Shipping Label Generator

A shipping label is a printed document affixed to a package that contains all the information a carrier needs to deliver it to the correct destination. It serves as the package's identity card — telling the carrier who sent it, where it is going, how fast it should get there, and how to track it along the way.

Standard Shipping Label Size

The industry-standard shipping label measures 4 x 6 inches (100 x 150 mm). This size is used by all major carriers including USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL. Labels are typically printed on thermal printers using direct thermal or thermal transfer technology, which produces smudge-resistant, scannable output without ink cartridges. Some smaller operations use standard inkjet or laser printers with adhesive label sheets in the same 4 x 6 format.

What Information Must a Shipping Label Include?

• Sender (From) Address — The return address including company or individual name, street, city, state, zip code, and country. This ensures the package can be returned if delivery fails.
• Recipient (To) Address — The destination address with recipient name, street, city, state, zip code, and country. This is the primary routing information for the carrier.
• Tracking Number & Barcode — A unique identifier (usually a barcode) that allows both the carrier and the customer to track the package in real time from pickup to delivery.
• Service Type — Indicates the shipping speed and service level (e.g., Standard, Priority, Express). This tells the carrier how to prioritize the package in their network.
• Package Weight — The total weight of the package, which affects routing, pricing, and handling requirements.
• Special Handling Instructions — Flags such as “Handle with Care,” “Fragile,” or “This Side Up” that alert handlers to treat the package with extra caution.

How Nventory Helps

Nventory streamlines your entire shipping workflow by automatically generating shipping labels from order data. When an order comes in from any connected sales channel — Shopify, Amazon, eBay, or your own storefront — Nventory pulls the addresses, selects the optimal carrier and service level based on your rules, and produces print-ready labels in one click. Batch printing, rate comparison, and tracking number sync are all built in, so you spend less time on logistics and more time growing your business.