Should You Buy a Shipping Label Printer? Here’s What Reddit Sellers Think

Label printers like these are designed to produce standard courier labels without the need for ink or toner

You’re printing labels again. Paper jams, scissors, and tape. The label's crooked, the parcel’s late. Sound familiar?

At a certain point, growing sellers hit the same wall — and ask the same question:

“Is it finally time to get a proper shipping label printer?”

We trawled through a top-ranked Reddit thread from r/Bricklink, plus e-commerce forums, and pulled together everything real sellers are saying in 2025.

Why Everyone’s Talking About Label Printers

Once you’re sending more than a couple of parcels per week, the usual A4-print-and-stick routine starts to feel like a bad joke. That’s when most people make the switch.

Here’s why:

• Thermal label printers use no ink and no toner

• They print 4x6-inch courier labels — no trimming, no taping

• They work with all major carriers: Royal Mail, UPS, DHL, Evri, etc.

• You can print dozens of labels in one go — no fiddling

“I ship 10–15 Bricklink orders a week. Getting a thermal printer literally changed my evenings.”

— r/Bricklink user

Pros and Cons at a Glance

👍 Great For	👎 Not Ideal If…
Etsy, eBay, Bricklink, Shopify sellers	You only ship once or twice a month
Avoiding ink and toner costs	You prefer handwritten or custom labelling
Speeding up dispatch	You print labels at courier drop-offs
Neater, more professional appearance	You hate tech setups or new gadgets

Many sellers say switching from handwritten or A4 labels to thermal printing improves customer perception

Reddit-Sourced Wisdom: What Sellers Say

From r/Bricklink’s popular thread on label printers:

• “I use generic labels — don’t get trapped into buying brand-name rolls.”

• “Dymo works fine… if you’re on Windows. Mac users beware.”

• “Brother QL-1100 has a cutter — huge time saver if you’re printing batches.”

Top Thermal Shipping Label Printers for 2025

Printer	Works With	Why Sellers Like It
Zebra ZD220 / GK420d	UPS, DHL, Etsy, Shopify	Commercial-grade. “Tank-like” durability.
Rollo X1040	All couriers, Mac/PC	No frills. Plug in, print, done.
Brother QL-1100	Amazon, eBay, Click & Drop	Has auto-cutter. Easy for UK sellers.
Dymo 4XL	Royal Mail, Etsy, UPS	Mixed reviews. Needs careful setup.

“The Zebra I got off eBay? Built like a warehouse printer. Never going back.”

— r/Bricklink seller

When a Shipping Label Printer Isn’t Worth It

Not everyone needs one.

If any of these apply, you’re probably safe sticking to A4 + tape (for now):

• You ship fewer than 5 parcels per month

• You print at courier depots or drop-off points

You only sell occasionally, not as a side business.

Printed labels are preferred by couriers for their clarity and scanning accuracy, especially during peak seasons

Will It Work with World Options?

Yes. World Options supports label-compatible shipping with most major carriers.

You can:

• Generate PDF or ZPL shipping labels

• Use your printer with UPS, DHL, FedEx, Parcelforce, and more

• Get help setting up compatible label formats

• Sync your orders via Shopify, WooCommerce, or custom platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

*Click questions to read answers

Question	Answer
Do I need special software?	No. Most thermal printers work with basic drivers. You can use your web browser, shipping portal, or software like ShipStation, Click & Drop, or World Options Pro Tools.
Do they support Royal Mail?	Yes. Just use Click & Drop or an integration that outputs 6x4-inch labels. Avoid printers that require proprietary label formats.
Can I use them for returns?	Definitely. You can print return labels the same way — just make sure the size fits your printer.