18 septembre, 2026

How to Make a Shipping Label? A Step-by-Step Guide for Home & Small Business

by WangYuankun

Every package needs a label — a shop order, a small business shipment, or just a parcel you're sending from home. It's the same step every time.

That label is what tells the carrier where the box is going. On it: the recipient's address, your return address, the service you picked, and a barcode that makes tracking possible.

Making one is easier than it looks. Pick an online shipping service, enter the details, print it out on a thermal label printer — a couple of minutes and you're done.

In this guide, we'll explain how to make a shipping label, what information you need, how to print a 100x150mm shipping label, and how a compact thermal printer such as the NIIMBOT B4 can simplify your shipping workflow.

What Is a Shipping Label?

A shipping label is the sheet you stick on a box so the carrier knows what to do with it.

A regular mailing label might just carry a name and address. A shipping label carries more — a barcode, a tracking number, the service level. UPS, FedEx, and the rest scan that barcode at every stop, and that's what keeps your tracking updates moving along with the package.

Here's what usually goes on one:

Sender's name and address
Recipient's name and address
Tracking number
Barcode
Service level (overnight, ground, etc.)
Weight and dimensions
Carrier
Special handling instructions, if any

If you sell online, that label is what ties the box on your table to the shipment record in your system. Without it, the package and the data are two unrelated things.

what is shipping label

Why Use a Thermal Printer for Shipping Labels?

Ship once in a while and your regular printer does the job. But if orders come in every day, a thermal label printer is worth the money.

No ink, no toner

Thermal labels are heat-sensitive — the printer doesn't need ink or toner at all. There's nothing to refill or replace.

Faster

A regular printer means loading paper, waiting, then cutting each label out. A thermal printer just pushes labels out one after another. Get twenty orders and that difference is an hour of your time.

No wasted paper

You print straight onto the sticky label. No full-size sheets, no scissors.

Takes up less room

These printers are small — much smaller than a standard one. That matters when you're packing on a kitchen table or in a corner of a spare room.

Why Choose the NIIMBOT B4 for Shipping Labels?

For sellers and small businesses looking for a compact solution, the NIIMBOT B4 is designed specifically for larger-format label printing, including shipping labels.

The B4 supports labels up to approximately 4.33 inches wide and is suitable for 100x150mm shipping labels, mailing labels, address labels, barcode labels, and product labels.

4-Inch Label Printing

The B4 is built for larger labels than many compact 2-inch or 3-inch label makers.

This makes it particularly suitable for shipping labels where larger printing space is required.

203 DPI Printing

The B4 uses thermal printing technology with 203 DPI resolution, providing clear text and barcodes for everyday shipping applications.

Fast Printing

According to NIIMBOT's product specifications, the B4 can print at speeds of up to 50 labels per minute, helping businesses process multiple labels more efficiently.

No Ink or Toner

Because the B4 uses thermal printing technology, there is no need for traditional ink cartridges or toner.

This can simplify ongoing label printing for businesses that regularly process orders.

Bluetooth Connectivity

The B4 supports Bluetooth connections with smartphones and PCs through the NIIMBOT App, giving you more flexibility when creating and printing labels.

Compact Design

The B4 is designed with an integrated label compartment that can accommodate a full roll of 100x150mm labels. Its compact footprint makes it suitable for home offices, small packing stations, retail environments, and mobile workspaces.

How to Make Shipping Labels Faster for an Online Business

If you regularly ship orders, the biggest time savings usually come from creating a repeatable workflow.

A simple shipping workflow can look like this:

Receive Order → Confirm Address → Pack Product → Create Shipping Label → Print Label → Attach Label → Ship Package

You can make this process even more efficient by:

Use Saved Customer Information

For repeat customers, use saved addresses where your shipping platform supports them.

Create Standard Package Profiles

If you sell products with consistent package sizes and weights, save those details whenever possible.

Keep Labels Ready

Having a supply of compatible shipping labels at your packing station prevents unnecessary interruptions.

Use a Dedicated Label Printer

A thermal shipping label printer keeps label printing separate from your everyday document printing.

Create a Dedicated Packing Station

Keep your printer, label rolls, packaging materials, and shipping supplies together.

This can make order fulfillment much more consistent, especially as your order volume increases.

how to make shipping label by using niimbot app

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping Labels

Can I make a shipping label at home?

Yes. Major carriers provide online tools that allow you to create shipping labels from home. After creating the label, you can print it using a compatible printer. UPS and FedEx both provide online shipping-label creation options.

What size should a shipping label be?

A 4 x 6 inch format is commonly used for shipping labels and is particularly convenient when printing with a dedicated 4-inch thermal shipping label printer.

Always check the requirements of your specific carrier and shipping platform.

Can I print shipping labels without ink?

Yes. Thermal shipping label printers use heat-sensitive labels and do not require traditional ink cartridges or toner.

Can I print shipping labels from my phone?

This depends on the printer and shipping platform. The NIIMBOT B4 supports Bluetooth printing through the NIIMBOT App on compatible devices, allowing users to create and print labels without relying solely on a traditional wired printer.

Do I need a special printer for shipping labels?

No, a special printer is not strictly required. A regular printer can print many shipping labels.

However, if you ship frequently, a dedicated thermal shipping label printer can provide a more streamlined workflow and eliminate the need for ink or toner.

Make Shipping Easier with NIIMBOT B4

Creating a shipping label is only one part of the fulfillment process, but efficient label printing can make a noticeable difference when you're handling multiple orders every day.

From creating the shipment online to printing and attaching the final label, a dedicated thermal printer can help simplify the workflow.

The NIIMBOT B4 combines 4-inch label printing, thermal technology, Bluetooth connectivity, and support for 4 x 6 inch shipping labels in a compact design, making it a practical option for online sellers, home businesses, offices, and small fulfillment operations.

If you're looking for a simple way to make and print shipping labels at home or for your small business, the NIIMBOT B4 can help turn shipping label printing into a faster and more organized part of your daily workflow.

Ready to simplify your shipping process? Explore the NIIMBOT B4 and start printing professional shipping labels with ease.