{"id":50601,"date":"2022-12-09T18:51:15","date_gmt":"2022-12-10T00:51:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/?p=50601"},"modified":"2025-07-14T12:54:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T17:54:04","slug":"how-to-print-return-labels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shipstation.com\/blog\/how-to-print-return-labels\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Print Return Labels"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nailing the returns process can increase customer satisfaction to the point that you gain a lifelong customer. The way to do this is by offering consumer expectations about returns. Customers expect return labels to be simple. Luckily, there are tools and options you can provide that cater to consumer expectations without spending all your time and money on processing returns. Having a returns strategy that is convenient for your customers can make your business top-tier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that 2\/3rds of customers check a merchant\u2019s return policy<\/a> before placing an order?<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ways to Print Return Labels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a few different ways to print return labels. Some ways of printing them are simpler than others. Some are also more expensive. We\u2019ll explore all the requirements for printing return labels and more, such as the different types of returns, and the steps for printing returns for various carriers and how ShipStation can help simplify return shipping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Include Return Labels with an Outgoing Order<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pay-on-use return labels are labels that are paid for by the sender if the label is used to return an item. These labels are often provided by the merchant or company as a convenience to the customer. Common ways to charge the customer for return shipping costs include deducting the cost of the label from the refund. Carriers that offer pay-on-use labels are FedEx and UPS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Merchant vs. Customer Return Label Preferences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is no standard for how merchants provide return labels to customers. Customers and merchants have varying preferences. In some cases, merchants will provide return labels for their customers to use. Once you generate the customer\u2019s return label, email the label to the customer so they can print it out at home and drop off the parcel at a carrier facility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other cases, customers may be required to generate their own return labels. This is usually the case when a customer is returning a partial order since the weight of the return shipment is lighter than the outbound. In these instances, merchants may reimburse the cost of the label or provide additional store credit when issuing a refund. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Offering Free Return Shipping <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

75% of consumers<\/a> expect free return shipping when they shop online. While offering free returns\u2014as well as free outbound shipping\u2014can be expensive, it can be the make-or-break factor for many shoppers. To offer free return shipping without cutting too far into profits requires finding the most affordable way to ship<\/a>. Offering free shipping also requires an effective returns policy<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to Use Pay-Upon-Creation Return Labels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pay-upon-creation return labels are labels whose label fees are charged upon creation. They  are commonly utilized by carriers that charge for labels at the time of creation. So USPS or services provided by ShipStation Carrier Services<\/a> will offer pay-upon-creation labels. These are the more commonly used return labels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to Include Return Labels with an Outgoing Order<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pay-on-use return labels are labels that are paid for by the sender, sent out alongside an outgoing order, and are only charged and used if the label is used to return an item. These labels are usually used for commonly returned items with business models like Try Before You Buy<\/a> fashion brands. FedEx and UPS are carriers that offer pay-on-use return labels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Requirements for Printing Return Labels for Ecommerce Platforms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of where you sell, you can create all your returns with ShipStation. If you need to print a return label for your storefront or marketplace, these are the steps for printing return labels for some of the most popular ecommerce platforms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Print Amazon Return Labels: <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
These are customer-initiated and require buyers to log into their customer portal to start the returns process<\/a>. <\/td><\/tr>
How to Print eBay Return Labels: <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Ebay offers merchants ways to accept and handle returns. Simply log into your portal to begin the returns process<\/a>. <\/td><\/tr>
How to Print Etsy Return Labels:<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
To begin the returns process for Etsy orders, you can follow the steps outlined in their article How to Purchase a Return Shipping Label<\/a>. You can also create return labels through whichever shipping application you use such as ShipStation<\/a>. <\/td><\/tr>
How to Print Wix Return Labels:<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
With Wix, you can authorize a refund<\/a> through your Wix dashboard. You will need to produce your own return label through the shipping program you used. Here is how to create a return label<\/a> in ShipStation. <\/td><\/tr>
How to Print Big Cartel Return Labels:<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
For Big Cartel, you can authorize a refund<\/a> through your store portal and then create the return label through the shipping platform you used to create the label. Big Cartel also has this helpful guide for creating a shipping and return policy<\/a>. A shipping app like ShipStation provides you with the full suite of outbound and return shipping services you need to start selling more quickly. <\/td><\/tr>
How to Print Shopify Return Labels:<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Shopify offers its merchants efficient ways to authorize returns<\/a>, and refunds, and help customers return items. To read how to create return labels for Shopify orders through ShipStation, read our Shopify Merchant\u2019s Guide<\/a>. <\/td><\/tr>
How to Print WooCommerce Return Labels:<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
WooCommerce offers ways to provide refunds<\/a>, but return labels will need to be created through the shipping platform<\/a> you use such as ShipStation. <\/td><\/tr>
How to Print BigCommerce Return Labels: <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
BigCommerce allows you to natively generate return labels<\/a> through your store portal. They even offer ways for customers to request a return for your store. But they also allow you to generate returns through their shipping partners like ShipStation<\/a>. <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n

How to Print Return Labels in ShipStation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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