Thermal printer vs regular printer for shipping labels
A regular inkjet or laser printer is enough to start. A 4×6 thermal printer is a speed and mess upgrade once you print labels every week.
Regular printer (letter PDF)
- No new hardware.
- Use plain paper and clear tape.
- Slower to cut and tape. Ink can smear if it gets wet before you tape.
Thermal 4×6 printer
- Peel-and-stick labels, no ink.
- Faster batch days.
- Upfront cost plus label stock. You still need the 4×6 PDF (Oshippy offers it).
Who each option is good for
Casual and new shops: regular printer. Anyone printing most weekdays: thermal. You can mix — letter PDF when you are away from the thermal printer.
How to attach either format: how to print shipping labels at home.
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Frequently asked questions
Create a shipping label
Download letter or 4×6 after you compare rates.