How to Label Your Packages – A Guide for E-commerce Sellers
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Time to read 7 min
In eCommerce industries, proper package labeling is more than just a logistical necessity. It’s the backbone of smooth shipping, efficient returns, and enhanced customer satisfaction. A well-labeled package ensures your products reach their destination on time while projecting a professional image for your brand. In this article, we’ll guide you through the essentials of labeling packages for your eCommerce business, with a special focus on Betckey’s high-quality label products.
Table of Content
Types of Labels You Need for Your Packages
There are several types of labels you need for packaging, but the most important one is shipping labels. With shipping labels, you can deliver packages to the right places. Other types of labels are optional, depending on your needs.
1. Shipping Labels
· Purpose: Shipping labels are essential for ensuring that packages are delivered to the right recipient.
· Details Included:
o Sender’s address
o Recipient’s address
o Tracking barcode and number
o Carrier information (e.g., USPS, FedEx, UPS)
o Postage details (weight, cost, etc.)
· Recommended Product:
o Betckey Brother DK-1241 Large Shipping Labels
o Betckey Dymo 1744907 Shipping Labels
o Betckey Zebra Blank Shipping Labels
2. Product Labels
· Purpose: Product labels are used for branding, product identification, and regulatory compliance.
· Details Included:
o Product name and description
o SKU or barcode
o Batch number or manufacturing details
o Compliance information (e.g., expiration date for perishable goods)
· Recommended Products:
o Betckey Brother Product Labels
o Betckey Dymo 30256 Shipping Labels
o Betckey Zebra Multipurpose Labels
3. Warning Labels
· Purpose: Warning labels communicate handling instructions to ensure the safety of the contents.
· Examples:
o “Fragile – Handle with Care”
o “This Side Up”
o “Perishable”
o Caution: Heavy Item
o Keep Dry – Do Not Expose to Water
· Recommended Products:
o Betckey Brother DK-2251 Black/Red on White Continuous Labels
o Betckey Suffocation Warning Stickers
o Betckey Zebra Large Shipping Labels
o This is a Set Do Not Separate Labels Stickers
4. Return Address Labels
· Purpose: Return address labels simplify the return process, making it easy for customers to send items back.
· Details Included:
o Return address
o Barcode for tracking
o Prepaid postage information (if applicable)
· Recommended Product:
o Betckey Dymo 30330 Multipurpose Address Labels
o Betckey Zebra Color Return Mailing Labels
5. Custom Branding Labels
· Purpose: Enhances the unboxing experience and reinforces brand identity.
· Examples:
o Logo stickers
o Slogans or promotional messaging
· Recommended Products:
o Betckey Brother DK-2243 Continuous Shipping Labels
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Label Your Packages
1. Prepare Labels and your label printer
Prepare your shipping labels, product labels, warning labels or other labels that are needed.
2. Prepare Your Packaging Surface
Ensure the surface of your package is clean and dry. This helps the label adhere properly and remain secure during transit.
3. Print with High Accuracy
Invest in a reliable thermal label printer for consistent, professional results. Betckey’s thermal labels are compatible with thermal printers like Zebra, Dymo, and ILabel , ensuring your labels are clear and scannable.
4. Apply the Label Correctly
Place the label on a flat, prominent area of the package. Avoid creases, folds, or bubbles that might interfere with barcode scanning or visibility.
5. Double-Check Label Information
Before shipping, verify all details on the label, including the recipient’s address, tracking codes, and carrier requirements. Accuracy here prevents delivery delays and errors.
Helpful tips about applying labels in winter months
Be Careful About The Surface
In cold places, you usually have to deal with cold surfaces. Check if the things you're putting labels on are at a temperature that helps the label stick well. If it's too cold, you can use a heat gun or warm air blower to make it a bit warmer before putting on the label. Make sure the surface is dry to avoid any problems with moisture.
Also, remember that warehouses can be very dirty, so clean off the dust before sticking on the labels.
Keep Your Labels in a Warm Place Before Using
During winter, warehouses can be quite cold. In these colder conditions, some labels may not stick as well. So, it's crucial to store your labels in a warm area until you're ready to use them.
Cold weather can affect how well label adhesives work over time. To make sure your labels stay effective, store them in a place with a controlled temperature before using them. This easy step helps keep your labels in excellent condition, ready to be used whenever you need them.
Change How You Put on Labels:
When it's colder, be more patient when putting on labels. Push the label down hard, using a steady and even movement to make sure it sticks well. If it's extremely cold, press a bit harder to make up for the adhesive being a bit stiff.
Keep Products Clean And Free Of Oil, Dust, And Other Residue
A warehoue can be a messy place.
If your labels are being stores in a dirty, dusty environment without proper enclosure, they may collect oil, dust, or other residue from surrounding areas. This negatively affects the label’s adhesion if the pollutants interfere with the application surface.
You can put labels in alright bags to prevent them from exposing to oil. dust, water and other residue.
Measure The Relative Humidity In The Facility
Relative humidity (RH) tends to drop as it gets colder. This can cause paper labels and liners to lose moisture, making the label to curl. Even film label constructions will curl, as the paper liner loses moisture and shrinks. Labels should be stored in facilities with RH levels somewhere between 40 and 55%. If it is below 20%, consider buying in a humidifier.
Stop Your Labels From Wrinkling During Winter
Labels and their containers often shrink at different rates when subject to extreme cold, which can cause the label to pucker. This is especially a problem if labels are applied to empty plastic containers, and then transported in cold temperature. Let your labels and their containers acclimate to your facility conditions (which should be within 40 to 50% RH and above 40° F) for at least 24 hours prior to label application. This will help to prevent temperature fluctuations after application.
If possible, don’t ship your products over holidays or during the weekend, when they’re liable to be left outside in the truck for extended periods of time.
Avoid Putting Labels on Frost Directly (unless they're made for it)
Typical labels are not sturdy enough to stick well to the bumpy surface of frost. This makes the labels come off easily, especially in places with fans like blast freezers.
When boxes covered in frost come out of freezing conditions, the products thaw, making the labels wet and weakening the adhesive. But, there are special labels designed to stick better in frosty conditions, as we'll discuss in the next sections.
Tools to Simplify Your Labeling Process
For a seamless labeling experience, consider the following tools:
· Thermal Label Printer: Ensures precise and efficient printing.
· Betckey Pre-Sized Thermal Labels: Save time with labels that require no cutting or trimming.
· Shipping Software Integration: Use Betckey’s labels with shipping platforms like USPS, UPS, FedEx, and Amazon FBA for a streamlined workflow.
Conclusion
Proper labeling is crucial for the success of your eCommerce business. It not only ensures smooth delivery but also enhances your brand’s professionalism. Betckey offers a range of high-quality label products that simplify the labeling process, improve accuracy, and elevate your customer’s unboxing experience.
Take the next step in optimizing your shipping process by exploring Betckey’s thermal label options today. With the right tools, labeling your packages has never been easier or more efficient.
Q1: How do you label items at home?
A: To label items at home, use a thermal label printer and printable label sheets. Include all necessary details such as the recipient's address, your return address, and postage. Betckey’s thermal labels are an excellent choice for their durability and ease of use.
Q2: Can I ship a package without a label?
A: No, you cannot ship a package without a proper shipping label. The label contains essential information such as the recipient’s address, tracking barcode, and carrier details. Without it, your package cannot be delivered.
Q3: Can I handwrite a shipping label for a package?
A: Yes, you can handwrite a shipping label, but it is not ideal for eCommerce. Handwritten labels may be prone to errors and are often difficult for automated systems to scan. Thermal labels have been a popular choices for their cost-effectiveness.
Q4: Can I use thermal labels with all printers?
A: Thermal labels are specifically designed for use with thermal printers, such as Zebra, Dymo, and ILabel . Betckey’s labels are highly compatible with these printers, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
About Betckey
Betckey Premium Labels is a leading supplier of compatible direct thermal labels, committed to high-quality and eco-friendly products as well as competitive pricing. We offer better products than manufactured original at 70% less price. Now, our Amazon store ranks first in the US, Canada, and Western Europe with thousands of positive ratings. Visit betckey.com and get 10% off purchases over $150 with code Betckey10 and 15% off over $400 with code Betckey15! Sign up now and we'll send you a $5 discount code towards your first purchase. By the way, welcome to follow our official @ Tik Tok and @ Youtube accounts to get Betckey’s latest news!
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