How to Create a Shipping Label?

Struggling with incorrect shipping labels, delayed deliveries, or confusing carrier requirements? A simple mistake can lead to lost packages and unhappy customers. This blog will guide you through step-by-step instructions for creating accurate and professional shipping labels. You'll learn the essentials, avoid common errors, and ensure smooth deliveries with ease. Whether you're a small business or an individual shipper, these tips will save you time and effort. Get ready to simplify your shipping process.

What is a Shipping Label?

A shipping label is an essential document that ensures a package reaches the correct destination efficiently. It contains key details such as

• The sender and recipient's addresses

• Tracking barcode

• Package weight

• Shipping method

• Carrier information

Shipping companies use these labels to track, sort, and deliver packages accurately.

A well-formatted shipping label helps prevent delays, lost shipments, and delivery errors. Whether you're shipping a single package or managing bulk orders, creating accurate labels is crucial for smooth logistics. Understanding how shipping labels work can save you time, reduce mistakes, and improve overall shipping efficiency for your business.

How to Create a Shipping Label for Smooth Logistics Management

Creating a shipping label is a simple process, but getting it right is essential for smooth deliveries. Follow these steps to ensure accuracy and avoid shipping issues:

Choose a Shipping Carrier:

Select a carrier like USPS, UPS, FedEx, Canada Post or DHL based on cost, delivery speed, and reliability. Compare rates and delivery times to find the best fit. Choosing the right carrier ensures efficient and cost-effective shipping.

Enter Shipping Details:

Fill in the sender’s and recipient’s addresses, package weight, and dimensions carefully. Incorrect details can cause delays or additional charges. Double-check the information to ensure smooth delivery.

Select a Shipping Method:

Choose a shipping option such as standard, express, or overnight, depending on urgency. Faster shipping methods cost more but ensure quicker delivery. Select a method that balances speed and budget.

Generate the Label:

Use a carrier’s website, shipping software, or e-commerce platform to create a shipping label. The label includes a barcode for tracking and delivery verification. Ensure all details are accurate before generating.

All major shipping carriers, including UPS, FedEx, USPS, Canada Post, DHL, and Purolator, use 4" x 6" direct thermal shipping labels as the industry standard for package labeling. These labels are designed for fast, on-demand printing without the need for ink or ribbons, making them a cost-effective and efficient choice for e-commerce, warehouses, and fulfillment centers. Available in rolls of 250, 500, or 1000 labels, as well as 500-label fanfold stacks, these labels work seamlessly with Zebra, Rollo, Brother, Citizen, Toshiba, Godex, SATO, Honeywell, DYMO, TSC, and other top thermal shipping label printers to produce high-quality, scannable labels.

Since 4" x 6" labels are the industry standard, it’s essential to choose a thermal label printer that can support this size to ensure compatibility with major carriers and shipping platforms. Whether you’re running a small business, an online store, or a large-scale operation, investing in the right printer will streamline your shipping workflow and improve efficiency. Check out the top 7 best 4x6 shipping label printers to find the perfect one for your business needs!

Print the Label:

Print high-quality 4x6 shipping label printers with brands like Zebra and SATO. Our direct thermal printers let you print smaller labels on demand. Looking for color labels? The Epson C6000 is perfect for vibrant, professional shipping labels.

The Ultimate Color Shipping Label Printer Guide

Upgrade to a reliable color label printer for UPS and FedEx and make your shipping process smoother than ever.

Attach the Label Securely:

Stick the label on a flat, visible surface of the package. Avoid folds or damage that could make the barcode unreadable. Secure attachment ensures smooth processing and tracking.

Drop Off or Schedule Pickup:

Deliver the package to a drop-off location or schedule a pickup with the carrier. Properly labeled packages prevent delays and ensure timely shipping. Always get a receipt or tracking confirmation for reference.

Following these steps ensures your shipments are processed smoothly, reducing the risk of delays or lost packages.

What’s the next step after creating a shipping label?

After generating and attaching your shipping label, drop off your package at a carrier location or schedule a pickup if your carrier offers one. Many services provide free pickups for bulk shipments.

Use the tracking number on your label to monitor your package in real time and check for any delays. Ensure your customer also receives tracking details for transparency.

If a shipment is undeliverable, the carrier will use the return label to send it back. Double-checking your label details helps prevent delays and ensures a smooth shipping process.

Ship Packages Easily from Home or Office

Shipping from home or office is now more convenient with online carrier services. USPS offers Click-N-Ship®, allowing you to pay for postage, print shipping labels, schedule free pickups, and access discounted commercial rates for services like USPS Ground Advantage®, Priority Mail®, and Priority Mail Express®.

If you don’t have a printer, USPS provides alternatives like the Label Broker® and Delivery Service, which lets you print labels at select locations for a small fee. Similarly, FedEx and UPS offer tools like FedEx Ship Manager Lite, and UPS Create a Shipment, enabling you to generate and print labels online.

Major carriers have mobile apps available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for even more flexibility. These apps allow you to create labels, schedule pickups, and use QR code-enabled services. Show the QR code at a carrier location, and they will print your label for you.

These options allow you to streamline your shipping process, reduce trips to carrier offices, and focus on your business.

Why E-Commerce Businesses Should Use USPS Priority Mail International?

USPS Priority Mail International is a budget-friendly option for e-commerce businesses shipping packages between 4 and 70 pounds to over 190 countries. It balances cost and delivery speed, making it a practical choice for businesses expanding into international markets without overspending on shipping.

While express services like Global Express Guaranteed offer delivery in 1–3 days but start at $67.80, Priority Mail International provides a more affordable alternative with rates starting at $28.50. The service includes free USPS tracking, insurance up to $200 for merchandise, and optional free package pickups, ensuring secure and transparent shipping.

For e-commerce sellers, reliable international shipping is crucial for customer satisfaction. USPS Priority Mail International offers a dependable solution, giving customers visibility into their shipments while keeping costs manageable for businesses.

How Does OmegaBrand Help You with Shipping Labels

At OmegaBrand, we simplify shipping label creation with 4x6 shipping labels and thermal label printers, ensuring high-quality labels are compatible with UPS, FedEx, USPS, Canada Post, Purolator, DHL, and more. Our reliable printers help businesses improve shipping accuracy and efficiency.

We provide solutions for precise address labeling, real-time tracking updates, and customs form pre-filling, reducing errors and streamlining international shipping. Free return shipping label options add flexibility and build customer trust.

With OmegaBrand, businesses can optimize logistics, cut shipping errors, and enhance order fulfillment with cost-effective, high-performance printing solutions.

Book a free call for expert shipping label assistance!

Conclusion

Efficient shipping practices are key to ensuring high customer satisfaction in e-commerce businesses, and central to that is the correct creation and application of shipping labels. From being a guide for your package through the complex logistics network to serving as a critical link between your customer and the carrier, a well-made shipping label can make a significant difference to your business profitability and brand reputation.

By educating yourself about the various aspects of shipping labels, utilizing efficient online tools, partnering with reliable carriers, or even opting for professional assistance from 3PL providers such as ShipBob, you can leverage improved shipping processes and save considerable resources.

Remember, at the end of the day, optimized shipping processes not only sit well with your customers’ expectations, but they also significantly contribute to shaping your brand's image and fostering lasting customer relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print a shipping label at home?

Yes, once you've created a shipping label online, you can easily print it out at home. Ensure you have a good quality laser or thermal label printer for best results. Ensure you select the type of package and affix these labels securely on your packages before sending them off.

What are the costs involved in creating a shipping label?

While generating a shipping label on a carrier's website or third-party solution is typically free, you'll need to pay for the associated postage charges. These are calculated based on variables like package weight, dimensions, delivery location, and selected shipping method.

How do I get shipping labels for my business?

Businesses can create shipping labels using online tools provided by major carriers such as USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL. Alternatively, use third-party solutions like a shipping platform such as UPS Worldship, ShipStation or partner with third-party logistics providers like ShipBob who handle all fulfillment tasks, including shipping label generation.

How to format a shipping label?

A shipping label's format varies slightly based on the carrier and destination country regulations. However, certain standard fields, including the shipping address, should be filled accurately:

Shipping Label Fields	Guidelines
Sender Address	Should always be your business address
Recipient Name & Address	Ensure to verify this against an order's delivery details
Shipping Method	Selected based on delivery timeline & cost
Tracking Barcode & Number	Provided by the carrier for order tracking
Package Weight	Determined accurately using a postal scale