In this article, we’ll cover the importance of shipping labels, what information they contain, how to create them, and how partnering with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider like Daguer Logistics can simplify the shipping process for your e-commerce business.
Shipping labels may seem like a minor detail in e-commerce logistics, but they play a crucial role in ensuring accurate, timely, and efficient deliveries. Without proper shipping labels, orders can be misrouted, lost, or delayed, leading to dissatisfied customers and potential revenue loss for businesses.
A shipping label is a piece of documentation affixed to a package that provides key details about the shipment, including the destination, origin, carrier information, and handling instructions. Shipping labels help logistics providers and shipping carriers track, sort, and deliver parcels accurately and efficiently.
Shipping labels vary based on the carrier (e.g., USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL), but they all contain similar core information that enables smooth delivery operations.
Shipping labels are vital because they ensure that packages reach the right destination while enabling tracking at every stage of the delivery process. A well-labeled shipment helps businesses:
· Reduce delivery errors by ensuring accurate recipient information.
· Minimize transit delays caused by incorrect or incomplete address details.
· Enhance customer experience through real-time tracking updates.
· Maintain supply chain efficiency by facilitating quick sorting and routing.
Without a properly formatted and placed shipping label, a package may face misrouting, additional transit time, or even complete loss.
A shipping label consists of several key components, each serving a crucial function in the shipping process. Below is a breakdown of the typical elements found on a shipping label:
· Specifies the name, street address, city, postal code, and country of the recipient.
· A contact phone number may also be included for carrier communication.
· Identifies the original shipper in case the package needs to be returned.
· Helps maintain brand identity and reassures customers about the sender’s authenticity
· A unique tracking number allows the package to be monitored in transit.
· Barcodes are scanned at different checkpoints for automated tracking.
· Displays the carrier handling the shipment (e.g., UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS).
· Includes service type (e.g., Standard, Expedited, Overnight).
· Carriers use this information to calculate shipping rates.
· Ensures efficient space utilization on transportation vehicles.
· Indicates how fast the package should be delivered (e.g., Ground, Air, Express).
· Helps logistics teams prioritize shipments based on urgency.
· Shows whether shipping fees have been prepaid or need to be collected.
· For example, labels may indicate “P/P” (prepaid) or “C.O.D.” (collect on delivery).
For e-commerce businesses managing order fulfillment in-house, creating shipping labels manually can be a time-consuming task. Fortunately, there are several ways to generate shipping labels efficiently:
Most major carriers allow businesses to create and print shipping labels through their online portals:
· USPS Click-N-Ship
· FedEx Ship Manager
· UPS WorldShip
· DHL Express Label Creation
These platforms provide easy templates where businesses can enter shipment details, pay for postage, and print labels instantly.
There are many free shipping label templates available online. Shopify, for example, provides a free shipping label generator, allowing businesses to enter shipment details and instantly generate a formatted label for printing.
E-commerce businesses shipping high volumes of orders can streamline label generation with dedicated shipping software, such as:
· DAGUER LOGISTICS SYSTEM
· SHIPSTATION
· ORDORO
These tools integrate with major carriers and e-commerce platforms to automate label creation, order tracking, and rate comparisons.
For businesses seeking to completely outsource fulfillment and shipping, partnering with a third-party logistics provider (3PL) like Daguer Logistics eliminates the hassle of managing shipping labels manually.
Daguer Logistics automates shipping label generation, ensuring accurate, on-time deliveries while offering businesses discounted shipping rates through carrier partnerships.
To ensure seamless delivery, businesses should follow these best practices when creating shipping labels:
· Double-check recipient details, postal codes, and package weights before printing labels.
· Incorrect shipping information can result in misdelivery and additional shipping costs.
· Affix the label to a flat, smooth surface on the package to prevent smudging or peeling.
· Avoid placing labels over seams or tape that could cause scanning issues.
· Print labels using thermal printers or high-resolution inkjet/laser printers.
· Smudged or faded barcodes can lead to tracking errors and delivery delays.
· If the package contains fragile or perishable items, ensure proper handling instructions are clearly visible.
· If using multiple carriers, try to standardize label formatting for consistency.
· Many 3PL providers, like Daguer Logistics, help businesses streamline label formatting across carriers.
Daguer Logistics integrates with major e-commerce platforms to automatically generate and print shipping labels as soon as an order is placed.
With partnerships across DHL, UPS, FedEx, and USPS, Daguer Logistics offers flexible and cost-effective shipping options.
By leveraging bulk shipping, businesses benefit from discounted carrier rates that lower shipping costs.
With our warehouse management system (WMS), businesses can monitor shipment tracking and inventory levels in real-time.
From picking and packing to last-mile delivery, Daguer Logistics ensures efficient, seamless order fulfillment.
Shipping labels are a crucial part of e-commerce logistics, ensuring packages are delivered accurately and on time. By following best practices, using automation tools, and partnering with a reliable 3PL like Daguer Logistics, businesses can optimize their shipping operations and enhance customer satisfaction.
Yes, some carriers allow guest users to generate shipping labels, but having an account offers better tracking and cost-saving benefits.
Shipping label costs vary by package size, weight, destination, and shipping method. Partnering with a 3PL like Daguer Logistics can help secure discounted rates.
While standard printers can work, thermal label printers (like those from Zebra or Rollo) produce high-quality labels without ink smudging.
Yes! Daguer Logistics manages international shipments, handling customs documentation, duties, and compliance requirements for global fulfillment.
If a label contains errors, the package may be delayed or returned. Always verify recipient information before printing labels or rely on an automated fulfillment provider like Daguer Logistics to minimize mistakes.
