Printing shipping labels

[Bill G]

I am running into an issue printing USPS 1st class labels and I am hoping some folks have some ideas. I am at my wits end which is not tough to do as many say I am witless......

For years I printed my shipping labels direct from the UPS, USPS, FedEX, and DHL websites. It was easy peasy. Well as most know shipping the last few years has went up dramatically. Along came Pirate Ship and I started using them for UPS and USPS. Their UPS rates whipped FedEx by a mile. Their USPS rates were not much better than my USPS account but I use UPS almost exclusively so it was not an issue.

Here is the issue I need help with. I need to send a large amount of 9x12 manilla envelopes containing just a few documents. They will be 2 oz.

If I use USPS "click and ship" to print a label it forces me to mail it Ground Advantage for $3.79
If I use Pirate Ship to print a USPS label it will be $3.84 for USPS Ground Advantage.
If I use Pirate Ship to print a UPS label it will be $8.40 for UPS Ground.
If I just put stamps on them it will be $1.63 but I will have no label.

I tried stamps.com but them rascals charged me a $19.99/month fee.

There has to be a better and cheaper way to just print a simple USPS first class label. What do others use?

 

[Mack 880]

I just USPS media mail for media. Much less expensive.

I print out address labels and affix them to the envelope.

 

[EFSM]

We ship almost exclusively small boxes. Pirate Ship has been a huge money saver for us.

 

[Agrarian]

If you have a PayPal account, you can print labels from there. I think they use ShipStation.

 

[LAWN BOY]

If you’re shipping things that you are selling on eBay, you can buy shipping labels on there at nice discounts that eBay offers, I usually choose USPS Ground Advantage, but it’s up to you. Sorry if what you are talking about has nothing to do with eBay. For non eBay stuff, I personally just go to my local post office and ship stuff via USPS, it’s all I know really, maybe I’ll benefit from the future of this thread as well.

 

[Bill G]

I guess I was not very clear.
I am well aware of the various ways to print labels for parcels. I do it almost daily.
I need to print labels for 9x12 manilla envelopes. They are not boxes and not media mail. They are first class letters

 

[Bill G]

I was really hoping someone had some tricks

 

[Mack 880]

I do the same thing for larger envelopes, parcels, and packages.

I print the labels, and use a clear plastic self adhesive "holder" for the printed label. Works for all types of mailings.

Like this:

Uline Clear Packing List Envelopes in Stock - ULINE

Uline stocks a wide selection of Clear Packing List Envelopes. Order by 6 p.m. for same day shipping. Huge Catalog! Over 42,000 products in stock. 13 Locations across USA, Canada and Mexico for fast delivery of Clear Packing List Envelopes.

www.uline.com

I source them here though ULINE.

ULINE - Shipping Boxes, Shipping Supplies, Packaging Materials, Packing Supplies

Uline stocks over 42,000 shipping boxes, packing materials, warehouse supplies, material handling and more. Same day shipping for cardboard boxes, plastic bags, janitorial, retail and shipping supplies.

www.uline.com

I print out the labels on 8.5 x 11 and fold it in half - then stick it in the clear "holder" and seal it up. Never had a problem on any envelope or package, etc. Very fast when shipping a bunch from a mailing list, etc.

PM your address and I'll send you some so you can try them out if you would like.

 

[Bill G]

For whatever reason I guess I am not being very clear. I do not need the physical labels, I have plenty. I need to be able to print paid labels for 2 ounce 9x12 envelopes. The postage is only $1.63 but .........

If I use USPS "click and ship" to print a label it forces me to mail it Ground Advantage for $3.79
If I use Pirate Ship to print a USPS label it will be $3.84 for USPS Ground Advantage.
If I use Pirate Ship to print a UPS label it will be $8.40 for UPS Ground.
If I just put stamps on them it will be $1.63 but I will have no label.

There has to be a way to print paid labels without paying a huge fee

 

[LAWN BOY]

For whatever reason I guess I am not being very clear. I do not need the physical labels, I have plenty. I need to be able to print paid labels for 2 ounce 9x12 envelopes. The postage is only $1.63 but .........

If I use USPS "click and ship" to print a label it forces me to mail it Ground Advantage for $3.79
If I use Pirate Ship to print a USPS label it will be $3.84 for USPS Ground Advantage.
If I use Pirate Ship to print a UPS label it will be $8.40 for UPS Ground.
If I just put stamps on them it will be $1.63 but I will have no label.

There has to be a way to print paid labels with paying a huge fee

I now understand what you’ve been trying to say. I have wondered the same thing and have just paid the extra. Hopefully someone chimes in with better knowledge.

 

[Mack 880]

Same. Now I'm tracking.

Unfortunately, I also have no answer that will help.

Sorry about that!

 

[Bill G]

To give you a perspective on local post offices here...

 

[Bill G]

This is why I have to print paid labels.

 

[Powerstroke Cowboy]

Found this online.

As of July 9th 2023, USPS has merged First Class Package with Parcel Select Ground into the new Ground Advantage service. The way the service works remain the same, so it's really just the name that has changed.

 

[Powerstroke Cowboy]

The only way to print the postage is through stamps.com.

The other way is through your post office.

Or go old school and hand write the to/from addreses and slap three forever stamps on it and be done. You could even print a to/from label and still use stamps.

I understand that's bot what you want to do. I get it. Stamps.com wants to much for the convenience.

 

[Bill G]

Stamps.com wants $20 a month

 

[Bill G]

I saw a place called shippo but I have not investigated them yet

 

[Powerstroke Cowboy]

I saw a place called shippo but I have not investigated them yet

I use Shippo, but I can't find anywhere on there to purchase and print the label you want.