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Address & Shipping Labels Selection Guide: Types, Features & Costs


Address and shipping labels are packaging line essentials: if you’re going to mail something, it’s got to have a label. Make sure you get the right label for the job with our label selection guide. Whether you’re in the market for stock printed labels, thermal labels, or laser sheet labels, find out what you need to know here.

 

What kind of labels do you need for shipping and mailing?

There are several types of labels to choose from for mailing and shipping, including stock printed labels, laser sheet labels and thermal labels (thermal transfer and direct transfer). Each type of label has its own uses, pros and cons.

 

What are stock printed labels?

Stock printed labels are labels that are pre-printed with instructions for the shipper or end customer. They are not used as address labels. Instead, they are printed with messages such as “Caution – Heavy”, “This Side Up”, “Handle With Care”, “Refrigerate Upon Arrival”, or “Hazardous Waste”. Stock printed labels are used to ensure that products arrive safely and are handled appropriately by shipping company employees and recipients; some messages (such as hazardous material warnings) may also be required for regulatory compliance. They are often printed in bright, eye-catching colors to draw attention to their messages. They save time for busy shippers by eliminating the need to handwrite or custom print labels with commonly used shipping and handling instructions. Benchmark has a large variety of stock printed labels to cover different needs.

 

What are stock printed labels used for?

Stock printed labels are usually used by people shipping items that are fragile, perishable, heavy, dangerous, hazardous or otherwise out of the ordinary. They are put on the outside of a shipping carton, crate or pallet. Common categories of stock printed labels include:

       Material handling instructions

       Storage instructions

       Safety warnings

       Mixed carton labels (to show that there are multiple item types in a carton)

       Hazardous material/waste notices

 

Are stock printed labels a good value?

Stock labels are purchased by the roll, which may have as many as 500 of the same type of label. That means they are best for large shipping and distribution centers that need to put the same message on a lot of packages. If you only need a special label once in a blue moon, it might be better to just print your own custom labels using laser sheet labels.

 

What are laser sheet labels, and what are they used for?

Laser sheet labels are widely used in offices and homes as well as in distribution centers. You’ve probably used them yourself to print address labels for holiday cards or invitations. Laser sheet labels commonly come in standard 8.5 x 11” or 8.5” x 14” sheets that can be run through a typical laser printer used for home or office. They are a great choice for occasional or low-volume label printing.

 

Pros and Cons of Laser Labels

Laser sheet labels come in a variety of sizes, from whole-sheet labels to small address labels, which may come 30 to a sheet. They are also easy to use and customize; you can create custom labels in black & white or color using the label-making function of practically any word processing program. You can even add images and graphics to them. Then, simply load the label paper in your laser printer just like regular paper and hit print. Their versatility makes them highly popular for a number of applications: address labels, shipping labels, file labels, name tags, product labels, and many other applications.

 

Drawbacks of laser labels include time and cost. It is labor intensive to design and print a sheet of labels. They are best for low-volume applications requiring a single sheet to a few sheets of labels at a time. It is also important to note that the entire sheet goes through the printer at once, so you may end up with a lot of waste if you only need a single label or a small number. High-volume shippers and distribution centers may want to consider thermal transfer labels.

 

Another consideration: the adhesive on laser labels is usually permanent. That’s great for address labels and other applications requiring a permanent label but may not be desirable for temporary storage or for items that may be prone to damage when the label is removed, such as furniture or paper products.

 

Can you use laser labels in an inkjet printer?

Most laser labels can be safely used in inkjet printers. However, using inkjet labels in a laser printer is not recommended; the high heat of the laser printing process may melt the adhesive and cause the labels to peel, jamming the printer. The adhesive on laser labels has been optimized for laser printers. Check the instructions for your label to see which kinds of printers they can be used in.

 

What are thermal labels?

Thermal labels are printed using a specialized printer and thermal ink. They can be used for address labels, shipping labels, barcodes, product identification and labeling, and more. Thermal label printers are very fast, making them great for high-volume applications such as warehouses and distribution centers. There are two kinds of thermal labels: thermal transfer labels and direct thermal labels. Both types of labels require specialized printers and label paper.

 

What is the difference between thermal transfer labels and direct thermal labels?

Direct thermal labels have a chemical layer applied to a paper or synthetic label that reacts with heat. The thermal printer heats up in precise patterns to produce an image on the label, such as an address, product name or barcode. No ribbon is required. Thermal transfer labels, on the other hand, use a ribbon to produce the image. The print head heats up behind the ribbon to transfer the carbon pigment to the label paper. Both direct thermal and thermal transfer labels produce black and white images, but they are used slightly differently.

  • Direct thermal labels are best for short- to medium-term applications. They are often used for retail pricing, shipping dispatch labels and warehouse labels, especially for items that will be moved and used relatively quickly. Because they are not as durable as thermal transfer labels, they aren’t the best choice for applications requiring more permanent labeling, such as barcoding.
  • Thermal transfer labels have a crisper image and are more durable than direct thermal labels, making them ideal for barcoding, product labeling, and cross-country or international shipping.

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of direct thermal labels?

Direct thermal labels are less expensive overall than thermal transfer labels; while the label paper itself may be slightly more expensive, there are no ribbons to buy. They are also somewhat easier to use since you don’t have to worry about changing a ribbon. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, making them highly versatile.

 

On the other hand, direct thermal labels are more fragile and less durable than their thermal transfer cousins. The ink is easily damaged or scratched and will degrade over time. In addition, keep in mind that most stock direct thermal labels use a permanent adhesive, which may not work for all applications. They are best used for local or regional shipments and short-term warehouse labeling rather than international shipping or long-term storage.

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of thermal transfer labels?

Thermal transfer labels create a very crisp and highly durable image. That makes them ideal for barcodes, which require a high-quality image for optical scanning. They are also a great choice for address labels and shipping labels for cross-country and international shipping. Their durability is also a benefit for long-term storage and product labeling. These labels will stand up for the long haul.

 

Thermal transfer paper is slightly cheaper than direct thermal paper, but once you factor in the cost of the ribbon, they are a bit more expensive. They usually have a permanent adhesive, which may be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the application.

 

How to Save Money on Labels

Label pricing is highly dynamic, depending on global supply chains and material availability. If you are a high-volume shipper, it makes sense to stock up on the labels you use most frequently when you find a good price. You may be able to find deals when buying in bulk.

 

Which type of label is cheapest?

Different labels have different price points, but they have different applications, too. It’s important to choose the label that best fits your needs. Make sure you consider labor costs as well as material costs when choosing the best label for your application.

  • Thermal labels are the most economical choice for high-volume shippers. Thermal label paper is cheaper than laser sheet label paper, especially at high volumes. Thermal labels are also faster to produce, generating savings in time and labor. Direct thermal labels are the cheapest label option if they work for your application since there are no ribbons to buy. However, make sure they are durable and long-lasting enough for your application.
  • Laser label sheets are more expensive on a per-label basis, but they can still be a great choice for general office and home use. Their primary advantage is that they can be used with a standard home or office laser printer, so no specialized equipment is required. If you use labels infrequently, they are a versatile and economical choice.

 

Where to find the best deals on labels?

For shipping labels, address labels, product labels and all your other labeling needs, Benchmark offers competitive pricing and great variety. In fact, we’ll match or beat the lowest published price on labels from any of our competitors. Plus, you’ll get free delivery on all orders over $150.

 

The best deal on labels is the one that is right for you. If you’re not sure what kind of label you need, talk to one of our product experts. We’ll help you find the right label product for your application.

 

Questions? Contact a Benchmark Product Expert at 844-423-6246.