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How to make a shipping and address label

A 4" × 6" shipping label: the address block a driver can read at arm's length, a small return address, and a barcode of the order number.

4" × 6" roll 7 steps about 12 minutes

Steps

  1. Start a 4" × 6" label

    New label → Roll / thermal → 4x6. It is the standard roll size and what most thermal printers are loaded with.

  2. Put a small "SHIP TO:" above the address

    Add a text item at about 12 pt, bold, near the top left. That is a label, not information, so it stays small.

  3. Add the address much bigger

    Add a text item under it at around 19 pt with the three address lines. Turn Wrap long lines on so a long street name runs onto the next line instead of shrinking away.

  4. Put your own address small in a corner

    A two-line return address at 8 pt in the top right is enough. It only has to be readable if something comes back.

  5. Add the order barcode at the bottom

    Add a barcode, Code 128, with the order number in Value. Stretch it wide, keep the value printed underneath, and leave clear space either side.

  6. Keep everything off the edges

    A roll printer drifts a little from label to label, so anything sitting on the edge gets clipped on some of them. Keep it all a couple of millimetres in.

  7. Check it at real size, then save

    Press Real size to confirm the address is genuinely readable, then Save. From then on it is two clicks: open, change the address, print.

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