Self-Adhesive vs. Paper Shipping Labels: Which Should You Choose?

When you purchase shipping labels online, you have two options. You can print the labels on regular paper and attach them to packages with clear tape, or you can use self-adhesive labels. Each option has its pros and cons. Which should you choose?

First, it’s important to note that self-adhesive shipping labels come in two main types. The type commonly used for home and office printing are adhesive sheets that can be run through a standard inkjet or laser printer. The other type is used by online retailers and carriers and typically comes in rolls. It is printed using a thermal printer. Many shipping labels use direct thermal printing, which creates images by heating chemically treated paper that darkens under the heat. Therefore, no ink or toner is required. Others use thermal transfer technology, which transfers solid ink from a ribbon onto the label using heat to produce a more durable image.

The main advantage of self-adhesive shipping labels is obvious: they are easy to apply and don’t require glue or tape. All you need to do is peel the label off and stick it directly onto the package. Shipping labels that come in rolls are usually standard size, so you won’t have to worry about whether your label is too large or too small.

Thermal self-adhesive labels are resistant to smearing because direct thermal printing does not use ink, and thermal transfer printing uses highly durable ink resistant to smudging and environmental factors such as moisture and sunlight. Therefore, using self-adhesive labels reduces the likelihood that they will be torn off or damaged while in transit. Although direct thermal labels can fade due to sunlight exposure, it takes weeks or months of exposure for this to happen. Therefore, your label should be safe if you use it immediately.

The main disadvantage of self-adhesive labels is their cost. If you decide to use a regular printer, you will need to buy self-adhesive paper compatible with your printer. This paper may be difficult to find and will definitely be more expensive than regular office paper. You may also need to cut the labels to the right size because self-adhesive sheets for regular printers are usually larger than standard shipping labels. If you decide to buy a thermal printer, you will have to spend more money on the printer itself, label rolls, and special thermal ribbons for ink transfer if you have a thermal transfer printer.

Self-adhesive labels aren’t a must; you can print shipping labels using regular office paper and a standard printer. The main advantage is that you can use widely available equipment and materials. If you don’t have a printer, you can ask a friend to print a shipping label for you, or you can print one at a library or print shop.

The main disadvantages of shipping labels printed on regular paper are that they are more time-consuming to attach and less resistant to the elements. Before printing, you will have to check the printer settings to ensure the label size and proportions are correct; otherwise, you will need to reprint the label. If you are using an inkjet printer, wait until the ink is completely dry before attaching the label; otherwise, it might smudge.

Then, you will need to cut out the label and attach it to the package with clear tape, ensuring that there are no wrinkles and that the barcode is not covered with tape. If the label is not secured well enough, it may get torn off or damaged during transit. If you tape over the barcode, it may become unscannable.

However, some of these issues can be resolved by using a special self-adhesive address pouch. The pouch sticks to the package on its own, protecting the label from moisture and other external factors without affecting the scannability of the barcode.

Although self-adhesive labels are easier to use and more durable than labels printed on regular paper, they are too expensive for occasional shippers. If you ship less than once a week, office paper and a regular printer will suffice, provided the label is securely attached and the barcode is not wrinkled, smudged, or covered with tape. Self-adhesive labels are a better solution for frequent shippers because they are more efficient, reliable, and professional-looking.