I currently print around 4500 product labels a month using AZLabels.com (by far the easiest and most reliable way to print thermal labels in your browser). You can read my full review here. My pick for the best thermal product labels for Amazon FBA goes to Aegis Thermal Labels. My pick for the best thermal shipping labels for Amazon FBA goes to FungLam Thermal Postage Labels.

I have used many different thermal labels over the years with varying results. The best for quality and reliability come directly from Dymo. However, there are many generic labels that come really close to this quality at a fraction of the price.

Why trust my picks?

I have been printing product labels for Amazon FBA for 8 years. I’ve suffered every setback and error imaginable (see poor adhesion below). I have been using the two labels recommended in this article for the last four years and stand by them for my business!

Risks of Buying (other) Cheap Labels

There are a few downsides to buying cheaper labels I have run into over the years.

Jams

Occasionally, a label will peel up while feeding though and get caught on the rubber roller jamming the whole printer. This is the worst mess to clean up and can lead to damage if not done correctly. The best way out of this mess is to pull the front off (I used Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo). Next, while holding down the release lever pull out the labels/paper. With the rubber exposed try to locate the edge of the label wrapped around the rubber feeder. Gently use a razor to lift up the edge and slowly peel the label up from the front side to the back peeling up lengthwise along the roller.

I’ve gotten my way out of this jam (pun intended) many times without any damage. However, now that I’ve found reliable labels I no longer run into this issue!

Death Grip

At the end of the label roll, ideally, the paper will release form the cardboard roll and the printer will no longer see a little hole punch telling it to stop printing. HOUSTON, we are out of paper! However, in some labels I’ve tried, the adhesive is too strong and the paper does not release. The printer tries its hardest to feed spinning in the same spot. Sometimes this will cause a label to feed into the feeder and other times just make a horrendous sound until you unplug the darn thing.

Poor Adhesion

This comes in two forms. First, if the wax on the paper roll isn’t waxy enough the labels are hard to remove and efficiency is lost fighting to remove labels. The second is poor adhesion of the label itself when applied to the packaging. I have had labels fall off or have items arrive at the fulfillment center without labels or have labels fall of and attach to a different product. This leads to customer returns and poor customer experience.

Types of labels

There are only two types/sizes of thermal labels that I use in my business. Those for product labels and those for shipping labels.

Product Labels

The labels I use to place on products with my FNSKU and barcode are 2-1/4″ X 1-1/4″ which are equivalent to DYMO 30334 labels. The best cheap product labels are the Aegis Compatible Direct Thermal Labels.

Pros:

  • They do not jam
  • No problems removing labels
  • Paper removes form cardboard roller without issues
  • Tape comes off easy to start roll without wasting labels
  • Save 90%! When bought in bulk they cost only $0.00358 (Dymo cost about $0.03 each)
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Cons

  • Occasional failed punch on the edge leads to a label to be skipped.
  • Must be purchased in bulk

Shipping Labels

The labels I use for shipping are 4×6 labels. These can be used with any 4×6 thermal label printer. I use the DYMO LabelWriter 4XL. These labels are used for both the UPS shipping label and the Amazon Fulfillment label. I generate the labels using AZLabels in Seller Central as part of the online workflow. My pick for the best thermal shipping labels for Amazon FBA goes to FungLam Thermal Postage Labels.

Pros:

  • They do not jam
  • Great box adhesion
  • Paper removes form cardboard roller without issues
  • Tape comes off easy to start roll without wasting labels
  • Save 80%! When bought in bulk they cost only $0.022 (Dymo cost about $0.12 each)
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Cons

  • Must be purchased in bulk (smallest quantity is 8 rolls)

Now that we’ve covered all that can go wrong with the wrong labels and which labels will save a ton of money and hassle go out and expand your business!

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