How to Print USPS Shipping Labels at Home
If you’re tired of waiting in line at the post office or paying for monthly shipping software, you’re not alone. The good news? You can print USPS shipping labels at home using a regular or thermal printer - no subscription required!
Whether you're shipping orders for your business or mailing a package to a friend, there are a few free tools that let you pay for postage, print your label, and drop it off (or schedule a pickup) without ever leaving your house.
Let’s walk through exactly how to do it… and what kind of printer works best.
3 Ways to Print USPS Shipping Labels at Home (Without a Subscription)
There are three legit, widely used options that let you print USPS labels from home without paying for a monthly service like Stamps.com or ShipStation. Each has its own pros and quirks, but all three let you print real USPS-approved shipping labels using your own printer.
1. USPS Click-N-Ship
Best for: Simple one-off shipments using Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express.
Steps:
Go to usps.com/ship
Create a free USPS account (if you don’t already have one)
Enter your package’s destination, size, and weight
Choose either Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express (those are the only options available here)
Pay for postage using a credit or debit card
Download and print your label
What to Know:
Click-N-Ship does not support First-Class or Ground Advantage, only Priority and Express options.
It generates an 8.5x11" PDF with the label in the top-left corner (you can tape it to your box or trim it to fit).
If you’re using a 4x6 thermal label printer, you’ll need to crop or convert the label to fit that size, or use software like Adobe Reader to scale it.
Tip: You can also schedule a free USPS pickup right from the website. They’ll grab your labeled box during their regular mail route.
2. PayPal Ship Now
Best for: Accessing all USPS services (First-Class, Ground Advantage, Priority, etc.) without a subscription.
Steps:
Go to paypal.com/shipnow and log into your PayPal account
Click “Create Shipment”
Enter the recipient's name, address, and package details
Choose your shipping method: all USPS options are available here, including Ground Advantage and First-Class
Pay for postage directly through PayPal
Download and print your shipping label
What to Know:
You don’t need to have sold anything on PayPal, this tool works even if you’re just mailing a gift or a return.
Labels are automatically formatted for 4x6 size, which works great with thermal printers (no resizing needed).
You can use PayPal Ship Now as often as you want. There’s no fee, no monthly plan, and no minimums.
Tip: Want to send a prepaid return label to someone else? You can do it through this tool by using their address as the “from” address and sending them the label PDF.
3. Pirate Ship
Best for: Small business owners, frequent shippers, or anyone who wants access to discounted USPS rates without paying a subscription fee.
Steps:
Go to pirateship.com and sign up for a free account
Once logged in, click “Create a Shipment”
Enter your recipient’s address and package info
Select your USPS shipping method (all services available, including international)
Pirate Ship compares rates and gives you access to Commercial pricing discounts
Pay for postage and download your label as a ready-to-print 4x6 PDF
What to Know:
Pirate Ship is 100% free - there are no setup costs or monthly fees.
It's especially useful for ecommerce sellers or people who ship multiple packages a week.
You can connect Pirate Ship to your Shopify, eBay, or Etsy account to import orders automatically.
Labels are made for thermal printers, but you can print to any regular printer as well.
Tip: Use Pirate Ship to batch-print labels if you’re shipping multiple orders. It saves time and gives you access to the same USPS rates big businesses get.
What Printer Should You Use?
While you can print shipping labels on a regular inkjet or laser printer and tape them onto your boxes, a thermal printer is faster, cleaner, and more professional, especially if you’re shipping more than a couple of packages a week.
Here are two reliable, affordable thermal printers we recommend for USPS shipping labels:
Zebra ZD421
Compact, high-speed, and built to last
Prints standard 4x6 USPS labels with no ink or toner needed
Works with USPS.com (with some formatting), PayPal Ship Now, and Pirate Ship
USB and Wi-Fi connectivity available
Ideal for small businesses or serious shippers who want to upgrade from desktop printers
TSC DA210
Affordable, reliable, and beginner-friendly
Perfect for home offices and Etsy/Amazon sellers
Prints crisp 4x6 shipping labels with zero ink
Compatible with all USPS label platforms mentioned above
Great option for those switching from Rollo or Dymo
Have questions about printing USPS Shipping Labels? We’re here to help.
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