Friends don't let friends print meter tape to ship
Why Printing a Shipping Label is More Cost-Effective than Using Meter Tape
Efficiency and cost savings are paramount for companies and individuals alike. When it comes to shipping, choosing the most economical method can regularly make a significant difference. One such decision is whether to use shipping labels or meter tape. Here, we explore why printing a shipping label is often cheaper and more advantageous than using meter tape.
Understanding Shipping Labels and Meter Tape
Shipping Labels: These are printed labels that contain all necessary shipping information, including the recipient’s address, sender’s address, and tracking barcodes, as well as date and required amount of postage.
Meter Tape: This is a smaller sized postage tape printed by a postage meter machine that shows the postage amount, date and postage company, and is affixed to a package.
Cost Comparison
1. Discounted Shipping Rates
Shipping Labels: Access to USPS Connect eCommerce rates is one of the most significant cost-saving aspects of printing shipping labels, also known as Retail Rates. These rates offer substantial discounts over standard postage rates, including those available through meter tape. The discounts are available in PitneyShip software and can significantly reduce shipping costs.
Meter Tape: Using meter tape is the most expensive option because it doesn't give you access to discounted rates. When you print meter tape, you're paying the full Retail Rate, which is the highest price value.
Here are some examples of what you can save with Pitney Ship:
Efficiency and Time Savings
1. Convenience and Savings
Shipping Labels: Printing shipping labels is straightforward and can be done directly from your computer or smartphone where, after weighing the package, all other aspects – cost, cheapest carrier, etc. - are automatically completed. PitneyShip shipping software integrates with existing platforms, automatically importing shipment details and streamlining the label creation process. This saves time and reduces the risk of errors.
Meter Tape: Using a postage meter requires more steps, including weighing the package, selecting the class of service and printing the tape. This process can be time-consuming, especially for businesses handling a high volume of shipments.
2. Batch Processing
Shipping Labels: Shipping labels can be printed in batches, allowing businesses to process multiple shipments simultaneously. This is particularly beneficial during peak shipping seasons or for businesses with high shipping volumes.
Meter Tape: While some advanced postage meters offer batch processing, it is generally less efficient, more cumbersome, and charged at a much higher postage rate when compared to printing labels.
Additional Benefits of Shipping Labels
1. Tracking and Integration
Shipping labels: These labels automatically include tracking information, which is crucial for both the sender and recipient. This allows for real-time tracking and a better customer experience. PitneyShip multi-carrier shipping software allows you to rate compare across one carrier or multiple carriers and keeps all of your shipping and mailing activity in one application.
Meter tapes: Meter tapes have no ability to track your package.
2. Flexibility and Scalability
Shipping Labels: This offers greater flexibility and scalability. Whether you're shipping a few packages a week or thousands, the process remains efficient and cost-effective. This adaptability is essential for growing businesses.
Meter tapes: Because meter tape requires a meter, scalability is limited to the processing capabilities of the meter.
Conclusion
While both shipping labels and meter tape have their uses, printing shipping labels stands out as the more cost-effective and efficient option. From lower upfront and operational costs to increased convenience and scalability, shipping labels offer a clear advantage. By choosing to print shipping labels, businesses and individuals can save money, streamline their shipping processes, and improve the overall shipping experience for both them and their recipients.