Shipping labels are an essential part of any business that sends parcels, whether you run an ecommerce store, warehouse, manufacturing company or distribution business. A properly printed shipping label helps identify each package, automate sorting processes and ensure full traceability throughout the delivery journey.
In this guide, you’ll learn what you need to print shipping labels professionally, the different types of label printers available, the most common label sizes used by carriers and the software solutions that can simplify your workflow.
What Do You Need to Print Shipping Labels?
In most cases, you only need three things:
- A compatible label printer.
- Thermal labels.
- Software or an application capable of generating or printing shipping labels.
Most carriers use 100 × 150 mm (4 × 6 inch) labels, although some services may use different formats.
1. Thermal Label Printer
Thermal label printers are the industry standard for shipping and logistics labels.
Advantages
- No ink or toner required.
- Low maintenance costs.
- High printing speed.
- Excellent barcode and QR code quality.
Popular professional printer brands include:
- Zebra
- Honeywell
- TSC
- Godex
- Brother
- Bixolon
- SATO
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2. Thermal Labels
The most common label sizes used for logistics and shipping are:
- 100 × 150 mm
- 102 × 152 mm (4 × 6 inches)
- Continuous or die-cut labels
Using labels compatible with your printer technology ensures optimal print quality and barcode readability.
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3. Label Printing Software
A printer alone cannot generate shipping labels.
Labels are usually created by:
- Ecommerce platforms
- Marketplaces
- ERP systems
- Business management software
- Mobile applications
Today, many companies need to print labels directly from:
- Android devices
- Tablets
- Smartphones
- Windows computers
Which Shipping Carriers Use Thermal Labels?
Nearly every modern courier company uses thermal shipping labels with barcodes and QR codes.
Spain
- Correos Express
- Correos
- SEUR
- MRW
- GLS Spain
- DHL Express
- DHL Parcel
- UPS
- FedEx
- NACEX
- ASM
- TIPSA
- CTT Express
- Sending
- Redur
- Ontime
- Paack
- InPost
- Mondial Relay
Portugal
- CTT Expresso
- DPD Portugal
- DHL Portugal
- GLS Portugal
- UPS Portugal
France
- Chronopost
- Colissimo
- Mondial Relay
- DPD France
- GLS France
- DHL France
- UPS France
- FedEx France
Germany
- DHL Paket
- Hermes
- DPD Germany
- GLS Germany
- UPS Germany
- FedEx Germany
Italy
- BRT (Bartolini)
- SDA
- GLS Italy
- DHL Italy
- UPS Italy
- Poste Italiane
Belgium & Netherlands
- PostNL
- Bpost
- DPD Benelux
- DHL Benelux
- GLS Benelux
United Kingdom
- Royal Mail
- Parcelforce
- Evri
- DPD UK
- DHL UK
- UPS UK
- FedEx UK
What Is the Most Common Shipping Label Size?
The vast majority of carriers use:
100 × 150 mm (4 × 6 inches)
This has become the industry standard for:
- Ecommerce
- Warehousing
- Logistics
- Courier services
Choosing a printer compatible with 4-inch labels allows you to work with virtually every major shipping carrier.
Can You Print Shipping Labels from Android?
Yes.
Modern label printing solutions allow you to print directly from an Android phone or tablet using:
- USB
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi
- Ethernet
This is especially useful for:
- Small businesses
- Warehouse operators
- Delivery drivers
- Mobile businesses
Conclusion
Combining a reliable thermal label printer, compatible labels and professional printing software allows businesses to streamline their shipping operations and significantly improve productivity.
Whether you ship with Correos Express, SEUR, MRW, GLS, DHL, UPS, FedEx, InPost or any other European carrier, a professional label printing solution helps reduce errors, save time and optimize your daily workflow.