Selling handmade and vintage items through an Etsy shop allows creative entrepreneurs to share their designs globally. But reaching customers worldwide necessitates proper packaging and shipping protocols.
Printing shipping labels directly within Etsy‘s platform simplifies the process while providing discounted rates. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll outline the 5 key steps for efficiently generating labels as an Etsy seller.
Why Integrated Etsy Shipping Labels?
Before jumping into the step-by-step process, let‘s overview two major benefits of utilizing Etsy‘s integrated labels:
Cost Savings
On average, Etsy shipping labels provide 20-30% savings compared to standard USPS published rates. These discounts come from special bulk rate negations between Etsy and major carriers. Less money spent on shipping means more profit for your business.
Streamlined Management
With Etsy labels, tracking numbers are automatically generated and order information seamlessly transfers over. This beats the multi-step process of manually entering addresses into carrier sites or external label printers. The integrated solution saves ample time and minimizes human error.
Understanding these advantages will allow you to make the most of the platform‘s shipping tools.
Step 1: Securely Log Into Your Etsy Account
Having confidence in the security of your Etsy account ensures safe access to shipping labels. We recommend enabling two-factor authentication through SMS text messages or an authenticator app. This adds an extra ID check when logging in from new devices.
To sign in:
- Navigate to www.etsy.com
- Click on "Sign in" at the top right corner
- Carefully enter your email and password
- If prompted, approve the two-factor login request
With secure credentials powering over 90 million Etsy accounts, you can feel at ease accessing essential tools like shipping labels.
Step 2: Access Your Shop Manager Dashboard
After signing in, click on the "Shop Manager" icon to view your Etsy seller dashboard. This centralized hub lets you view essential store metrics and manage operations like shipping.
Key stats displayed include:
- Sales: Number of orders and transactions
- Revenue: Total income minus fees
- Traffic: Number of shop visits and favorites
Optimizing these figures relies on proper shipping workflows. Tools like the Orders page and Labels manager assist in this goal.
Familiarizing yourself with the above interface allows smoother access to essential utilities down the line.
Step 3: View Orders Requiring Labels
Fulfilling orders starts by filtering down the list to only those needing labels:
- Click on "Orders & Shipping" in the left menu
- A chronological list will populate with all order activity
- Check the boxes next to orders requiring labels
- Click "Get Shipping Labels"
Search and filter tools above the orders table allow finding specific purchases. Common criteria fields include buyer username, item title, and date range.
Isolating the shipments needing fulfillment sets up efficiency gains when purchasing batches of labels.
Step 4: Purchase and Print Optimal Shipping Labels
Clicking "Get Shipping Labels" opens the labels purchase page. First, choose your mailing service based on delivery timelines, tracking needs, and carrier relationships.
USPS provides cost savings with Etsy‘s discount rates. Alternatives like UPS or FedEx allow 2-3 day service.
Next, accurately enter package details:
- Type: Box, envelope, package
- Dimensions: Length, width, height
- Weight: Precision down to ounces
- Customs Info: For international delivery
After entering details, click "Review" to double check then "Purchase". Finally, download or print directly.
Top label sizes:
- 4" x 6" for paper printing
- Rolls for label printers
Utilizing a label printer allows high volume sellers to scale operational efficiency. Top options provide 100-200 labels per roll and integrate with shipping software.
For mobile printing, email the PDF label file to a WiFi-connected printer or save to services like Google Drive.
With precise measurements and preferred printing method selected, you can generate batch labels swiftly.
Step 5: Securely Affix Shipping Labels
The final step gets physical:
- For paper labels, use 4×6 label sheets
- Align labels straight and tape evenly across all edges
- Ensure barcodes and addresses are clearly visible
We recommend clear packing tape to anchor labels. Testing different tape adhesives minimizes damage risk to delicate box materials like kraft paper.
For exposed packages, water-activated tape or shipping waterproof stickers add further weatherproofing.
With labels sealed, orders can be dropped off at the post office or scheduled for carrier pickup. Tracking will update online as the package makes its journey.
Key Takeaways
With this comprehensive walkthrough, efficiently printing integrated shipping labels should now feel straight-forward. Just remember:
- Enable two-factor authentication for secure account access
- Use Shop Manager tools to filter down orders needing labels
- Enter precise package details when purchasing labels
- Print labels on 4×6 sheets or label printer rolls
- Securely anchor labels before sending out
We hope these tips set your Etsy shipping operations up for growth and success! Let us know if you have any other questions.
