How to use plain labels

Table of Contents

• What are plain labels?
• Why use plain labels?
• Set up your plain label
• Loading custom rates
• Advanced configuration
• Processing your shipments with plain labels
• FAQs

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.

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 filled by your own drivers, facilitating efficient order tracking and delivery management.

Envelope service

For envelope services (i.e. AusPost mail) where a branded label is not necessary, you can save time by printing a plain label to stick on the envelope instead of handwriting it.

Pick up in store

You can pack the order and stick this label on the front so it’s clear to your team who the order belongs to for when they come and pick it up.

Store transfers

You can offer additional information and context about the order being sent to the receiving store, allowing them to better prepare for its arrival and ensure a smooth transfer process.

Set up your plain label

Initial set up

1. In Starshipit, navigate 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.

Customise the plain label template

Starshipit automatically generates a shipping label for your order, incorporating both the order information and your predefined settings. However, if you prefer a personalized touch, our flexible template editor allows you to create your own label design.

1. In Starshipit, navigate to Settings > Couriers > Plain Label > Label Template.
2. Select Customise your own,
3. From here, you can either use the template editor for modifications. Alternatively, export the template to edit in Microsoft Excel.
4. When you have completed your edits, click the save template button.

Changing the logo

1. Upload your logo and click Save logo.
2. In the editor, use the [Logo] variable to add the logo to your template.
3. Once you have completed your changes, click Save template.
   

Changing the font size/colour/type

• Highlight the text and variables you wish to modify in the template.
• Use the toolbar options to adjust the font size, colour, and type. Tailor these elements to enhance readability and efficiency in your packing process.

Including/Excluding information

• The right-hand side panel displays various variables for inclusion in your template. These variables auto-populate with the corresponding data upon label generation. Add them wherever required to the template
• Remove any unwanted data by simply deleting it from the template.
• The data included does not need to be a variable. Include any custom text on the label by typing directly into the template.

Rearrange

Feel free to reposition or update any component of the template, similar to standard template editing tools. 

All variables:

• ProductName: The name you have defined for the carrier
• SenderAddress
• DestinationAddress
• CurrentDate
• OrderNumber
• XofY: This will display package 1 of 1 
• Reference Number
• Weight: Total weight of the package
• SKUs: A list of the SKUs on the shipment 
• Delivery Instructions
• ShippingMethod
• ShippingDescription
• PackageDimensions
• PrintedDate
• ItemDescription
• CompanyName
• PackageDimensions: i.e 10x10x10
• PackageName
• [Barcode]: a barcode representation of the order number

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 the Reference field on the 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/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.

FAQs