Announcements USPS Shipping Labels: Adding limited thermal printer support for DYMO LabelWriter 4XL

Hi Etsy Sellers,

We’re excited to announce limited thermal printer support for the DYMO LabelWriter 4XL.

The DYMO LabelWriter 4XL printer allows you to print 4x6 domestic and international shipping labels using specialized label rolls. This can help you cut down on ink costs and make preparing your shipping labels faster and easier.

We’re gradually rolling this out to all sellers printing postage through Etsy over the next few days.

- What is a thermal label printer? -

A thermal label printer uses heat to transfer images to specially-formatted paper and does not require the use of ink or toner. Instead of purchasing ink or toner, you will only need to purchase thermal label rolls used by your printer. In addition, thermal printers generally print faster than standard ink-jet and laser printers.

- How do I get started? -

To get started, visit Your Shop > Shipping Labels > Options and select “Format my labels for DYMO LabelWriter 4XL” as your Download Preference.

When you purchase a shipping label, you’ll receive a specially formatted PDF. For multiple order purchases or downloading from Ready to Print, all labels will be formatted correctly and print as separate labels from your 4XL.

- Do I need to install any software? How do I print labels directly to my printer? -

You will need to install the printer driver that came with your printer. You can also download this directly from DYMO.

Shipping Labels are still provided in PDF format. The PDF will be formatted specifically for your printer as single pages containing an individual label. Multi-part international labels will span across four individual pages. You will continue to attach all of these to your package the same way you do at present.

To print your labels, open the PDF and select the DYMO LabelWriter 4XL as your printer from the print dialog screen. Select “1744907 4 in x 6 in” as your paper size (note: this option may be labeled differently depending on your operating system, you’ll need to select the 4x6 option).

You may need to open the PDF outside of your browser to print correctly.

- What about labels I’ve already purchased? -

Previously purchased domestic labels will print formatted for the 4XL. Previous international labels will remain on 8.5x11 pages.

- Can I print 4x6 International Labels? -

Yes, you can. Going forward all international labels will be 4x6. For mail classes and package types that require the multi-part customs form (CP72), these will remain as separate 4x6 labels.

If you do not have a 4XL or choose to print using your regular printer, international labels will also be in 4x6 format.

- What kind of labels do I need to print 4x6 shipping labels? -

DYMO 1744907 4x6 inches or compatible. These can be purchased online from various retailers.

- Do you plan to support the DYMO 450 or DYMO 450 Twin Turbo? -

The smallest labels available to us from Endicia, our USPS postage partner, are in 4-by-6 format. We’re unable to support the DYMO 450 or DYMO 450 Twin Turbo, or other smaller-format printers.

- Will you ever support 2-part internet postage labels? -

Due to USPS regulations, 2-part internet postage labels can only be used with flats and letters. Because we only support parcels, we cannot support the 2-part internet postage label.

- Can I use other 4x6 Thermal Printers? -

We have heard reports of people successfully using other 4x6 printers, however, at this time we only officially support the DYMO LabelWriter 4XL.

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We’re excited to give you the option to print faster and more efficiently.

Please post any comments or feedback in this thread: www.etsy.com/teams/7718/site-help/discuss/11411458/

Happy Shipping!

Posted at 2:55 pm Dec 10, 2012 EST