Even though shipping labels may not seem like a big deal, they are very important for both incoming and outgoing processes. They are also very important for the success of your online store and for making sure your customers are happy. Shipping stickers tell everyone in your supply chain important things about your package, including where it came from and where it’s going.
If your shipping labels aren’t clear, your customers’ packages could get lost or mixed up, which would be bad for brand trust and cause you to lose sales.
The information on a shipping label, how to make shipping labels for orders that are self-fulfilled, and how a third-party logistics (3PL) provider can make shipping easier will all be talked about in this piece
What is Shipping Label?
Shipping stickers tell the carrier important details about where a package is going while it is being delivered. Labels like these help explain where the package is going and, in the case of foreign shipping, what’s inside it.
On a mailing label, you can find important details like the postal code, country, tracking number, weight, destination address, return address, shipping method (expedited, standard, etc.), and more.
Why are shipping labels important?
Shipping labels are important because they show carriers exactly what they need to know to send packages from where they start (like a warehouse or fulfillment center) to where they end up (at the customer’s door).
When shipping marks are wrong or missing from a package, it can be:
- Transporting slowly
- Sent to the wrong home address
- Lost everything
Understanding shipping labels:
There is a lot of information on shipping labels, which makes them hard to understand. Let’s break down the important parts of different shipping labels so you can read them.
1. Recipient name, address, and phone number
This information tells the carrier where to deliver the package and how to get in touch with the receiver if there are any problems during delivery.
Making sure this information is correct is necessary to send the package to the right person.
2. Sender address
The shipping label should have the sender’s address on it so that the carrier knows where to send the package back if it can’t be delivered to the receiver.
The receiver will also know where the package came from if the sender’s address is on the label. This helps bring the brand experience outside of the box.
3. Tracking number and barcode
The shipping label on a box has a unique tracking barcode that helps the carrier keep track of the package as it travels. When the package enters or leaves a carrier location, the shipping barcodes are scanned.
The tag and tracking number match, so customers can use the carrier’s website to keep an eye on their package.
4. Unidirectional or QR code
This is a sign that a machine can read: the MaxiCode, QR code, or one-way code on the shipping label. The information on these codes is a digital copy of what is on the shipping sticker.
5. Weight
The shipping sticker shows the weight so that the right shipping rates can be found. Additionally, a label with a clear weight indication helps make sure that packages are put onto trucks quickly and that weight limits are respected.
6. Shipping Method
According to shipping labels, the shipping class tells carriers how to handle the package and helps them decide if the package needs special treatment or needs to be shipped faster.
This is very important if your online store has more than one shipping choice, like faster shipping that costs a lot more. You want to make sure that customers get what they expect and pay for.
7. Payment
Also, the shipping label will say if the postage has been paid or not. If you pay ahead of time and print the labels online, or if you use an order processing service, the label will say “paid.”
“P/P” on the above UPS shipping label means that the label has already been paid for. There are different payment codes for each delivery service.
How to Create a Shipping Label?
It can save you time and money to make your own shipping labels. You can get savings this way, and the carrier will even come pick up your packages from your home or business.
You can make your own labels if you want to but don’t know where to begin. Here are the steps that will help you.
Go through your Local Carrier Website:
To start, make the shipping label on the website of the service you want to use. You need to download the shipping label form, fill it out, print it, and put it on your package.
The whole process can be done on the carrier’s website. Take a look at this list of the most popular carriers:
- USPS
- FedEx
- UPS
- DHL
For smooth access to these online tools, making sure your network settings are right can also be very important. This mac address guide can be very helpful if you need help setting up your network.
Download a Shipping Label:
Online, you can find a lot of shipping label forms. Many of them are free for business owners to use. Shopify has a free tool for making package labels, for instance.
Using the template maker, you can make a shipping label. All you have to do is put the information about the sender, the receiver, and the shipping (for example, the date of shipping and the weight of the package).
Adopt a Third Party Solution:
Shipping things can be hard. There are many details that can make shipping hard, and if it’s not done right, customers might not get their orders on time (or at all).
If you ship more than 10 items a week, shipping software like ShipStation could help you. You can speed up the shipping process and save money by using more powerful tools to make labels.
If you want someone else to ship your items, you can work with a third-party logistics provider like Hermeslines.
Required Information:
There are often mistakes on shipping labels, and sometimes important information is left off. The following are the most important fields to fill out:
- Name of sender, street location, city, postal code, country, and state
- Name, street location, city, postal code, country, and state of recipient
- Phone name of the recipient
- Date of shipping, tracking number, and weight of the package
Attach Your Shipping Label:
It’s important to make sure the shipping label stays on your package once you’re done making it so it gets to its final location. Make sure the label sticks well to the box or mailer by putting it on the package. The package might not get to its end destination if the label comes off while it’s being shipped.
Also, make sure the sticker is stuck to the flat side of the package. If you fold or cover the barcode, it could cause problems during sorting and shipping.
Conclusion:
Shipping labels might not seem important, but they are very important for making sure that packages get delivered quickly and easily. A shipping label that is clear and correct speeds up the logistics process, makes sure items get to the right place, and makes customers happier. Businesses can cut down on mistakes and speed up delivery times by learning about the important parts of shipping labels, like the recipient’s details, tracking numbers, and shipping methods. Whether you’re fulfilling orders yourself or using a third-party logistics provider, it’s important to make shipping labels and connect them correctly to keep your online store running smoothly and building brand trust.