You don't need a label printer to ship. If you send a few parcels a month, half-sheet labels on the printer you already own work well. A thermal printer earns its place as volume grows.
Half-sheet labels are 5.5 × 8.5 in, two per letter sheet. Most shipping platforms offer a letter-size layout that puts the label on one half.
Best for: Shipping labels from a regular laser or inkjet printer, two per letter sheet
5.5 × 8.5 in half-sheet labels with TrueBlock cover-up backing—no thermal printer needed.
Caveat: 5126 is for laser printers and 8126 for inkjet; neither works in thermal label printers.
Direct thermal printers use heat-sensitive labels, so there's no ink, toner or ribbon. Labels come in 4 × 6 in fanfold stacks or rolls.
Thermal transfer printers (for example, Zebra's ZD421t or ZD220t part numbers) print through a ribbon and are used for long-life labels. For shipping labels, direct thermal is the norm, and every printer we recommend for shipping is direct thermal. Check the part number when ordering Zebra printers.
| You ship… | Sensible setup |
|---|---|
| A few parcels a month | Half-sheet labels on your current printer |
| Several parcels a week | A USB or Wi-Fi 4x6 thermal printer |
| Daily, from several devices | A Wi-Fi or network 4x6 printer with bulk fanfold labels |