Shipping Labels

Every outbound package needs a label that survives the sort facility. This collection covers blank and printed shipping labels for ecommerce sellers, warehouse shippers, and small businesses running daily USPS, UPS, and FedEx volume. Each label is built for barcode and QR scannability first, with a smooth print surface and an adhesive grade that holds to corrugated cardboard, poly mailers, and padded envelopes through transit and weather. Choose roll labels for thermal and label applicator workflows, or sheets for desktop printers and lower daily volume. Options include blank labels ready for your own printing and pre-printed return labels, handling labels, and branded shipping stickers that pair with your packaging.

Shipping Labels: What You Get

This collection includes blank shipping labels in standard carrier sizes, pre-printed return address and fulfillment labels, and shipping-related stickers such as 'Fragile', 'This Side Up', and routing notices. It is aimed at ecommerce sellers shipping from a home office, small warehouses fulfilling dozens to hundreds of orders a day, and 3PL or kitting operations that need consistent label placement.

• Blank roll labels for thermal printers and applicators
• Blank sheet labels for laser and inkjet printing
• Pre-printed shipping and handling labels for repeated use
• Return label stickers for enclosed prepaid returns

If you need customer-facing branding instead, see our Packaging Stickers and Thank You Stickers collections in the same category.

Materials, Adhesive and Finishes

Most shipping labels in this collection use white matte vinyl or a gloss vinyl facestock, both of which scan cleanly under laser and imager barcode readers. Calendered vinyl is the standard choice for shipping because it holds up through a few days of transit at a low cost per label. Cast vinyl is available for labels exposed to moisture or longer handling chains, and it conforms better to curved poly mailers.

The adhesive grade matters as much as the facestock. Shipping labels use a permanent acrylic adhesive that bonds to corrugated, kraft, and poly surfaces. For poly mailers, a stronger adhesive or a laminate-backed label avoids peeling at the edges. A gloss laminate adds scuff resistance for labels that pass through automated sorting belts. Matte finishes reduce glare under warehouse scanner lighting, which is why many fulfillment labels ship matte rather than gloss.

Sizing and Placement for Shipping Labels

Standard carrier label sizes drive most of this collection. The common US thermal label sizes are 4 x 6 inches for full shipping labels, 2 x 4 inches and 3 x 5 inches for smaller parcel labels, and 4 x 4 inches for square formats. Sheet labels run on 8.5 x 11 inch pages in common layouts.

• 4 x 6 inch: full USPS, UPS, and FedEx shipping labels, one per package
• 2 x 4 inch: partial labels, order numbers, and secondary barcodes
• 3 x 5 inch: regional carrier and freight labels

Place the label on the largest flat surface of the box, away from seams, edges, and tape lines. Keep at least 1 inch of clearance from any box edge so sorting equipment reads the full barcode. Never place a label over a seam where the box flexes, and avoid wrapping it around a corner, since curved barcodes fail scans. On poly mailers, apply to the smooth front panel, not the gusseted side.

Applying and Handling Shipping Labels

A shipping label only works if it stays flat, clean, and scannable until delivery. Follow these steps on every package:

• Step 1: Wipe the application surface free of dust and loose fibers, especially on recycled corrugated.
• Step 2: Print the label at full barcode contrast. If printing blank vinyl on a laser printer, use the label setting so toner fuses fully.
• Step 3: Apply starting from one edge, pressing across the label to push out air. On rolls with an air-release liner, work from center outward.
• Step 4: Press firmly for a few seconds across the whole label to activate the adhesive bond.
• Step 5: Do not tape over the barcode. If you must secure the label, tape only the edges, leaving the barcode and address block clear.

For storage, keep blank label rolls in a dry area away from direct heat. Thermal label stock degrades with heat and sunlight, so store it flat and sealed.

How to Choose Your Shipping Labels

Work through this short list before ordering:

• Daily volume: over roughly 50 packages a day, roll labels and a thermal printer beat sheets on speed and cost per label.
• Printer type: thermal printers need roll labels; laser and inkjet printers need sheet formats.
• Package material: poly mailers need a stronger adhesive than corrugated, so check the adhesive spec before ordering.
• Scan environment: choose matte if labels pass under fixed warehouse scanners, gloss laminate if packages ride sorting belts.
• Carrier size: default to 4 x 6 inch for major US carriers unless your workflow uses a smaller format.

For high volume, also review the Bulk & Wholesale Stickers collection for case pricing on the same label stocks.

Related collections

Frequently asked questions

Can I print these labels myself, or do they come pre-printed?

Both. Blank roll labels feed directly into thermal printers and blank sheets work with laser and inkjet printers. Pre-printed options cover return labels, handling notices, and routing stickers that do not change between orders. If your shipping labels carry live barcodes and addresses, order blank stock and print per order.

Will barcodes scan on vinyl labels?

Yes, when printed at full contrast on the smooth matte or gloss vinyl facestock used here. Matte is the safer choice under bright warehouse lighting because it reduces glare that can block laser scanners. Avoid taping over the barcode and keep the label flat, since curved or creased barcodes are a common scan failure.

Do these labels stick to poly mailers?

Standard permanent adhesive bonds well to corrugated and kraft but can lift on low-surface-energy poly mailer film. For poly mailers, choose the cast vinyl option with the stronger adhesive, or press the label firmly for several seconds after applying. Avoid placing labels on the gusseted or textured side of the mailer.

Roll or sheet labels, which should I order?

Rolls suit anyone shipping more than about 50 packages a day, since they feed thermal printers continuously and pair with label applicators. Sheets suit low volume, mixed-size jobs, and offices without a thermal printer. Cost per label is generally lower on rolls, but only if you already own or plan to buy the printer.

What size label do USPS, UPS, and FedEx require?

4 x 6 inches is the standard shipping label size accepted by all three major US carriers. Smaller sizes like 2 x 4 inches work for secondary labels, order numbers, and partial information, but the full carrier label with barcode and address block should be 4 x 6. Check your carrier's guidelines for any freight-specific requirements.

Can I put tape over the label to secure it?

Only on the edges. Clear tape over the barcode can cause glare and misreads at sorting facilities, delaying packages. If a label edge lifts, tape just that edge while leaving the barcode and address block completely uncovered. A label applied to a clean, flat surface with firm pressure usually needs no tape at all.