How to print an eBay label with a thermal printer?

To print an eBay label with a thermal printer, open the paid order, create or download the shipping label, check the package weight and dimensions, then print the PDF at actual size on a 100 × 150 mm label if the document is designed for that format. If eBay provides an A4 page, do not shrink the entire page onto a small label: extract only the shipping label before printing.

The exact procedure may vary depending on the carrier and the options available in your account. In France, eBay currently indicates that its shipping labels can be purchased for Mondial Relay, La Poste Lettre suivie, and Colissimo. Other services may refer you to a partner or require direct purchase from the carrier. The key is to check the file obtained before starting a series of prints.

Before printing: prepare the eBay order

A thermal printer does not correct a wrong address or an incorrect package weight. Start by packaging the item, closing the package, and measuring its actual weight and dimensions. This information is used to select an appropriate service and produce a shipping label consistent with the package handed over to the carrier.

Then check the order:

that payment is confirmed;
that the sender's address is correct;
that the buyer's address matches the order;
that the package type, weight, and dimensions are correct;
that the chosen delivery service corresponds to what was announced to the buyer.

Do not manually retype the address into another document if the official shipping label is available. Using the file attached to the correct order limits confusion between multiple sales and maintains the tracking associated with the shipment.

How to create and download the shipping label on eBay

According to the official eBay France help page dedicated to shipping labels, the standard process begins in My eBay, under Orders. Next to the item to be sent, select Print shipping label. Check the addresses, enter or confirm the package characteristics, select the service, verify the price, then purchase the shipping label.

Once the document is generated:

Download the PDF instead of printing immediately from a reduced preview.
Open it in a PDF viewer that allows you to choose the paper size and scale.
Identify whether the page contains only the label or also instructions and a packing slip.
Keep the file until the package is taken charge of, without mixing it with another order's file.

eBay also specifies that printing can be done from a computer or the app. Some services offer a QR code usable at a compatible drop-off point. The QR code is an alternative if you don't want to print yourself; it should not be confused with the barcode on the final shipping label.

Is the eBay PDF already in 100 × 150 mm format?

The common format for shipping labels is 100 × 150 mm, also known as 4 × 6 inches. However, you should not assume that all eBay PDFs automatically come out in this size. The format depends on the chosen service and the document generated.

Case 1: the PDF contains a single 100 × 150 mm label

Select 100 × 150 mm paper in the driver, choose the orientation that displays the entire label, then print at 100% or actual size. Disable options such as "Fit to page" if they unnecessarily alter proportions.

Case 2: the PDF is an A4 page with a label

Do not compress the entire A4 page onto 100 × 150 mm: the address and barcode would become too small. Isolate the shipping label area, maintaining its margins and proportions, then create a page in the correct format. The Metashopper guide explains step-by-step how to convert an A4 PDF to a 100 × 150 mm label without distorting its content.

Case 3: the document is not intended for a 4 × 6 label

Some shipments use a different medium or include additional documents. Consult the instructions for the service concerned before cropping. The thermal label dimensions guide helps you distinguish between shipping formats and small identification formats.

Recommended print settings

Load 100 × 150 mm thermal labels compatible with your machine, with the thermal side facing the print head. In the print dialog box, check the following settings:

printer: select the correct machine, especially if an A4 printer is also installed;
paper size: 100 × 150 mm or 4 × 6 inches;
scale: 100% or actual size for an already correctly sized file;
orientation: portrait or landscape according to the preview, without rotation that cuts an edge;
margins: no added margins if the driver allows it;
quality: dark enough to obtain clear bars, without excess that thickens them.

The Metashopper 4 × 6 Bluetooth thermal printer is designed for 100 × 150 mm shipping labels. Whatever model is used, perform a single test print after changing a roll, driver, or PDF format.

Check the label before using it

A label that appears "almost correct" on screen may be truncated on paper. Before attaching the shipping label, check:

that the destination name and address are legible;
that the barcode is complete, with clear areas around it;
that no line is cut on any of the four sides;
that the tracking number matches the open order;
that the contrast is even, without vertical white bands.

If the printer feeds several labels or starts between two labels, perform a thermal printer calibration. If the result is white, blurry, too pale, or misaligned, follow the thermal print defect diagnosis before reprinting multiple times.

Attach the shipping label without obstructing scanning

Place the label on the largest flat surface of the package. Avoid edges, flaps, seams, curved areas, and old labels. For a soft pouch, insert the item first and remove air before attaching the shipping label, to avoid wrinkles.

Do not add adhesive tape over a self-adhesive thermal barcode. If you are reusing a box, remove or completely obscure old codes and addresses. For a complete method, consult the guide indicating where to attach a thermal label on a package.

Print multiple eBay orders without mixing them up

Process orders in a fixed sequence: order displayed, item prepared, package sealed, shipping label printed, checked, attached, then move on to the next sale. For a small series, temporarily note the last characters of the order number on a slip placed with each package. Remove this slip after attaching the label.

If you print multiple PDFs consecutively, ensure that all have the same format before using batch printing. A single A4 document inserted into the series can alter the scale or produce an unsuitable page. Print exceptions separately first, then the consistent series.

Common mistakes to avoid

Printing before weighing the package: the purchased service may no longer correspond to the actual package.
Shrinking an entire A4 page: the barcode and text become too small.
Using "Fill page": this option can enlarge the document and cut its edges.
Confusing two orders: always check the recipient and tracking before attaching the label.
Reprinting without diagnosis: first correct the format, calibration, or density.
Canceling after handover to the carrier: eBay help reserves cancellation for unused shipping labels and subject to the conditions indicated on the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special printer for an eBay shipping label?

eBay indicates that a special printer is not mandatory, as the shipping label can be printed on plain paper. A thermal printer becomes especially convenient for printing directly onto an adhesive label, without cartridges or cutting.

What size label should I use for eBay?

Use the size specified by the PDF and the carrier. For a shipping label already generated in 4 × 6 inches, choose 100 × 150 mm. Do not force this format if the document requires a different presentation.

Why is my eBay label printing too small?

The problem often comes from an A4 page shrunk to 100 × 150 mm or a "multiple pages per sheet" option. Isolate the shipping label, then print it at actual size on a 100 × 150 mm page.

Can I print from the eBay app?

Yes. eBay France help indicates that shipping labels can be managed from the app. However, the phone must transmit the PDF to a compatible app and printer, with the correct paper size selected.

What if I don't have a printer?

When the service offers it, eBay can provide a QR code to present at a compatible drop-off point. The carrier then prints the shipping label. Check the availability of this option for the specific order and carrier.

Can I reprint an eBay shipping label?

eBay indicates that a shipping label can be reprinted at no additional cost as long as the item has not been delivered. Use the shipping labels section of your account and ensure you are reprinting the correct one for the order.

Official sources

Prepare your eBay labels in 100 × 150 mm format

Choose the thermal printer and consumables suitable for your shipping station.

See the thermal printer See 100 × 150 mm labels