{"id":27928,"date":"2026-06-30T10:19:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T17:19:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.avery.com\/blog\/?p=27928"},"modified":"2026-06-30T10:19:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T17:19:25","slug":"business-shipping-label-workflow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.avery.com\/blog\/business-shipping-label-workflow\/","title":{"rendered":"The Easy Shipping Label Workflow I Wish I Started With"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-i-thought-shipping-labels-would-be-the-easy-part\">I thought shipping labels would be the easy part<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When I started my own business, for me, it was all about selling in person at conventions and craft fairs. I only shipped occasionally for specially commissioned pieces. After six years, I had a large following and orders were flowing. To be honest, I thought the transition to selling online would be a breeze. I figured I&#8217;d handle shipping just like those commissions: package my orders, drive to my local USPS, pay for postage, and head home. Simple enough, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well\u2026 not exactly. What I didn\u2019t account for was how difficult it can be to consistently get to the post office when you\u2019re running a side hustle around a full-time job. Standing in line before work or on Saturdays quickly became one of my least favorite parts of running my business. Every trip felt like it ate up way more time and energy than I expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-printing-at-home-ordering-custom-or-something-else\">Printing at home, ordering custom&#8230; or something else?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After I realized living at the post office was not an option, my first thought was to invest in a color inkjet printer. I thought I could create cute, branded shipping labels at home&#8230; but the cost was more than I could maintain. Then I thought about custom printing because it was already my go-to for marketing materials. But shipping labels require immediacy, so that was out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.313), 18px);\"><blockquote><p>What finally worked for me wasn\u2019t one magical shipping solution\u2014it was separating shipping functionality from branding. Then I could build a workflow that I had the resources to sustain.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re transitioning to online selling like I did, or you&#8217;re starting your small business online, you&#8217;re probably trying to figure out the easiest way to print shipping labels at home. Here&#8217;s how I got to the workflow I wish I had started with from the beginning. And how you can get there too\u2014but avoiding the mistakes I made along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"2560\" height=\"1365\" data-public-id=\"web\/blog\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_02_3000x1600\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_02_3000x1600.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNTYwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEzNjUiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiPjxhbmltYXRlIGF0dHJpYnV0ZU5hbWU9ImZpbGwiIHZhbHVlcz0icmdiYSgxNTMsMTUzLDE1MywwLjUpO3JnYmEoMTUzLDE1MywxNTMsMC4xKTtyZ2JhKDE1MywxNTMsMTUzLDAuNSkiIGR1cj0iMnMiIHJlcGVhdENvdW50PSJpbmRlZmluaXRlIiAvPjwvcmVjdD48L3N2Zz4=\" alt=\"Home shipping setup with 4 \u00d7 6 shipping labels, shipping boxes, a laptop, and printable Avery label sheets.\" class=\"wp-post-27928 wp-image-29454\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1782264936\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" data-size=\"2560 1365\" data-delivery=\"upload\" onload=\";window.CLDBind?CLDBind(this):null;\" data-cloudinary=\"lazy\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There are a lot of ways to print shipping labels. Finding the workflow that fits your business is what makes the biggest difference.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-printing-shipping-labels-at-home-failed-me\">Where printing shipping labels at home failed me<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-palette-color-6-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>Once I started looking at the actual logistics, my dreams of printing aesthetically swoon-worthy shipping labels at home fell apart:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The color printers recommended for higher-volume shipping took up too much space in my small home office. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The ongoing cost of ink refills wasn\u2019t sustainable for my small craft business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Printing full-color shipping labels for every order slowed down my fulfillment workflow. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Full-color printing didn\u2019t make sense for lower-margin products and busy shipping periods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For one thing, the inkjet printers that could handle the amount of printing I needed were expensive and would require frequent ink replacements. Another drawback: they&#8217;re bulky and my workspace is only about 110 square feet (the smallest bedroom in a tiny 1940&#8217;s bungalow). As a small business owner working from home, I had to think realistically about both my budget and my workspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I think a lot of handmade sellers start where I did. If you&#8217;re a small Etsy shop, it&#8217;s easy to think aesthetics-first because visual appeal is woven so deeply into the community. The look of your business\u2014from product photos to unboxing\u2014all matters. I wanted to look like a legit Etsy seller, but I had to find a way to balance my creative vision with an operational setup that actually worked for my craft business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-custom-printed-shipping-labels-didn-t-fully-solve-the-problem-either\">Why custom-printed shipping labels didn\u2019t fully solve the problem either<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, I naturally turned to custom-printed shipping labels to solve all my problems. And why not? I was already leaning on custom printing for all the <a href=\"\/marketing-materials\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">marketing materials<\/a> I rely on as a handmade seller. Business cards, freebie stickers, name tags\u2014basically, all the things I used for <a href=\"\/blog\/vendor-booth-ideas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">my vendor booth setup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>It&#8217;s true, professionally printed products solve a lot of problems:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>No worrying about printer quality<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No replacing ink<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No alignment issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consistent results every time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Those reasons are why I keep relying on custom printing for a lot of packaging elements. Things like custom stickers, thank-you labels, postcards, and packaging inserts are absolutely worth it to me. They create a customer experience that encourages repeat business\u2014without the execution taking up all my time and energy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-avery-blog wp-block-embed-avery-blog\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"2VEWRps7jd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avery.com\/blog\/packaging-ideas-for-small-business\/\">9 Packaging Ideas to Keep Customers Coming Back for More<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;9 Packaging Ideas to Keep Customers Coming Back for More&#8221; &#8212; Avery Blog\" src=\"https:\/\/www.avery.com\/blog\/packaging-ideas-for-small-business\/embed\/#?secret=7tONOBMwDk#?secret=2VEWRps7jd\" data-secret=\"2VEWRps7jd\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.313), 18px);\"><blockquote><p>Shipping labels are different because they need to be created on demand.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-palette-color-6-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>Orders come in at different times. Each address is unique. Shipping methods vary. Sometimes you need to print a label immediately and drop a package off the same day. Those kinds of real-life moments were roadblocks in my fulfillment workflow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s when I realized shipping labels can&#8217;t fully be treated like marketing materials because fulfillment can&#8217;t wait.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-shipping-label-setup-that-finally-worked-for-me\">The shipping label setup that finally worked for me<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This was where I had my &#8220;aha&#8221; moment: I needed to separate shipping functionality from branding. I had spent so much time trying to make shipping labels aesthetic, branded, colorful, and exciting. But what my small online business actually needed was a fulfillment workflow that felt:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Easy to repeat consistently<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flexible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Affordable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-medium-font-size is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.313), 18px);\">At some point, I realized I was trying to make one label do two completely different jobs. So, I separated them.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Functional shipping workflow<\/th><th>Branded packaging elements<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Standard 4&#8243; x 6&#8243; shipping labels<\/td><td>Logo stickers<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fast label printing<\/td><td>Thank-you labels<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Easy barcode scanning<\/td><td>Decorative packaging labels<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>USPS\/FedEx shipping compatibility<\/td><td>Branded packaging accents<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>On-demand printing<\/td><td>Bulk custom printing<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Reliable fulfillment<\/td><td>Memorable unboxing experience<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"2560\" height=\"1365\" data-public-id=\"web\/blog\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_03_3000x1600\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_03_3000x1600.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNTYwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEzNjUiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiPjxhbmltYXRlIGF0dHJpYnV0ZU5hbWU9ImZpbGwiIHZhbHVlcz0icmdiYSgxNTMsMTUzLDE1MywwLjUpO3JnYmEoMTUzLDE1MywxNTMsMC4xKTtyZ2JhKDE1MywxNTMsMTUzLDAuNSkiIGR1cj0iMnMiIHJlcGVhdENvdW50PSJpbmRlZmluaXRlIiAvPjwvcmVjdD48L3N2Zz4=\" alt=\"Two open shipping boxes with branded packaging inserts and standard 4 \u00d7 6 shipping labels applied to the outside of each package.\" class=\"wp-post-27928 wp-image-29452\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1782264941\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" data-size=\"2560 1365\" data-delivery=\"upload\" onload=\";window.CLDBind?CLDBind(this):null;\" data-cloudinary=\"lazy\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Separating shipping functionality from branding was the biggest breakthrough in my workflow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-i-print-shipping-labels-in-a-functional-workflow\">How I print shipping labels in a functional workflow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that I&#8217;ve separated form and function, the key things I need for functional shipping labels is really clear. First of all, I set up my shipping label workflow for 4&#8243; x 6&#8243; labels. Most shipping platforms and carriers already use standard 4&#8243; x 6&#8243; labels, including USPS, UPS, and FedEx. It just makes sense to choose a format that shipping services already expect rather than fighting it in the name of design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because I was no longer trying to make shipping labels be decorative, I could focus on using durable matte white materials that I could print at home. I only needed to print them in black and white, so I could choose between a thermal or laser printer, both of which generally cost less to maintain than a color inkjet printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The result is my current shipping label workflow, which allows me to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Print labels clearly <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure they scan easily <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Count on them to hold up during shipping <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep fulfillment moving quickly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Thermal printers vs. laser printers for shipping labels<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img width=\"2560\" height=\"2560\" data-public-id=\"web\/blog\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_04_3000x3000\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_04_3000x3000.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNTYwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjI1NjAiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiPjxhbmltYXRlIGF0dHJpYnV0ZU5hbWU9ImZpbGwiIHZhbHVlcz0icmdiYSgxNTMsMTUzLDE1MywwLjUpO3JnYmEoMTUzLDE1MywxNTMsMC4xKTtyZ2JhKDE1MywxNTMsMTUzLDAuNSkiIGR1cj0iMnMiIHJlcGVhdENvdW50PSJpbmRlZmluaXRlIiAvPjwvcmVjdD48L3N2Zz4=\" alt=\"Hand removing a freshly printed 4 \u00d7 6 shipping label from a direct thermal label printer.\" class=\"wp-post-27928 wp-image-29456\" style=\"width:300px\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1782367773\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" data-size=\"2560 2560\" data-delivery=\"upload\" onload=\";window.CLDBind?CLDBind(this):null;\" data-cloudinary=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For me personally, the best fit is a Bluetooth thermal printer. <a href=\"\/products\/labels\/usage\/all-labels?filters=printerType_Direct+Thermal%7Esize_4%22+x+6%22\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Direct thermal printers use special roll labels<\/a> that work with heat, not ink or toner. That means less maintenance and no replacing ink cartridges or toner. I also appreciate how compact they are since I run my craft business from a small home office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, thermal printing isn\u2019t the only good option. Laser printers also work extremely well for small-business shipping workflows since you only have to replace toner rather than multiple ink cartridges. Plus, <a href=\"\/blank\/labels\/94278\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">printable 4&#8243; x 6&#8243; shipping labels<\/a> are easy to keep in stock and come in a huge variety of paper and durable materials that work with laser printers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.313), 18px);\">If you already have a printer at home (laser or inkjet), I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Rectangle-Labels-Permanent-Adhesive-Printable\/dp\/B0B6JN3BS4\/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2VGHDI9GEI45I&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VPLe9sZhDJOEG8uJFCPnzCWlB_QI9x4u7fiYyTiYZKeKGe706y-jiljqJ-ONY9nFeEediFC8E-zmDzl76l_z4ecQZt9ieNyzb1nTFlWgqy4SH05qNsR1a9Y3E3qhJNGUxAE27idVrEzb0lEXKYpEcZpysRKho1UCjwBgeQ9mumD1cx-Dcd2TstQG_doh_SQLga28Q72PET8LvkBc4-m21wsBN4d2NxM7TPxt7_Arh6T0slf7WCUPZ8jtO3cSVBQkS7d8w_GkCcVW9ughh3Gdxr910E_YmrRMLIC6pT35n8M.5dWgU6SOSyrnKx29qVN-V1ZA6ILddDXMNnedywbOrLM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=avery%2B4%2Bx%2B6&amp;qid=1778265370&amp;sprefix=avery%2B4%2Bx%2B6%2Caps%2C367&amp;sr=8-8&amp;th=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">these Avery 4&#8243; x 6&#8243; shipping labels<\/a> available on Amazon. You can get them quickly and they&#8217;re compatible with both laser and inkjet printers.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>As a bonus, I can print shipping labels right from my phone with my Bluetooth thermal printer. That change really leveled up my maker\/seller workflow because I was already using my phone to <a href=\"\/help\/article\/how-to-create-labels-in-design-and-print-mobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">design and order custom branded labels<\/a> and buy postage. Now I can do every part of my shipping workflow from my home office, on the road, or even at conventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-branding-works-better-outside-the-shipping-label\">Branding works better outside the shipping label<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-medium-font-size is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.313), 18px);\">Eventually, it dawned on me: The shipping label itself doesn\u2019t need to carry all the branding.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>If I had only switched to simple black-and-white shipping labels I definitely would have lost some of the branding and personality that mattered so much to my business. Especially as a handmade seller, I really care about all the little details that go into presentation and unboxing. Not just because those details reflect my brand identity, but because they&#8217;re a huge part earning repeat customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, I add branding around the functional shipping label using:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Logo stickers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thank-you labels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decorative packaging labels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Branded sticker frames<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, I can create 5&#8243; x 7&#8243; labels with a decorative border, then apply my functional 4&#8243; x 6&#8243; shipping label on top (inside the border). For this type of branded packaging elements, I still prefer <a href=\"\/custom-printing\/labels\/calculator\/sheets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">custom-printed labels<\/a> and <a href=\"\/custom-printing\/stickers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stickers<\/a>. I already use Avery custom printing for marketing materials, especially since I can choose <a href=\"\/blog\/varnish-vs-laminate-label-coating\/\">varnish and laminate<\/a> options. Decorative shipping labels just make sense for the way I work. I don&#8217;t have to buy and maintain a color printer, and I can easily scale printing as needed. Sometimes, I need just a few sheets of labels; sometimes I need several hundred stickers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"2560\" height=\"1365\" data-public-id=\"web\/blog\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_05_3000x1600\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_05_3000x1600.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNTYwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEzNjUiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiPjxhbmltYXRlIGF0dHJpYnV0ZU5hbWU9ImZpbGwiIHZhbHVlcz0icmdiYSgxNTMsMTUzLDE1MywwLjUpO3JnYmEoMTUzLDE1MywxNTMsMC4xKTtyZ2JhKDE1MywxNTMsMTUzLDAuNSkiIGR1cj0iMnMiIHJlcGVhdENvdW50PSJpbmRlZmluaXRlIiAvPjwvcmVjdD48L3N2Zz4=\" alt=\"Shipping boxes and padded mailers with standard 4 \u00d7 6 shipping labels on the front and custom branding added with sealing labels and stickers.\" class=\"wp-post-27928 wp-image-29453\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1782264937\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" data-size=\"2560 1365\" data-delivery=\"upload\" onload=\";window.CLDBind?CLDBind(this):null;\" data-cloudinary=\"lazy\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Keep the shipping label simple, then add your branding everywhere else.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-build-your-setup-for-printing-shipping-labels-at-home\">How to build your setup for printing shipping labels at home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After a lot of trial and error, these are the shipping workflows and tools that made the biggest difference for me. Start with the goals that really matter to you to find the best options for printing shipping labels for your small business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Goal<\/th><th>Best option<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Lowest startup cost<\/td><td>Existing home printer + printable labels<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>More flexible label printing<\/td><td>Laser printer + printable labels<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lower-maintenance shipping workflow<\/td><td>Thermal printer + direct thermal labels<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Strong branding<\/td><td>Custom stickers + packaging accents<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Compact workspace<\/td><td>Bluetooth thermal printer<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Easier fulfillment scaling<\/td><td>Standard 4&#8243; x 6&#8243; shipping label workflow<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs-about-printing-shipping-labels-at-home\">FAQs about printing shipping labels at home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1778196512970\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I print shipping labels with a regular printer?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Many small businesses use standard inkjet or laser printers with printable shipping labels, especially for lower shipping volumes.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1778196552068\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Are thermal printers worth it for small businesses?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">If you ship regularly, thermal printers can be a great option because they don\u2019t require ink or toner and are designed specifically for printing shipping labels quickly.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1778196561528\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I print shipping labels with a laser printer?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Laser printers work well with many printable label sheets and can be a practical option for small businesses that already have access to a laser printer.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1778196574191\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What size shipping labels should I use?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Standard 4&#8243; x 6&#8243; shipping labels are one of the most common and widely supported sizes for ecommerce shipping.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1778196586614\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How can I make shipping packages look branded?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Many small businesses use custom stickers, thank-you labels, packaging inserts, and decorative packaging accents alongside functional shipping labels.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"2560\" height=\"1365\" data-public-id=\"web\/blog\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_06_3000x1600\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_06_3000x1600.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNTYwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEzNjUiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiPjxhbmltYXRlIGF0dHJpYnV0ZU5hbWU9ImZpbGwiIHZhbHVlcz0icmdiYSgxNTMsMTUzLDE1MywwLjUpO3JnYmEoMTUzLDE1MywxNTMsMC4xKTtyZ2JhKDE1MywxNTMsMTUzLDAuNSkiIGR1cj0iMnMiIHJlcGVhdENvdW50PSJpbmRlZmluaXRlIiAvPjwvcmVjdD48L3N2Zz4=\" alt=\"Shipping boxes with standard 4 \u00d7 6 shipping labels, branded sealing labels, and decorative stickers applied consistently across every package.\" class=\"wp-post-27928 wp-image-29450\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1782264941\" data-seo=\"1\" data-responsive=\"1\" data-size=\"2560 1365\" data-delivery=\"upload\" onload=\";window.CLDBind?CLDBind(this):null;\" data-cloudinary=\"lazy\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A repeatable shipping workflow doesn&#8217;t have to look generic. Standard shipping labels and branded packaging can work together on every order.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-your-next-steps-for-printing-shipping-labels-at-home\">Your next steps for printing shipping labels at home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re like me, you probably didn&#8217;t think much about shipping labels at all until you started consistently fulfilling orders. Once you&#8217;ve spent too many Saturday mornings wasting away in line at the post office or waiting for the UPS or FedEx store to open, suddenly they have your attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For me, the biggest breakthrough was separating shipping functionality from branding. Once I stopped trying to make one label do everything, the entire process became easier to maintain and scale. Now, I keep my shipping workflow simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Functional 4&#8243; x 6&#8243; shipping labels for fulfillment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Branded labels and stickers for presentation and packaging.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>By this point, you probably already have a better sense of how to simplify your shipping workflow without giving up branding or flexibility. Now it\u2019s just about getting the supplies that make that setup easier to maintain long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-border-color has-palette-color-2-border-color is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:4px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<p><strong>Print functional shipping labels.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-small-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"\/products\/labels\/usage\/all-labels?filters=printerType_Direct+Thermal%7Esize_4%22+x+6%22\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shop Direct Thermal Roll Labels<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--2\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-small-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"\/blank\/labels\/94278\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shop Blank 4&#8243; x 6&#8243; Label Sheets<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-border-color has-palette-color-2-border-color is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:4px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<p><strong>Order custom branding elements.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--3\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-small-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"\/custom-printing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shop Custom Labels &amp; Stickers<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How I simplified shipping labels for my small business without giving up branding, flexibility, or professionalism.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":29449,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4078,4492],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mailing-shipping","category-work-smarter"],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Easy Shipping Label Workflow I Wish I Started With<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How I simplified shipping labels for my small business without giving up branding, flexibility, or professionalism.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.avery.com\/blog\/business-shipping-label-workflow\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Shipping Label Workflow I Wish I Started With\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I stopped trying to make one shipping label do everything. Separating shipping from branding made my workflow faster, simpler, and easier to scale.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.avery.com\/blog\/business-shipping-label-workflow\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Avery Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/facebook.com\/avery\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-30T17:19:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/avery-products-corp\/images\/w_2560,h_1365,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1782264941\/web\/blog\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_06_3000x1600\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_06_3000x1600.jpg?_i=AA\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1365\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"JoJo Mrgich\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"JoJo Mrgich\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"BlogPosting\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.avery.com\\\/blog\\\/business-shipping-label-workflow\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.avery.com\\\/blog\\\/business-shipping-label-workflow\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"JoJo Mrgich\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.avery.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/60111d0a4334024b3d517c895365dec9\"},\"headline\":\"The Easy Shipping Label Workflow I Wish I Started With\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-30T17:19:25+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.avery.com\\\/blog\\\/business-shipping-label-workflow\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2013,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.avery.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.avery.com\\\/blog\\\/business-shipping-label-workflow\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/res.cloudinary.com\\\/avery-products-corp\\\/images\\\/w_2560,h_1195,c_scale\\\/f_auto,q_auto\\\/v1782264940\\\/web\\\/blog\\\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_01_Hero_3000x1400\\\/2026-07 Blog_business-shipping-label-workflow_01_Hero_3000x1400.jpg?_i=AA\",\"articleSection\":[\"Mail &amp; 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