Q: How do I get a shipping label?
A: You can create shipping labels online through carrier websites (USPS.com, UPS.com, FedEx.com), ecommerce platforms (Amazon, eBay, Shopify), or shipping software like ParcelPath—which offers 60–89% off retail rates. Simply enter package details, select service, pay, and print at home or schedule pickup.
Whether you’re shipping one package or managing hundreds, getting the right shipping label at the best price can save your business significant money. With 2026 rate increases across all major carriers—USPS up 6.6% for Priority Mail, UPS implementing a 5.9% general rate increase, and FedEx raising rates across all services—choosing the right platform matters more than ever. For comprehensive guidance on shipping fundamentals, explore our 7 essential shipping questions answered for 2026.
What Information Do You Need for a Shipping Label?
Every shipping label requires specific information to ensure successful delivery. Missing or incorrect data causes delays, returns, and additional fees.
Essential shipping label components include:
- Complete sender address: Your full name, street address, city, state, and ZIP+4 code
- Complete recipient address: Full name, street address, city, state, and ZIP+4 code (verify accuracy)
- Package weight and dimensions: Actual weight rounded to the nearest ounce or pound
- Service type: Ground, Priority, Express, or specialty service
- Tracking number: Automatically generated when you purchase the label
- Delivery signature requirements: If needed for valuable items
Pro tip: Address verification is critical—68% of delivery failures stem from incorrect addresses, according to recent carrier data. Understanding how to find a tracking number helps you monitor shipments from creation to delivery.
How Much Does Package Weight Affect Label Costs?
Package weight directly determines shipping costs, with significant price jumps at specific weight tiers. USPS Ground Advantage shows the greatest savings for packages over 1 pound—offering discounts up to $6.44 and 31.6% off commercial rates for heavier parcels as of January 2026.
Weight accuracy matters: Starting March 2025, packages exceeding the purchased label’s weight incur an 8% penalty fee on the total adjusted shipping price, assessed while your package is in transit.
Where Can You Create Shipping Labels Online?
Multiple platforms offer online shipping label creation, each with different advantages for cost savings and convenience.
Carrier Websites (Direct from Source)
USPS Click-N-Ship: Create a free USPS.com account to access discounted pricing with Usps Click And Ship: Complete Guide 2026. Labels can be printed on standard paper (requires clear packing tape covering the entire label) or thermal labels for professional appearance.
UPS.com: Offers UPS My Choice members access to online label creation with pickup scheduling. UPS labels print on 4×6 inches (preferred) or 8.5×11 inches for half-sheet shipping labels.
FedEx.com: Direct label printing with account holders receiving commercial pricing. Note: FedEx now rounds up all package dimensions to the closest inch for dimensional weight calculations as of January 2026.
Ecommerce Platform Integration
Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and Etsy offer built-in shipping label tools through their seller dashboards. Simply go to Orders/Shipping dashboard, select the order, confirm details, pay, and print carrier-compliant labels directly from the platform.
print a shipping label walks through getting it onto paper or a UPS Store mobile barcode. These platforms automatically populate recipient addresses from order data, reducing manual entry eFrequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a shipping label?
You can create shipping labels online through carrier websites (USPS.com, UPS.com, FedEx.com), ecommerce platforms (Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Etsy), or discounted shipping software like ParcelPath. Multi-carrier platforms let you compare rates, batch-print multiple labels, and automate tracking updates from a single interface.
How much does a shipping label cost?
Shipping label costs vary by carrier, weight, and destination. USPS typically offers the cheapest rates, with UPS close second and FedEx most expensive. With 2026 rate increases averaging 5-8% across carriers, using discounted platforms like ParcelPath (60-89% off retail) provides significant savings.
Can I print a shipping label at home?
Yes, you can print shipping labels at home using any printer and internet connection. Laser printers provide the best barcode scan quality, while thermal printers offer water-resistant labels without requiring tape. Standard paper labels need clear packing tape covering the entire label for weather protection.
Do shipping labels expire?
Yes, shipping labels expire after specific timeframes: USPS labels expire 15 days from purchase, while FedEx and UPS labels expire 7-10 days after creation. After expiration, you must generate a new label as expired labels will not scan at carrier facilities.
How do I get a free return label?
Most shipping platforms offer free return label printing where you’re only charged when the customer actually uses the label for return shipment. This reduces upfront costs while providing customer convenience for handling returns.
What information is required on a shipping label?
Shipping labels require complete sender and recipient addresses, package weight and dimensions, service type selection, and automatically generated tracking numbers. For valuable items, add signature confirmation or insurance. International shipments need customs declarations and HS codes.
This article is part of our comprehensive Perishables and Food guide, covering key topics like How to Ship a Cake. Explore more in our Shipping Services and Solutions hub. ParcelPath helps you find the best shipping solutions for any need.
For live rate quotes around how do i get a shipping label or any other shipment scenario, our shipping calculator returns by-weight and by-zone pricing across USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL service tiers in a single comparison.
Part of our Labels and Printers guide. Related: Printing Shipping Labels at Home, Bulk Mailing Labels, Invalid Values in Label Stock Type for Label.
