When you receive a package in your mailbox, you want to ensure that everything is correct before you sign off on sending out the package. That means printing up some shipping labels! And if you need them quick enough or don’t have access to a printer, then there’s no better solution than using a smartphone app like Printrify Shipping Labels. You can customize all sorts of options such as what size label you’d like to use, how many copies you would like printed, where you would like the address information sent, etc. So whether you’re ordering online from Amazon, eBay, Etsy, or any other site, this is definitely one tool that every seller should add into their arsenal.
So without further ado, let’s learn how to print shipping labels! But first, we need to understand the basics!
What Are Shipping Labels?
Shipping labels are essentially pieces of paper with information about your shipment written on them. They contain important details like:
• The name of the sender
• Your company name
• A tracking number
• An estimated delivery date
• Where they will be delivered to
There may also be additional notes added by the carrier, which could include things like “signature required,” “delivery restricted,” or “special instructions.” All of these details help carriers know when to deliver the package safely and efficiently.
The main reason why most sellers use shipping labels is that they want to ensure that the recipient gets exactly what was ordered. This includes knowing who shipped something, what kind of packaging it came in, and where it went after being dropped at its destination. In addition, you’ll want to know when the item has been received so that you can update inventory accordingly. If you’re selling items through multiple channels, having accurate records makes managing your inventory across different platforms much simpler.
If you’ve ever had issues getting shipments delivered, you probably already realize that not everyone uses shipping labels. Some people leave their packages outside while others put them inside mailboxes or even throw them away. However, if you’re interested in ensuring that your customers’ orders arrive safe and sound, you should always take advantage of shipping labels. So, how do you make these critical pieces of paper?
How To Print Shipping Labels: A Step-By-Step Guide
1: Choose An Online Shipping Service
There are several shipping services available online today, including USPS, DHL, UPS, and others. Each has different rates depending upon weight, location, number of items being shipped, and more, but generally speaking, most major carriers charge around $5-10 per box based on volume. If you have multiple boxes going out simultaneously, consider getting together with friends or family members who live near each other and split the cost. It may take longer to find someone willing to do this, but when you factor in the savings, you’ll realize it isn’t worth paying extra money for shipping alone.
If you prefer not to go through the hassle of paying by credit card, PayPal offers free accounts that allow users to set up recurring payments for things like subscriptions and purchases made within their account. With over 200 million active monthly users worldwide, PayPal makes it convenient to buy anything from anywhere. However, because of security reasons, it does require verification of payment methods such as bank transfers and debit cards. This process takes about five days. Once verified, however, you won’t ever have to worry about providing payment info again.
Once you’ve decided which carrier you’d like to work with, move to the second step.
2: Select The Right Size of The Shipping Label
The next thing we must decide is what type of label we’d like to order. There are two main types, flat rate, and variable rate. Flat Rate labels are preprinted stickers with a certain amount of space dedicated to the recipient’s name and address. These labels range between 3×3 inches and 4×6 inches. Variable-rate labels are usually smaller and include less writing room since they were designed specifically for small shipments. They also tend to be cheaper than standard postage stamps. If you plan to ship large quantities of products, though, it might be wiser to invest in larger sizes. Since you cannot change the text after placing it on the package, it can become difficult to figure out exactly why something was charged incorrectly.
In addition to choosing the best size, we also need to choose the paper used for our shipping labels. Most companies offer both regular white paper as well as recycled ones. Recycled papers are often thicker and stronger and last longer than normal sheets, making them ideal for mailing heavy items. When selecting paper, try to pick a type that comes in various thicknesses so you know you will always have plenty of choices.
3. Weigh And Measure
We’re almost done! Once you have the right specifications of your shipping label, it’s now time to verify every detail before printing. First, weigh your item using an accurate scale. Next, make sure you don’t exceed the maximum dimensions allowed according to the carrier you chose. Finally, if applicable, add any special instructions to your shipment. For example, if you want the receiver to sign for the delivery, leave some room below the signature line where they could write their full name. If there are additional charges associated with sending packages internationally, double-check all prices listed on the website. Some carriers only accept orders above a specific value, while others limit how many pieces of mail can be sent at one time. Make sure you understand these rules; otherwise, you risk incurring unnecessary fees.
4. Print Your Shipping Labels
Now that everything seems perfect, it’s finally time to get down to business. Before placing an order, make sure you enter the correct information into the appropriate fields. The first field should contain your company name, email address, phone number, and physical street address. You can select whether or not you would like to receive emails regarding new orders placed by customers. Don’t forget to specify the number of items you wish to send along with your purchase. Lastly, fill in your billing zip code, so the system knows exactly where to deliver your goods. After entering all necessary details, press the ‘add’ button located under the header section. Now, wait until your order appears in your inbox.
If you don’t have a printer, you can get your shipping labels printed at Staples, Office Depot, or even your local library. While most office supply stores allow you to use their printers, this option may cost more money depending on the quality of the ink being used. It is recommended to stick to the free services offered online as long as possible.
5. Stick The Labels
Once you have your labels on hand, proceed to stick them appropriately to the package they belong to. If you have multiple shipments, place each label separately; however, it might be beneficial to combine several labels when dealing with large amounts of products. This way, you won’t waste precious space on your boxes which means less chance of getting stuck somewhere else. Also, ensure you apply enough tape to cover up all edges of the box. Otherwise, the recipient might find themself unable to open the package without damaging it further.
6. Ship It Off!
Finally, after sticking all required stickers onto the packaging, take care of the actual transportation process. Check out what options are available for different types of deliveries. Depending on the service provider chosen, you’ll either pay upfront or upon arrival of the package. Regardless of how much you spend, remember to keep track of the tracking numbers provided by the courier since they usually provide detailed info about the status of your parcel.
7. Enjoy Peace of Mind
Once the package arrives safely at its destination, rest assured, knowing that you did all you could to protect it from damage during transit.
Tips For Creating Good Looking Shipping Labels
The best thing about creating shipping labels yourself is that you will save lots of cash. However, if you want to avoid spending too much time doing things manually, here are five tips to help you achieve professional results:
1) Use Templates
There are tons of pre-made shipping label designs available online. Choose one that suits your needs and start customizing it accordingly. There are also plenty of ready-made template websites that offer hundreds of design choices. Just pick one that fits your brand identity and go crazy!
2) Add Extra Features
You don’t need to look far to find examples of creative ways people have come up with to stand out among other businesses. Take advantage of these ideas and include anything that makes sense for your particular situation. These days, consumers expect companies to think outside of the box when designing marketing campaigns. So why not do the same?
3) Be Consistent
Most importantly, remain consistent throughout the entire project. Your shipping labels must convey the same message no matter who receives them. Therefore, always adhere to the same font type, color scheme, and layout. Remember, consistency helps build trust between you and your clients. And trust is something that cannot be bought.
4) Keep It Simple
Shipping labels shouldn’t be complicated or overwhelming. They should communicate the primary purpose of delivering a product or offer. As such, try to stay away from excessive text and images.
Conclusion
Whether you’re sending packages across town or worldwide, having proper shipping labels can make all the difference. By following our guide above, you’ll soon get the hang of printing shipping labels so you can focus more attention on growing your business instead of wasting valuable resources on tedious tasks.