Shipping labels are the unsung heroes of e-commerce. While customers don’t see the label, it ensures their order arrives safely, efficiently and professionally presented. For small and e-commerce businesses, investing in an in-house shipping label printer can transform your shipping process.
Why Shipping Labels Matter
Your shipping label contains vital information to get the parcel to the right place. This includes:
•Recipient and sender addresses
•Package weight and dimensions
•Shipping carrier and service level
•Tracking number
Printing quality shipping labels makes this process more efficient. It also gives a professionallook representing your brand.
The Benefits of In-House Shipping Label Printers
Dedicated label printers, like Rollo’s shipping label printer, offer many benefits over regular printers:
Time Savings
•Print labels on demand instead of wasting sheets
•Thermal printers print faster – up to 5 inches per second
•Saves huge amounts of time when sending many parcels
Cost Effectiveness
•Lower cost per label compared to sheet labels
•Specialized rolls avoid wastage from jams or smudges
•Cheaper long-term maintenance without ink or toner
Professional Brand Image
•Printed labels minimize errors and look more professional
•Represent your brand better since customers see the labels
Label Customization
•Customize label size, layout, and fonts
•Stand out from the competition
•Explore creative branding ideas with custom stickers
Courier Integration
•Integrate with USPS, UPS, FedEx to automate label printing
•Automatically get updated rates and tracking numbers
Key Differences From Regular Printers
Label printers have some key advantages vs regular printers:
Specialist Media – Use label rolls rather than sheets to avoid waste and jams Faster Print
Speeds – Thermal printing is much faster than inkjets/laser
Courier Compliance – Designed to print labels meeting carrier specifications
Durability – Smudge/water-resistant ribbons withstand transport better
Optimizing Shipping Rates and Services – Integrated label printers streamline selecting carrier rates and services. For example, USPS offers various priority mail options like 1-day, 2-day, and 3-5 day plus signature and insurance choices. Using a label printer automates this. After weighing the parcel, suitable options automatically populate. This prevents overpaying or underinsuring valuable items.
Customization for Your Needs
A key benefit of label printers is customizing label dimensions, layouts and content. Options may include:
•Incorporating your logo and branding
•Adding promotional messages or voucher codes
•Resizing to fit various box dimensions
•Utilizing different label orientations
This flexibility helps you optimize parcel presentation and stand out from competitors.
Making Shipping Labels Accessible
Common label printer concerns are cost and need. Printers range from $150 to thousands for industrial use. For low volumes, outsourced printing may be cheaper. However, free or discounted printers often come with carrier contracts. UPS, FedEx, and USPS provide thermal printers to high volume shippers. Those without printers can print at UPS, FedEx drop-offs or USPS for priority mail. Handwritten labels also work.
Maximizing Efficiency
The bottom line – integrating a shipping label printer can transform efficiency. Finalizing orders, retrieving rates and printing labels becomes a simple one-step process.
Studies show thermal label printing can reduce parcel processing time by a significant margin. For small e-commerce businesses sending 50+ orders daily, the time and labor savings are substantial.
Getting Creative with Label Printers
Beyond shipping, label printers enable many creative applications:
•Product labeling like expiration dates, ingredients or warning labels
•Event name badges, luggage tags and event signage
•Labeling storage boxes, files or assets
•Personalized gifts and wedding decorations
Key Considerations When Selecting a Label Printer
With so many printer models available, here are some key factors when deciding: Shipping Volume
Select a printer suitable for your daily/monthly volume. Industrial printers have higher rates for very high volumes.
Label Materials
Check which label widths, rolls and ribbon types are compatible. Common options are matte, gloss and synthetic label materials.
Integrations
Can the printer connect and integrate label printing with your e-commerce platform, accounting software or shipping management system?
Budget
Printer costs range from $100 to $2000+. Consider label costs, speed and integrations to ensure it’s affordable long-term.
Conclusion
Investing in an in-house shipping label printer streamlines orders and transforms efficiency. For high shipping volumes, dedicated label printers create and print compliant labels faster while incorporating your branding. They also simplify shipping carrier selection and label creation.
Consider if automating your shipping labels could provide convenience, customization and cost reductions. Reach out to the team at Rollo to explore the latest shipping label printers to suit your business needs and budget.
Published by: Aly Cinco
