Before you start printing shipping labels, we recommend printing a sample. This will help confirm your printer settings are correct and your labels are loaded properly. Printing a sample is a good way to ensure you don't misprint your labels and require reprinting.
Sample prints are free, and you can print as many as you need.
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Google Chrome browser or other supported browser. Does not apply to Stamps.com PC software.
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A standard printer or thermal label printer properly configured to print labels and connected to your workstation (either via USB or wireless network)
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A blank plain sheet or blank labels (sheet or roll) to use for your sample.
To print your sample, you'll first need to ensure your printer is configured correctly. The most important setting is for paper size, which will differ depending on what type of printer you are using (standard or thermal label).
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Standard printers (inkjet or laser): The most common option will be 8.5" x 11" (also called Letter size). This is typically the default paper size setting for standard printers and is a common size for label sheets, so you may not need to make any adjustments.
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Thermal label printer: The most common option will be 4 x 6 in, but several other options are available. Additionally, you will most likely need to install a driver specific to your label printer for the correct paper size to appear during your configuration or print process. See our help articles for common label printers if you need help with your setup.
With standard printers, you can print your test label on plain paper (recommended so you don't waste any label sheets). However, with thermal label printers, you must print your sample on the label from the roll.
When printing a test on plain paper, how you load the paper into the printer won't make a difference. When printing on label sheets, however, you must also ensure the sheet is loaded so printing occurs on the correct side of the sheet. Most modern printers include an icon in the tray area of your printer to indicate whether the paper should be loaded face up or face down.
Once your sheets or rolls are loaded and your printer preferences configured, you're ready to print your sample.
To print your sample label:
Online
You can print a sample label from either the MAIL or ORDERS tab. This example uses the MAIL tab, but the process is the same in ORDERS.
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Go to the MAIL or ORDERS tab.
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Select your shipping label type and size from the Print On drop-down menu.
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For printing on plain paper, choose Shipping Label - 8 1/2" x 11" Paper
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For printing on label sheets, select the Shipping Label option with the matching size of the label included on the sheet.
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For printing on label rolls from a thermal printer, choose the Roll option with the label size that matches the size of labels on your roll.
The label preview will appear to the right so you can confirm what you are about to print.
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Set the Ship From, Ship To, and Weight fields.
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Ship To can be any address you like since this is a sample (please note if you choose an international address, you may need to enter customs details before you can print your sample).
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Weight can be any number greater than 0.
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Choose USPS as the carrier and select a USPS service from the Service drop-down menu.
Other carriers do not currently allow printing sample labels.
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Click Print Sample when you are ready.
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If you are printing through your browser, select your printer and set your paper size in the browser print dialog. Then click Print to finish.
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If you are printing through Stamps.com Connect, make sure the correct printer and tray (if applicable) are selected in the Print dialog. Then click Print to finish.
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PC Software
You can print a sample label from either the Packages or Orders sections. This example uses Packages, but the process is the same in Orders.
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Go to Packages or Orders.
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Enter the delivery address, either manually or select from your Contacts list.
Delivery address can be any address you like since this is a sample.
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Enter a weight greater than 0.
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Choose USPS as the carrier and select a USPS service from the Service drop-down menu.
Other carriers do not currently allow printing sample labels.
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Select your shipping label type and size from the Printing On drop-down menu.
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For printing on plain paper, choose a Plain Paper option that will fit your paper size (Letter, Legal, etc)
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For printing on label sheets, select the Label Sheet option with the matching size of the label included on the sheet.
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For printing on label rolls from a thermal printer, choose the Roll option with the label size that matches the size of labels on your roll.
The label preview will appear so you can confirm what you are about to print.
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Click Print Sample when you are ready.
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Select your printer and paper feed from the Print Sample pop-up and click Print.
If your sheet prints as expected, you are ready to print the real thing! If the print was unsuccessful, review your settings and page orientation and try again.