Shipping Labels: 7 Frequently Asked Questions

Shipping labels have become a vital part of e-commerce, especially when it comes to fulfilling orders. If you're running an online store, then you need to know how to create shipping labels and how to use them effectively. In this article, we'll go over everything you need to know about shipping labels: what they are and why they're important for your business.

What is a shipping label?

A shipping label is a sticker that's used to identify the package and contains information about its contents. The sender puts the label on their package, which means that only they can remove it once the item has been shipped. If you're going to be shipping items in bulk, it's important that your labels have enough space for all this information so there are no mistakes when you're sending out packages.

Why do you need one?

Shipping labels are helpful in identifying packages, and also help keep track of the items that have been shipped out. The information on these labels is important when it comes time for customers to receive their orders because all the details are right there on one label, including information such as where the package came from and where it was delivered along with other relevant information such as return policies or warranty coverage.

What's on a shipping label?

A shipping label is the most important part of your shipment. It contains all of the information that a shipper or customer needs, including:

• Return address (your address)
• Shipping address (the recipient's address)
• Weight of your package on the way to its destination (this should be accurate, but not exact)
• Date it was shipped out—this could be useful if you're shipping something with a limited shelf life or if you're using an expedited method like FedEx Priority Overnight.
• The tracking number of your shipment—this is the most important thing to know, as it will tell you exactly where your package is in transit. You can use this information to contact the shipper if you need help and also to check on its status.

How are shipping labels printed?

The process of printing shipping labels is straightforward.

• First, you'll need to decide which kind of printer you'd like to use: thermal transfer or direct thermal. Thermal transfer printers are more expensive and require special labels. Direct thermal printers are the most widely used type of label printer in the world—and for good reason! They're affordable and produce high-quality results when used with compatible materials like vinyl labels. We've wrote an article about the difference of Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Printing here.

• Next, it's time to choose your label type. There are two main types: paper labels or vinyl stickers. With stickers, you can print directly onto the adhesive backing. In addition to that, you can also save a lot of time of cutting and taping. If you're planning on printing onto vinyl labels, we recommend choosing an industrial label printer over consumer-grade models.

What to look for in a shipping label printer?

• Easy to use. The printer should be easy to set up, operate and maintain.
• Affordable. Look at the cost of replacement ink cartridges, as well as the unit's cost of ownership over time.
• Reliable. You want a printer that will last for years without any problems or issues—and one you can trust when it comes time to print your labels!
• Fast printing speeds can save you time during busy days at work or on the weekend when it comes time for shipping label printing; look for models with fast speeds so you don’t have any delays in getting your packages on their way!

Where do I get a shipping label?

You can get a shipping label in a variety of places. Here are some of the most popular options:

• Online: If you don’t want to take the time and effort to create your own shipping labels, you can purchase them from a third party. Many online retailers will sell custom-made shipping labels for their products. These labels come in a variety of shapes and sizes so that they can be used with different types of packages. What's the best part? They are much cheaper than what you can get from local stores.
• At a shipping company or store: You may have an account with the U.S. Postal Service or another shipping company that allows you to order labels there directly through them. They will usually offer other services such as packing materials, packaging supplies and more!
• At a printer supply store: Local stores often carry mailing items like envelopes and labels for sale off-the-shelf so customers can take advantage of their convenience without having to wait for delivery times from online retailers.

Where should I put the shipping label on a box?

There are a few different places where the shipping label should be placed on a box. The most obvious place to put it is on top of the box, facing up so that someone can see what's inside at first glance. However, this isn't always possible because many boxes have other labels that need to be visible at all times. In that case you'll want to put your label near the right side of the box instead; putting it too close to an edge will make it harder for people who need to open up your package and inspect its contents.

Conclusion

Shipping labels are a necessary part of eCommerce. Without them, you can't send products to your customers, and they'll never know what to expect when their package arrives at their doorstep. Shipping labels are also important for other reasons, such as keeping track of inventory and controlling shipping costs. But sometimes, it's hard to know where or how they should be printed; after all, there's no shortage of options out there! We hope this article has made things easier by covering everything from which shipping label printer will give you the best value for money (and maybe even some tips on saving some cash).

You may also like