Shipping label printing has two tiers: dedicated thermal label printers (no ink needed, print on thermal paper) and regular inkjet/laser printers with standard label sheets. If you ship more than 10–20 packages per day, a dedicated label printer like the Rollo or Dymo 4XL is the clear winner. For occasional shippers, a regular all-in-one printer on 4x6 label sheets works fine. Here's how to choose.
Key factors: label printer type, volume (packages per day), cost per label, and whether you need 4x6 thermal labels or regular sheet labels. We cover both categories.
Rollo Wireless Label Printer
BEST FOR HIGH-VOLUME SELLERS~$199
The Rollo is a direct thermal label printer that prints 4x6 shipping labels without ink or toner. Print speed is 150mm/second (~8 labels/minute). Compatible with USPS, UPS, FedEx, Etsy, eBay, Amazon, Shopify, and more. Thermal labels cost about $0.03–0.05 each — far cheaper than inkjet on sheet labels. Wi-Fi connectivity for printing from any device.
No ink to run out, no cartridges to replace. The thermal head lasts thousands of labels. Best investment for anyone shipping more than 20 packages per week.
Pros
- No ink — direct thermal printing
- ~$0.03–0.05/label on thermal rolls
- Works with all major shipping carriers/platforms
- Fast — up to 8 labels/minute
Cons
- Only prints labels — not a general printer
- $199 upfront cost
Dymo LabelWriter 4XL
BEST DYMO FOR SHIPPING~$170
The Dymo LabelWriter 4XL prints wide-format thermal labels up to 4" wide — perfect for USPS Priority Mail, FedEx, and UPS shipping labels. Direct thermal (no ink), print speed about 53 labels/minute. Connects via USB. Dymo's ecosystem includes DYMO Connect software with direct carrier integrations. Label rolls cost slightly more than Rollo-compatible rolls.
Pros
- Very fast — 53 labels/minute
- 4" wide labels for all shipping carriers
- No ink required
Cons
- USB only (no Wi-Fi)
- Dymo label rolls cost more than generic rolls
HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e (with label sheets)
BEST IF YOU ALSO PRINT DOCUMENTS~$180
If you ship occasionally (under 20 packages/week) and also need a regular home/office printer, use an inkjet like the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e with Avery 4x6 shipping label sheets or half-sheet label sticker stock. Print your shipping labels directly from your browser or shipping platform. No need for a dedicated label printer. The trade-off: ink costs and label sheets are pricier per label than thermal rolls.
Pros
- All-in-one printer for everything
- No additional device needed
- Works for documents AND labels
Cons
- Higher per-label cost than thermal
- Not ideal for high-volume shipping
Brother HL-L2350DW (with laser label paper)
LASER OPTION FOR LABELS~$119
Laser printers handle label stock well — the heat-fused toner adheres reliably to address labels and polyester label stock. If you have a laser printer already (or buy one for documents), standard address label sheets (Avery 5160 format) work great. Per-label cost is low with TN760 toner. Not ideal for full 4x6 shipping labels (small paper tray handling) but excellent for standard address labels.
Pros
- Low per-label cost with TN760 toner
- Reliable laser bond on labels
- Full document printer too
Cons
- Not great for 4x6 thermal-style labels
- Sheet labels cost more than thermal rolls
FAQs
What is the best printer for shipping labels?▾
For high-volume sellers (20+ packages/week): Rollo Wireless or Dymo LabelWriter 4XL — direct thermal, no ink, lowest per-label cost. For occasional shippers: any inkjet or laser printer with label sheet stock works fine.
Do I need a special printer for shipping labels?▾
Not for occasional use. Regular inkjet or laser printers handle label sheet stock. For regular shipping (daily), a dedicated thermal label printer saves time and money long-term.
What type of paper do shipping label printers use?▾
Dedicated thermal label printers use thermal paper rolls (no ink required — heat activates the paper). Regular printers use adhesive label sheets (Avery or similar). Thermal rolls are cheaper per label for high-volume use.
Can I print shipping labels on a regular printer?▾
Yes — any inkjet or laser printer can print shipping labels on adhesive label sheets or plain paper (which you then tape to the package). For occasional use this is fine. Daily shippers benefit from a dedicated thermal label printer.