How to Create and Print UPS Shipping Labels

Since 1907, UPS has been a trusted partner for shipping and receiving services among customers and businesses alike. But how do you create and print UPS shipping labels? We’ll show you how with our comprehensive guide.
SendTech Staff Pitney Bowes
07/04/2024 Office

Table of contents

What is UPS?

United Parcel Service, better known as UPS, is a trusted shipping carrier that was founded in 1907. Over the years, UPS has made a name for itself thanks to its shipping services designed for large and heavy packages. These could include big items such as televisions, pre-assembled furniture, and more. While the United States Postal Service (USPS) only allows a maximum weight of 70 pounds per package, UPS can accommodate packages that weigh up to 150 pounds.

UPS also provides a range of express services at competitive rates for ecommerce orders and shipments. While these services may be slightly more expensive than USPS, they offer reliable and efficient delivery. UPS also offers an exceptional emergency delivery service called UPS Express Critical. This premium service ensures that urgent deliveries reach their destination within 24 hours, anywhere in the world.

What Shipping Options Does UPS Offer?

UPS offers a selection of shipping options, including:

  • UPS Express Early®: A shipping service that guarantees delivery for the next business day by 9:00 AM.
  • UPS Express®: Designed for faster deliveries that require next-day shipping.
  • UPS Express Saver®: A delivery service that uses air transport if it’s faster and guarantees delivery for the foreseen delivery date.
  • UPS Expedited®: This shipping option is faster than the standard shipping option and requires 2 business days to deliver.
  • UPS 3-Day Select®: This shipping service guarantees delivery in 3 days or less within the 48 contiguous states, not including Alaska or Hawaii.
  • UPS Standard®: An affordable international courier service for outbound packages from the United States destined for Canada and Mexico, with a delivery time of 3-7 business days.

Why Print Shipping Labels from the UPS Platform?

Using the UPS platform to print your shipping labels online comes with multiple benefits that can simplify your shipping experience. For example:

  • Specific delivery options: The UPS platform also allows you to choose your delivery time and identify the urgency of your delivery. You can also modify or cancel a label through the UPS website or app.
  • Insurance coverage: UPS provides the option of insuring your package based on the value of the contents.
  • Shipping rate calculator: You can determine the cost of your shipment using the calculator provided on the UPS website.
  • Package tracking: Once you create and print your UPS label, you can track the package through the UPS website or the mobile app.
  • Potential shipping discounts: Using UPS software gives you access to discounted rates, which can deliver savings for frequent shippers.

Why Print Shipping Labels from the PitneyShip® Platform?

Using a third-party software such as PitneyShip® offers many of the same operational benefits as the UPS platform, such as package tracking and pickup services; there can also be additional cost- and time-saving advantages. For example:

  • Cost savings: With pre-negotiated rates, PitneyShip users can get up to 88% off the cost of domestic and international UPS shipping.
  • Avoid surcharges: With a PitneyShip UPS account, you can ship without surcharges for fuel, peak delivery hours, or residential delivery charges.
  • Price visibility: With PitneyShip, you can rate-shop to find the most cost-effective option for your package. The UPS platform does not provide rate comparisons with other shipping carriers, so you could be missing out on a better deal.
  • Streamlined decision-making: PitneyShip software includes the Best Match tool, which allows shippers to select the fastest, most cost-effective UPS shipping option for their packages.

How Do I Create a Shipping Label Online on the UPS Platform?

Creating a UPS shipping label online is a quick and easy process. Here’s how to do it:

 

1. Log in to your UPS account. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to create a UPS account. Once you’ve created your account and verified your email, you can log in and start creating UPS shipping labels.

2. Click the Create a Shipment tab.

3. Enter the recipient’s address.

4. Enter the package’s weight and dimensions.

5. Select the UPS shipping label type that best fits your needs.

6. Choose any additional services you need, such as insurance or a signature confirmation.

7. Enter your payment information and click Submit.

8. Create and print the shipping label and attach it to your package.

  • Log into your UPS account and navigate to the Shipping tab. Once there, locate and select the shipping label you need to print.
  • Select the desired shipping label and click the Print Label button. Your printer should be activated and ready beforehand.
  • Securely attach your printed UPS shipping label to your package using strong packing tape. Ensure it’s firmly in place to avoid any mishaps during transit. Remember, proper labeling is crucial for smooth and efficient package delivery.

How Do I Create a UPS Shipping Label on the PitneyShip® Platform?

1. From the Shipping Labels tab or the Shipping & Mailing menu, select Create Shipping Labels.

2. If you need to change the sender address, select From in the upper left and select one of the following options:

  • Change to the currently selected address by selecting Edit sender address and make the necessary changes, then select Done.
  • Enter a new sender address by selecting Add new sender address.
  • To select a different sender address from your address book, select View all senders and select the desired address.

3. Enter the recipient’s address or select one from the address book.

4. To send tracking and delivery emails to the sender or recipient, check the desired boxes under Email the tracking number and Email when the shipment is delivered. To send tracking and delivery emails to another address, enter the additional email addresses in the Additional Emails boxes.

5. To view rates for UPS, select the desired carrier from the Filter By menu. If All Carriers is selected, you will only see generic (non-carrier-specific) package types.

6. Select the package type from the Packaging Type menu, then enter the package dimensions and weight if the package type requires it.

7. Select Rates and Services, then choose the service; use the menus at the top to change the carrier, carrier account, or ship date.

  • If you select a carrier-specific package type, you will only see rates from that carrier.
  • Note that the Ships On date automatically advances to the next day at 8:00 PM local time.
  • By default, services are sorted by Price. To sort by delivery date, use the Deliver By header.

8. Create and print the shipping label and attach it to your package.

Information Required to Create a UPS Shipping Label

Errors on shipping labels happen more often than they should, usually due to missing details. Here's a list of essential information that should always be included when printing a UPS shipping label:

  • The sender's full name, street address, city, postal code, country, and state (if applicable).
  • The recipient's full name, street address, city, postal code, country, and their state (if applicable).
  • The recipient's phone number.
  • The shipping date, tracking number, and the package’s weight.

By ensuring that this information is present and accurate, you reduce the likelihood of errors that can lead to shipping delays. Take note of any specific rules or limitations for different kinds of packages. For example, hazardous materials and perishable items have special shipping requirements. Check with UPS before shipping any of these types of items.

What Printer Should I Use When Printing UPS Shipping Labels?

Because shipping labels use a scannable barcode, the choice of printer is as important as the amount of shipping labels you print. For smaller businesses and companies that ship small numbers of packages, a standard inkjet printer is most likely the best bet. For higher volumes, you may want to consider a laser printer, as it can deal with higher volumes of pages. Laser printer ink also dries faster than inkjet prints.

For companies that regularly mail out packages in larger volumes, a thermal printer may be your best bet. Thermal printers cost more upfront but require less maintenance in the long run and are better equipped to handle adhesive-back sheets designed for labels.

Create and Print UPS Shipping Labels with Ease

No matter if you prefer creating and printing UPS shipping labels from the carrier’s web platform or through a multi-carrier shipping software, following these steps and guidelines above will allow you to get your orders out the door faster and without any errors that could cause a delay.