Easiest way to do Shipping labels / software

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I have been searching for this for a little bit but not sure what the easiest route would be so I thought I would just ask here. I have found that you can create labels using like office but not sure that is the easiest way to go about it.

Here is my goal:
Be able to gather orders and addresses that come in throughout the day.
Have them all in an organized document.
Be able to put multiple (or just one) shipping address on a sickly label
Be able to print that label and stick it on a package and be done.

Currently just using USPS and printing on plan paper and I have to print a label and then spend the time cutting the paper and using multiple pieces of clear tape. Also have to copy and paste each name and address order and enter it in each column one by one. I want to eliminate this cutting paper, copying pasting each name line by line, and using a lot of clear tape.

I would like the most economical way to do this. On average I am only shipping a handful of items a day sometimes like 10 and if I expand I would eventually like to have this entire process outsourced to like maybe a fulfillment company.

Anything easier way out there? Please share thanks
#easiest #labels #shipping #software
  • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
    You have three routes, I will give you probably the best one for what you are telling me plus two others.

    Endicia with a Dymo labeler - Will print out labels and postage, including first class with tracking. $15/month for Endicia and then figure $150 for a good quality dymo labeler.

    Stamps.com - 9.99 a month but not as powerful as Endicia. I started with Stamps and wish I would have done endicia instead.

    PayPal plus a brother label printer - You get the commercial rate if you buy through PayPal and you can import multiple shippings.
    Brother QL-700 | High Speed Label Printer

    Except for the cost of the printer, just need a PayPal account.

    Hope this helps.
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    • Profile picture of the author techfan
      The guy above has outlined the perfect steps. Stamps.com or endicia will save you a lot of time and money. It will let you realize the potential of selling high volume and being profitable.


      Originally Posted by OnlineStoreHelp View Post

      I would have done endicia instead.
      Hope this helps.
      @ online store help

      I have never personally used endicia. I have always used stamps.com and love that it autobatch back to my store and updates the processing orders to complete with tracking information.

      Can you tell me why endicia is better. I have always read up on the website, but to me they looked outdated compared to stamps.com. Im not saying stamps.com is perfect. They have problems as well, like randomly will not connect to the webstore.
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      • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
        Originally Posted by techfan View Post

        The guy above has outlined the perfect steps. Stamps.com or endicia will save you a lot of time and money. It will let you realize the potential of selling high volume and being profitable.




        @ online store help

        I have never personally used endicia. I have always used stamps.com and love that it autobatch back to my store and updates the processing orders to complete with tracking information.

        Can you tell me why endicia is better. I have always read up on the website, but to me they looked outdated compared to stamps.com. Im not saying stamps.com is perfect. They have problems as well, like randomly will not connect to the webstore.
        The big thing for me is I have products that ship first class (under 13 ounces) and unless I was doing something wrong, Stamps.com made it impossible to do first class with tracking since you had to manually fill things out. Endicia has this out of the box was mu understanding. If I am wrong please let me know.
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        • Profile picture of the author kjamesnv
          A Dymo printer is not required with Endicia. You can buy special labels and use a laser or inkjet printer.

          Another option to look at is ShipStation. Its more powerful and has more features that Endicia but it includes a free Endicia account.

          Endicia is good for say under 20 packages a day. Above that and it become more effective to use a better system.
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          • Profile picture of the author mobread
            Thanks for that info. Yes I have heard of stamps.com and was thinking of giving them a shot, but was not sure if I needed a special printer. And with Endicia is there any way I could use my printer if I just buy the sticky labels? Or would it be more economical still to just get a Dymo labeler?

            Also I thought first class did not have tracking? Will it also print out priority or any shipping offered by USPS?

            Thank you for the helpful info that is exactly what I was looking for.

            Originally Posted by OnlineStoreHelp View Post

            You have three routes, I will give you probably the best one for what you are telling me plus two others.

            Endicia with a Dymo labeler - Will print out labels and postage, including first class with tracking. $15/month for Endicia and then figure $150 for a good quality dymo labeler.

            Stamps.com - 9.99 a month but not as powerful as Endicia. I started with Stamps and wish I would have done endicia instead.

            PayPal plus a brother label printer - You get the commercial rate if you buy through PayPal and you can import multiple shippings.
            Brother QL-700 | High Speed Label Printer

            Except for the cost of the printer, just need a PayPal account.

            Hope this helps.


            Originally Posted by kjamesnv View Post

            A Dymo printer is not required with Endicia. You can buy special labels and use a laser or inkjet printer.

            Another option to look at is ShipStation. Its more powerful and has more features that Endicia but it includes a free Endicia account.

            Endicia is good for say under 20 packages a day. Above that and it become more effective to use a better system.

            shipstation huh. I just read a couple things about it and from what people say it very easy and integrates well. I think I will try Endicia or stamps.com
            first and if I ramp up might check them out. Thanks for the info. I just have a epson workforce laser printer so hoping I can make do with that and just somehow buy the labels.
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            • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
              With Stamps (and I am sure with Endicia) you can buy "shipping" labels that will then print out shipping address, return address and stamp on one half sheet but those labels can get a bit pricey which is why having a specific shipping label might be more cost effective.

              Yes, if it is under 13 ounces and fits in an envelope (maybe even a box) you can ship first class with tracking. It used to be an upcharge but I believe as a commercial customer they add it in at no extra charge. You will just have to check.

              Endicia - You are right you can use a normal printer but since OP was looking to streamline, I thought the Dymo would do that. Only bad thing I heard about Dymo is you have to buy the rolls through them and they are not cheap, which is why you can look at the brother labelers.

              All of then will allow you to do priority mail, flat rate, first class, parcel etc. If you are doing a lot of international you will have to check functionality between the two.

              Make sure you get a promotional as they all give you some promotional items like free scale, postage,etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author techfan
    I will tell you guys the best investment i made was a Zebra 2844 4x6 thermal label printer.

    I used to ship 50 orders a day and that machine just kept spitting labels out. Best of all the labels are cheap and just about anyone makes them.

    @online store help

    Stamps.com lets you autobatch all orders from your store and ship it as a small parcel for first class shipping with free tracking. I think maybe you were trying to ship it with first class postage, which I dont think they let you do through batch mode or package mode.
    Anyways, yes it does work and it works well with zen-cart.

    I am looking to switch to shipstation myself. Not sure if the rates are any better. But they are definitely a premium service. Cost 45 a month!
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    • Profile picture of the author kjamesnv
      Just a quick note regarding ShipStation and Priority Mail packages. ShipStation a partnership with a company called Express1. Express1 offers discounted prices on Priority Mail packages which average 3-12%. The heavier the weight the more the savings. Depending on your volume of PM the savings can be substantial and the service is built in
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