The Dymo LabelWriter 450 is a thermal printer that produces professional-looking business labels. It is one of Amazon’s most popular barcode labelers because of its crisp prints and the broad, user-friendly customization features of Dymo’s design programs. However, the Dymo 450 has limitations that make you want to consider buying from a competing brand.

In this article, we discuss whether or not the Dymo LabelWriter 450 can work with standard US shipping labels. We also talk about some alternatives when you need to print bigger labels.

Dymo LabelWriter 450

What Are the Standard Label Sizes for Shipping in the US?

 Answering this question is not only significant when shopping for a label printer. Using the correct shipping label sizes also helps minimize postage problems and, more importantly, delivery delays.

In the US, the 4” x 6” shipping label is the standard type that the major carriers require for most domestic and international destinations. You can use a Dymo 4” x 6” label to print one.

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Sure, you can get away with using the smaller Dymo 30256 sticker label for your domestic shipments, but the post office will still require you to print your stamp and IMpb barcode on separate labels. And you know that using three different label types on each of your packages will be pricey in the long run. On the other hand, printing only one 4” x 6” shipping label for every package can help keep postage costs manageable.

What about the old POSTNET barcodes you see on smaller packages? USPS discontinued the use of the POSTNET symbology years ago and replaced it with IMpb barcodes, which take up greater printing space.

For smaller packages and envelopes, you can print USPS labels measuring 4” x 4” and 6” x 3” for most destinations. However, if your parcel is bound for a military or diplomatic facility, you will be required to use the 8.5” x 5.5” sheet label.

Print USPS Labels

What Are the Standard Shipping Label Sizes in the US

The 4” x 6” Shipping Label

Source: USPS

The 4” x 4” Shipping Label

The 4” x 4” Shipping Label

Source: USPS

The 6” x 3” Shipping Label

The 6” x 3” Shipping Label

Source: USPS

Can You Use the Dymo LabelWriter 450 to Print a Label for Shipping?

The Dymo LabelWriter 450’s maximum print width is 2.2”, so you cannot use it to print standard US shipping labels. This Dymo printer can print small address labels, but you may encounter problems using non-standard size stickers when buying postage online.

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Can You Use the Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo to Print a Label for Shipping?

Like the Dymo LabelWriter 450, the 450 Turbo has a maximum print width of only 2.2”. So you cannot use the 450 Turbo to create standard shipping labels, either. The main difference between the Dymo LabelWriter 450 and 450 Turbo is the print speed. The LabelWriter 450 can print 51 2” labels per minute, whereas the 450 Turbo can make 71 2” labels per minute.

What Dymo Label Printer Should You Get in Place of the Dymo 450 for Creating Standard US Shipping Labels?

You may use a wide-format label printer like the Dymo LabelWriter 4XL to print standard shipping labels instead of the LabelWriter 450. The 4XL’s maximum print width is 4.16”, so it can create 4” x 4” and 4” x 6” postage stickers. You can also use it to print smaller labels since it is compatible with all Dymo labels.

Shop now for the Cheapest Dymo Shipping Labels Online!

Dymo 4XL Shipping Labels

: 220 Labels/Roll
: 4″ x 6″
: Dymo Printers

Can You Use an Inkjet Printer to Print Shipping Labels?

Thermal printers are quite expensive, and some startup owners might want to use their old inkjet printers to print their shipping labels. It is perfectly acceptable, and no carrier will prevent you from doing so.

However, ink smears when wet and can render your shipping labels unreadable by both man and machine. This can be a huge problem if:

    • You’re sending mail from or to rainy places.
    • Your parcel contains something that can thaw or leak.
    • Your package may be stored in a damp place.

Unreadable labels can delay your shipments and lead to other consequences that may tarnish your business’ reputation. Of course, you can always protect your label with a transparent plastic cover or pouch, but this will make the process less efficient and economical.

A laser printer can help you avoid label smearing. You may also use it to print 8.5” x 5.5” shipping labels. However, laser printers are much slower than dedicated labelers, so using one for routine labeling can make you inefficient.

On the other hand, thermal printers allow you to produce shipping labels that do not smear even when wet. They will fade after 6-12 months, but that is ample time for your mail to reach their recipients. If your business’ labeling needs are growing, you really have to consider getting a thermal label printer at some point.

For printing 4” x 6” shipping labels, you may think of getting a 4XL. A brand new unit costs anywhere from $210 to $300, depending on whether or not you stumble on a flash deal. But you can also check out competing brands sold at the same price point as they may offer more advantages to your business. Examples are the Brother QL1110NWB, Zebra ZD 420d and TSC TE 210.

To know how you can find the right thermal printer for your establishment, you can read our guide, the Best Direct Thermal Printers for Small Businesses 2020.

The Bottomline: Is the Dymo LabelWriter 450 Suitable for Printing Standard US Postage & Shipping Labels?

The Dymo LabelWriter 450 is a popular thermal printer, one that can create great-looking barcode labels for small business owners. However, you cannot use it to print standard US postage labels, which have larger dimensions than it can handle.

Alternatives include typical office printers and wide-label printers. Of these, the machines that run on thermal technology are preferred because of their efficiency and the labels’ resistance to smearing. The Dymo LabelWriter 4XL is one such device, but we encourage you to compare various brands before spending your hard-earned dough on any of these costly gadgets.

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