Only purchase postage labels for orders you’re ready to dispatch. Buyers get a dispatch notification on the label’s Dispatch Date.
You can download a label as often as necessary until its Dispatch Date arrives. If you need to download the label after the Dispatch Date, request a refund and purchase a new label.
How to download a postage label
To download a postage label:
- Sign in to Etsy.com.
- Choose Shop Manager.
- Choose Orders & Delivery.
- Select the order for the postage label you want to reprint.
- Choose Download Postage Label.
How to print a postage label
After you download your postage label(s), you need to print them.
To print your postage label(s):
- Open the downloaded PDFs.
- Select to Print the PDF. This is usually in the File dropdown.
- Select the paper size you want to use. If you’re printing on label paper, be sure to select “4 in. x 6 in.” as the paper size in your printer settings.
- Check the preview to be sure that the label is formatted correctly. If the label print is distorted, package scanners may not be able to read your label, which may delay your package's delivery.
- Choose Print.
Labels must be printed on 8.5" x 11" white paper or self-adhesive label sheets using a high-quality inkjet or laser printer. When using an inkjet printer, 600 dots-per-inch (DPI) is recommended.
Low-quality printers may result in your label being rejected by the carrier.
How to print postage labels with a 4 x 6 label printer
Only USPS postage labels can be formatted for 4 x 6 label printers.
We officially support the DYMO LabelWriter 4XL and Zebra GC 420d label printers. However, some members have successfully used other 4 x 6 inch label printers.
To format your postage labels for the DYMO LabelWriter 4XL or Zebra GC 420d label printer:
- Sign in to Etsy.com.
- Select Shop Manager.
- Choose Settings.
- Choose Delivery settings.
- Select Postage Label Options.
- Under Downloading labels select Label printers.
How to attach a postage label
After you print your postage label(s), you need to attach it to your package.
To attach a paper postage label to your package, securely attach the label to the top of the package using clear packaging tape. Make sure you don’t block or obscure the label barcode. Labels should be completely visible and can’t be altered or modified in any way.
Certain international postage labels will be made up of multiple pages. The multi-page form must be attached using an official USPS envelope 2976-E.
To attach a sticker postage label to your package, peel the paper backing off the adhesive backing on the pages and attach them by placing the adhesive backing to the package.
What if I need to make changes to a label I purchased?
To reprint a label that needs to be changed or updated:
- Cancel the incorrect label by requesting a refund.
- After you submit your refund request, choose Print New Postage Label.
- Enter the updated label specifications and purchase a new label.
- Select Confirm and Buy. You can send a new dispatch notification to your buyer with an updated message and tracking number.
If you have set a Dispatch Date for a day in the future, the dispatch notification will be sent on that date.
What if my label doesn’t print correctly?
Make sure you have an updated PDF reader
Because PDFs usually require third-party software, make sure that you have a PDF reader installed and that it is up to date. There are some PDF readers that can be downloaded for free, like Adobe Reader. If you’re using a Mac, you can open PDFs with the Preview application.
Note: If using Adobe, please be sure that you are running the most up-to-date version of both your browser and Adobe Reader.
Check your Browser Extensions/Add-ons or Settings
Some browser add-ons may cause the PDF to not load or appear corrupted. Check to make sure add-ons like Ad Block are up to date and performing properly.
You may also try temporarily disabling any add-ons to see if this corrects the issue. For instructions, please see the support page for your browser:
Try downloading the label again
Some PDF reader software may interfere with your browser’s normal behavior. If this is the case, try downloading the postage label to your computer by right clicking the Download Postage Label button and selecting Save Target As or Save Link As.
Once it's downloaded to your computer, open the document in your PDF reader of choice.
Try a different browser
Some browsers can open PDFs inline using their own software (such as Google Chrome). If you’re having trouble opening a PDF in your browser, try a different browser and see if you have any success.
Make sure that you're using the most up-to-date version of your browser.
Learn more about buying the right postage for your orders.