Letter Size Shipping Labels (8.5 x 11)
No thermal printer? No problem. ShippingLabel generates letter-size PDFs with your shipping label centered on a standard 8.5 x 11 inch page, complete with cut guides. Print on any inkjet or laser printer you already own.
How Letter-Size Labels Work
Create Your Label
Enter sender and recipient addresses on ShippingLabel. Choose your carrier format. The label creator works the same for any output size.
Download Letter PDF
Select the letter-size (8.5x11) output option. The PDF places your 4x6 label in the top half of the page with dotted cut lines.
Print, Cut, and Apply
Print on standard paper or adhesive label sheets. Cut along the guides and tape or peel-and-stick onto your package.
Best Paper Options
Standard Printer Paper + Tape
The simplest option. Print on regular paper, cut along the guides, and tape the label to your package with clear packing tape. Cover the entire label with tape to protect against moisture.
Adhesive Label Sheets (8.5x11)
Full-sheet adhesive label paper (like Avery 5165 or similar). Print, cut along the guides, peel the backing, and stick directly to your package. No tape needed.
Half-Sheet Labels (2 per page)
Pre-perforated half-sheet labels (like Avery 5126) split an 8.5x11 sheet into two labels. Print, tear along the perforation, peel, and apply. No cutting required.
Cardstock
Heavier paper stock produces more durable labels. Print on cardstock, cut, and attach with clear tape. Good for packages that may encounter rough handling.
Printing Tips
- Print at “Actual Size” - do not use “Fit to Page” or scaling options. The label dimensions must be accurate for barcodes to scan.
- Use black ink only - shipping labels do not need color. Switch to grayscale/draft mode to save ink.
- Cover with clear tape - if using plain paper, cover the entire label with clear packing tape to protect against rain and handling.
- Test barcode scanning - after printing, scan the barcode with a phone app to make sure it reads correctly before applying to packages.
When to Upgrade to a Thermal Printer
Letter-size labels work great for occasional shippers. But if you ship more than 10-15 packages per week, a thermal printer will save you time and money:
- •No ink costs (thermal printers use heat, not ink)
- •No cutting or taping (peel-and-stick labels)
- •Prints in 2-3 seconds per label
- •Pays for itself in 2-3 months of regular shipping
Create a Letter-Size Label Now
No thermal printer needed. Print a professional shipping label on standard paper in under a minute.
Create a Label Free