There's lots of different label paper out there, so it's important to get the ones that work for your printer so you don’t waste your treasure 😜
4x6" or 2x7" labels only: Since Pirate Ship currently only offers 4x6” and 2x7” size postage labels, you’ll want to get a label stock that can fit one of these sizes. Below are some links to where you can find the labels we recommend, depending on which printer you have 👍
UPS labels only come in 4x6" sizes: While you can print USPS labels in either the 4x6" or 2x7" sizes, UPS labels on Pirate Ship only come in the standard 4x6" size.
If you have 2x7" selected in your General Settings, UPS services won't show up when you create your label and click the green "Get Rates" button.
Desktop printers
You can use a desktop printer: Regular old computer paper works just fine with Pirate Ship! You'll just want to use strong, clear packing tape to stick your label onto the package, and avoid creating any lines or creases if you're taping over the barcode 👌
Half-sheet sticker label paper recommended: While you can use regular 8.5x11" printer paper, it makes life a lot easier to buy half-sheet sticker label paper. Here are some of the ones we recommend:
Half-sheet sticker paper only: For desktop printers, Pirate Ship currently ONLY supports half-sheet sticker paper like the ones linked above, where a letter-size paper (8.5 x 11") is cut exactly down the middle.
Other shipping label paper templates out there have different layouts, and Pirate Ship labels will NOT align to their sticker cutouts.
No label printers with half-sheet labels: Half-sheet labels only work for desktop printers and are not compatible with 2x7" and 4x6" thermal label printers 😉
Labels for 2x7" printers
Brother printers
Brother 2x7" label printers include the following models: QL-800, QL-810W, QL-820NWB, QL-700, QL-720NW, QL-500, QL-550, QL-570.
Recommended paper rolls: These continuous-length paper tape rolls are the best ones to get for Brother 2x7" printers:
Dymo printers
Dymo 2x7" label printers include the following models: Dymo LabelWriter Wireless, Dymo LabelWriter 450, Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo, Dymo LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo, Dymo LabelWriter 330, Dymo LabelWriter 330 Turbo, and any Dymo printer with the 99019 label paper size (double check that the paper size has dimensions of 59 x 190 mm).
Labels for 2x7" Dymo printers: Dymo only has one sticker label size that works with the 2x7" postage size:
Dymo-Compatible 99019 2 5/16" x 7 1/2” 1 Part Internet Postage Labels (paper size dimensions 59 x 190 mm)
No international shipments for 2x7" labels
Customs forms unavailable: You can't print customs forms on 2x7" labels, so you can't use them for international shipments 😅
If you need to make an international label, switch back to the 4x6" label size in your Settings > General Settings and use a regular desktop printer or a 4x6" label printer
Labels for 4x6" printers
Brother printers
Brother 4x6" label printers include the following models: QL-1100, QL-1110NWB, QL-1060N, QL-1050, and any QL Brother printer with a 4-inch wide print head.
Brother printers with cutters: If your printer has a cutter, these are the best choices for labels:
Brother printers without cutters: If your Brother printer doesn't have a cutter, get one of these labels:
Dymo LabelWriter 4XL
Labels for this printer need to be Dymo 4XL compatible 4x6” labels. You don’t have to get the Dymo brand if you can find cheaper ones somewhere... but make sure they're Dymo compatible!
Suggested labels for DymoLabelWriter 4XL: Here are the label options we recommend for the LabelWriter 4XL:
Any other 4x6” printer
Any 4x6" label printer works: You can use any direct thermal 4x6” printer with Pirate Ship, and typically any 4x6" direct thermal labels will work with them.
Just make sure you're buying DIRECT THERMAL label paper, not THERMAL TRANSFER label paper, as they're different technologies... unless your printer has a 3" core 😊
Also, make sure the “Core” of the label paper roll (the diameter of the tube in the center) fits on your printer.
Smith Corona 4x6" labels: If your 4x6" label printer isn't any of the ones we listed above, here are the labels we recommend:
Fanfold labels: Alternatively, if your label printer supports it, you can use fan-fold labels:
Additional resources