Buy and Print Multiple Shipping Labels
Last updated: October 07 2024
If you're running a Shopify store, managing shipping efficiently is key to keeping your customers happy. Buying and printing shipping labels directly from your store's dashboard is an important part of that process. Whether you need to handle single or bulk orders, Shopify offers simple tools to purchase and print multiple shipping labels.
This guide covers everything from buying shipping labels to printing them and recommending the best shipping services. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process to make shipping smoother for your business.
Buying and Print Shipping Labels: An Overview
When you sell products on Shopify, purchasing and printing shipping labels is an essential part of fulfilling your orders. Shopify makes this process smooth and efficient by integrating it directly into the platform, allowing you to handle everything in one place.
What are Shopify Printing Labels?
Shopify shipping labels are official documents attached to your packages that ensure correct delivery. These labels contain key information such as the recipient’s address, sender’s address, shipping carrier details, and a barcode for tracking.
Shopify allows merchants to buy these labels at discounted rates and print them through the Shopify admin dashboard, saving time and minimizing errors during the shipping process.
Key features of Shopify labels include:
- Recipient and sender details: Ensures accurate delivery and provides contact information for carriers.
- Tracking number: You and the customer can track the shipment in real time.
- Shipping service details: Specifies the type of shipping (e.g., standard or express).
Types of Shipping Labels
Shopify offers various shipping labels based on destination, delivery speed, and additional services:
- Domestic Shipping Labels: Used for orders within the same country, featuring sender/recipient info, barcodes, and service details. Options include standard, expedited, and same-day delivery.
- International Shipping Labels: Include customs forms for cross-border shipments, often requiring proof of delivery or signature confirmation.
- Expedited/Express Labels: For faster shipping like 2-day or overnight, with tracking and sometimes requiring a signature.
- Special Service Labels: Add-ons like tracking, signature confirmation, or proof of age, printed directly from Shopify's dashboard.
How to Buy Multiple Shipping Labels on Shopify
Step 1: Log in to Shopify Admin
First, log in to your Shopify account and go to the Orders page.
Step 2: Select Orders for Labels
On the Orders page, select the checkbox next to the orders you want to create shipping labels. You can select multiple orders at once (up to 100 labels can be printed at once).
Step 3: Create Shipping Labels
Once the orders are selected, click on “Create Shipping Labels.” This will take you to the next page, where you’ll confirm the shipping details for each order.
Step 4: Fill in the Shipping Details
For each order, verify or adjust the shipping weight, package type, and shipping service. You can also update the total package weight and any required customs information for international shipments. If needed, remove any unwanted orders from the bulk label purchase.
Step 5: Buy Shipping Labels
After reviewing the details, click “Buy Shipping Labels.” This will mark the orders as fulfilled or partially fulfilled, depending on the status of each order.
How to Print Shipping Labels on Shopify Store
Step 1: Go to Orders:
Log in to your Shopify admin and navigate to the Orders section. Select the orders for which you've already purchased shipping labels.
Step 2: Select Shipping Labels
You can select all orders by clicking the checkbox at the top or manually select individual orders. Once selected, go to the "Actions" drop-down menu and choose Print Shipping Labels.
Step 3: Customize Label Settings
After selecting the orders, you'll be taken to the next page to choose your carrier and customize the label settings (e.g., paper size, printer type). Shopify allows you to print up to 250 labels at a time.
Step 4: Print or Download Labels
Once your settings are finalized, click “Generate Labels.” You can either print the labels directly or download them as a PDF to print later.
Step 5: Attach Labels
Attach the labels to the corresponding packages after printing, and you'll be ready to ship.
Suggested Shipping Services on Shopify Store
Here are some suggested shipping services available directly through Shopify:
1. Shopify Shipping
Shopify Shipping is ideal for merchants who want to streamline their shipping process directly from the Shopify dashboard. It integrates with USPS, UPS, DHL Express, and Canada Post. With this service, you can:
- Print up to 100 labels at once: This is useful for businesses during busy seasons or with high order volumes, saving time on fulfillment.
- Access discounted rates: Depending on your Shopify plan, you can receive up to 88.5% off USPS and 76% off DHL Express rates. This is particularly beneficial for reducing shipping costs for small businesses.
- Offer flexible shipping options: Depending on your strategy, you can provide customers with real-time carrier-calculated rates at checkout or offer flat-rate or free shipping.
- Localized fulfillment: Shopify Shipping automatically routes orders to the closest warehouse for stores that stock inventory in multiple locations, ensuring faster deliveries.
2. Shippo
Shippo offers more than just shipping labels. It allows businesses to manage all shipping operations from one place:
- Multi-carrier support: Shippo integrates with over 85 carriers worldwide, including regional ones, making it easier to expand globally without juggling multiple apps.
- Customs and international shipping: For businesses shipping internationally, Shippo generates customs forms automatically, ensuring compliance with each country’s rules. This can significantly reduce shipping delays.
- Pay-as-you-go model: Instead of committing to a monthly subscription, you only pay for the labels you use. This is perfect for smaller stores or seasonal sellers.
3. ShipStation
ShipStation is perfect for businesses with complex shipping needs and high volumes:
- Barcode scanning for faster fulfillment: ShipStation's barcode scanning feature helps speed up order processing and reduce errorsif you're shipping many products.
- Advanced inventory management: The app tracks inventory across different sales channels (Shopify, eBay, Amazon), allowing for efficient restocking and preventing overselling.
- Global support: ShipStation integrates with carriers in multiple countries, including FedEx, UPS, DHL, and Royal Mail, which is useful for businesses catering to domestic and international markets.
4. Easyship
Easyship is a popular choice for businesses focusing on international markets:
- Tax and duties calculation: One of the biggest challenges with international shipping is unexpected customs fees. Easyship helps by calculating taxes and duties upfront so your customers know the full cost at checkout.
- Multiple delivery options at checkout: You can offer customers a choice between economy, standard, or express shipping, helping you cater to different needs while providing transparency.
- Pre-negotiated rates: Easyship offers up to 70% discounts on global shipping rates, which is valuable for reducing international shipping costs.
In Conclusion
I hope you find this guide helpful in managing your Shopify shipping process. By choosing the right shipping services and utilizing Shopify's built-in tools, you can save time, reduce shipping costs, and ensure your customers receive their orders on time.
The process is much smoother when handling single or bulk orders, printing labels, and managing fulfillment directly from your Shopify store. If you follow these steps, your business can run more efficiently, allowing you to focus on growing your store.