Why eCommerce Stores Should Buy Shipping Labels in Bulk
Shipping labels may look like a small piece of the eCommerce puzzle — but for growing online stores, they represent a recurring cost that adds up fast. Whether you’re shipping 50 orders a month or hundreds a day, the reliability, price, and availability of your shipping labels directly impact your fulfillment efficiency and profit margin.
That’s why seasoned sellers, 3PLs, and high-volume online businesses all share one smart purchasing habit:
They buy shipping labels in bulk.
Buying bulk shipping labels is not just about saving money — it’s about consistency, speed, reliability, and building a scalable fulfillment system. In this article, you’ll learn exactly why bulk label purchasing is essential for eCommerce success, how it supports business growth, and how to avoid common pitfalls when sourcing bulk labels.
Why Shipping Labels Matter in eCommerce
A shipping label is more than just a sticker — it connects your product to your customer. It contains:
- Recipient information
- Tracking barcode
- Carrier details (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.)
- Shipping method and routing codes
- Return information (in some cases)
If a label smears, peels, fades, or fails to scan, the shipment may be delayed or lost — leading to refunds, bad reviews, and extra customer support time.
That’s why choosing the right labels and maintaining label supply should be a priority for every online seller.
9 Reasons eCommerce Stores Should Buy Shipping Labels in Bulk
1. Dramatically Lower Cost Per Label
When purchased in small retail packs, thermal shipping labels often cost $8–$12 per roll. In bulk, those costs often drop to $2–$4 per roll — sometimes lower.
Bulk labels reduce the per-label cost by 50%–80%, depending on the supplier and quantity ordered.
Sample savings:
Monthly Labels Retail Cost Bulk Cost Annual Savings 1,000 labels ~$330 ~$100 ~$2,800+ 500 labels ~$165 ~$50 ~$1,300+ 200 labels ~$66 ~$20 ~$550+
Even small stores shipping just 200 orders per month save hundreds per year. Bulk labels protect your bottom line — especially during peak seasons like Q4.
2. Avoid Running Out of Supplies During Busy Times
Nothing disrupts fulfillment like running out of shipping labels mid-sale.
Peak periods like:
- Black Friday/Cyber Monday
- Back-to-school season
- Seasonal gift spikes (Mother’s Day, Christmas, etc.)
- Flash sales and influencer promotions
can drain supplies faster than expected. Bulk buying ensures:
- No emergency office store trips
- No rush shipping fees
- No order delays
- No fulfillment downtime
Fulfillment flows better when supplies are always ready.
3. Faster & More Efficient Fulfillment Workflow
Bulk shipping labels are usually packaged:
- In fan-fold stacks for continuous printing
- In high-capacity rolls
- With perforations for fast tearing
For busy eCommerce operations, these features save time and reduce interruptions.
Fulfillment pros know: every second counts. Bulk label supply keeps your team focused on packing — not scrambling for replacements.
4. Better Quality Control & Consistency
Bulk label suppliers — especially direct manufacturers — are designed to serve high-volume customers. That means:
- Stronger adhesive (no peeling during shipping)
- Better print coating for dark, crisp barcodes
- Fewer printer jams
- Industrial-grade durability
- More reliable carrier scanning
Cheap retail labels often curl, jam, or fade — slowing fulfillment and hurting delivery success rates.
5. Protect Against Supply Chain Disruptions
ECommerce sellers have learned that supply chain disruptions are real — and expensive. Even something as small as running out of thermal labels can cause shipping chaos.
Bulk buying ensures you’re protected from:
- Supplier stockouts
- Carrier shipping delays
- Seasonal supply shortages
- Price increases caused by demand spikes
Smart sellers prepare ahead, not react last-minute.
6. Reduce Operational Stress
Every smart operator builds systems to remove daily stress.
Bulk labels mean:
- No surprise empty rolls
- No daily supply decisions
- Less time re-ordering
- A clean, organized stockroom
This frees cognitive bandwidth to focus on sales, marketing, inventory, and customer service — not shipping supplies.
7. Support a Warehouse-Grade Fulfillment System
Even if you’re shipping from your bedroom or garage right now, thinking like a warehouse helps you grow faster.
Bulk label purchasing allows you to:
- Standardize shipping supplies
- Organize inventory better
- Print in high-volume batches
- Work efficiently as order numbers scale
It turns fulfillment into a repeatable, optimized process instead of a stop-and-start routine.
8. Better for Brands That Outsource or Multichannel Ship
If you ship from multiple platforms:
- Shopify
- Amazon FBM
- Etsy
- eBay
- Walmart Marketplace
- TikTok Shop
- ShipStation / Pirate Ship / Shippo
- 3PL partners
Bulk labels support consistent branding and operations across all channels. Some brands also print SKU labels, inventory tags, or return labels — and bulk ordering simplifies that process too.
9. Long-Term Scalability
Bulk purchasing fuels business growth because it:
- Lowers long-term cost per shipment
- Reduces interruptions
- Improves shipping reliability
- Supports high-volume processing
- Keeps your fulfillment predictable
If you have long-term brand goals, bulk systems will support them.
Signs Your eCommerce Business Is Ready for Bulk Labels
You should consider bulk buying if:
✅ You ship 50+ orders per month
✅ You refill labels more than once a month
✅ You’re preparing for seasonal sales
✅ You plan to scale your business
✅ You want lower operational costs
✅ You use a thermal shipping printer (Zebra, Rollo, Munbyn, Brother, etc.)
If your brand checks any of these boxes, bulk labels are the right move.
What Type of Bulk Shipping Labels Should You Buy?
The most common and reliable choice:
4″ x 6″ direct thermal shipping labels
Best features to look for:
- Permanent adhesive
- Smudge-resistant and fade-resistant print
- Compatible with major printers
- Available in fan-fold and rolls
- BPA-free option available
- Clean release for fast peeling
These work universally with USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon Logistics, and more.
⚠️ Avoid proprietary printers like Dymo 550/5XL — they force expensive chip-restricted retail labels.
How Many Bulk Labels Should You Order?
Use your shipping volume as a guide:
Monthly Shipments Recommended Bulk Order 0–100 5–10 rolls 100–500 10–25 rolls or 1–2 fan-fold cases 500–2,000 2–5 cases 2,000+ Pallet quantities / recurring wholesale supply
A good rule of thumb:
Order 1–3 months of label supply at a time.
FAQs About Buying Shipping Labels in Bulk
1. How much money can eCommerce stores save by buying labels in bulk?
Most stores save 50%–80% per roll. Over a year, even a small shop can save $300–$3,000+, depending on shipping volume.
2. Will bulk labels work with my thermal printer?
Most bulk direct thermal labels are compatible with:
- Zebra
- Rollo
- Munbyn
- Brother QL-1100/1110nwb
- UPS/FedEx Zebra printers
- TSC / Honeywell
Only avoid printers that require proprietary chipped labels, like Dymo 550/5XL.
3. Are bulk labels only for large companies?
No — even small online stores benefit. If you’re shipping 50+ orders per month, bulk labels lower your cost and improve shipping workflow.Taba Squishy
Final Thoughts
Buying shipping labels in bulk isn’t just a cost-saving trick — it’s a smart operational strategy. For eCommerce brands, the benefits are clear:
- Lower cost per label
- Faster fulfillment
- Better print consistency
- Fewer supply emergencies
- Ability to scale smoothly
Bulk labels help you ship smarter, faster, and more affordably — which means more money in your pocket and better service for your customers.
Upgrade Your Shipping Efficiency With Betckey Bulk Labels
If you’re ready to save money and streamline fulfillment, Betckey is your trusted bulk label partner.
With Betckey, you get:
✅ Factory-direct wholesale pricing
✅ Consistent, high-contrast print quality
✅ Strong permanent adhesive — no peeling in transit
✅ Fan-fold & roll options for every workflow
✅ Compatibility with Rollo, Zebra, Munbyn, Brother & more
✅ Fast U.S. delivery
✅ Custom label options available
Whether you’re shipping 50 orders a week or 5,000 orders a day, Betckey helps you scale confidently and affordably.
👉 Order Betckey bulk shipping labels today and maximize your eCommerce shipping efficiency!
