Guide5 min read
Why Won't My Shipping Label Barcode Scan?
The real reasons a shipping label barcode fails to scan at the counter, how to fix printing before it ships, and what happens if it still won't scan.
Free shipping label maker
Create a printable shipping label with a real scannable barcode. Free, private — nothing is uploaded.
From
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Ship to
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Ship via: USPS
Add a reference number to include a scannable barcode.
Informational label template, not an official carrier posting — confirm address & service requirements with your carrier before drop-off. Postage not included.
For a thermal label printer.
Add a sender name to continue.
✓Free forever
✓Runs locally
✓No account
✓No watermark
Everything you need to print a shipping label
100% private — nothing uploaded
Your addresses and package details are built entirely in your browser and never leave your device.
Real, scannable barcode
A genuine Code128 barcode is generated from your reference number — not a decorative graphic.
Instant PDF, no account
Fill in the form and download — no sign-up, no email required, no watermark.
4×6 label or Letter page
Print straight to a thermal label printer, or on plain paper at home with a cut guide.
Weight, dimensions & handling flags
Add package weight and size, plus Fragile / This Side Up / Do Not Stack markings.
Live preview as you type
See exactly what your label will look like — barcode included — before you download it.
Three steps to your label
- 1
Enter sender and recipient addresses
Fill in your return address and the ship-to address. Everything is built in your browser.
- 2
Add package and carrier details
Choose a carrier, weight, optional dimensions, and a reference number — a scannable Code128 barcode is generated from it automatically.
- 3
Download your label
Click Download to generate a real, print-ready PDF instantly — as a 4×6 in label or centered on a Letter page with a cut guide.
Built for anyone shipping a package
Whether you're a small business shipping orders, sending a personal package, or need a reference barcode for your own tracking — PixelTools generates a print-ready shipping label PDF right in your browser, free, with no upload.
Small businesses & Etsy sellers
Print a clean shipping label for an outgoing order without a carrier account or shipping software.
Personal shipments
Mailing a package to family or returning an item? Generate a label at home, no software install.
Warehouse & fulfillment reference labels
Use the barcode as an internal reference/pick-list ID for tracking packages through your own process.
Batch printing
Generate one at a time and combine multiple labels with the Merge PDF tool before printing a batch.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official USPS, UPS, or FedEx label?
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No. This generates a printable shipping label template with sender/recipient addresses and a scannable reference barcode — it's not an official carrier posting and doesn't include prepaid postage. Confirm your carrier's exact label requirements before drop-off.
Does the label include a real barcode?
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Yes — a genuine Code128 barcode, generated from your reference number and scannable by any standard barcode reader. If you leave the reference field blank, a random reference is generated automatically so every label ships with a working barcode.
Is my address data uploaded anywhere?
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No. The whole label — every address field, the barcode — is built and rendered entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server.
What size does it print at?
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Choose a 4×6 in label (the standard size for thermal label printers) or a Letter page with the same 4×6 label centered inside a dashed cut guide, for printing on plain paper at home.
Can I add special handling markings?
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Yes — Fragile, This Side Up, and Do Not Stack are available as checkboxes and print as bordered badges on the label.
Is this free?
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Yes — completely free, no account, no sign-up, no watermark, and no limit on how many labels you create.
Does it save my labels?
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No — nothing is stored. Each label exists only while the page is open. Download the PDF to keep a copy; refreshing the page clears the form.
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