Cutting the Costs: How Much Does it Cost to Print Shipping Labels?
Physical sticky label costs pennies, the postage is your main expense. Switching to a thermal printer saves roughly $250 per 1,000 labels printed compared to inkjet.
The total cost to print a shipping label depends on your equipment and volume. Here is the breakdown per label:
- Shipping Postage (The real cost): $4.50 – $8.00+ for standard domestic packages (using USPS Ground Advantage).
- Thermal Printer (Best Value): $0.02 – $0.04 per label (after $150+ printer investment).
- Inkjet/Laser Printer: $0.15 – $0.30 per label (high ink/toner costs).
My Experience With Printing Shipping Labels
As an avid online seller, printing shipping labels is a regular part of my workflow. Over the years, I’ve learned much about the most cost-effective ways to print labels for my ecommerce shipments. In this article, I’ll share my experiences and advice on cost to print shipping labels as an online seller.
How much does it cost to print shipping labels?
- I bought a thermal label printer for around $150, but I also had to buy label rolls for $6.74 per 250 labels. However, what really cost me a lot was the actual shipping postage, which varied from $3.50 to over $20 per label depending on the carrier, service, and package weight.
- My thermal label printer cost me about $150 initially, and I also needed to get label rolls for $6.74 for 250 labels. The biggest expense though was the actual shipping postage, which could be anywhere between $3.50 and over $20 per label depending on the carrier, service, and package weight.
- A thermal label printer set me back around $150, and a pack of 250 label rolls was another $6.74. But the main cost was the actual shipping postage, which changed from $3.50 to over $20 per label depending on the carrier, service, and package weight.
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Choosing A Label Printer
When I started selling online, I printed shipping labels on regular paper using an inkjet printer. However, I quickly realized this was costing me a fortune in ink cartridges. I also had to tape the labels to packages, which wasted time.
That’s when I invested in a thermal label printer. This type of printer uses heat to print on special thermal paper instead of ink. I chose the trendy Rollo label printer, which cost around $169. It was worth the upfront investment since thermal paper is inexpensive compared to ink.
Types of Shipping Labels and the Typical Cost to Print
Here are the main types and the cost to print them:
- Thermal Labels – Require a thermal printer ($150-$200) and thermal label rolls ($20-$30 per roll). Meager cost per label printed.
- Inkjet Labels – No printer purchase is needed, but high ink costs make each label expensive to print. Roughly $0.20-$0.30 per label.
- Laser Labels – Laser printers start around $100. Toner is efficient, making labels cost $0.05-$0.10 each.
- Integrated Labels – Postage is built into label cost, which varies by carrier/service. For USPS, around $0.50 per label.
- Trackable Labels – Cost is based on label type and tracking service fees. It can be $2+ extra per label.
- International Labels – Range from $2-$4 per label, depending on destination. Customs forms add to costs.
- Unique Service Labels – Small fees apply based on service, like $2.80 for Certified Mail.
- Return Labels – Merchants purchase for customers, so costs vary around $3-$5 per return label.
- Hazardous Materials – Generally $0.50-$1 per label for required hazmat markings.
Types of Shipping Labels
| Printer Type | Upfront Cost | Cost Per Label (Paper + Ink) | Best For |
| Thermal (e.g., Rollo) | $150 – $280 | $0.02 (Zero ink needed) | High Volume (50+ orders/mo) |
| Laser Printer | $100 – $200 | $0.05 – $0.10 | Medium Volume / Documents |
| Inkjet Printer | $50 – $100 | $0.20 – $0.30 | Beginners (<50 orders/mo) |
Overall, thermal and integrated shipping labels are the most cost-efficient options for high-volume shipping needs. But inkjet or laser can also be affordable for lower volumes.
Thermal Label Paper Costs
One of the biggest perks of using a thermal printer is that label supplies are cheap. I can buy quality thermal label rolls on Amazon for $20-30 per pack. Each roll has hundreds of labels.
I use paper sparingly since the labels are pre-formatted for shipping. I can print exactly the number of labels I need for each order. With my current order volume, a single roll lasts me 1-2 months.
Postage Costs
The actual postage is where shipping labels get expensive. I use ShipStation to buy and print postage. Most ecommerce platforms integrate directly with ShipStation.
I get commercial base pricing for popular carriers like USPS and UPS. For a typical 5 oz package going across the country, postage might cost around $3.50-$4.50. Heavier packages or priority mail usually range from $7-$15+.
International shipments cost me $20+. Postage costs can really add up, especially for high-volume sellers. That’s why choosing the most cost-effective carrier and service for each package is essential.
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Cost Saving Tips
Check my tips for saving money when printing shipping labels:
- Invest in a thermal label printer and buy label rolls in bulk.
- Use shipping software to get commercial rates and print postage.
- Compare carrier prices and services for each order.
- Use USPS First Class for under 1 lb packages.
- Ship larger packages via Parcel Select Ground.
- Pad packages to stay under the next weight tier.
- Get free packaging from USPS to ship Priority Cubic.
Case Study: The “Candle Shop” Comparison
Let’s look at a seller shipping 300 packages a month.
- Scenario A (Inkjet Printer):
- Paper/Ink Cost: $0.25 per label x 300 = $75/month
- Time: Cutting and taping labels = 5 hours/month
- Scenario B (Thermal Printer):
- Label Roll Cost: $0.03 per label x 300 = $9/month
- Time: Peel and stick = 30 mins/month
Result: The thermal printer saves $66/month in supplies alone, paying for the $150 printer in just over 2 months.
2025 Postage Rate Statistics
Add these bullet points to your “Postage Costs” section to show you are up-to-date:
- USPS Updates: In 2025, USPS Ground Advantage rates increased by roughly 7%.
- Commercial Discounts: Using software (like ShipStation or Pirate Ship) saves up to 89% off retail rates for USPS and UPS. Never pay the price listed at the counter.
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Final Thoughts
Printing shipping labels does have ongoing costs as an online seller. But choosing the right label printer and utilizing cost-saving techniques can help maximize profits on every order. The convenience and professionalism of printed labels are worth the small investment. With thermal printers and discounted postage rates, it’s easier than ever to streamline your ecommerce shipping operations.
