Do Shipping Labels Have to Be a Specific Size?

Most people use a regular printer and paper instead of a thermal printer and self-adhesive labels when purchasing and printing shipping labels at home, unlike carriers who use the latter. Printer settings allow you to adjust the label size to fit different box sizes, but are you allowed to do that? Do shipping labels have to be a specific size?

Most major carriers in the United States and abroad follow the industry standard size of 4x6 inches (100x150 millimeters in Europe). This size provides enough space for all the required information, such as the sender’s and recipient’s information, the tracking number, the barcode, and the carrier’s logo. It also leaves space for additional information that may vary by carrier. In addition, labels of this size are compatible with most thermal label printers and can be easily scanned by processing machines and read by humans.

Four-by-six-inch shipping labels are suitable for most shipments. However, some situations may call for smaller or larger labels. For example, the United States Postal Service allows four-by-four inch labels for smaller parcels and six-by-three labels for oddly shaped mail, such as mailing tubes. Some carriers allow even smaller labels, such as 2x4 or even 2x3 inches.

International shipping labels are often larger than standard labels because they double as customs declarations and include additional information, such as a list of package contents with a description of each item.

In general, it’s best to follow the carrier’s requirements and print standard four-by-six-inch shipping labels. If you’re using a regular printer and paper, you can print the label on a standard A4 sheet and cut it out. However, the exact size of the label is less important than its legibility and scannability. As long as the barcode and address remain clear and fully readable, your home-printed shipping label can be slightly smaller or larger than the standard size.

While the 4x6 size works best with automated sorting equipment, other sizes are also acceptable. The main requirements are that the barcode scans reliably and that the label is not distorted, cut off, folded through the barcode area, or covered with tape over the barcode. However, scaling the label down too much is not recommended because it is more likely to cause scanning problems, which can result in delivery delays since the package will have to be handled manually. Regardless of the size, it is important that the proportions of the label remain the same; otherwise, the barcode may become unscannable if you shrink or stretch it disproportionately.

When using non-adhesive shipping labels, properly affix them to the package to prevent damage, loss, or scanning issues. Trim the paper, if necessary, and place the label on the largest side of the package. Avoid placing the label over the seam, and do not fold it over the edge. Secure all four edges firmly with clear packing tape, ensuring that the label remains flat and the tape is not wrinkled. For additional protection from the elements, you can tape over the address area of the label, but never tape over the barcode because the reflective surface of the tape will interfere with scanners.