The USPS offers a free online service called Click-N-Ship. You can use it to create prepaid shipping labels for the services it provides. That includes Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express.
Click-N-Ship also allows you to print shipping labels for free, whether you are a business or an individual.
You can print all types of tags, including domestic, international, 2-Up, duplicates and APO/FPO/DPO, US territories/possessions, or Freely Associated States labels.
The best way to print a shipping label for a USPS package is to do it online through Click-N-Ship.
You will need to provide the delivery and return address, optional package value, package details, and the shipping date.
Make sure to select a high-quality label printer so that the USPS scanning equipment can read the label. The USPS recommends that you use white paper or buy a self-adhesive label.
But before you can complete the process, you will have to create an account with USPS and choose your type of account, whether personal or business.
Here is how:
- Go to the Click-N-Ship signup page.
- Select “Click-N-Ship.” You will find the option from the “Mail & Ship” or “Quick Tools” tabs.
- Fill in the required information.
After creating an account, you can proceed to print and pay for shipping labels.
You can also do much more as a user, including scheduling pickups, creating address books, and accessing other Click-N-Ship application services.
Who can use the USPS Click-N-Ship application?
Note that Click-N-Ship is only available for a select number of USPS products.
You can use it to print postage for:
- First-Class Package International Service
- Global Express Guaranteed
- Priority Mail
- Priority Mail Express
- Priority Mail Express International
- Priority Mail International
- USPS Retail Ground (Military sender address)
It is not available for First-Class Mail, First-Class Package, Package Services, USPS Retail Ground service, and USPS Retail Ground (Non-military sender address).
Noteworthy, the service is useful if you want to ship a relatively low volume of mail.
How to print domestic Click-N-Ship label
You can print domestic shipping labels in four steps as below:
- Log in to Click-N-Ship then select “Print a Label”
- Enter the label information.
- Proceed to the section titled “Select a Service Type”.
- Use the “Batch option” if you want to create multiple tags using the same mailpiece weight, return information, and service.
- Select your desired service(s).
- Click on “Add to Cart”.
- You will have to review the label information and edit any incorrect details.
- Click on “Next: Billing Information” to buy your labels.
- Choose your preferred payment method.
- Enter the needed information.
- Click on “Next: Pay and Print.”
You will open a payment confirmation page. At this point, print your labels.
But if you do not have a printer, select print at a Post Office through the Label Broker feature. In this case, you will need to save the label as a PDF file.
How to print an international shipping label for USPS
You can print international shipping labels for USPS through the following steps:
- Enter your label information.
- Proceed to the section titled “Select a Service Type”.
- Select your preferred service(s).
- Click “Continue.”
- Enter the customs information for the item(s) you want to ship internationally.
- Click “Continue.”
- A “Shipping Cart” page will open.
- At this point, review the label information. That includes editing any incorrect details.
- Click on “Next: Billing Information.”
- Select your payment method.
- Enter the necessary information.
- Click on “Next: Pay and Print.”
At the “Payment Confirmation” page, print your label. You also have the option of saving it as a PDF file to print a prepaid shipping label later at your nearest Post Office.
When entering the customs information for your item, ensure to provide as much information as possible. The details should be relevant to everything you have included in your shipment.
I don’t have a printer to print shipping labels
If you want to print shipping labels, but you do not have access to a printer, USPS recommends using the Label Broker feature with the Click-N-Ship application. It allows you to go to a local Post Office location and print out a shipping label.
You will have to scan a QR Code provided by a merchant or requested from the Click-N-Ship application. Here are the steps you should follow:
- Pay for your shipping label using Click-N-Ship.
- Select “Print Labels” Later at the Post Office.
- You will receive an email with a QR Code.
- Take the code to a “Post Office” near you together with your package.
A retail employee will scan the code. They will then print your label, affix it to your package, and admit it into USPS systems for processing.
Can I print a shipping label at USPS?
You can print USPS shipping labels from any location. However, you need access to a computer, internet connection, and printer.
That means you will have to visit the USPS website to finish the process. You can use plain white paper to print labels or use self-adhesive labels that come preformatted to size.
If you want to get the best results, use an inkjet or laser printer that prints at least 600 dots per inch. But if you prefer doing it at USPS, you will have to use the “Label Broker” feature, as mentioned above.
Can I print a USPS shipping label without postage?
You can print shipping labels without postage online. But you will have to use stamps or a postage meter.
The USPS also gives you the option to print a label with postage purchased from its website.
How do I calculate postage?
Here are the steps for calculating postage on USPS:
- Weigh your items and round up the value.
- Select the correct mail class.
- Measure your package.
- Label your package well.
You will also need to double-check the zone and then visit the Domestic Zone Chart webpage to finish your calculations.
Conclusion
You can print a prepaid shipping label for a USPS package either online or from your nearest Post Office.
If you prefer to do it online, you will need a computer, an internet connection, and a printer.
The USPS allows you to use plain white paper or self-adhesive labels that come preformatted to size. But if you do not have a printer, you will need to print it at a Post Office.
