Description
Shipping Labels for Parcels, Freight and Courier Deliveries
Shipping labels provide the delivery, tracking and routing information needed to move a parcel from the sender to its destination. They commonly include the recipient’s address, sender details, consignment number, service type, barcode and QR code.
Track n Trace Solutions supplies blank shipping label rolls for businesses that print labels onsite. They are suitable for ecommerce order fulfilment, warehouses, retail stores, offices, freight operations and busy packing stations.
Our shipping labels can be used for:
- Courier labels
- Freight labels
- Parcel labels
- Consignment labels
- Address labels
- Package labels
- Carton labels
- Barcode tracking labels
- Warehouse dispatch labels
- Ecommerce shipping labels
4×6-Inch, A6 and 100×150 mm Shipping Labels
Shipping labels are available in common formats including 4×6-inch, A6 and 100×150 mm.
These terms are often used interchangeably in shipping applications, although their exact dimensions can vary slightly. The correct size depends on your label printer, shipping software and the requirements of your courier or freight provider.
We can also supply other shipping label sizes and slight variations of the standard 100×150 mm format. If your printer, software, courier system or label layout requires different dimensions, simply provide the required width, length and quantity. We can check availability and arrange a suitable label roll.
Standard and alternative shipping-label formats can provide space for:
- Delivery and return addresses
- Tracking numbers and barcodes
- QR codes
- Courier service information
- Routing and depot codes
- Order and consignment numbers
- Parcel weight and handling details
If you are unsure which size you require, provide your printer model and an example of your current label. We can help confirm the appropriate shipping-label dimensions and roll specifications.
Print Your Own Shipping Labels
Printing your own shipping labels gives your business control over order processing and dispatch. Labels can be produced as orders are packed, helping reduce manual address entry and keeping parcels moving through the warehouse.
A typical shipping-label printing setup includes:
- A compatible direct-thermal label printer
- Blank shipping label rolls
- Courier, freight or ecommerce shipping software
- A computer or connected packing-station device
- An accurate digital scale when parcel weight is required
Once the order or consignment is created, your software generates the shipping label. The label is then printed, applied to the parcel and scanned during collection and delivery.
Direct-Thermal Shipping Labels
Our standard shipping labels are designed for compatible direct-thermal printers.
Direct-thermal printers use heat to create the image directly on specially coated label material. They do not require ink, toner or a printer ribbon, making them simple and economical for high-volume address label printing and everyday warehouse dispatch.
Benefits of direct-thermal shipping labels include:
- No ink or toner cartridges
- No thermal-transfer ribbon required
- Clear text, barcodes and QR codes
- Fast printing at packing stations
- Fewer consumables to replace
- Simple day-to-day operation
- Suitable for short-term parcel and freight identification
Direct-thermal labels are intended for shipping and other applications where the printed information is required for a limited period. Prolonged exposure to heat, strong sunlight, chemicals or abrasion may affect direct-thermal printing, so a different label material may be required for long-term identification or demanding environments.
Shipping Labels for Ecommerce and Warehouses
Shipping labels are suitable for businesses processing anything from occasional online orders to high-volume warehouse dispatch.
Common applications include:
- Ecommerce stores
- Warehouses and distribution centres
- Retail stores offering online delivery
- Third-party logistics providers
- Freight and transport companies
- Manufacturers sending finished goods
- Offices sending documents and parcels
- Home-based businesses
- Returns and replacement shipments
- Stock transfers between locations
A clear, accurately printed label helps couriers scan parcels efficiently and reduces the risk of delivery information being entered incorrectly.
Address, Package and Carton Labels
Shipping label rolls can also be used for general address label printing and package identification.
Depending on your software, the same printer may be used to produce:
- Customer address labels
- Return address labels
- Internal transfer labels
- Package identification labels
- Carton contents labels
- Dispatch reference labels
- Warehouse routing labels
- Returns labels
This makes a direct-thermal shipping label printer a useful addition to a packing bench, warehouse dispatch area or ecommerce fulfilment station.
Clear and Scannable Barcodes
Barcode quality is important when labels will be scanned throughout the delivery process. A barcode needs sufficient contrast, suitable dimensions and clear space around it to scan reliably.
The printer should also be correctly configured for the label size, print speed and darkness setting. Poor print quality, damaged labels or incorrectly sized barcodes may cause scanning problems and manual processing.
For general technical information, see GS1 Australia’s guide to creating and printing barcodes.
Choosing the Correct Shipping Label Roll
Not every shipping label roll fits every printer. Before ordering, check:
- Label width and length
- Printer brand and model
- Roll core diameter
- Maximum outside roll diameter
- Label winding direction
- Gap or sensing method
- Required number of labels per roll
- Number of rolls required
- Any variation required from a standard label size
Desktop shipping label printers generally use smaller rolls than industrial printers. Supplying your printer model is usually the easiest way for us to identify a suitable roll.
If you require a label size that is slightly wider, narrower, longer or shorter than the common 100×150 mm format, tell us the exact measurements. Alternative shipping-label sizes can be supplied on request.
Need a Shipping Label Printer?
If you do not already have suitable printing equipment, view our range of shipping label printers.
We can help you choose a printer for producing 4×6-inch, A6, 100×150 mm or alternative shipping-label sizes. The correct model will depend on your expected daily print volume, connection requirements, available workspace and preferred label-roll capacity.
Track n Trace Solutions can supply both the printer and compatible label rolls, giving you one point of contact for equipment, consumables and product support.
Why Buy Shipping Labels From Track n Trace Solutions?
Choosing the correct label is about more than ordering the right dimensions. The roll must also suit the printer’s media capacity, core size and sensing method.
Track n Trace Solutions can assist with:
- Confirming label compatibility with your printer
- Selecting the correct shipping-label size
- Supplying suitable direct-thermal label rolls
- Arranging alternative label dimensions when required
- Choosing a new shipping-label printer
- Barcode printer setup and product advice
- Australia-wide supply and support
Tell us your printer model, required label size and estimated quantity, and we can recommend an appropriate shipping-label solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a standard shipping label?
The most common shipping-label formats are described as 4×6-inch, A6 or 100×150 mm. These sizes are similar but not always identical, so check the exact requirements of your printer, courier platform and shipping software.
Can I order a different shipping-label size?
Yes. Other shipping-label sizes and slight variations of the standard 100×150 mm format are available on request. Provide the required width, length, printer model and approximate quantity so we can check availability.
Do thermal shipping labels require a ribbon?
Direct-thermal shipping labels do not require a ribbon. The printer uses heat to produce the image directly on the thermal label material. Thermal-transfer labels use a ribbon and are generally selected when greater resistance or a longer print life is required.
Can I print my own shipping labels?
Yes. You need a compatible shipping-label printer, suitable blank labels and software capable of generating the courier, freight or parcel label.
Can shipping labels be used as address labels?
Yes. Shipping label rolls can be used to print delivery addresses, return addresses and other package information, provided the label dimensions suit your printer and software.
Can I use these labels with any shipping-label printer?
Not necessarily. Printer models can require different label widths, core sizes, roll diameters, winding directions and sensing methods. Provide your printer model before ordering so compatibility can be checked.
Are 4×6-inch and 100×150 mm labels the same size?
They are very similar and are often grouped together as the standard shipping-label format, but the exact measurements differ slightly. Confirm the size required by your printer and shipping platform.
Can I print courier and freight labels?
Yes. These blank labels can be used to print courier, freight, parcel and consignment labels when generated through compatible shipping or transport software.
How much do shipping labels cost?
Shipping-label cost depends on the label size, material, roll configuration, quantity and printer compatibility. Contact us with your printer model, required dimensions and quantity for pricing.
Can standard inkjet or laser printers use shipping-label rolls?
Shipping-label rolls are designed for compatible label printers. Standard A4 inkjet and laser printers generally require sheet-form labels rather than rolls.
How do I order the correct shipping labels?
Provide your printer brand and model, required label size and approximate quantity. If you already have a suitable label, you can also supply its dimensions, core size and a photograph of the roll.
