Best Places to Buy Wholesale Shipping Labels for Small Businesses

Businesses

Businesses

Shipping labels may seem like a small detail in your business operations, but for eCommerce sellers, subscription box businesses, Etsy shops, warehouse operations, and growing DTC brands, they’re a daily necessity. If you ship orders regularly — whether it’s 20 a week or 2,000 — the cost of labels adds up quickly.

That’s why many successful sellers turn to wholesale shipping labels. Bulk purchasing reduces costs, ensures consistent supply, and helps streamline fulfillment workflows. But with so many options available, it’s important to know:

Where are the best places to buy wholesale shipping labels for small businesses?

In this guide, we’ll cover trusted wholesale label sources, how to choose the right provider, mistakes to avoid, and tips to get the best value.

Why Buy Shipping Labels Wholesale?

Before diving into suppliers, let’s understand why buying labels wholesale makes sense for small business owners.

Save Money

Wholesale pricing significantly lowers cost per roll and cost per label. Retail packs are convenient — but expensive. Wholesale suppliers offer:

  • Volume discounts
  • Direct-from-factory pricing
  • Lower per-unit cost

Even businesses shipping 50–200 packages a month can save hundreds per year by buying in bulk.

Never Run Out During Busy Periods

Running out of labels mid-sale or during peak season can cause shipping delays and customer frustration. Wholesale orders help maintain a consistent inventory.

Better Quality & Printer Compatibility

Warehouse-grade wholesale labels often have:

  • Stronger adhesive
  • Smudge-proof thermal coating
  • Higher-quality paper
  • Better feed consistency in printers

This reduces printer jams and failed scans.

Supports Long-Term Growth

Buying wholesale prepares your business for scaling. The more efficiently you ship now, the faster you can grow later.

Best Places to Buy Wholesale Shipping Labels for Small Businesses

Here are the most reliable sources to buy quality shipping labels at wholesale pricing.

1. Direct Label Manufacturers (Best for Quality + Cost)

Buying straight from a manufacturer is often the most cost-effective and dependable option. These suppliers specialize in direct thermal labels and offer:

  • Factory-direct pricing
  • Bulk discounts
  • High-grade materials
  • Strong adhesives suitable for shipping
  • Custom labeling options
  • Reliable quality consistency

Direct-from-factory purchases eliminate middlemen, ensuring better pricing and faster supply replenishment.

Best for:
Serious eCommerce sellers, fulfillment centers, and businesses printing shipping labels daily.

Betckey is one of the leading direct manufacturers trusted by thousands of small businesses — more details at the end.

2. Wholesale Packaging Supply Distributors

Packaging supply companies sell labels alongside shipping boxes, mailers, tape, tissue paper, and packaging materials. These distributors typically offer:

  • Multi-product bundling options
  • Bulk quantity pricing
  • Fast delivery

However, pricing may be slightly higher than direct-from-manufacturer suppliers.

Best for:
Businesses that prefer one vendor for all shipping supplies.

3. Online Business Supply Marketplaces

Platforms like Amazon Business, Uline, Staples, and Office Depot offer wholesale label packs and fast shipping options.

Pros:

  • Immediate availability
  • Trusted brands
  • Easy ordering and returns

Cons:

  • Retail markup still applies
  • Not always the best value for long-term volume

Best for:
Small business owners who need urgent restock or prefer big-box suppliers.

4. Global B2B Marketplaces (Alibaba, Global Sources)

Overseas manufacturing platforms offer very low pricing for high volumes. Businesses can directly source labels from Asian factories.

Pros:

  • Lowest unit pricing when ordering pallet quantities
  • Private label & custom branding options

Cons:

  • Shipping delays
  • Minimum order quantity (MOQ) required
  • Risk of quality inconsistency
  • Import duties & freight costs

Best for:
Large-volume operations and private-label sellers with international sourcing experience.

5. Local Print Supply & Industrial Vendors

Some local printing supply stores and industrial distributors carry thermal labels in bulk.

Pros:

  • Local pick-up possible
  • Business account perks
  • Good for emergency supply

Cons:

  • Higher prices than factory suppliers
  • Limited selection

Best for:
Backup sourcing and urgent needs.

What to Look for When Buying Wholesale Shipping Labels

Choosing the right supplier is about more than price. Consider the following:

Label Material Quality

Look for:

  • Premium direct thermal paper
  • Dark, crisp print quality
  • Fade-resistant coating
  • Durable, tear-resistant construction

Adhesive Strength

Shipping labels must survive:

  • Conveyor belts
  • Weather exposure
  • Transportation vibration
  • Warehouse handling

Choose strong permanent adhesive guaranteed to stick to cardboard, poly mailers, and bubble mailers.

Printer Compatibility

Make sure labels work with major thermal printers:

  • Rollo
  • Zebra
  • Munbyn
  • Brother QL series
  • TSC & Honeywell
  • UPS/FedEx provided thermal printers

Avoid proprietary printers like Dymo 550/5XL that require chipped labels — this increases long-term costs.

Roll vs Fan-Fold Options

For wholesale buying, you may choose:

Format Best For Roll labels Desktop setups, occasional shipping Fan-fold labels High volume warehouses, batch printing

Most small business sellers benefit from fan-fold 4×6 direct thermal labels due to cost savings and efficiency.

Bulk Ordering Efficiency

Volume pricing matters. Look for options like:

  • Tiered pricing (10, 50, 100+ rolls)
  • Case and pallet options
  • Subscription restock discounts

Customer Support & Reliability

A good supplier provides:

  • Printer support compatibility guidance
  • Fast shipping
  • Quick replacement for defects
  • Expertise in eCommerce shipping

Common Mistakes When Buying Wholesale Labels

Avoid these pitfalls:

Choosing the cheapest option without quality testing
Not checking printer compatibility
Buying proprietary printer systems
Ignoring adhesive type
Forgetting to test samples before bulk order

A poor-quality label can cost far more in returns, scanning issues, and labor delays.

Tips to Get the Best Value from Wholesale Label Purchases

✅ Order 2–3 months of supply at a time
✅ Ask for sample rolls before committing
✅ Track your average monthly usage
✅ Store labels in a cool, dry place
✅ Standardize your label size (4×6 is universal)
✅ Work with a supplier that specializes in thermal labels

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many labels should a small business buy at once?

Most small businesses benefit from buying:

  • 10–50 rolls of 4×6 labels at a time
  • Or 2–3 months of supply, depending on order volume

Start with your monthly average and scale up.

2. Are wholesale thermal labels better quality than retail labels?

In most cases, yes. Wholesale suppliers, especially manufacturers, produce labels built for professional, high-volume shipping — meaning:

  • Stronger adhesive
  • Better print clarity
  • Durable thermal coating

3. Can small businesses benefit from buying wholesale labels?

Absolutely. Even sellers shipping 100 orders per month save money and avoid running out of labels by purchasing wholesale. Bulk pricing maximizes profitability and efficiency.Taba Squishy

Final Thoughts

Finding the best place to buy wholesale shipping labels can transform your shipping workflow, lower your operating costs, and prepare your business for long-term growth.

The best choice for most small businesses? A trusted direct manufacturer offering quality, consistency, and cost-efficiency.

Whether you’re selling handmade products, running a Shopify store, fulfilling Amazon orders, or managing warehouse shipping, wholesale labels are the smart investment.

Save More & Ship Smarter — Choose Betckey Wholesale Labels

When it comes to quality, value, and reliability, Betckey is a top choice for small businesses.

With Betckey, you get:

✅ Factory-direct wholesale pricing
✅ Strong adhesive & crisp print quality
✅ Universal 4×6 thermal labels — USPS, UPS, FedEx ready
✅ Roll & fan-fold options
✅ Compatible with Zebra, Rollo, Munbyn, Brother & more
✅ Fast U.S. shipping & excellent support

Whether you’re shipping 50 packages a month or 5,000, Betckey helps your business save money, ship faster, and scale confidently.

Order wholesale shipping labels from Betckey today and supercharge your fulfillment efficiency.