USPS Shipping Label Maker — Free Template

USPS is the dominant carrier for lightweight e-commerce in the United States, and for good reason. For packages under 15.99 oz, USPS First Class Package is the cheapest option period — no other carrier comes close at $4–$6 for lightweight shipments anywhere in the country. Once you go over 1 lb, Priority Mail takes over: 1–3 day delivery, free boxes from USPS.com (order to your door at no charge), and Flat Rate boxes that let you ship up to 70 lbs for a fixed price — the Small Flat Rate Box ships for about $10.40 regardless of weight or destination. The hidden gem most sellers overlook: Media Mail for books, CDs, DVDs, and educational materials at $3–$5 per shipment — it's the cheapest way to ship printed media by far. For small, dense packages under 20 lbs, USPS Cubic pricing (available through Pirate Ship) charges by volume instead of weight, which can beat even Flat Rate pricing. USPS also wins on residential delivery — no residential surcharge like UPS ($5) or FedEx ($5), Saturday delivery is included, and USPS is the only carrier that delivers to PO Boxes. Free scheduled home pickups make it easy to ship without visiting the post office.

Who this is for

✓Etsy, eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari sellers shipping items under 1 lb where First Class Package dominates on price
✓Anyone sending Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes — the cheapest way to ship heavy, dense items long-distance
✓Booksellers, record sellers, and vintage media shops using Media Mail
✓Home-based sellers who rely on free USPS package pickup to avoid post office lines

When USPSisn’t the right fit

•Sellers shipping packages heavier than 2 lbs to Zones 5–8 — UPS or FedEx Ground typically beat USPS
•Businesses that need guaranteed time-definite delivery — USPS Priority is not guaranteed (Priority Express is)

How to create a USPS label in under a minute

1
Enter sender and recipient
Paste addresses from your order confirmation — Etsy, eBay, Shopify, or a PayPal invoice.
2
Pick the USPS service
First Class Package for under 15.99 oz, Priority Mail for 1–3 day delivery, Flat Rate for the USPS-branded boxes, Media Mail for books and CDs.
3
Select 4x6 thermal size
USPS scans 4x6 labels just like they print from Click-N-Ship. Letter format works too if you're taping to boxes.
4
Download and print
The label includes a USPS-style service banner (Priority Mail, First Class, etc.) and properly placed addresses.
5
Add postage via Pirate Ship or USPS.com
Buy postage separately, then hand to your carrier, drop at a blue box, or schedule a free pickup at USPS.com.

From (Sender)

To (Recipient)

Package Details

Weight (lbs)

Weight (oz)

Package Type

Length (in)

Width (in)

Height (in)

Label Options

Label Size

Carrier Format

Service Type

Reference Number

Scannable Code (from Reference Number)ⓘ

Encodes the Reference Number above as a real, scannable code. Not a carrier tracking barcode — use for your own order IDs, SKUs, or RMA numbers.

FRAGILETHIS SIDE UP

Label Preview

USPS-STYLE FORMAT

From:

Sender address

Ship To:

Recipient address

Enter reference # to generate barcode

REF-000000

shippinglabel.co

5 fields needed to generate

Ship like a pro from $9/mo. Unlimited clean labels, 4×6 thermal printing, saved addresses. See plans → Cancel anytime.

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How it works: We format the label with your barcode/QR. Buy postage from your carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL) — they add the tracking barcode at drop-off.

Limitations & caveats

•ShippingLabel does not sell USPS postage. You'll pay for postage through USPS.com, Pirate Ship, or Stamps.com.
•The IMpb tracking barcode on USPS labels is only valid when USPS issues it with purchased postage — our barcode is a placeholder.
•We don't currently auto-fill customs forms (2976 / 2976-A) for international USPS shipments.
•Flat Rate pricing only applies when you use actual USPS Flat Rate packaging — ordering those free from USPS.com is a separate step.

Alternatives to consider

Pirate Ship

Use when When you want the lowest USPS postage rates (Commercial Plus Pricing) and don't need 4x6 label customization beyond what they provide

Stamps.com

Use when When you ship 50+ USPS packages/day and need commercial plus rates plus accounting integrations ($19.99/mo minimum)

USPS Click-N-Ship

Use when When you ship occasionally and just want the simplest path through USPS.com without a third-party account

USPS Shipping Label FAQ

Can I create a USPS label without going to the post office?

Our tool creates the label format with your addresses. To add actual USPS postage, you can purchase it through USPS.com, Pirate Ship, or at your local post office. Our label provides the properly formatted layout you need.

What's the difference between Priority Mail and First Class?

Priority Mail (1-3 day delivery) is for packages over 13oz and offers free Flat Rate boxes. First Class Package (2-5 days) is more economical for lightweight items under 13oz. Both use the same label format.

Do these labels work with USPS Flat Rate boxes?

Yes. Select 'Flat Rate' as your package type and 'Priority Mail' as service type. The label will include Flat Rate indicators. Remember to use official USPS Flat Rate packaging, available free from USPS.com.

Can I print USPS labels on a thermal printer?

Yes! Our default 4x6 format is optimized for thermal printers like the Rollo, DYMO 4XL, and other popular shipping label printers. No ink needed — just peel and stick.

Is Pirate Ship worth using for USPS postage?

Yes, for most sellers. Pirate Ship gives you access to USPS Commercial Plus rates — the same deeply discounted rates that large shippers get — with zero monthly fees and no markup. On a typical Priority Mail package, you'll save $1–$3 compared to buying postage at the post office counter or on USPS.com directly. They also offer USPS Cubic pricing, which can cut costs further on small, dense packages. The only downside: you need to create an account. If you ship more than a handful of packages per month, it's worth it.

What is USPS Media Mail and who can use it?

Media Mail is a deeply discounted USPS service for shipping books, CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, and certain educational materials. Rates start around $3–$5 for the first pound — far cheaper than any other service. The catch: delivery takes 2–8 business days, USPS can open and inspect packages to verify contents qualify, and you cannot include anything other than the eligible media. For booksellers on eBay, Amazon, or Etsy, Media Mail is a huge money-saver on every shipment.