than a home inkjet printer, with a speed of 72 labels/minute.
Printing Shipping Labels with Carrier's Platforms
Online shipping platforms such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx provide an easy and convenient way to print shipping labels. These platforms often offer discounted shipping rates and allow you to print labels directly from your computer. Simply create an account on their website, fill in shipping information, and schedule a pick-up. However, they usually offer discounted rates on shipping labels if you ship over thousands of packages a year.
Related: The Cheapest Way to Ship Packages: USPS, UPS, Or FedEx?
Printing Shipping Labels with Shipping Software
Shipping software is a valuable tool for small businesses that frequently ship packages. It offers features like batch processing, address validation, and shipment tracking. Many shipping software solutions, such as ShipStation and Stamps.com, provide the option to print shipping labels directly from the software.
Using shipping software not only simplifies the label printing process but also helps you compare shipping rates from different carriers, ensuring you choose the most cost-effective option for each shipment. Some shipping software charge a monthly fee for their service, so it's recommended to compare their price plans to choose the best one for you.
Printing Shipping Labels with e-Commerce Platforms
Another option is to use e-commerce platforms. Many major platforms, such as Shopify, eBay, and Etsy, offer built-in shipping label printing capabilities. They often integrate with major carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx. When you purchase shipping labels on Etsy, the cost can be up to 30% lower than the USPS retail rate. Once you receive an order, you can easily generate a shipping label with a few clicks. They also allow you to compare rates and select the most cost-saving shipping method for each order based on their weight, dimensions, and destination.
Related: How to Print Shipping Labels on Etsy (A Step-by-step Guide)
Where Can I Buy Cheap Shipping Labels?
In most cases, it's cheaper to buy shipping labels online than from the post office. Munbyn offers high-quality 4x6 shipping labels that come with 500 labels per pack. They have FSC certification, and they are totally waterproof and oil-proof. They are easy to peel off without any hassle of cutting and taping. They are also compatible with any direct thermal printer other than Dymo. If you want your shipping labels to be more unique, there are three colors you can choose from that match your package style.
Wrap up
Overall, the best and cheapest way is to print shipping labels from home. Not only that you can save the time and cost to drive to the post office, you can also print high-quality shipping labels that streamline your shipping process. Happy printing and shipping, and best wishes for the success of your small business!
