What Is the Purpose of a Shipping Label?
Every package needs a shipping label to ensure it arrives safely at its destination. But what exactly is the purpose of a shipping label? Let’s take a closer look at shipping labels and the role they play in package delivery.
A shipping label is a printed piece of paper or a sticker attached to a package, containing all of the critical information a carrier needs to deliver the parcel to its intended destination. Shipping label templates vary from carrier to carrier, but most shipping labels contain the following standard information:
- Sender and recipient names and addresses, so the carrier knows where to deliver the package and to whom to return it if delivery is not possible.
- Tracking number and barcode so the package can be tracked as it moves along the delivery route. The machine-readable barcode, which links to tracking information in the carrier’s system, is used by the carrier, while the tracking number allows the shipper and recipient to track the package. Some carriers use QR codes instead of barcodes, but the principle is the same.
- Shipping method.
- Other relevant information about the package (weight, dimensions, handling instructions, etc.)
International shipping labels also usually contain detailed information about the contents and value of the package, as they double as a customs declaration.
The primary purpose of shipping labels is to ensure that packages reach their destination as quickly and efficiently as possible by ensuring proper routing. However, they also play a number of other roles.
As we’ve mentioned before, shipping labels can contain additional information to gel ensure that packages are handled correctly, minimizing the risk of damage. However, we recommend that you don’t rely on the shipping label alone when shipping items that require special handling. It is advisable to supplement it with large, easy-to-read labels with handling instructions such as “Fragile” or “This Side Up”.
Finally, a shipping label can serve as a postage paid indicator. This is true for prepaid shipping labels that are issued by the carrier or an authorized third party that include a tracking number and barcode.
Where can you get a shipping label? Once you have selected the carrier, you can go to the nearest carrier location (or a third-party retail location authorized by the carrier) where they will print a shipping label for you after you provide the package details and pay the postage. However, more and more people prefer to print shipping labels at home because it is not only more convenient, but it can also get you a shipping discount.
Most major shipping carriers allow customers to create and print shipping labels directly from their websites. In addition, there are third-party shipping platforms that allow people to create and print labels for multiple carriers from one user account. These platforms often offer discounted shipping rates because the carriers give them discounts for high shipping volumes, and the platforms share these discounts with their customers.
For example, PostageMaker offers discounted shipping rates up to 50% off USPS and UPS retail rates. With our service, you can purchase discounted domestic and international shipping labels online from your home or office and print them right away or save them as a PDF file for printing later.
In addition to discounts, one of the best things about printing your own shipping labels is that you don’t have to take your packages to a carrier’s store: you can drop off packages with prepaid shipping labels at the nearest drop-off location or schedule a package pickup, which is much more convenient.