A package with an incomplete or hard-to-read shipping label doesn't just risk getting lost — it can sit in a sorting facility for days while someone tries to figure out where it's actually going. A little care at the label stage saves that entire headache.
The non-negotiables
Full recipient name, complete address including postal/zip code, and a return address in case delivery fails. Skipping the return address is a surprisingly common mistake that turns an undeliverable package into a permanent loss rather than a returned one.
Make the address the biggest thing on the label
Everything else — your logo, "handle with care," order number — is secondary. Sorting staff and drivers need to find the address at a glance, not hunt for it among decorative branding.
If there's a tracking barcode, give it space
Courier-issued tracking barcodes need their own clear zone, away from other text or graphics — cramming a custom design too close to a courier barcode can interfere with warehouse scanners.
Weatherproofing matters more than people expect
Packages travel through rain, humidity, and rough handling. A label printed on standard paper without any lamination or weatherproof coating can smudge or tear before it even reaches a sorting facility — worth the extra cost for anything shipping any real distance.
Keep a consistent look if you ship often
If shipping is a regular part of your business, a consistent label design (not just content, but layout) speeds up how quickly you and your team can spot-check a label is complete before it goes out the door.