How to Create Shipping Labels on Shopify: The Ultimate Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Shipping Labels in Shopify
3. Choosing the Right Shipping Carrier
4. Setting Up Your Shopify Account for Shipping
5. Steps to Create Shipping Labels on Shopify
6. Best Practices for Buying Shipping Labels
7. Common Shipping Challenges and Solutions
8. Integrating Tevello with Your Shipping Strategy
9. Conclusion

Introduction

Did you know that businesses can save up to 30% on shipping costs by optimizing their packing and labeling processes? As e-commerce continues to rise, efficient logistics have never been more crucial for Shopify merchants striving for success. Understanding how to create shipping labels on Shopify is key to streamlining your order fulfillment process. This not only saves time but also enhances customer satisfaction—two vital ingredients for thriving in the competitive world of online sales.

As we navigate through this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into the intricate steps required to create shipping labels on Shopify, while also highlighting some considerations to keep your operations smooth. We'll explore different shipping carriers, discuss how to set up shipping options for your store, and demonstrate how Tevello can empower you to manage digital products and courses, including community-building features seamlessly integrated with your Shopify platform.

Are you currently exploring logistics for your Shopify store? Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, stick with us as we guide you through the ins and outs of shipping label creation. Together, we can unveil how our all-in-one approach at Tevello streamlines your process, keeping your focus on what truly matters—growing your business.

Understanding Shipping Labels in Shopify

Shipping labels are essential documents provided by shipping carriers that include information about the contents of a package, its destination, and the return address. In essence, they are vital for ensuring that your orders reach your customers efficiently and without error. When you create a shipping label, you’re initiating the fulfillment process, which informs the carrier that a package needs to be delivered.

The Importance of Shipping Labels

• Accuracy: Shipping labels help ensure that packages are delivered accurately and on time.
• Tracking Information: They often contain tracking numbers that allow both the merchant and customer to monitor shipping progress.
• Professionalism: Properly formatted shipping labels reflect a level of professionalism that can enhance your brand’s reputation.
• Cost Efficiency: Buying shipping labels through Shopify can often be cheaper than purchasing them directly from carriers.

Choosing the Right Shipping Carrier

Before creating shipping labels on Shopify, you need to choose a carrier that best suits your business needs. Shopify supports various carriers, providing the flexibility to find the best rates and services for your target market.

Available Shipping Carriers Through Shopify

1. United States:
   • USPS
   • UPS
   • FedEx
   • DHL eCommerce
   • DHL Express
2. Canada:
   • Canada Post
   • UPS
   • DHL Express Canada
3. Australia:
   • Australia Post
   • Sendle
4. United Kingdom:
   • Evri
   • DPD
   • Royal Mail
5. Europe:
   • Various options are available according to the country, including Chronopost and Colissimo in France, and Correos in Spain.

At Tevello, we recognize that your logistics partners play a crucial role in your business. We encourage you to explore the various features available for each carrier so you can make informed decisions on pricing and delivery options. This ensures a seamless transition from order fulfillment to customer delivery.

Setting Up Your Shopify Account for Shipping

Before you dive into creating shipping labels, ensure that your Shopify account is fully optimized for shipping. Here are essential setup steps:

1. Configure Your Shipping Settings

• General Shipping Settings: Access your Shopify admin and navigate to ‘Settings’ > ‘Shipping and Delivery’. Here, you can set your shipping zones and rates.
• Package Details: Define your default package sizes to ensure accurate shipping costs. This includes confirming weights and dimensions for all your products.

2. Set Up Carrier Accounts

Connect your Shopify store to the shipping carrier accounts you plan to use:

• Navigate to ‘Settings’ > ‘Shipping and Delivery’ and link the necessary shipping carrier accounts.
• Ensure that you have appropriate accounts established with your selected carriers for trouble-free label purchases.

3. Utilize Fulfillment Locations

If you run a multisite Shopify setup or work with different warehouses, be sure to specify fulfillment locations accurately in your account settings. This determines from where your orders will ship, affecting delivery times and costs.

Steps to Create Shipping Labels on Shopify

Now that you’ve set up your account and chosen your shipping carrier, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating shipping labels:

Buying Individual Shipping Labels

Here’s how to create a shipping label for a specific order:

1. Go to Orders: From your Shopify admin, click on ‘Orders’ in the left menu.
2. Select an Order: Choose an order that contains unfulfilled items.
3. Create Shipping Label:
   • In the ‘Unfulfilled’ section, click on ‘Create shipping label’.
   • Confirm the quantity of items you want to include in this shipment.
4. Weight Adjustments:
   • Click on ‘Edit weight’ to adjust individual or total weights before proceeding.
5. Customs Information (For International Shipping):
   • If applicable, click ‘Edit customs information’. Here, you’ll need to verify your product details, including weight, quantity, value, and HS code.
6. Choose Package Details:
   • Select an existing package or create a new one by entering the necessary details.
7. Select Shipping Method:
   • Choose your preferred shipping method from the displayed carriers.
8. Insurance (Optional):
   • Add any necessary shipping insurance to your order.
9. Schedule Shipping Date:
   • Optionally select the shipping date and whether to notify customers automatically.
10. Review and Buy:

• Review all details to ensure accuracy. Then click “Buy shipping label”.

11. Print Your Label:

• Choose your printing options to create a physical shipping label.

Buying Shipping Labels in Bulk

If you have multiple orders queued for shipping, you can also buy labels in bulk:

1. Go to Shipping Labels: From the Shopify admin, navigate to ‘Orders’.
2. Bulk Select Orders: Use the checkboxes to select multiple orders needing shipping labels.
3. Print Labels: Click ‘Print documents’ to choose and print the desired shipping labels for all selected orders in one click.

Printing and Managing Shipping Documents

Once your labels are purchased, you may need to print additional documents such as packing slips or customs forms. Here’s how to do that:

• Navigate to the order or shipping labels page in your Shopify admin.
• Select your desired shipment and choose ‘Print documents’.
• Ensure you select the correct paper size based on your printer.

Best Practices for Buying Shipping Labels

• Understand Carrier Policies: Each carrier has its policies. Familiarize yourself with these to avoid unexpected delays.
• Label Accuracy: Always double-check your label for accuracy—incorrect information can lead to delays or additional costs.
• Consider Shipping Insurance: For high-value items, adding shipping insurance may offer peace of mind.
• Evaluate Costs Regularly: Periodically assess shipping rates to ensure you're getting the best deals.

Common Shipping Challenges and Solutions

Navigating shipping can pose a set of challenges, from misdelivered parcels to unforeseen delays. Here’s how to proactively address some common issues:

Issue: Misdelivered Packages

Solution: Utilize tracking numbers to monitor shipment routes and notify customers about delays. Keeping communication open can enhance customer trust.

Issue: High Shipping Costs

Solution: Regularly compare shipping carrier rates and services, utilizing Shopify's built-in features to analyze cost-effectiveness.

Issue: International Taxes and Duties

Solution: Inform customers about potential duties at checkout, or consider using DDP labels if you're shipping internationally with the right carriers.

Integrating Tevello with Your Shipping Strategy

At Tevello, our mission is to empower Shopify merchants to unlock new revenue streams and build vibrant online communities. We recognize that logistics and shipping are only part of your e-commerce journey. Therefore, we provide an all-in-one solution to help you manage not just shipping, but also digital products and course offerings.

Explore our powerful feature set to see how we can help simplify your administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on creating quality content and products that resonate with your audience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing how to create shipping labels on Shopify is a foundational skill that significantly impacts your operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. With the insights and tips provided in this guide, you can master the art of shipping label creation.

Remember, shipping is only one component of your overall strategy. To ensure sustained growth and engagement, consider leveraging Tevello’s features to create, manage, and sell your online courses and digital products, while cultivating an engaged community.

Ready to simplify your shipping process? Start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today and tap into the potential of our product.

FAQ

1. Can I buy shipping labels in bulk on Shopify? Yes, you can select multiple orders and print shipping labels in bulk through the Shopify admin.

2. What carriers are available for shipping via Shopify? Shopify supports numerous carriers, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and many others depending on your region.

3. How do I print shipping labels directly from my Shopify account? Navigate to your orders, select an order with unfulfilled items, and click 'Create shipping label' followed by reviewing and printing.

4. Are there limitations on international shipping? Yes, shipping values and requirements may vary by country. For international shipments, your declared value must not exceed $2,500 USD, and customs forms may be required.

5. How can Tevello help enhance my e-commerce platform? Tevello provides an all-in-one solution for creating and managing courses and digital products, allowing you to build a community while simplifying logistics within the Shopify ecosystem. Interested? Learn about our transparent flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees.