How to Choose the Right Shipping Labels for Your Ecommerce Business in India

Choosing the right shipping labels for ecommerce is one of the most overlooked decisions in daily order fulfillment. Every package that leaves your warehouse depends on that one sticker — it tells your courier where to go, gives the delivery agent a scannable tracking code, and acts as the paper trail if anything goes wrong in transit.

Yet most ecommerce sellers in India treat labels as an afterthought. They'll spend time comparing courier rates or designing packaging, and then stick a hand-printed label on top. That's a mistake that costs real money — in failed scans, returned shipments, and customer complaints.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know to choose the right shipping label for your business: what the two types are, how to tell them apart, which one suits your setup, and what to look for when buying in bulk.

Why Your Shipping Label Is More Important Than You Think

Your shipping label isn't just a sticker. It's the primary communication tool between your warehouse, the courier's sorting facility, and the last-mile delivery agent.

A label that smudges, peels, or fades mid-transit means:

• The courier scanner can't read the AWB barcode — the package gets held at the hub

• The delivery agent can't read the address — attempted delivery fails

• You don't find out until the customer calls, by which point the package may have already been returned to origin

  India's ecommerce logistics sector is growing fast, and courier networks handle millions of packages daily. In that kind of volume, unreadable labels don't get manually sorted — they get stacked aside and processed later, or sent back. Getting your label right the first time keeps your shipments moving and your customers happy.

The Two Types of Shipping Labels Used in Ecommerce

There are exactly two types of shipping labels used for ecommerce in India: Direct Thermal Labels and Chromo Labels. Understanding the difference between them is the single most important thing you need to know before buying.

1.  Direct Thermal Labels

Direct Thermal labels are the most widely used shipping labels in Indian ecommerce today. These are the standard labels you'll find at every fulfillment center running a thermal label printer.

How they work:  Direct Thermal labels are made from a heat-sensitive coated paper. When you print on them, the thermal printer's heated printhead activates a chemical reaction in the coating, turning specific areas dark to form text and barcodes — no ink, no ribbon, no toner required.

Key characteristics:

• Print without ink or ribbon — the only consumable is the label roll itself

• Print fast, making them ideal for high-volume dispatch operations

• Compatible with direct thermal printers (TSC, Zebra, Xprinter, Godex, etc.)

• Black-on-white print only

• Sensitive to prolonged heat and direct sunlight — the label can gradually darken over

  time

• Not ideal for long storage before shipping; best used within a few months of printing

Common sizes:  4×6 inch (100×150mm) is the most widely used size for shipping labels in India, compatible with most courier formats from Delhivery, Shiprocket, DTDC, and others.

Best for:  D2C sellers, marketplace sellers (Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho), and any business dispatching more than 20–30 orders per day with a dedicated thermal printer.

Quick tip: Not sure if a label is Direct Thermal? Scratch the surface firmly with your fingernail. If a dark streak appears, it's a direct thermal label.

Browse Direct Thermal Shipping Labels: ongomart.com/shipping-labels

2.  Chromo Labels

Chromo labels are made from chromo paper — a coated, slightly glossy paper with a smooth surface and strong adhesive backing. Unlike Direct Thermal labels, chromo paper is not heat-sensitive, meaning you need either a thermal transfer printer (with a ribbon), or a laser/inkjet printer to print on them.

How they work:  The smooth, coated surface of chromo paper accepts ink cleanly and sharply. When used with a thermal transfer printer, a wax or resin ribbon melts onto the surface to produce the printed image. When used with a laser or inkjet printer, the coating ensures crisp, smudge-resistant output.

Key characteristics:

• Compatible with thermal transfer printers (requires a ribbon), inkjet printers, and laser

  printers

• Smoother, slightly glossy finish compared to Direct Thermal labels

• More durable print — less prone to fading from heat or light exposure

• Strong permanent adhesive that sticks well to poly courier bags, corrugated boxes, and cartons

• Available in a wide range of sizes

Common sizes:  4×6 inch (100×150mm) for full shipping labels, as well as smaller sizes like 3×2, 4×3, and 4×4 for product barcodes, MRP stickers, and inventory labels.

Best for:  Sellers who don't have a direct thermal printer, businesses using inkjet or laser printers, operations that pre-print labels and store them before use, and sellers who need labels for product tagging as well as shipping.

Browse Chromo Shipping Labels: ongomart.com/shipping-labels

Direct Thermal vs. Chromo: Which One Should You Choose?

Here's a practical comparison to help you decide:

If you're shipping 50+ orders daily and already have a thermal printer, go with Direct Thermal labels. They're faster to print, require no consumables beyond the roll, and work seamlessly with every major courier's AWB format.

If you're using a regular inkjet or laser printer, or if you need labels that can be printed in advance and stored without degrading, chromo labels are the right choice.

If you're just starting out and haven't invested in a thermal printer yet, chromo labels with a standard printer will work well until you scale up.

What to Look for When Buying Shipping Labels in India

Once you've decided on the type, here's what determines the quality of the label

you're buying:

Adhesive Strength

This is non-negotiable. Your label must stay stuck from the moment it's applied at your warehouse until the package is delivered. Labels with weak adhesive peel off during transit — especially from poly courier bags, which are the most common packaging material in Indian ecommerce.

Look for labels with a permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive and confirm they're rated for use on poly/plastic surfaces, not just cardboard.

GSM and Paper Quality

The weight and thickness of the label paper affects how it holds up during transit. Higher GSM (grams per square metre) generally means a more durable label. Most ecommerce shipping labels in India fall in the 70–100 GSM range. Going significantly below that risks tearing or wrinkling.

Print Clarity and Barcode Readability

Courier sorting systems rely on scanning your AWB barcode at multiple checkpoints. A label that prints blurry barcodes or loses print clarity after a few days creates scan failures and delays. Always test your labels with a barcode scanner before

committing to a bulk order.

Size Compatibility

4×6 inch (100×150mm) is the standard shipping label size accepted by virtually all major Indian couriers — Delhivery, Blue Dart, DTDC, Ekart, Xpressbees, and Shiprocket partners. Confirm the size before ordering to make sure it fits your printer and matches courier requirements.

Roll Format vs. Sheet Format

• Roll format — works with thermal printers, ideal for high-volume printing

• Sheet format — A4 sheets with 2 or 4 labels per sheet, works with standard laser and inkjet printers

If you're using an A4 printer, check the label layout matches your printing software's template.

Why Buying Labels in Bulk Makes Sense

For any business shipping consistently, running out of labels mid-day is a serious operational problem. Bulk buying solves that, but the benefits go further:

• Lower cost per label — bulk pricing significantly reduces per-unit cost

• Consistent quality — same batch means consistent adhesive, GSM, and print quality across all shipments

• Uninterrupted operations — no last-minute orders or delays waiting for stock

• Standardised workflow — same label format every time means your packing team works faster

  For businesses dispatching 100+ orders daily, label stock is a supply chain decision, not just a stationery purchase.

Order Shipping Labels in Bulk: ongomart.com/shipping-labels

Pairing the Right Label with the Right Packaging

Your shipping label is only as effective as the surface it's applied to. The label must adhere cleanly and stay readable throughout the journey.

• Poly courier bags — both Direct Thermal and chromo labels with strong permanent adhesive work well; ensure the surface is clean and dry before applying

• Corrugated boxes — labels adhere well to cardboard; use labels with good edge adhesion to prevent corner lift

• Bubble mailers — the textured surface can affect adhesion on weaker labels; opt for labels with high-tack adhesive

  If you're also looking for the right courier bags and packaging to pair with your labels, OnGoMart carries the full range — from 

• Standard Courier Bags

• Bubble Mailers

• Paper Mailer Bags

FAQ: Shipping Labels for Ecommerce in India

Q: What's the difference between a Direct Thermal label and a chromo label?

Direct Thermal labels use heat-sensitive paper and print without ink or ribbon — they require a direct thermal printer. Chromo labels use coated paper and work with thermal transfer, inkjet, or laser printers. Direct Thermal labels are faster and more convenient for high-volume use; chromo labels are more versatile and durable under

heat exposure.

Q: Can I print Direct Thermal labels on a regular inkjet or laser printer?

No. Direct Thermal labels require a direct thermal printer. Putting a Direct Thermal label roll through an inkjet or laser printer will produce blank output because the paper has no coating to accept ink in the normal way. If you're using a standard printer, use chromo labels.

Q: What size shipping label do Indian couriers accept?

4×6 inch (100×150mm) is the standard size used by Delhivery, Blue Dart, DTDC, Xpressbees, Ekart, and most other courier partners in India. This is the size you should default to unless a specific courier instructs otherwise.

Q: My printed labels are fading after a few days — what's going wrong?

This is a common issue with Direct Thermal labels that are exposed to heat, sunlight, or friction. If labels are stored near a window or in a warm area before being applied, the heat-sensitive coating begins to darken. Store Direct Thermal label rolls away from heat and direct light. If you need labels to remain clear over longer storage periods, switch to chromo labels.

Q: Can I use the same label on courier bags and corrugated boxes?

Yes, provided the adhesive is rated for multiple surfaces. Standard permanent adhesive labels work on both poly courier bags and corrugated cartons. Confirm with your supplier that the adhesive is tested for plastic surfaces — some lower-quality labels only adhere well to paper packaging.

Q: How many labels per roll should I buy?

Common roll counts are 250, 400, or 500 labels per roll for 4×6 size. At 100 orders per day, a 400-label roll lasts about 4 days. Most businesses order in cases of 10–20 rolls to maintain a 1–2 month buffer. Bulk packs from a reliable supplier keep your cost per label low and your operations uninterrupted.

Q: Do I need different labels for COD (Cash on Delivery) shipments?

No — the label itself is the same. COD details are typically printed as part of the courier's AWB label, generated when you book the shipment. What matters is that your label is clear, scannable, and firmly adhered so the delivery agent can confirm the package and collect payment without confusion.

Q: Are barcode labels the same as shipping labels?

No, and this is a very common point of confusion. Shipping labels are the full-size labels (typically 4×6 inch) that carry the recipient's address, AWB number, tracking barcode, and sender details — they go on the outside of your package. Barcode labels are smaller stickers used for product identification, inventory tracking, MRP marking, and similar purposes. They serve different functions and are not interchangeable.

Ready to Stock Up?

Getting your labels right is one of the simplest improvements you can make to your ecommerce operations. It reduces delivery failures, keeps your couriers happy, and keeps your customers informed.

OnGoMart supplies both Direct Thermal and chromo shipping labels in bulk, with consistent quality and reliable delivery across India.

Shop Shipping Labels on OnGoMart →

Need help choosing the right label for your setup? Reach out to the OnGoMart team and we'll help you find the right product for your volume and printer type.