Label printers for eBay: Using 10 × 15 thermal printing correctly
A thermal printer prints shipping labels directly onto self-adhesive paper without ink. Many sellers use rolls in the 10 × 15 cm format. What matters is that the label's format actually fits your paper.
Published on · Last reviewed on
What a thermal printer can do
A thermal printer needs neither ink nor toner. It uses heat to print on thermal paper. You stick the label directly onto the parcel, with no need for scissors or adhesive tape.
10 × 15 is not always 10 × 15
A label's original format is not always the same as your paper size. DHL, for example, offers a thermal format measuring 103 × 150 mm. It will not fit on 100 × 150 mm paper without being scaled down.
If the label is scaled down during printing, a scanner may have more difficulty reading the code. If it is not scaled down, parts will be cut off at the edges.
How to print cleanly
A few rules prevent parts of labels from being cut off:
- choose a format that matches your printer in the shipping method settings
- choose paper that matches the original format
- print at 100%, not “fit to page”
- print a test label before a large batch
Help in Shipnovo
During a shipping run, the “Thermodrucker” (thermal printer) view shows the labels' actual original formats and checks your paper selection. You can reprint large runs in sections without buying postage again.
Common questions
Choose a thermal printer that can print the full width of your labels and works with your computer or phone. Before buying, check which format your shipping methods provide.
Yes, if the paper is large enough. The Internetmarke requires at least 89 × 43 mm.
Usually, the original format is larger than your paper, or the print dialog is scaling it. Compare the original format with your paper and print at 100%.