When it comes to shipping packages for your business, there are so many things out of your control, but that doesn't mean you can't set up your packages for a smooth transit. There is already so much to consider when it comes to shipping - that's why Shop4Mailers is here to help you. By helping you comb through all of the different aspects of shipping, you can make the best decision on your business. Choosing a trusted carrier is an important consideration, but regardless of who you ship with, there are specific steps you can take to make sure your package is packed well with poly mailers and ready for shipment with clear, legible shipping labels. Making sure your package arrives at its destination is so important, which is why we want to break down how to properly apply your labels before you start shipping packages out to your customers. With our shipping tips, you will learn about the importance of placement, all about the adhesive, printing hacks, and more.
What is a Shipping Label?
If you're an ecommerce business owner or avid shipper, the chances are that you've done your fair share of creating and sticking on shipping labels. Most people think adding a shipping label is a task that takes a few moments, but there is more that goes into it than you’d think. For instance, you need to consider the type of information the shipping label carries, how shipping carriers track packages, and, overall, how to make sure the right person receives it. If you’re new to the world of shipping packages and creating labels, stay tuned for this ultimate guide to shipping labels. Let’s start by breaking down the definition of a shipping label and what it includes before we dive into where to buy shipping labels. A shipping label is an identification tool used to quickly highlight and describe the interior contents of a package and information about where the package should be delivered. When a carrier scans your package's barcode, they should see the names, addresses, and weight of the package. The package weight will not only determine the cost of shipping but the means of delivery. Most items under 100 pounds that ship domestically will be delivered by plane or truck. Shipping labels serve as the critical information required for carriers to ensure your package is accurately delivered to its destination. Though the requirements for different carriers may differ, the general information is the same, and it's vital for carriers.
How do Shipping Labels Work?
When it comes to shipping packages, the exterior label will tell your carrier everything they need to know about the package. Shipping labels are so important as they act as an identification for your package. The information on shipping labels is critical for the supply chain. With the complication of logistics and increasing use of shipping methods by businesses, you want to minimize the chances of mislabeling or identification confusion when it comes to your packages.
The shipping labels should supply all of the vital information about your package at a glance:
- Origin address
- Destination address
- Shipping barcode
- Tracking number
- Package weight
- Type of shipping class
- Paid or unpaid postage
The shipping labels critical information allows the shipping carrier to promptly deliver your package to the end recipient, depending on the type of shipping service you use. From point of origin to delivery truck to destination, your package will travel a lot. Without adequately understanding how shipping labels work, you may fail to provide the necessary information for a shipping label. Consider these tips before shipping packages to your customers. In this comprehensive guide, we will teach you all about correctly placing shipping labels.
Information Found on a Shipping Label
- Destination and return addresses
- Shipping barcode and tracking number
- Package weight
- Shipping date and class
With a shipping label serving as a quick snapshot of the vital information of a package, carriers can efficiently and effectively track, sort, and ultimately deliver the package to the correct and intended recipient. Whether you’re shipping with USPS, FedEx, or UPS, all shipping carriers will require a shipping label when mailing packages.
The Importance of Placement of a Shipping Label
Depending on which shipping or mail carrier you use, you may have slightly different layouts for shipping labels. Regardless of which carrier you ship with, these tips on proper placement of shipping labels will aid accurate reading of the labels, ensuring effective transport and delivery. More often than not, services will ask to secure these labels in the upper right-hand corner of your package, so be sure to check before applying and shipping packages. When securing the label, be sure not to overlap onto the edge of the package. Adhere the shipping label tightly to your envelope, box, or poly mailers using adhesive. No matter what type of adhesive you use, make sure that all of the label edges are secured to the package to avoid any tears or rips prohibiting a clear shipping label read. If you're adding anything extra to your package's exterior like stickers, be sure to avoid the label and not to overlap or cover up any of the label information, including the barcode. Before you start shipping packages, learn how to print shipping labels by the carrier, and check out our guide!
Shipping Label vs. Packing Slip
While both a shipping label and packing slip help provide a package information snapshot, a shipping label and packing slip differ significantly. We know that a shipping label is adhered to the exterior of a package and provides information about the logistical aspects of delivering a package.
In contrast, a packing slip provides information about the interior contents and is found inside the box once opened. As an ecommerce business, your packing slip will likely contain all of the items in the package and information such as the specified quantity and the total price that the customer paid.
The packing slip summarizes the customer's order and is not relevant to shipping carrier companies. Though both provide essential information, a packing slip is not necessary to ensure effective shipping and delivery. Still, it can be helpful to customers to confirm or reiterate the details of their order.
All About Shipping Label Adhesive
When it comes to packing and shipping packages, you will need some adhesive to help secure your parcel closed or apply shipping labels. If you have to use glue, try to use a thin layer to avoid bubbling or over-soaking the area that may prevent a clear, legible read of your label. When using tape, a transparent or translucent tape should be the only option to consider. In case your tape overlaps the package or shipping label, the carrier or mailing team should be able to read the label and not have any obstructed views to the identification information by adhesive or otherwise. When applying shipping labels, glue and tape are acceptable adhesives, but for best results, try using a self-adhesive shipping label like our 2-UP White Shipping Labels. Self-adhesive labels make the application of shipping labels a breeze, eliminating the need for glue or tape, which can be messy. If you're looking for other self-adhesive products to simplify your packing process, check out our poly mailers too! Before you start shipping packages, consider which type of adhesive or self-adhesive supplies will best suit your business.
Shipping Labels
At Shop4Mailers, we have a variety of wholesale shipping labels available for all of your shipping needs. These labels are an excellent option for your ecommerce business as they are available in multiple sizes. Avoid the time, hassle, and misinterpretation involved with hand addressing packages on behalf of your business. With a shipping label you can feed through your printer, and you can fill out multiple labels at once that will print clearly, preventing any confusion on critical shipping information. When it comes to shipping packages, you can simplify your shipping process by opting for our easy-to-use labels.
There are so many reasons to choose our shipping labels:
- Matte white finish
- Self-adhesive
- Clean, professional label
- Compatible with inkjet, laser, or Zebra printers
No matter how you go about shipping packages, you will always need a clear, legible shipping label, so why not print on one of our self-adhesive labels? These labels are available in multiple sizes, including 4 x 6 and 1" x 2 ⅝." See what all the fuss is about and check out our collection of shipping labels.
Printing Shipping Label Tips
When it comes to printing and shipping packages, there are many options for your business, like determining if you should use a print supplier and whether or not you should bulk print shipping labels. For these questions and more, we have you covered at Shop4Mailers. If you find that your small business would instead not bulk print your large quantities of print material, including shipping labels, you can always have these sent to an outside print source and mailed to you. Using a third-party printing service will allow you more time to focus on other areas of your business. If you find shipping at your home or business more manageable, our favorite printing hack is to use our self-adhesive shipping labels. These labels can be funneled right into your printer and used on demand for shipping ease. Depending on which shipping carrier you use, you may be able to utilize their printing services and may even have the option to have your shipping labels printed in bulk. When you’re prepping for shipping packages, you can learn more about ways to optimize the logistics for your ecommerce business here.
Proper Packing
When it comes to shipping packages, your parcel will be going on an adventure of its own. From leaving the shipping center, dropbox, or warehouse, your package will go through different logistical checkpoints before arriving at its final destination. While being jostled with other packages, you want to make sure your package is as protected as possible, which is why it's vital to understand how to pack and secure your items for shipping properly. When shipping packages, use a package like a box or poly mailer close in size and dimension to your package contents. You can use filler products like bubble wrap to minimize any empty spaces. If there are empty spaces in your package, there is room for the contents to jostle around. Keeping a secure but not overly tight package will leave less room for your products to bounce around, so be mindful of this before shipping packages out for delivery. If you are packing multiple items in one mailer, wrap each product individually. You can opt for added protection and use a secondary protective material like clear poly bags. These clear poly bags work to keep out dust, debris, and moisture if these somehow infiltrate your packaging.
Ready for Shipping
Before you start shipping packages, it's critical to use the best shipping labels, apply your labels correctly and in the proper position, and pack your items securely for safe transportation. Once your package is ready for shipment, you have a few different options on how to send these out: schedule picks up, use drop off box, drop off at the carrier. For the ease and convenience of ecommerce businesses, many shipping carriers have implemented a pick-up mailing service where your items can be picked up at your convenience. You can utilize these pick-up services USPS, FedEx, or UPS, where you can schedule and manage your package pick-ups.
Suppose you are dropping off packages at a dropbox location. In that case, you will need to make sure that your shipping label is properly applied, like discussed before, and that your package box or poly mailer will fit into the dropbox container. These drop off locations are incredibly convenient when you are outside of business hours as you can find a dropbox location and drive up or walk out to send out your package. When your package is ready for shipment, you always have the option to visit your carrier location. You may want to consider an in-person visit when you need to print your label, weigh your package, pay for postage in-person, or other help that a shipping service may be able to offer you. With the in-person shipment option, you can drop off your shipments in bulk.
Poly Mailers and Labeling for Shipping
Our shipping supply must-have is poly mailers. When it comes to shipping packages, you know that building and packaging in big cardboard boxes can be exhausting. Not only do these boxes require extra steps before you can begin packaging, but they take up a lot of space. Poly mailers are an excellent packaging alternative to bulky cardboard boxes. These poly mailers are lightweight but hold their own when it comes to durability. Poly mailers keep your items protected from any tears, rips, or punctures during transit because of their thick, tough exterior. Unlike cardboard boxes, poly mailers are so light, making poly mailers an economical shipping choice.
There are so many reasons to switch up your packaging and opt for poly mailers:
- Self-sealing
- Durable material
- Tear and puncture-resistant
- Multiple sizes
- Colors and style variety
All of our poly mailers come with a self-sealing closure that adds ease to the packaging process and eliminates the need for tape or other adhesives to secure. The plastic poly mailer material is flexible yet sturdy, with the ability to resist damage during delivery. You will be able to find a poly mailer that suits all of your shipping needs with multiple size options available at your fingertips. Whether you’re into plain white, colors, or designs, we have the right poly mailer for whatever style suits your business best.
Wholesale Supplies
When it comes to managing your ecommerce business, we know how important it is to make economic business decisions, that's why we offer our high-quality shipping supplies at wholesale. You can cut out the middleman's cost by purchasing directly from a wholesale supplier, like Shop4Mailers. There are so many reasons to switch to purchasing your shipping supplies wholesale, especially when you're looking at your shipping supplies' per-unit cost. From clear poly bags to shipping labels, suffocation warning labels, poly mailers, and more, many shipping supplies are available in bulk. These must-haves are essential for any business's shipping functions, so why not purchase wholesale and save yourself a little extra cash? Before you start shipping packages, see why you should consider switching to purchasing wholesale shipping supplies.
Shipping Station
For established businesses or new endeavors, there's never a wrong time to optimize your shipping processes. When it comes to shipping and packaging effectively, we recommend setting up a shipping station. Your shipping station should be a clear, clean space with products and shipping supplies at your fingertips so you can go from printing your shipping labels to packaging, and finally shipping packages out to your customers. You should also have proper organization and a clear view of all of your shipping supplies, like poly mailers. See how your business can benefit from a shipping station and learn how to equip your station for success.
Shop4Mailers
From poly mailers to shipping labels, Shop4Mailers has you covered with the best shipping supplies. When it comes to shipping packages, let us help save you time and money with our wholesale products and many shipping tips.
Are you interested in learning more about how you can improve your shipping? Check out more at Shop4Mailers.com.
