E-commerce is an industry born out of our desire for the best price and fast product delivery.

Sellers in online stores such as Ebay, Amazon and Etsy have been active for over a decade to provide the myriad of options for buyers but poor-quality labels are still common and can have significant impacts on ongoing profitability and customer service.

So, what’s the link between a great labelling processes and e-commerce success, and how can you tick all the right boxes?

How to refine your labelling process

Just like any aspect of a business, you want to have your labelling process down to a T so that you invest minimum time and see maximum results.

  1. Avoid wastage

Wasted labels and paper are more than a nuisance for businesses that rely on e-commerce; they’re actively reducing your profit margins. If your printer is firing out misprints galore, this is a red flag that your operation isn’t as smooth as it could be.

Worse still, if you don’t catch these misprinted labels before they go out for delivery, there’s a good chance your customers will experience delays in receiving their goods or might not receive them at all. Invest in a machine that produces higher quality labels, so that yours are always properly centred, sufficiently adhesive and feature clean text with no streaking.

  1. Ensure compatibility with delivery companies

The most professional looking labels on the planet are no good if they’re not compatible with the demands of delivery organisations such as Australia Post or Parcel Post.

  1. Look for a speedy setup

If you’re upgrading the printer you use for your labels, a slow setup can mean a bottleneck in orders and slow delivery to customers. Read consumer reviews – these will often highlight setup issues, or recommend products that were quick and easy to get up and running (not to mention the speed of the printer itself!).

  1. Seek out portability

Large industrial label printers may be the norm in huge warehouses, but they’re often not the best option for online sellers. Having portable label printers can help with on-the-go printing and will save you space.

How to create the perfect label

Improving the labels themselves – this may seem so easy you can ignore it, however failing this last little step can make all the difference…

  • Print your labels: First time e-commerce sellers may feel they have adequate time to quickly handwrite their labels – but beware… this will quickly become very time consuming which will limit the speed of your production line. It’s not always 100% legible and is prone to smudging in transit. Do yourself a favour and invest in a high-quality label printer early on – it’s fast, efficient and accurate
  • Invest in quality: Labels need to be clearly laid out, very adhesive and most importantly fully legible. High quality labels ensure all these factors and are much less likely to break off, tear or smudge in transit
  • Ensure correct sizing:Some printers can automatically detect the size of the label tape you’re using, adjusting the onscreen template accordingly so you can check that everything is as it should be.

Easy labelling mistakes to avoid

  1. Sticking your labels over corners or seams: Your package will be scanned at every checkpoint along its journey. Barcodes that aren’t easily scannable are only going to slow things down or make delivery impossible altogether. Ensure that your label is on a level, flat section of packaging without any structural interruptions
  2. Consider your paper choices: Printing your shipping labels onto standard paper may seem like a cheap and easy option, but it creates a less-than-professional look. This can make your customers reconsider the quality and legitimacy of your business
  3. Avoid removable labels: Easily removable labels may be a blessing once the customer is in possession of their product, but in transit they can be a nightmare. Don’t risk having your labels lost
  4. Reusing old boxes: Even for the most green minded among us, reusing old tatty cardboard boxes is a no no. Not only do they look unprofessional, they can also break in transit, and the presence of old labels can be confusing for carriers. New boxes are a must – but try and find a producer who manufactures from recycled materials to minimise your carbon footprint

Label printing made easy

Label printing needn’t be a hassle. With Brother’s agile labelling systems it is simple to both keep track of your inventory and get accurate delivery.

Improve your labelling process today with Brother.