If you print shipping labels for Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho or your own courier orders, the label roll you buy has to match two things: the job you are printing and the printer on your desk. This guide explains the three direct thermal label sizes sellers use most, what each one is for, and how to avoid buying a roll your printer cannot use.
What is a direct thermal label?
Direct thermal labels have a heat sensitive coating. The printer head warms the paper and the print appears, so there is no ink, toner or ribbon to buy. That keeps the cost of each label very low, which is why almost every e-commerce seller uses them for shipping labels and barcodes.
Which label size do you need?
| Size | Labels per roll | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 6 inch | 400 | Shipping labels for Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Shiprocket and courier dispatch |
| 3 x 5 inch | 500 | Return labels, drop-ship labels and smaller parcels |
| 2 x 1 inch | Varies by roll | Product barcodes, FNSKU labels, SKU and price stickers |
4 x 6 inch is the standard size for marketplace and courier shipping labels. If you are not sure which size your courier panel prints, this is usually the one. See the 4 x 6 shipping label roll.
3 x 5 inch labels are a little smaller and suit return labels, drop-ship orders and small parcels where a full 4 x 6 label would hang over the edge. See the 3 x 5 courier label roll.
2 x 1 inch labels are for the product itself rather than the parcel. Sellers use them for barcodes, FNSKU stickers for Amazon FBA, and SKU or price labels. See the 2 x 1 barcode label roll.
Check your printer before you order
- You need a thermal label printer. Regular inkjet and laser printers do not work with direct thermal labels.
- Our rolls work with standard thermal label printers such as Zebra, TSC and Rollo.
- Make sure your printer supports the label width you are buying. The supported widths are listed in the printer’s manual or settings.
- Set the label size in your printer settings and in your marketplace or courier panel, so the print fits the label and is not cut off.
Storing your label rolls
Direct thermal paper reacts to heat, so keep rolls away from direct sunlight, stoves and hot vehicles. Heat can darken the paper before you print on it and make barcodes harder to scan. Store rolls in a cool, dry place and use older stock first.
Labels for a complete packing setup
Shipping labels stick well on both corrugated boxes and poly courier bags. If you are setting up packing for a marketplace, our courier bag size chart and mailer box size guide help you pick the right packaging, and the seller starter kits bundle courier bags, mailer boxes, a label roll and printed tape in one order.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need ink or a ribbon?
No. Direct thermal labels print with heat only, so there is nothing else to buy.
Which size do Amazon, Flipkart and Meesho shipping labels use?
Most sellers print marketplace shipping labels on 4 x 6 inch labels. Check the label size setting in your seller panel.
Do you deliver across India?
Yes. Delivery is free across India, usually in 5 to 7 days, and every order comes with a GST invoice. For regular bulk orders you can request a bulk quote.