Label Printing Question

[powell-memorabilia]

Question:

Can anyone share thoughts on the value of proper self-adhering labels vs. printing out paper shipping labels, cutting and taping onto a package? Also, would a standard printer with label sheets work well, or is a special label printer needed?

Just thinking about savings some time with labels, but don’t want to make a huge investment. I’d love to cut down on my packaging time – the shipping doc isn’t the biggest time killer, by far, but I’d love to shave off some time and effort, even in something small like labels.

[dhbookds]

I did cut and paste for years.......never had any problems.........  Self adhesive is much easier.....  A regular printer is fine..........  I use the 2 to page labels and buy about 500 pages @6c each including tax/shipping.......

[corvettestainless]

I use labels purchased here; $50 for 500, about .10c each..but well worth it. Lazer printer instead of inkjet, spits it faster than you can turn around and grab it (still hot!). I use full sheet, with 1/2 being label, 1/2 being my 'receipt'. I write the 'box size' on it for future reference, but has the cost on it and if customer only buys 1 thing, says what that is as well (otherwise I just write what the additional items were for future reference). 

[toysaver]

I like taping labels to packages because it ads structure and stability to the cardboard.  

[rosszonebricks]

Once you go self-adhesive labels you can't go back.  If I have, for example, 20 packages going out I'll print 4 labels per sheet of '2 labels per page' self-adhesive, use a cheapo paper cutter I got 20+ years ago to cut in half, and then those 20 packages have the labels stuck to them and in the outgoing bin 2 minutes later.   If I had printed them on regular paper and had to tape them?  20 minutes easy.

I'll take 2 minutes over 20 minutes every day.

[dtexley3]

Pros - Everything stated above, convenience, speed, economical

Cons - Can't always use both labels on a 2 up.  If using an Ink Jet, the ink isn't waterproof.  If it's really wet out we still hit the address and barcode with a strip of tape.

[buyselljack2016]

con......  a spoiled self adhesive label is lost $$

con....  just when you think you have it down to a science eBay messes with the label setup, and you are trying to get things lined back up.

Plain paper for about 1 cent can be tossed if the label does not print properly.

I print a label on plain paper (8-1/2 X 11) with an online label record, and a packing slip on that same sheet. Packing slip, and online label record allow me to match the label with the item being shipped as I pack them up.

Time spent is not a factor for me.

I buy tape (110 yd roll) for less than $1.50.

[corvettestainless]

You're actually NOT suppose to put tape over bar code (per USPS and I'm sure others)- the 'reader' can't read it...

[1tuna]

.............gernal reply...........

that bit from ebay about putting tape over the barcode is an old wives tail,anyways its called a protective label cover.I use 3 pieces of tape right accross mine on a 5x5x5 box.I have heard from mailmen in the rain that they prefer the tape,they would know all about inkjet printers VS lazers.

One of the 1st posts I remember reading here abut 10 years  ago was the 62 layers of tape that was used in an experiment by some bored people...It woud seem that the scanners can go right thru plenty of tape.

I am quite fast with scissors and a tape gun.  My crusing speed for packaging and printing labels is about 17 pieces an hours but most days its only 6-7 packaces

[dtexley3]

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@corvettestainless wrote:

You're actually NOT suppose to put tape over bar code (per USPS and I'm sure others)- the 'reader' can't read it...

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That's incorrect, they actually PREFER clear tape over the label to protect it.  The key is CLEAR tape and not "kinda clear" tape.

[corvettestainless]

@dtexley3 @1tuna 

This NOT put tape over the label is a USPS thing and NOT an ebay thing and can be found on the USPS website. 

[1tuna]

I never really wondered where the bit about the tape came from but every time I print a label it has it right there in some helpful hints area or something,its been the same message for a long time.

I used to just not tape the barcode but its faster to do it for me.The worry wart in me says any loose label part can come undone when somethig jabs under the label and tears it.

I like the labels tight against the package with no loose edges

[chapeau-noir]

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@corvettestainless wrote:

@dtexley3 @1tuna 

This NOT put tape over the label is a USPS thing and NOT an ebay thing and can be found on the USPS website. 

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Yes, but I'm pretty sure that's to keep some fool from putting duct tape over the bar code when they stick the label onto the package.  Given that the USPS has to deliver to everyone, they also have to cover everything including the duct tape people.  In fact,  a lot of larger companies use label/invoice pockets which have a layer of plastic over the barcode.

I use a thermal label printer and would never go back to cutting out labels and taping them onto packages.  Now it's not such an issue, but when I was selling full time and had 10-20 packages going out at a time (or media when it was more like 40), it was a significant savings in time and hassle to just slap that label on.