Where Can I Print a Shipping Label? Every Option
You created a shipping label — or someone emailed you one — and you don't have a printer. It happens more than you'd think, and every major carrier has a way to help. Here's every place you can realistically print a shipping label, ranked by cost and convenience.
| Where | Cost | Works for |
|---|---|---|
| USPS Post Office | Free (QR code) | USPS labels only |
| The UPS Store | ~$1–3 | Any carrier |
| FedEx Office | ~$1–3 | Any carrier |
| Staples / Office Depot | ~$0.20–1 | Any carrier |
| Public library | Free or ~$0.10–0.25 | Any carrier |
| Friend's house / office | Free | Any carrier |
| Home — buy a cheap printer | $70+ upfront | Any carrier |
1. USPS Post Office (Free — but USPS Only)
The cheapest and often easiest option for USPS labels. If you bought a USPS label through USPS Click-N-Ship or eBay, you can get a QR code emailed or texted to you. Bring the QR code (on your phone) to any post office — the clerk scans it, prints your label, and attaches it to your package. Free.
This only works for USPS. Doesn't work for UPS, FedEx, or DHL. Also, the package still needs to be weighed and accepted.
To get a QR code label:
- On USPS.com: Buy Click-N-Ship label → choose “Label Broker QR code” option
- On eBay: Buy shipping label → “QR code” option in the label confirmation email
- On Etsy: Label details → “Get QR code”
2. The UPS Store
UPS Stores print shipping labels for all carriers (yes, including USPS and FedEx — they'll do it even if it's not their label). Bring your label PDF on a USB drive, phone, or email it to them from your phone. They'll print it for about $1–3.
Every UPS Store also has a service called “Pack and Ship” where they'll handle everything if you don't have a box — but that costs more. Just bringing a label to print is the cheap option.
3. FedEx Office (Formerly Kinko's)
Same idea as UPS Stores. FedEx Office will print your shipping label regardless of carrier. Bring the PDF, pay ~$1–3. Many FedEx Office locations also have self-service print kiosks where you can email yourself the label and print it without waiting for a clerk.
4. Staples / Office Depot / Office Max
All have self-service print stations. You upload your PDF to their kiosk (via USB, email, or their app), swipe a card, and print. Cost is usually $0.20–1.00 per page — the cheapest brick-and-mortar option.
Works for any carrier's label. Downside: you usually need to commit to at least 4 pages on some kiosks (a $1 minimum charge even for 1 page at some stores).
5. Public Library
Almost every public library in the US has printing available. Costs range from free (some libraries) to $0.10–0.25 per page (most). You'll typically email the label to the library's print system or use a USB drive at a print kiosk.
Call ahead — some libraries limit non-black-ink printing or have quirky rules about commercial use. But for a single shipping label, this is almost always the cheapest option outside of buying a printer yourself.
6. Friend's House or Office
Obviously. If you have a friend with a printer, send them the PDF. If you have an office with a printer, print it there (within reason). Any regular inkjet or laser printer can print a shipping label on standard letter paper.
7. Just Buy a Cheap Printer
If you ship more than a few packages a year, stop paying $1–3 per trip to The UPS Store. A basic inkjet printer costs $50, a dedicated thermal shipping label printer costs $70–150 and pays for itself in months. See our label printer for shipping guide for recommendations by volume tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print a shipping label from my phone?
Not directly without a printer. But if you have a WiFi printer, most shipping label tools can send the PDF to your phone, which can then send to the printer via AirPrint (iOS), Mopria (Android), or the printer's mobile app. Alternatively, email the PDF to yourself and print from any computer at home, work, or a print shop.
Can I have someone else print the label and mail my package?
Yes. This is especially common for QR code USPS labels — the sender gives the package to someone else, that person drops it at the post office with the QR code on their phone, and the clerk handles printing and attaching the label. For non-USPS labels, the person dropping off can print at a UPS Store or FedEx Office.
Can I print a shipping label on regular paper?
Yes. Standard letter paper is fine for one-off shipments — just cut along the outer edge and tape all four sides to the package with clear packing tape. Keep the tape off the barcode (it can confuse scanners). Use thermal 4×6 labels for volume, but letter paper works perfectly for occasional shipping.
Do I need a special printer for shipping labels?
No. Any inkjet or laser printer prints shipping labels on letter paper just fine. A dedicated thermal label printer is only worth it if you're shipping 10+ packages per week — see our thermal shipping label printer guide.
Don't Have a Label Yet?
If you haven't created the label yet, our free shipping label maker generates a print-ready PDF in under a minute. It works with every major carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL) and the output PDF can be printed at any of the locations above.
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