Is it ok to wrap a shipping label around a box (address on top, tracking on side)?

[modulok!]

If my shipping box is not wide enough to have the entire shipping label on the top, is it ok to fold the label so that the address is on top of the box and the tracking barcode is on the side of the box?  I have these narrow boxes I would like to ship barbie dolls in but they are only 3 inches wide where the shipping label I print is 4 inches wide.  Has anybody, who does fold the label over a side, had any issues?

[biggymoe]

Shouldn't be a problem.  I have seen the local PO clerks do exactly that.

[toomuchstuffagain35]

I've been doing that for years, never an issue.

[ms.rodriguez*]

I ship the majority of my items that way. Just make sure that you really tape down the label well.  

[annadryl]

I've done it a few times. I was able to recycle some weird skinny boxes that way (microphones).

[1tuna]

I do it the opposite way with my 5 inch cube boxes

a typical label fits on a 5 inch cube just fine

when I ship with EISD then the label is longer with a double bar code tracking at the bottom

DC is more important to me so I fold /tape the top part over or the square code thingy

I find that the actual address is  more towards the middle of the label

@modulok! 

[1786davycrockett]

There are commercials playing on TV for one of the shipping services that show that very method being used for shipping -- the address box on the long side, with the folded-over bar-code on the short side -- so it must be okay with USPS.

As has been mentioned, please use plenty of tape to affix the label.

[rudy2828]

Based on personal experience, it is not a problem. You must be sure to have the barcode on only one side, not on the crease between two sides. And with tubes the label must be affixed side to side (horizontally), not top to bottom (vertically). Readers need to access the entire code in one scan.

I think this is the definitive answer...

[lacemaker3 · Accepted solution]

@modulok!,

The USPS website says not to fold the label over the package edges.

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-the-best-way-to-prepare-mail-packages-using-Click-N-Ship

Another option is that you can shrink the label to avoid wrapping it. Just make sure that you don't shrink the barcode so much that any detail is lost. All of the bars need to print individually, with the correct width and spacing.

It's clear from all the other responses, that wrapping the label will probably not keep the package from being delivered, though.

Most packages are processed automatically, and the labels are read using OCR from images taken as the package move through the machines. The scanners read the barcode (which includes most/all information needed to deliver it) and they also read the characters in the printed address. If there is difficulty reading the information, then the package may needed to processed manually, which is likely to slow it down somewhat.

Make sure that the barcode itself is not folded over an edge, which can make it impossible to read and require manual handling. It should be flat. If it's folded lengthwise, it will probably be readable; if it's folded the short way, then it won't be readable.

https://www.endicia.com/tools-resources/harrys-hints/proper-label-placement/

[modulok!]

So just to be sure...it is best to have some of the tracking barcode on top of the box and some on the side of the box (folded the long way like figure 3 in your example)?  I think the answer is yes but just wanted to make sure.

[lacemaker3]

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@modulok! wrote:

So just to be sure...it is best to have some of the tracking barcode on top of the box and some on the side of the box (folded the long way like figure 3 in your example)?  I think the answer is yes but just wanted to make sure.

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No, it is best to have the entire label on one side of the box.

If you have to wrap the label, it's best to fold the label on a blank part of the label. This will cause the least amount of distortion, and maximize readability.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

Interesting that it's a no-no.  I've done it many times.  Never a problem, though I am careful to have the fold at an appropriate place.