How to Create Shipping Labels for E-commerce (Complete Guide 2025)

Running an e-commerce business in India? You know the struggle - creating shipping labels for every order takes time, and handwritten labels look unprofessional.

Whether you're selling on Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, or social media, professional shipping labels make a huge difference. They reduce delivery errors, speed up courier processing, and make your brand look more trustworthy.

In this guide, I'll show you exactly how to create shipping labels that work with all major Indian couriers - Delhivery, BlueDart, DTDC, Ecom Express, and more.

What Is a Shipping Label?

A shipping label is a printed sticker or paper attached to a package that contains:

• Sender details - Your business name, address, and phone number
• Recipient details - Customer name, complete address, PIN code, phone numbers
• Order information - Order ID, weight, dimensions
• Payment type - COD or Prepaid badge
• Barcode/AWB - For courier tracking and scanning

Good shipping labels help couriers deliver packages faster and reduce "address not found" returns.

Why Professional Shipping Labels Matter

1. Reduce Delivery Failures

Handwritten labels are hard to read. Delivery executives often can't decipher messy handwriting, leading to:

• Wrong deliveries
• Return to origin (RTO)
• Customer complaints

Printed labels with clear fonts eliminate this problem.

2. Faster Courier Processing

Couriers like Delhivery and BlueDart use barcode scanners. Labels with scannable barcodes:

• Get processed faster at sorting hubs
• Have fewer scanning errors
• Enable real-time tracking

3. Professional Brand Image

Your package is the first physical touchpoint with customers. A professional label with your business name and tagline creates a premium unboxing experience.

4. Avoid COD Confusion

Clear COD/PREPAID badges prevent delivery executives from asking for wrong payment - a common problem with handwritten labels.

What Should Your Shipping Label Include?

Here's everything a complete shipping label needs:

Sender Information

• Business name
• Tagline or product category
• Complete address with PIN code
• Phone number

Recipient Information

• Customer full name
• Address line 1 (House/Building)
• Address line 2 (Street/Landmark)
• City and District
• State
• PIN code (prominently displayed)
• Primary phone number
• Alternate phone number

Order Details

• Order ID or Invoice number
• AWB number (Air Waybill) for tracking
• Date of shipment
• Weight (in KG)
• Dimensions (LxWxH in cm)
• Number of items

Visual Elements

• Payment type badge (COD/PREPAID)
• Barcode for scanning
• Your logo (optional)

4 Ways to Create Shipping Labels

Method 1: Use a Free Online Shipping Label Generator (Recommended)

Best for: Small to medium sellers who want professional labels without software

The fastest way to create shipping labels is with a free online tool. Here's how with Edesy's Shipping Label Generator:

Step-by-Step:

1. Go to shiplabels.edesy.in
2. Enter sender details - Your business name, address, phone
3. Fill recipient information - Customer name, address, PIN code, phone numbers
4. Add order details - Order ID, weight, dimensions, COD/Prepaid
5. Choose a template - Select from 4 professional designs
6. Download PDF - Print and stick on your package

Available Templates:

• Professional Courier - Like Delhivery/BlueDart labels with barcode
• Classic Traditional - Elegant design for premium brands
• Minimal Clean - Modern, simple layout
• Bold Branded - Colorful, eye-catching design

Pros:

• Free to use
• No signup required
• Works on any device
• Multiple template options
• Generates barcodes automatically

Cons:

• Manual entry for each label
• Best for low-medium volume

Method 2: Use Courier Partner Portals

Best for: Sellers with courier contracts

If you have a business account with Delhivery, BlueDart, or other couriers, you can generate labels through their portals.

Delhivery:

1. Log in to Delhivery Partner Portal
2. Create a new shipment
3. Enter package details
4. Download and print the label

BlueDart:

1. Access BlueDart API Portal
2. Create waybill
3. Generate shipping label

Pros:

• Labels match courier format exactly
• Auto-generated AWB numbers
• Integrated tracking

Cons:

• Requires business contract
• Different portal for each courier
• Not suitable for multi-courier shipping

Method 3: Shopify/WooCommerce Built-in Labels

Best for: Sellers using these platforms with integrated shipping apps

If you're on Shopify or WooCommerce, you can use shipping apps that generate labels automatically.

Popular Options:

• Shiprocket - Multi-courier aggregator
• Pickrr - Shopify integration
• Delhivery Direct - For Delhivery users

Pros:

• Automatic label generation from orders
• Multi-courier support
• Tracking integration

Cons:

• Monthly subscription costs
• Overkill for small sellers
• Limited customization

Method 4: Excel/Word Templates (Manual)

Best for: Very small volume or one-time shipments

You can create labels in Microsoft Word or Excel using templates.

Pros:

• Completely free
• Full control over design

Cons:

• Time-consuming
• No barcode generation
• Inconsistent formatting
• Not scalable

Best Practices for Shipping Labels

1. Always Include Two Phone Numbers

Indian addresses can be confusing. Having two phone numbers helps delivery executives reach customers.

2. Make PIN Code Prominent

The PIN code is crucial for sorting. Use large, bold fonts - at least 18pt.

3. Use Barcodes When Possible

Barcodes speed up processing at courier hubs. Use a label generator that creates them automatically.

4. Clear COD/PREPAID Badge

Visible payment badges prevent confusion. Use contrasting colors - green for PREPAID, red/orange for COD.

5. Print on Quality Paper

Use 100+ GSM paper or thermal label stickers. Thin paper tears during transit.

6. Standard Size: A6 (4x6 inches)

A6 is the industry standard for shipping labels. Most thermal printers support this size.

Shipping Label Sizes and Printing

Recommended Label Sizes

Printing Options

1. Thermal Label Printer - Best for high volume (Zebra, TSC, Honeywell)
2. Inkjet/Laser Printer - Works with A4 paper, cut to size
3. Mobile Bluetooth Printer - For on-the-go printing

Paper Recommendations

• Thermal stickers - Self-adhesive, no tape needed
• Regular A4 paper - Use clear tape to attach
• Glossy sticker paper - Premium look, water-resistant

Common Shipping Label Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incomplete Address

Always include landmark, street name, and area. "Near temple" isn't enough.

2. Wrong PIN Code

Verify PIN code before printing. Wrong PIN = wrong sorting hub = delayed delivery.

3. Missing Alternate Phone

If primary number is unreachable, delivery fails. Always add a second number.

4. Unclear Payment Type

If COD badge isn't visible, customer may refuse thinking it's paid. Or delivery executive may ask for payment on prepaid orders.

5. Poor Print Quality

Faded or blurry labels can't be scanned. Use quality printer settings.

Shipping Label Generator vs Manual Creation

For anything beyond 5-10 packages per day, use a shipping label generator.

Conclusion

Creating professional shipping labels doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you're shipping 10 packages or 1000, the right approach saves time and reduces delivery issues.

For most e-commerce sellers, here's my recommendation:

1. Just starting out? Use Edesy's free shipping label generator - no signup, professional results
2. Growing business? Consider Shiprocket or similar for automation
3. Enterprise scale? Direct courier API integration

Start with free tools, and upgrade as you scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same shipping label format for all couriers?

Yes! Professional shipping labels with clear sender/recipient details work with all couriers. The format we recommend includes everything Delhivery, BlueDart, DTDC, and others need.

Do I need a thermal printer for shipping labels?

No. You can print on regular A4 paper and cut to size. However, thermal printers are faster and labels are self-adhesive - worth investing if you ship 20+ packages daily.

How do I generate barcodes for shipping labels?

Use a shipping label generator like shiplabels.edesy.in that creates barcodes automatically based on your order ID and PIN code.

What's the difference between AWB and Order ID?

• Order ID - Your internal reference number
• AWB (Air Waybill) - Courier's tracking number assigned when they pick up the package

Should I include product details on the label?

Only include item count (e.g., "2 PCS"). Don't list product names - it may attract theft and isn't needed for delivery.

Ready to create your first professional shipping label?

Try our free Shipping Label Generator - no signup required, works with all couriers.

Or explore our shipping label templates to find the perfect design for your brand.