How to Create and Print Shopify Shipping Labels

Managing logistics is a key part of running an eCommerce business. For Shopify store owners, shipping labels play a vital role in ensuring that products reach customers quickly, accurately, and at the lowest possible cost.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to streamline your shipping process, this guide will explain everything you need to know about Shopify shipping labels, from creation and customization to optimization.

What Are Shopify Shipping Labels?

Shopify shipping labels are digital stickers attached to packages. These labels provide critical information, including the recipient’s and sender’s addresses, the package weight, a scannable barcode, and the selected delivery method. They help carriers like USPS, UPS, and DHL track packages and ensure timely delivery.

Without a proper shipping label, your package risks getting lost, delayed, or sent to the wrong address. This is not only frustrating for customers but can also hurt your business’s reputation. 

For example, a handmade candle store shipping orders from Shopify can use these labels to seamlessly send products across the country, offering their customers accurate tracking while minimizing shipping errors.

So what are the absolute essentials to be included in your label?

• Recipient’s name and address
• Sender’s name and address (good to have in case the package is undelivered, will be easier to send it back to the rightful place)
• Tracking barcode
• Courier name and method of shipping like priority shipping, expedited shipping, etc.
• Weight of the package
• Order number

‍

How to Create Shopify Shipping Labels

Creating shipping labels in Shopify is simple and efficient. 

Follow these steps:

1. Go to the Orders page in your Shopify admin dashboard.

2. Select the order you want to ship.

3. Click the “Create shipping label” button.

Note: To ensure these steps work smoothly, make sure your browser is up to date. An outdated browser can hinder proper site functionality.

4. Enter package details, including weight, dimensions, and shipping method.

5. Choose a carrier and service (e.g., USPS Priority Mail or DHL Express).

6. Review the details to ensure everything is accurate.

7. Click “Buy shipping label” and print it.

By automating this process, you reduce the risk of errors and save time, especially when handling a high volume of orders.

How to Print Shopify Shipping Labels

Printing labels from Shopify is straightforward. You can use a standard printer or a thermal label printer. Most Shopify labels are 4 x 6 inches, which is a universal size compatible with carrier requirements.

Here’s how to print your labels:

• Open the Shopify Orders page and locate the order with the purchased shipping label.
• Click the “Print label” button.
• Ensure your printer settings are correct and aligned to the 4 x 6-inch format.
• Load the paper or label roll into your printer.
• Click “Print” to generate the label.

Shopify Shipping Label Sizes and Settings

The standard size for Shopify shipping labels is 4 x 6 inches. This size is readable by scanners and fits most package types. 

Shopify also lets you customize settings to match your specific needs:

• Default package types: Save time by setting common sizes and weights for frequently shipped items.
• Adjustable formats: Choose between thermal labels (4 x 6) or regular paper sizes (8.5 x 11) based on your printer.

For a Shopify store selling items like handmade pottery, having default settings for fragile, medium-sized boxes saves time and ensures postage calculations are accurate.

If you want to customize, that too, is an option!

Customizing shipping labels can give your business a more professional and polished appearance. Shopify lets you add branding elements, such as your logo, return address, or contact information, directly onto your labels.

Why customize? It makes your packages stand out and reinforces your brand every time a customer receives their order.

For example, a skincare brand shipping products in eco-friendly packaging might add their logo to convey trust and professionalism.

With Easyship, you have the option to add or subtract the details you want on your shipping label. You customize your information on the multiple courier options to make your fulfillment journey a breeze!

Cost and Payment for Shopify Shipping Labels

The cost of Shopify shipping labels depends on factors like package weight, dimensions, and the carrier service selected. Shopify offers competitive rates, often discounted below retail prices, which can save small businesses hundreds of dollars each month.

When you purchase a shipping label, Shopify automatically charges your account. These expenses are easily trackable in your Shopify admin, making cost management straightforward.

For an Etsy seller using Shopify, comparing carrier rates through Shopify’s dashboard can lead to significant savings, making their products more competitively priced.

Tools and Printers for Shopify Shipping Labels

Here’s a nifty list of printers that can help make the label printing process easier for the busy business owners. 

Works with Shopify POS app and admin

1. Brother QL Wifi Label Printer (QL-1110NWB) - $339.00
2. Brother Large Shipping Labels - $35.00

Works with Shopify admin

1. Dymo 5XL Shipping Printer (USB) - $209.00
2. DYMO 4" x 6" Extra Large Shipping Labels - $25.00
3. DYMO LabelWriter® Wireless Label Printer - $169.00
4. Zebra USB Label Printer (ZD220) - $269
5. Zebra Wireless Label Printer (ZD421) - $499
6. Zebra ZSB 2" Wireless Label Printer (ZSB-DP12) - $169
7. Zebra ZSB 4" Wireless Label Printer (ZSB-DP14N) - $299.00
8. Zebra ZSB 4" x 6" Shipping Labels - $29

These tools simplify logistics, ensuring your shipping process is fast and reliable.

Easyship also supports various printing formats and offers tools to organize shipping documents. For example, you can download shipping documents as separate PDFs for each package or consolidate them into one file for bulk printing.

All you need to do is set up a printing profile that allows you to save the customized size of each label document complementing the shipping packages. 

Features and Benefits of Shopify Shipping Labels

Shopify shipping labels are designed to simplify the shipping process for online businesses. Some of their standout features include:

• Integration with major carriers: Shopify shipping labels are integrated with carriers like DHL, USPS, and UPS to name a few. Business owners can pick and choose their couriers based on their delivery speed and cost. 

With Easyship, you can integrate your Shopify store and choose from multiple carriers (and get major discounts) across geographies!

• Time-saving automation: Once you have entered the details, you can save them for future orders and automatically generate the labels, thereby saving time and reducing accuracy. For stores handling dozens or hundreds of orders per day, manual label creation can quickly become overwhelming. 

Using automation also reduces errors, such as incorrect addresses or missing barcodes, which can result in penalties from carriers or unhappy customers. For instance, a toy store automating its label creation during the holiday season can fulfill hundreds of daily orders without delays or mistakes.

• Professional look: Branded labels with your logo and custom details enhance your brand image.
• Cost savings: Shopify offers discounted carrier rates that can save you up to 91% on retail shipping costs.
• Easy creation and printing: Shopify enables business owners to generate and print their shipping labels right on the platform, from their store dashboard. 

For small businesses, these features not only reduce shipping costs but also help build trust with customers by ensuring timely and professional deliveries.

Tips for Optimizing Your Shopify Shipping Labels

To improve efficiency and reduce shipping costs, consider these tips:

• Validate customer addresses: Use Shopify’s address validation feature to avoid delivery issues.
• Compare carrier rates: Take advantage of Shopify’s integration with multiple carriers to find the best deals.
• Optimize packaging: Use appropriately sized boxes to minimize weight-based costs.

For example, a clothing boutique shipping lightweight items in oversized boxes might be paying more than necessary. Switching to smaller, right-sized packaging can lower shipping expenses.

Shopify shipping labels made easier with Easyship

While most courier services will go for a standard sized shipping labels, there are times when you need to change the formats. Easyship offers you multiple printing options like Shipping Label, Packing Slip, and Commercial Invoice.

Packing Slip

Commercial Invoice

Shipping Label

What to do in case of label rejections?

During the shipping label printing process, it is possible that you might encounter rejections. Here are a few plausible reasons behind the error:

1. Missing elements
2. Invalid address
3. Invalid or missing consignee phone number
4. Invalid destination

Rectifying these errors is pretty easy with Easyship. 

Click on Manage Shipments and click on EDIT to fix the errors. These rejections must be reported to the shipping companies via tickets or emails.  Easyship makes sure that rejected labels are reported to the shipping company. 

‍

Shopify shipping labels are an essential tool for any Shopify store looking to streamline fulfillment, reduce costs, and deliver a better customer experience. By understanding how to create, customize, and optimize your labels, you can save time, improve accuracy, and build trust with your customers. 

Whether you’re a small business just starting out or a growing brand managing hundreds of orders, Easyship’s integration with Shopify and shipping labels provide the flexibility and functionality you need to succeed.

Get Printing Today!

FAQs

How can I create a shipping label on Shopify?

To create a Shopify shipping label,

1. Go to the Orders page in your Shopify admin dashboard.
2. Select the order you want to ship.
3. Click the “Create shipping label” button.
4. Enter package details, including weight, dimensions, and shipping method.
5. Review the details to ensure everything is accurate.
6. Click “Buy shipping label” and print it.

What are shopify shipping labels?

Shopify shipping labels are digital stickers attached to packages. These labels provide critical information, including the recipient’s and sender’s addresses, the package weight, a scannable barcode, and the selected delivery method.

What size are shopify shipping labels?

• Thermal format: 4 x 6 inch / 100 x 150 mm/ A6
• Letter format: 8.5 x 11 inch / 216 x 279 mm
• A4 format: 8.3 x 11.7 inch / 210 x 297 mm

Can you print shipping labels on Shopify?

Yes, here’s how to print your labels:

• Open the Shopify Orders page and locate the order with the purchased shipping label.
• Click the “Print label” button.
• Ensure your printer settings are correct and aligned to the 4 x 6-inch format.
• Load the paper or label roll into your printer.
• Click “Print” to generate the label.

How much are shopify shipping labels?

Shopify shipping label charges are based on threshold billing where you spend a certain amount on shipping labels within the billing cycle.

‍