How to use plain labels

Overview

Plain labels in Starshipit offer an easy solution for handling orders that don't require a specific courier service or for users without a courier service account. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on setting up and using plain labels effectively for your shipping needs.

• Note: When scanning Australia Post prepaid satchels/labels, you need to use a barcode scanner which supports scanning 2D barcodes.

What are plain labels?

Plain labels, also known as blank shipping labels or blank address labels, are adhesive labels that come without any pre-printed content. Unlike labels that may have essential shipping information printed on them (typically supplied by a carrier), blank labels are completely empty, providing a blank canvas for you to add your own information.

Why use plain labels?

Orders printed with a plain label will be treated the same as your orders via integrated couriers in your account. Your eCommerce platform will be updated with the correct details, you can send email notifications and they will be included in your reports.

• Non-Integrated Couriers: For couriers that don't have an API integration available for Starshipit, such as Australia Post prepaid satchels, using plain labels is an easy solution. It allows you to create address labels for your satchels.
• Test Courier: Plain labels are an ideal choice when you want to test the functionality of Starshipit's shipping system without booking shipments with a live courier service.
• Non supported couriers: In situations where certain courier services are not natively integrated with Starshipit, plain labels offer a convenient workaround. This allows you to use Starshipit's platform while still accommodating shipments through various non-integrated couriers.
• Using your own drivers: If your business operates with in-house or dedicated delivery drivers, plain labels come in handy. You can generate shipping labels for orders fulfilled by your own drivers, facilitating efficient order tracking and delivery management.

Set up your plain label

Initial set up

1. Go to Settings > Couriers.
2. Click Add a new courier.
3. Under Other, select Plain Label. 
4. Select Enable a plain label.
5. Enter the name of your carrier.
6. Optional Additional Configuration:
   1. Enter a tracking URL: This URL is used as the tracking URL in the customer notifications
   2. Specify a custom message to write back when there's no tracking number: If no tracking number is entered when shipping the order, this value will be used
   3. Hide sender address
   4. Hide barcode
   5. Show receiver phone number: Only available on A4 and 100X150mm plain labels
   6. Display item SKUs on labels: Displays your item SKUs on labels
7. Select paper size. The most common is 100x150 which is the same size as courier company labels. 
8. Click Save.

Loading custom rates 

Custom rates allow you to set shipping rates for plain label couriers, ensuring the cheapest carrier is accurately determined. These rates are displayed in the user interface, used when calculating the cheapest carrier and stored for generating shipping price reports, specific to each courier.

You can define rates based on a combination of destination (Country Codes, State Codes, Post Codes) and weight conditions. Mandatory fields include Product Code and Product Name.

1. Go to Settings > Couriers.

2. Click on Plain Label.

3. Navigate to the Custom Rates tab.

4. Configure your table rate:

   • Enter the countries/states and postcodes to which you want this rate to apply.
   • In the shipping rates field, enter the rates in the following format: From Weight | Price.
   • For example, if you want all orders between 0-500 grams to cost $5, and orders from 500 grams to 1 kg to cost $7.5, you should configure it like this:
     0.5 | 5
     1 | 7.5

5. For more detailed instructions on configuring table rates, refer to our comprehensive guide.

6. Click Save 

Advanced configuration

• Use Reference field on label (as opposed to Order Number): Choose whether you'd like to have your order number or the reference number printed on the shipping label 
• Enable Postage Paid Stamp for Australia Post or Enable Postage Paid Priority Stamp for Australia Post: This will mean the Postage Paid or Postage Paid Priority imprint is automatically added to your plain labels.
• Authority To Leave: Allow your parcel to be left somewhere safe, without a signature. 
• Signature Required: A signature will be required upon delivery.  
• Generate Commercial invoice for international orders: Enable this to allow the automatic generation of a commercial invoice for your plain-label shipments that include all relevant customs information. To ensure automatic printing, please assign "Plain Label A4 Customs" to your desired printer. If you have multiple plain label couriers you will need to set up the label settings for each plain label courier. 

Processing your shipments with plain labels

Processing orders with plain labels in Starshipit is a straightforward process, similar to handling other shipments. Plain labels will appear as a carrier option on the order, allowing you to choose them when processing shipments.

1. Consider setting up a rule to automatically assign some orders to plain labels. 
   
2. You will see plain label as a courier option in line with your other integrated couriers
3. If you have tracking to associate with the order, open the order and either scan or manually enter the tracking number in the tracking number field 
4. When ready, print your labels.
5. The order will moved to printed automatically and your ecommerce store will be updated to say the order is fulfilled 

FAQ

How many plain-label couriers can I add to my account?

Starshipit allows 5 plain labels per account 

Can I send email/SMS notifications?

Yes, printed emails will be sent when using a plain-label courier. Please note: These are only available when you're on a paid plan. 

How many rates can I load per plain-label?

At this time we only allow loading one rate per plain label. 

Can I generate commercial invoices for my plain labels?

Yes! Enable this from the advanced settings section to ensure that commercial invoices are automatically generated when you print plain label shipments.