Handwritten shipping labels are a great way to personalise your customer’s shipping boxes. This is especially important for those small businesses that want to leave a personalised touch when shipping their products. However, before you handwrite your own shipping label, you should know when you can do it, and when it is advisable to avoid it.
Can you attach handwritten shipping labels to every box?
You would be happy to hear that you can handwrite your shipping label. Many small-owned businesses, especially those that sell handcrafted products, want to personalise their orders further and attach handwritten postage labels. Some add cute stickers or company logos, whilst others like to write the recipient’s address in nice calligraphy letters. Now, the only thing left to do is get creative and personalise the shipping box for your customer.
Keep in mind that you need to differentiate when you are shipping with courier companies and when you are handing your package to the post office! Read the following paragraph to find out what we are talking about.
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Handwritten shipping labels – Postal vs courier services
It may seem unusual that there is a difference between the postal and courier services when it comes to handwriting the shipping labels on the box, but there is one big reason for it – the barcode. Let’s check it out in more detail.
Handwritten postage labels
When sending your packages with the Post office to another destination, you can handwrite your postage label. Depending on the size of the box you are sending, when you go to the post office, the employee responsible for accepting the package will attach the required barcodes directly to the parcel after they weigh it.
To summarise, the responsible person at the Post office will accept the package and attach any required labels. So, your handwritten postage label will stay intact.
Tip: Sometimes, there are bad weather conditions, and your parcel in transit may get in contact with rain or other unpredictable situations. To secure it from humidity and water, you may want to add transparent adhesive tape over the handwritten postage label.
Handwritten shipping labels with courier companies
Some courier companies will offer you a blank space to handwrite your own shipping label on an already printed paper that contains the barcode that needs to be scanned.
However, if the courier does not offer these blank shipping labels, you should always handwrite your shipping label, for example, on one of the sides of the package. The reason is that the courier driver will attach a new shipping label with a barcode that needs to be scanned. Therefore, in this case, the handwritten shipping label will only serve as a “décor” on your box.
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Can I handwrite my shipping label for envelopes?
Yes, you usually write the recipient’s addresses directly on the envelope you send if you use postal services. When you post the envelope, the people working there will attach the required labels.
If you are using courier services, the driver will typically bring the shipping label or ask you to print it yourself at home in advance.
I do not have a printer to print my label!
You may be tempted to handwrite your own shipping label if you do not have a printer at home. But you should remember that courier companies require the barcode to scan and locate the packages so the courier driver may refuse to collect your parcel if you fail to print your label.
However, we have the right solution if you do not have a printer at home! Most courier companies in our network will bring and attach the shipping label upon collection. What a relief, right? Now, you can get creative, put your handwritten shipping label on the side of the box, and leave the largest flat surface blank for the driver to attach the label.
Can I write the address instead of using a shipping label?
You should not leave your shipment with just a handwritten shipping label, but you should additionally add the courier label. Whenever you are using courier services, you must attach the label that the courier company requested as they contain all details that will ensure your package arrives safely at the destination.
On the other hand, when using postal services, different rules will apply and the post office clerk will inform you if anything additional is required, besides the information you have already written.
Where can I attach the handwritten shipping label?
As mentioned earlier, it really depends if you are shipping through courier or postal services. If you want to know how to write the recipient’s address, we invite you to follow the button below.