Small businesses can easily purchase shipping labels by using online shipping label platforms. These websites allow users to quickly purchase shipping labels and compare prices instantly. Many small businesses rely on services like Pirate Ship or Shippo, which offer discounted rates and do not require monthly fees.
Platforms provide up to 90% off regular shipping prices.
Printing multiple labels at once saves valuable time.
Integration with online stores automates the process.
Businesses only pay when they purchase a shipping label.
Anyone can purchase a shipping label online and print it at home, making the entire shipping process simple and convenient for everyone.
Key Takeaways
Use online shipping platforms like Pirate Ship or Stamps.com. You can buy labels fast and save up to 90% on shipping costs.
Enter the correct package details. Pick the right shipping service. This helps you avoid delays and extra fees.
Compare rates from different carriers. Use business accounts or buy in bulk to lower shipping label costs.
Check all shipping information carefully before you print labels. This helps stop costly mistakes and lost packages.
Manage shipping labels by canceling unused ones quickly. Ask for refunds when you can to protect your budget.
Purchase Shipping Label Options
Small businesses can pick from different ways to buy shipping labels. Picking the best way can help save money. It can also make work faster and help the business grow.
Shipping Labels Online Platforms
Many small businesses use online platforms to buy shipping labels fast. These platforms give lower prices. Pirate Ship and Stamps.com are two examples. Pirate Ship lets you pay only when you need a label. There are no monthly fees. This is good for saving money. Stamps.com has a monthly fee. It works with more carriers and has more tools. The table below shows how Pirate Ship and Stamps.com are different:
Feature / Aspect | Pirate Ship | Stamps.com |
|---|---|---|
Pricing Model | Free to use, no monthly fees; pay only postage | Subscription-based starting at $17.99/month plus per-package fees |
Shipping Rates | Discounted USPS rates (up to 90% off retail) | Discounted rates for USPS, UPS, FedEx |
Supported Carriers | Primarily USPS; some UPS and FedEx support | USPS, UPS, FedEx |
Batch Shipping | Supports batch processing | Advanced batch processing and automation |
Integrations | Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy | Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, eBay |
Suitable For | Small businesses, startups focusing on cost savings | High-volume shippers, larger businesses needing multi-carrier support |
Most online shipping services let you print labels at home or in a store. Some will mail you labels if you do not have a printer.
Carrier Websites
Businesses can also buy shipping labels right from carrier websites. USPS, UPS, and FedEx all have their own sites. These sites give good discounts for small businesses. USPS gives up to 89% off. UPS and FedEx give up to 90% off. You can ship in the country or to other countries. You can buy and print a label right away. Your information stays safe and private.
Carrier | Maximum Discount | Features for Small Businesses |
|---|---|---|
USPS | Up to 89% off | No minimum commitment, instant ROI, supports domestic and international shipments |
UPS | Up to 90% off | 51 discount options, suitable for startups to high-volume shippers |
FedEx | Up to 90% off | 18 discount options, flexible shipping solutions |
E-commerce Integrations
E-commerce platforms like Shopify, eBay, Walmart, and Facebook let you buy shipping labels online. Squarespace also helps with this. These tools connect your orders, inventory, and customer info. You can buy and print a label without leaving your dashboard. Automation helps print many labels at once. It also helps fill orders faster and with fewer mistakes. Using Squarespace or similar tools keeps everything in one place. This makes customers happier.
Tip: Using an online shipping service with e-commerce tools saves time. It also helps small businesses avoid mistakes when buying shipping labels.
How to Create a Shipping Label
Making a shipping label is important for small businesses that send packages. A shipping label has all the details carriers need to deliver a package safely and on time. Small businesses can make a shipping label online in a few easy steps. This helps stop mistakes, saves money, and keeps customers happy.
Enter Package Details
First, you need to put in the right package details. Every shipping label should have:
The recipient’s name, address, and contact information.
The package’s weight and size, including the box or bag.
A tracking number and barcode for scanning and tracking.
The shipping method and any special instructions, like “Fragile” or “This Side Up.”
If you make mistakes in these details, problems can happen. Packages might be late, lost, or sent to the wrong place. Wrong addresses or missing phone numbers make it hard to reach customers or return packages. If the label is not placed well or is hard to read, the barcode might not scan. This can cause people to enter information by hand, which leads to more mistakes.
Tip: Always check all the details before you go to the next step. Even a small mistake can stop a package from being delivered.
Choose Shipping Service
After you enter the package details, pick a shipping service. Small businesses often choose between USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, or options like Shopify Shipping. The best choice depends on the package’s size, weight, where it is going, and how fast the customer wants it.
Shipping Service | Common Usage by Small Businesses | Cost Characteristics | Delivery Time Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
Used most for small, light packages | Cheapest for under 5 lbs; free pickups | Cheaper, sometimes slower; many choices | |
UPS | Good for heavy or urgent packages | Discounts for business accounts; flat-rate available | Faster ground delivery; next-day air |
Great for fast and international shipping | Discounted rates for business; flat-rate express | Priority Overnight, 2Day, reliable ground | |
DHL | Fast for sending to Europe or Asia | Volume discounts; customs included | 1-3 day international express |
Shopify Shipping | Uses many carriers together | Pre-negotiated discounts | Compare rates and print labels in one place |
The type and weight of your package change the cost of the shipping label. Poly mailers are good for light things like clothes. Boxes are better for breakable or heavy items. Carriers use dimensional weight pricing, so big but light packages can cost more. USPS Flat Rate boxes can help save money for heavy packages.
Note: Picking the right service and packaging helps keep shipping costs low and makes sure packages arrive on time.
Make Payment
After you pick a shipping service, you need to pay to get the shipping label. Most shipping label sites take credit cards and digital wallets. Payment processors like Square, PayPal, Braintree, and Authorize.net are used a lot. These companies charge a fee for each payment, usually about 2.6% to 2.9% plus a small extra amount. Some may also have monthly fees or chargeback fees, but these are often given back if the business wins a dispute.
Small businesses should look at payment choices and fees before picking a platform. Paying for each shipping label as you need it helps control spending and avoids extra costs.
Print Shipping Labels
After you pay, the last step is to print the shipping label. Most sites let you print shipping labels at home with a regular printer. If you ship a lot, thermal printers work faster, last longer, and save money over time. Some businesses use printing services in stores or ask for labels to be mailed if they do not have a printer.
To print shipping labels the right way:
Download the shipping label from the website.
Use sticky label paper or plain paper with clear tape.
Put the label on the biggest flat part of the package, not on seams or corners.
Make sure the barcode can be seen and is not covered by tape.
If you have more than one package, print a label for each box to track them.
Note: Using recycled or biodegradable label paper and energy-saving printers helps the environment. Ask customers to recycle packaging and labels when they can.
Printing mistakes, like smudged ink or bad placement, can slow down shipping. Always check that the label is clear and easy to read before sending the package.
Callout: Print shipping labels in groups to save time and make fewer mistakes, especially when you are busy.
Save on Shipping Labels
Compare Rates
Small businesses can save money by checking shipping rates. They should look at different carriers and platforms. Many use special software to see rates right away. This helps them pick the best choice for each package. These tools help choose the right carrier and show the label price before you buy. Here are some good ways to save:
Use shipping software that checks rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and others.
Compare your shipping rates with other businesses to find better prices.
Ask carriers for lower rates, especially during busy times.
Watch what customers like and change shipping choices to fit.
Study your shipping data to find patterns and ship at the best times.
Popular tools like ShipStation, EasyShip, and ClickPost let you compare rates in real time. They also give discounts on shipping. These platforms help small businesses pay less and keep shipping label costs down.
Tool Name | Key Features | Pricing Range | Rate Comparison Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
ShipStation | Real-time rates, bulk label printing | Free to $229.99/month | High, dashboard-based |
EasyShip | 250+ couriers, customs automation | Free to $29+/month | High, real-time multi-carrier |
ClickPost | Multi-carrier, analytics, e-commerce support | Free tier, paid plans vary | High, real-time |
Use Discounts and Business Accounts
Business accounts and buying in bulk can save a lot of money. Many carriers and platforms give special prices to small businesses. For example, USPS, FedEx, and UPS have programs that lower costs and give rewards. Shipping software like Veeqo lets you use discounts that are already set up. Buying many shipping labels at once also makes each label cheaper.
Pack Size | Price | Cost Per Label |
|---|---|---|
Small pack (250 labels) | $12.99 | $0.051 |
Medium pack (1000 labels) | $25.99 | $0.025 |
Bulk pack (5000 labels) | $99.99 | $0.019 |
To get discounts, you often need a business account or approved shipping tools. Some programs do not need you to ship a lot, so most small businesses can join.
Tip: Using business accounts and buying in bulk can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars every year.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Mistakes with shipping labels can cost a lot and lose customers. Common problems are picking the wrong carrier, typing the wrong address, or not adding shipping costs to product prices. These mistakes can lead to extra fees, lost packages, or unhappy buyers.
Labels that are not used or shipped waste money.
To stop these problems, small businesses should:
Check all shipping details before printing labels.
Use tools that help avoid mistakes.
Keep track of unused labels and ask for refunds if possible.
Teach workers how to pack and place labels the right way.
Note: Taking care of shipping labels helps keep profits safe and customers happy.
Manage and Troubleshoot Shipping Labels
Edit or Cancel Labels
Sometimes, small businesses need to change or stop a shipping label. Most platforms do not let you change a label after you buy it. If you make a mistake, you must cancel the label and make a new one. You can only cancel before the carrier picks up or scans the package. Some platforms, like eShip Global, let you cancel shipments yourself. This helps you avoid extra correction fees. It is best to cancel on the same day. Always check your platform’s rules so you do not get extra charges.
Note: You cannot use a label again. Always check shipping details before printing to stop mistakes.
Request Refunds
Refunds help small businesses get money back for unused or wrong labels. The steps are usually like this:
Ask for a refund within 30 days after printing the label. Some international labels give you up to 45 days.
Make sure the label was not used or scanned by the carrier.
Go to the platform’s refund page to send your request. Pick the label, agree to the rules, and send it in.
For some cases, like USPS First-Class Large Envelopes, you must mail the spoiled label and a printed form to USPS.
You can ask for refunds for many labels at once by picking more than one.
Refunds can take up to 30 days to finish. The platform checks if the label was used before giving you money back.
You can see your refund status in the platform’s history or refund area.
If you do not get a refund, it usually means the label was already used or scanned.
Fix Printing or Payment Issues
Problems with printing or paying can slow down shipping. Common printing problems are smudged ink, paper jams, or barcodes that cannot be read. Payment problems can be failed payments or trouble connecting to carriers.
To fix these problems, small businesses should:
Use a good thermal printer for clear labels that do not smudge.
Check printer settings and update drivers often.
Double-check label size and details before printing.
Make sure the package is clean and dry before putting on the label.
For payment problems, check your payment info and add money if needed.
Reconnect carrier accounts if there are tech problems.
If you still have trouble, contact support with your order number and payment info.
Tip: Teach workers how to label and pay the right way. This helps stop mistakes and keeps shipping running smoothly.
Small businesses can make shipping better by doing a few things:
Look at all shipping costs, like supplies and worker time, to plan your budget.
Use shipping software to make labels, check prices, and follow orders.
Pick carriers and platforms that match what your business and customers need.
Buy special label printers to print labels faster and with fewer mistakes.
Teach workers how to pack and label boxes the right way.
Online shipping tools help save money, stop mistakes, and make shipping orders easier. Checking how you ship now and trying new tools can help you work faster and make customers happier. Getting a business account gives you more discounts and makes shipping even easier.
FAQ
What is a shipping label?
A shipping label is a piece of paper or sticker. It shows who is sending the package and who gets it. It also has a tracking number and shipping method. Carriers use the label to deliver packages. Each label has a barcode that can be scanned and tracked.
Why do small businesses need shipping labels?
Shipping labels help small businesses look more professional. They make it easy to track packages. Labels help stop mistakes. Using them saves time and helps packages get to customers faster.
Where can small businesses buy shipping labels?
Small businesses can buy shipping labels online. They can use postage providers like Pirate Ship or Stamps.com. They can also use carrier websites like USPS or UPS. E-commerce platforms like Shopify or eBay also sell shipping labels.
What types of shipping labels are available?
There are different types of shipping labels. Domestic labels are for packages sent inside the country. International labels have customs details for other countries. Labels can match services like Priority Mail, First Class, or Ground Advantage.
What should a business do if a label has a mistake?
If a label has a mistake, the business should cancel it before shipping. Most platforms give refunds for labels that are not used. Always check the details before printing to stop errors.