You might print labels in a variety of formats, so we've made it easy to update your label settings to match your preferred printing method. Here's how to access, configure, and customize your labels in Shippo.
How to access your label settings
To update your label settings:
- Click the Settings icon from the dashboard.
- Click Labels and Packing Slips.
From here, you can view, configure, and customize your label settings.
| Tip: Labels default to 8.5x11 inch PDF, which works well for a home office printer. If you're using a 4x6 thermal label printer, make sure to update your default settings. |
Configuring your label settings
Print preferences
Print Preferences is where you set the size for the labels you create in Shippo.
Choose your print order from the dropdown menu:
- Print labels and slips separately
- Collate labels and packing slips
- Single page label and packing slip
Then select your label format and size. Each print order offers different label and packing slip formats and sizes in the dropdown menu:
- 8.5x11 inch PDF (half-page labels)
- 4x6 inch PDF for thermal label printers (see "Printer and Label Size Information")
Shippo also supports several specialty label sizes for specific carriers, like 4x8 inch for DHL Germany, or A4/A6 PDF for Fastway Australia.
| Note: Updating your default label format on the Labels & Packing Slips page only applies to labels you create after the change. Previously created labels won't update to the new format. If you accidentally purchase a shipping label in the wrong size or format, request a refund for the incorrect label and recreate it. |
Add text on label
Add text on label lets you customize your shipping label with up to two lines of text.
To add text to your label:
- Check Use Order Number to print each label's unique order number on it.
- Any text you type manually into the first or second line prints on every label.
Custom text prints in the bottom right corner of USPS domestic labels (see USPS Shipping Label Examples). Its location on other carriers' labels depends on that carrier.
Default service level
Shippo lets you compare rates across multiple carriers and service levels before purchasing a label. If you typically ship with the same carrier and service level, set your preference to skip the comparison step.
To set your preferred carrier and service level:
- Open the Select a Carrier dropdown.
- Select your preferred carrier.
- Open the Select a service level dropdown and choose a service level from that carrier.
- Click Save.
Default return label service level
You can also set a preferred carrier and service level specifically for return labels.
To set your preferred return label carrier and service level:
- Go to the Default return label service level section.
- Open the Select a carrier dropdown and select a carrier.
- Open the Select a service level for returns dropdown and select a service level.
- Click Save.
Check Auto-create return labels for outbound shipments if you'd like a return label created automatically alongside each outbound label (see "Create Return Labels in Shippo").
Next, let's set up and customize your Packages in the Package Settings.