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  • shipping label sizes
  • thermal barcode label
  • shipping label sizes
  • thermal barcode label
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What Is a Shipping Label? – From Basics to Complete Shipping Label Solutions by sailinglabel

  1. Special paper coated for direct thermal printing.

  2. Produces clear, durable prints without ink or toner.

  3. Commonly used in POS, ATM, and receipt printers.

  4. Available in rolls of various widths and lengths.

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What Is a Shipping Label?

In simple terms, a shipping label is the information carrier attached to a parcel, carton, or mailer. It tells the logistics system:

  • Where the shipment comes from (shipper information);
  • Where it should go (consignee information);
  • Which carrier and service are used;
  • How the package should be routed, sorted and handled during transit.

A standard shipping label is:

  • Printed →
  • Applied to the box or mailer →
  • Scanned and read multiple times by sorting lines, handheld scanners and warehouse staff until the parcel is delivered.
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What Information Is on a Shipping Label?

Different platforms and carriers use different layouts, but most shipping labels include:

  • Shipper details – company/name, address, phone number;
  • Consignee details – name, full address, phone number;
  • Tracking / waybill number – represented in human-readable text plus barcode or QR code;
  • Barcode / QR code – read by scanners and sortation systems for routing;
  • Carrier information – name, logo and service type (economy, standard, express, etc.);
  • Routing / sorting info – hub codes, destination codes, route indicators (where applicable);
  • Weight and size info – actual or chargeable weight (for some carriers);
  • Special handling flags – fragile, cold chain, signature required, COD and similar instructions.
shipping label sizes

What Role Does a Shipping Label Play in Logistics?

Without a shipping label, a parcel is just an anonymous box in the warehouse. A properly designed and printed shipping label enables you to:

Be recognized by the system

every scan starts from the label

Sort and load quickly

automated sortation routes parcels based on the barcode/QR data

Provide real-time tracking

 each scan updates tracking information for systems and customers

Reduce human error

scanning replaces handwriting and manual input, cutting mis-shipments and wrong deliverie

Common Types of Shipping Labels

In real operations, shipping labels can be grouped into several types:

Shipping-Labels-4x6-7

E-commerce / parcel shipping labels

Standard labels for online orders (such as 4" × 6" / 100 × 150 mm)

Shopify Shipping Label

International / cross-border shipping labels

Used together with customs declarations, duty/tax labels and commercial invoices

Optimum-Shipping-Label-7

Warehousing & transfer labels

Internal labels when parcels move between warehouses and hubs

Linerless Label Manufacturers

Return labels

Pre-included in the parcel or generated later by the customer for returns

What Materials and Printing Methods Are Used for Shipping Labels?

No Middlemen

More Profit

For shipping labels, the main material/printing combinations are:

Facestocks can be: Thermal paper or coated paper;   Synthetic paper or PP / PE / PET films for water-, oil- and tear-resistant applications.

Shipping Label Fanfold

Direct thermal shipping labels

  • Printed directly with a thermal printer, no ribbon needed;
  • Low-cost and fast, the most common option for e-commerce labels;
  • Suitable for typical shipments that only need to stay readable for 7–30 days.
What Is a Shipping Label?

Thermal transfer shipping labels

  • Printed with a ribbon;
  • More durable and resistant to abrasion and environment;
  • Ideal for long-distance, cross-border, or warehouse ID labels that must last longer.
Thermal 4x6 Labels
shipping label created

What Shipping Label Products Does sailinglabel Provide?

As a label manufacturer, sailinglabel offers:

  • Shipping labels in key sizes such as 4″ × 6″, 100 × 150 mm, 100 × 100 mm and more;
  • Direct thermal shipping labels, thermal transfer shipping labels, and synthetic/film-based labels;
  • Roll and fanfold formats compatible with Zebra, TSC, Godex and other common printers;
  • Constructions tailored for ambient, chilled, cold-chain and overseas-warehouse environments.

You can choose from standard SKUs or build custom specs with your own branding.

Factory Lines & Main Capacity

sailinglabel’s shipping label manufacturing capacity includes:

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Factory Area

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Monthly delivery exceeded

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Label production line

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Esportazione di container per anno

paper synthetic

Multiple dedicated thermal / thermal-transfer presses

  • Covering carta termica, coated paper, synthetic paper and film materials;
  • Designed for long-term, high-volume supply of e-commerce and warehouse labels.
Etichettatrice per bolle di accompagnamento da 110 mm

High-speed die-cutting and slitting lines

  • Tight dimensional control for stable automatic labelling and fast printing.
thermal label warehouse (1)

Regular stock of core shipping label materials

  • Standard constructions and sizes held in inventory for fast lead times and peak-season supply.
Plastic-packaging

Indicative capacity

  • Hundreds of thousands of shipping labels per day on a single shift, with room to scale further.

Why Are “Simple” Shipping Labels Actually Critical?

Many people see a shipping label as “just a sticker”, but for warehouses and carriers it directly affects:

Sortation efficiency

Poor print quality or low barcode contrast slows down the whole line

Complaint and lost-parcel rates

Faded or missing labels easily become “untrackable shipments

Labour cost

Reprinting, re-labelling and manual data entry all consume time and money

Customer experience

Dad tracking or mis-delivery feeds directly into ratings and brand perception.

Customization Options – From “What Is a Shipping Label” to “Your Own Label Program”

Once you understand what a shipping label is, you can work with sailinglabel to build your own configuration:

Thermal Shipping Labels 4×6

Size & layout

Matched to platform templates, carton sizes and overseas-warehouse rules

BOPP-Label-Material-7

Material constructions

Economy / standard / durable, direct thermal / thermal transfer, paper / film

label1

Roll parameters

Core size, labels per roll, maximum OD, with or without black marks

thermal label_Customization

Pre-printed content

Logos, brand colours, handling icons, sorting aids

Packaging options

Neutral packaging or full private-label packs for distribution and cross-border sales

Cooperation & Ordering Flow

01

Requirements discussion

Tell sailinglabel:

  • Your main platforms / channels (which define label size and template needs);
  • Expected daily / monthly shipping volume;
  • Operating environments (ambient, chilled, cold chain, overseas warehouses, etc.);
  • Printer types and models you are currently using;
  • Whether you need private-label branding or OEM packaging.

02

Proposal & samples

  • We provide 1–2 suggested shipping label constructions and specs;
  • We send sample rolls or sheets for you to test printing, application and scanning in your real workflow.

03

Final spec & formal quotation

  • We fine-tune materials, sizes, roll setup and packing based on test results;
  • We confirm the final spec sheet and formal pricing.

04

Production & delivery

  • We arrange mass production, quality inspection and packing;
  • We ship to your local warehouse or overseas warehouse as planned.

05

Replenishment & optimization

  • We keep improving constructions and processes based on real-world feedback;
  • Together we plan peak-season stock, replenishment rhythm and safety inventory.

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Un produttore di fabbrica specializzato nella produzione di etichette autoadesive di alta gamma che integra ricerca e sviluppo, produzione, vendite e servizio post-vendita.