To fill out a shipping label, you must write the right sender and recipient details. You also need to add package information. Then, print the label for the package. Most shipping carriers want a printed shipping label. Knowing about shipping labels helps you avoid mistakes when shipping. This is very important for international shipping or P.O. Box delivery.
Key Takeaways
Always write the full and correct sender and recipient details. Add the package weight and shipping service. This helps stop delays and lost packages.
Use printed shipping labels with clear barcodes. Put the label flat on the biggest side of the package. This makes scanning easy and delivery faster.
Check all information before you print. Take off old labels. Attach the new label tightly. This keeps your package safe while shipping.
Shipping Label Basics
What Is a Shipping Label?
A shipping label is a sticker or paper. It tells the carrier where to send a package. The label has important details about the sender and recipient. It also shows information about the package. Carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS use these labels. They use the label to track and deliver packages. The label has a tracking number and a barcode. These help the carrier scan and follow the package. Knowing about shipping labels helps people avoid mistakes and delays.
Required Information
Every shipping label needs certain details. Here is a table that lists the main parts of a shipping label:
Shipping Label Element | Description |
|---|---|
Sender’s Information | Name, address, and contact details for returns and verification. |
Recipient’s Information | Full delivery address, including apartment or suite numbers. |
Package Weight | Actual weight for shipping cost and sorting. |
Destination Postal Code | ZIP or postal code for sorting and routing. |
Shipping Class / Service Level | Shows shipping speed, like Ground, Priority, or Express. |
Tracking Barcode & Number | Barcode and tracking number for following the package during shipping. |
Most carriers want a printed shipping label, not a handwritten one. This helps machines read the barcode and tracking number. If you ship to a P.O. Box, add the box number. Sometimes you also need a phone number. For international shipping, you need more details. You must include customs information and the value of the items.
Tip: Always check the address and tracking number before printing. Mistakes can cause delays or lost packages.
How to Create a Shipping Label
People can make shipping labels in different ways. Many use online tools like CraftMyPDF Free Online Shipping Label Maker. This tool lets you design and print labels easily. FedEx has an online platform for making and printing labels too. E-commerce sellers use shipping label software with their stores. These tools help make labels fast and reduce mistakes.
To make a shipping label, enter the sender and recipient information. Add the package weight and shipping class. The system makes a label with a barcode and tracking number. Print the label and put it on the package. Knowing how to write and create a shipping label makes shipping easier.
How to Fill Out a Shipping Label
Writing a Shipping Label
To fill out a shipping label, you need the right details. Many people want to know how to write a shipping label that works well. It is easier if you follow these steps:
Get the sender’s and recipient’s full names and addresses. Check for spelling mistakes or missing apartment numbers.
Weigh the package and measure its size. This helps you pick the right shipping service and price.
Pick a shipping carrier. You can use carrier websites, online stores, or shipping software to make and buy a shipping label.
Type all the information into the online tool. Add the tracking number, package weight, and any special delivery notes.
Print the shipping label with a printer. Make sure the barcode and tracking number are easy to see.
Stick the label on the biggest flat part of the package. Take off any old labels so there is no mix-up.
Put a packing slip inside the package. The slip should have contact details, order info, and the tracking number.
Tip: Use a font that is easy to read and a label size that fits all the information. Black letters on a white label are best.
It is important to write the address the right way. Use all capital letters for names and addresses. Do not use punctuation marks. Put the recipient’s address in the middle of the label. The return address goes in the top left corner. The tracking number should be close to the barcode so it can be scanned.
How to Write a Shipping Label for P.O. Boxes
Sometimes, people send packages to a P.O. Box. Knowing how to write a shipping label for this helps avoid problems. USPS lets you use two main ways for P.O. Box addresses. The first way uses the post office’s street address and the P.O. Box number. You can use a “#” or the word “UNIT.” The second way uses the normal P.O. Box format:
RECIPIENT NAME
PO BOX 12345
CITY STATE ZIP CODE
If the post office says it is okay, you can use the street address like this:
RECIPIENT NAME
123 MAIN ST UNIT 12345
CITY STATE ZIP CODE
Note: Always ask the local post office for the right format. Some places want a certain style for P.O. Box shipping.
When you fill out a shipping label for a P.O. Box, add a phone number if the carrier asks for it. This helps with delivery or pickup messages.
How to Fill Out for International Shipping
International shipping labels need more care. Many people want to know how to write a shipping label for packages going to other countries. The steps need more details than shipping inside the country. Here is what you need:
What is inside, how many, and how much it is worth
Package weight and size
Customs information, like where it was made and HS codes
Tracking number and any special notes
USPS and other carriers often put customs forms with the shipping label. This makes it easier to fill out everything at once. Some labels are one piece and some are three pieces. For three-piece labels, put them in a clear pouch on the package.
Tip: Always use the right address style for the country you are sending to. Write the full country name in capital letters on the last line. Do not use short forms.
Mistakes on international shipping labels can slow down or lose packages. Check all the details, especially the tracking number and customs info. Take off old labels before you put on the new one.
Label Placement
Putting the label in the right place helps with shipping and tracking. Carriers say to put the shipping label on the biggest, flattest part of the package, usually the top center. This makes the barcode and tracking number easy to scan.
Follow these tips for labeling a package:
Place the label flat, with no wrinkles or on seams.
Do not put tape over the barcode or tracking number. If you need to protect the label, use clear tape only around the edges.
For odd-shaped packages, find the flattest spot for the label.
Take off old shipping labels so there is no confusion.
Barcode Visibility Tips | Details |
|---|---|
Leave space around the barcode so it can be scanned. | |
No Printing Zone | Do not print above or below the barcode. |
Reflectance | Use white, not shiny, label paper for best results. |
Quality | Print barcodes clearly and check for smudges or fading. |
Placement | Keep the address line easy to see and the label inside the holder or pouch. |
Note: For fragile or special packages, add handling instructions on the label. Some packages, like hazardous materials or big items, need extra labels or markings. Always follow the carrier’s rules for these.
A clear, well-placed shipping label with a visible tracking number helps carriers deliver packages fast and safely. People who fill out shipping labels carefully have fewer problems and better shipping experiences.
Common Mistakes and Tips
Double-Check Information
Many shipping problems happen because of small mistakes. People sometimes forget apartment numbers or mix up addresses. Even a small typo can send a package to the wrong place. Shipping experts say to use shipping software for details. This helps stop data entry mistakes. Always make sure the label has the full address and phone number. Address tools can find mistakes before you print the label. Packages with missing or unclear info can get delayed, lost, or sent back.
Tip: Check every detail before you fill out and print the label. This step saves time and stops problems later.
Avoid Handwritten Labels
Handwritten labels might seem fast, but they cause problems. Postal workers have trouble reading messy handwriting, especially for international shipping. This can make packages get lost or sent to the wrong place. Printed labels are clear and look professional. They have barcodes that scanners can read easily. Printing labels saves time for people who ship many packages. It also helps with tracking and keeps shipping safe.
Printed shipping labels help stop mistakes.
Handwritten labels can slow down shipping and look messy.
For best results, always use a printer for your label.
Secure Attachment
A shipping label must stay on the package the whole time. If the label comes off or gets ruined, the carrier may not deliver it. Use strong packing materials and put the label on a clean, flat spot. Do not put it on seams or edges where it can wrinkle or peel. Protect the label with clear tape around the sides, but never cover the barcode. For extra safety, put another label inside the package. This helps if the outside label is lost or ruined.
Use tough label materials for hard shipping trips.
Add extra labels like “Fragile” or “This Side Up” if needed.
Make sure the barcode is easy to scan and not blurry.
Good shipping label habits include using good printers and checking barcodes before shipping. These steps help your package get there safely and on time.
Filling out a shipping label is easy if you follow steps. Start by writing the sender and recipient details. Add the package weight and choose the shipping method. Put the label flat on the biggest side of the box. Check all the information again before you send it. Careful steps help stop mistakes and make shipping go well for everyone.
FAQ
How can someone reprint a lost shipping label?
If someone loses a label, they can log in to their carrier’s website. They find the order and select “Reprint Label.” Most carriers offer this option.
What should a person do if the barcode prints blurry?
A person should reprint the label using a higher-quality printer. They need to check for smudges. Carriers may not scan blurry barcodes.
Can someone handwrite a shipping label in an emergency?
Most carriers do not accept handwritten labels. If someone must handwrite, they should print clearly and include all details. Printed labels work best.