How to Send Prepaid Shipping Labels? (2025)

By MUNBYN TeamMay 9, 2024

Tags

• Business Tips
• shipping labels

As a small business owner, you understand that returns are inevitable. However, a cumbersome return process canleave customers frustratedand hurt your brand. Prepaid shipping labels offer a win-win solution! In this post,we'llexplore how prepaid labels work,the benefits they offer, and how you can easily integrate them into your return process for different carriers and services. Let's keep those customers happy and your business running smoothly!

What are Prepaid Shipping Labels?

Online sellers frequently use prepaid shipping labels to streamline the shipping process for themselves and their customers. These are essentially postage labels that businesses can purchase and generate online in advance.

The beauty of prepaid shipping labels is that they already have the postage cost factored in.Thiseliminates the need for the sender to pay for postage at the time of shipment, saving them time and hassle.

Prepaid shipping labels typically include a barcode or QR code containing all the necessary shipping information, such as therecipient'saddress,sender'saddress, and tracking details.Thisensures smooth and efficient delivery for both the seller and the carrier.

Benefits of Offering Prepaid Shipping Labels

Online sellers can significantly improve the customer experience by offering prepaid return shipping labels.

Reduced Friction in Returns

Prepaid labels eliminate the hassle and potential cost for customers who need to return an item. When customers need to return an item they purchased online, they can easily use the prepaid shipping label provided by the seller.Thissimplifies the return process and encourages customers to make purchasesknowingreturns are easy.

Cost Efficiency for Sellers

You only pay for the labels used. Sellers purchase these labels in advance and only pay for those thatareactuallyused. For instance, if a seller buys 50 prepaid shipping labels but only10are utilized for returns, payment is required only for those10labels. The expiration of these labels can vary depending on the courier company. By pre-purchasing labels in bulk, you may even qualify fordiscounts from carriers.

Transparency and Control

Prepaid labels ensure aclearreturn shipping cost forbothyou and the customer.Additionally, you can choose the specificcarrier and service level for returns, maintaining some control over the process.

It'simportant to note that notall online purchases include prepaid shipping labels; however, many sellers opt to provide this service as it simplifies the return process, demonstrates customer focus, and can be a significant competitive advantage.

How Prepaid Return Labels Work

Seller Provides Label

You can include the prepaid label with the original shipment or allow customers to download one from your website. This flexibility ensures that customers have immediate access to the label if they decide to make a return.

Customer Initiates Return

Whena customer decides toreturn an unwanted item, they use the prepaid label provided. This label is already addressed and paid for, making the return process straightforward and hassle-free for the customer.

Seller Receives Return

The prepaid label ensures that the package is correctly addressed and helps streamlinethe processing of returns. Upon receiving the package, the seller can immediately verify its contents and initiate any necessary actions, such as issuing refunds or exchanges.

HowPrepaidShipping Labels Differ from Regular Shipping Labels?

The primary distinction between prepaidshipping labelsand regular shipping labels lies in the timing and handling of payment for postage. With standard shipping labels, the sender is responsible for paying for postageat the time ofshipping.Thismeans thateach package mustbe individually weighedand priced, which can be time-consuming.

In contrast, prepaid shipping labels have the postage cost included beforehand. This advance payment eliminates the need for on-the-spot payment and processing, streamlining the shipping process for both the sender and the carrier.This prepayment feature is particularly beneficial in facilitating efficient returns orin managing bulk shipments where costs are predetermined.

How to Create a Prepaid Shipping Label?

Herewehave details on how you can create prepaid shipping labels for customers, covering options for USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

USPS prepaid label

USPS prepaid labels expire 90 days after creation, soit'sbest to generate them within seven days of purchasing the original shipping label.We recommend sending labels digitally upon customer requestinstead of including them with outgoing orders.Thisavoids potential waste due to label expiration.

Creating a Prepaid USPS Return Label

Please follow these steps to create a prepaid shipping label for an outgoing shipment:

• Locate the confirmation of the shipping label youjustcreated at the top of the screen.
• Under the shipping label confirmation, selectthe option"Create Return Label."
• Follow the promptsthat appearon the screen to create the prepaid shipping label.

Creating a Return Label from USPS History

If you wish to create a return label from the History screen, please follow these steps:

• Access the History menu.
• From the options available, select"Shipping & Postage History."
• Choose the desired USPS shipment for which you want to create a return label.
• Select the"Create Return Label"button.
• Follow the promptsthat appearon the screen to create the return label.

Once finished, select"Print"to open the label in PDF format. You can then print it or send it digitally to your customer.

UPS prepaid label

Unlike USPS labels, UPS prepaid labels do not have an expiration date, allowing you to include them with customer orders without concern.

Creating a UPS Prepaid Label:

1. Before generating the label, enter yourcustomer'saddress as the sender and your business address as the receiver.
2. Follow the promptsavailableto create and print your UPS prepaid label as younormallywould.
3. When selecting the packaging, choose "My Box"as your preferred option.
4. Next, select the desired class for your shipment
5. If you wish to include a UPS Print Return Label,make sure toenter a description of the merchandise in the appropriate field.

Important Information

The option for a UPS prepaid Label is not available for Next Day Air Saver or UPS shipments. The availability of the UPS Print Return Label option is limited to when you choose "My Box" as your packaging.

FedEx prepaid label

Similar toUPS labels, FedEx prepaid labelsalsohave no expiration dateand can be included with customer orders.

Creating a FedEx Prepaid Label

• When packaging your shipment, select"My Box"as your preferred option, as FedEx prepaid labels arenot availablefor Express Saver.
• Choose the appropriate service class for your needs.
• Select the"Print Return Label"option to facilitate a smooth return process, if applicable.

By followingthese steps, you can easily manage prepaid shipping labels for all three carriers and streamline your shipping process.

How to Print a Prepaid Shipping Label?

1. Install the Printer Driver:Begin by installingthe labelprinter'sdriver on your PC. This software allows your computer to communicate with the printer.
2. Choose the Label Format:Most prepaid shipping labelsare designedin a 4x6 format. Verify the size required by your shipping carrier before proceeding.
3. Save the Label as PDF:Onceyou'vegenerated your prepaid shipping label on thecarrier'swebsite, save it as a PDF document.
4. Print Directly: Ifyour shipping platform offers direct printing functionality, you might be able to skip the next step and print directly to your thermal printer. Check yourplatform'soptions for compatibility.
5. Print from Adobe Acrobat (if needed): Incasedirect printingisn'tavailable, open the saved PDF in Adobe Acrobat DC. Here, you can adjust any printing settings if necessary. Then, send the PDF to your label printer for final printing.

Munbyn shipping label printers offer a convenient and efficient way to print shipping labels. These professional printers feature imported print heads for high-definition results. They deliver crisp, clear prints, making them ideal for shipping labels and QR codes.Additionally,wireless connectivity allows you to print directly from your iPhone or Android smartphone for added flexibility.

Final Thoughts

Returns can be a real headache for e-commerce businesses. However, prepaid shipping labels are here to make the process much easier.Theynot onlysimplify and speed up returns,but they alsomake customers happier and save your company stress.Additionally, Munbyn thermal printers provide a quick and effortless way to create theseimportantreturn shipping labels.