Where to Find Affordable Shipping Label Printing in the US (2025)
- Kaebox
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 22
Need a label right now but hate paying counter prices? Below are the five cheapest ways to print shipping labels—ranked by out‑of‑pocket cost, convenience, and discount level.
Rank | Option | Up‑front cost | Carrier discounts | Printer needed? | Why it’s affordable |
1 | Kaebox kiosks + app | $0 kiosk fee; pay only discounted postage | Up to 88 % off UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL | ❌ (kiosk prints for free) | Free printing, free packaging, no subscription |
2 | At‑home thermal printer + Pirate Ship | $0 software; printer $120–$200 once | Up to 87 % off USPS/UPS | ✔ | Cheapest if you ship weekly & already own printer |
3 | USPS Click‑N‑Ship® + QR counter print | $0 account; pay postage | Small Commercial Base discount | ❌ (PO prints via Label Broker) | Free print, but discounts smaller |
4 | UPS Store “Print My Label” | $0 account; print fee $1–$3 | Retail or My Choice® discount | ❌ (store prints) | Handy for occasional UPS, but print fee adds up |
5 | FedEx Office self‑serve kiosk | $0 account; $1–$3 print fee | Some discounts in app | ❌ | Works 24/7 in many cities; pay per page |
1 — Why Kaebox is #1 for budget shippers
No printer, no tape, no fee. Walk up to a Kaebox kiosk (found in many apartments, airports, colleges, and hospitals), scan the QR code from the Kaebox app, and your 4×6 label pops out—boxes, bubble mailers, and tape are stocked beside it.
Deepest multi‑carrier discounts. Buy USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL labels in the app at up to 88 % off retail counter rates—cheaper than most one‑carrier portals.
One‑tap same‑day pickup (optional). If you can’t drop the parcel at a carrier box, Kaebox can dispatch its own driver fleet to hand it to the right carrier—or drive it directly up to 600 miles the same day. Where to Find affordable shipping label printing in the US (2025)
Zero subscription. You pay only for the postage (and optional pickup); printing remains free.
Pricing example (July 2025):• USPS Ground Advantage 2 lb, Zone 5: Retail $9.90 → Kaebox $6.05• UPS® Ground Saver 3 lb, 8 × 6 × 4 in: Retail $13.40 → Kaebox $7.45
2 — When at‑home printing wins
If you ship three or more packages a week, a $150 thermal printer (Zebra, Rollo) paired with Pirate Ship’s free software can pay for itself in a few months. But you still need to order boxes, tape, and—if you want a pickup—schedule USPS or UPS each time (sometimes with a fee).
3 — Carrier websites & store prints
USPS Label Broker (free print)
Create Click‑N‑Ship® label, choose “Print at Post Office.”
Show the QR code; clerk prints and attaches label for free.
Discounts limited to Commercial Base tier.
UPS Mobile App (print in store)
Generate label, choose “Print My Label.”
UPS Store staff prints for $1–$3.
Good if you’re already dropping off a return.
FedEx Office
Self‑serve print kiosk; 24/7 in major FedEx Office stores.
Scan QR from app; prints for $1–$3.
Handy after hours, but no deep postage discount.
4 — How to pick the cheapest option fast. Affordable shipping label printing US .
You… | Best bet | Why |
Ship a few parcels a year, no printer | Free print + biggest label discount | |
Ship weekly, own a thermal printer | Pirate Ship at home | Low per‑label cost long‑term |
Already at the post office | USPS Label Broker | Free print, quick drop |
Need a late‑night print in a college town | FedEx Office kiosk | 24/7 access |
Have a UPS return QR | UPS Store | Staff prints while you wait |
5 — FAQs
Do Kaebox kiosks charge anything to print? No. Printing and packaging supplies are free; you only pay the postage you already purchased in the app. affordable shipping label printing in the US
What if I don’t have a Kaebox kiosk nearby? You can still buy discounted labels in the Kaebox app and print at home or use the QR code at any carrier counter. Pickups are available in 35+ metros.
Is at‑home inkjet okay? Yes, but inkjets smear in rain and use more expensive color cartridges. Thermal labels (from Kaebox kiosks or your own thermal printer) are waterproof and scan better.
Can Kaebox label discounts be combined with free USPS pickup? Absolutely. After printing at the kiosk or at home, schedule a USPS carrier pickup inside Kaebox (free if any Priority Mail label is included).
6 — Ready to save?
Your package is on its way—no printer, no monthly fees, no retail mark‑ups.
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