If you use a thermal printer (Munbyn, Rollo, or similar), your labels become a consumable cost.
Cheap labels create:
- Misalignment
- Adhesive failure
- Printer jams
- Curling in damp conditions
Overpriced labels quietly eat margin.
I ship regularly in the UK using Royal Mail and courier services. This guide is built around real dispatch conditions, not Amazon review summaries.
The goal is simple:
Find labels that stick, print cleanly, and don’t cause friction.
This comparison sits inside the wider printer setup I use in my business, which I explain here: the printers I use in my business.
Quick Recommendation Summary
If you want the short version:
- Best overall for most UK sellers: Standard 4×6 fanfold labels (perforated, strong adhesive).
- Best for small desk setups: Roll labels if space is tight.
- Avoid ultra-cheap thin stock labels.
For Royal Mail Click & Drop and eBay shipping, 4×6 direct thermal labels are the safest format.
If you’re still deciding which printer to use, I’ve compared the two main options in my Munbyn vs Rollo guide for UK sellers.
3. Comparison Table
| Type | Format | Best For | Pros | Cons | My View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fanfold 4×6 | Stacked sheets | Desk setups | Feed smoothly, no spindle | Needs rear space | Best overall |
| Roll 4×6 | On spindle | Compact setups | Self-contained | Can skew if cheap core | Good alternative |
| Premium branded | Fanfold/Roll | High-volume dispatch | Consistent quality | Higher cost | Worth it at scale |
| Ultra-cheap bulk | Usually fanfold | Cost-focused buyers | Lowest price | Thin, weaker adhesive | Avoid |
My Analysis
Size: Why 4×6 Is the Standard
Most UK couriers support 4×6 label format:
- Royal Mail
- Evri
- DPD
- UPS
Benefits:
- No resizing
- No scaling issues
- No cutting
- No alignment hacks
Trying to use A4 split labels with a thermal printer defeats the purpose of going thermal.
If you’re shipping regularly, standardise on 4×6.
Fanfold vs Roll
This is mainly about workspace layout.
Fanfold
- Feeds from behind printer
- No internal spindle needed
- Usually smoother feeding
- Lower risk of skew
Downside: Needs a little space behind the printer.
In most desk-based UK reseller setups, fanfold is simpler.
Roll
- Sits neatly inside or behind printer
- Cleaner aesthetic
- Better if space is tight
Downside: Cheap roll cores can wobble slightly and cause micro-skew.
If buying roll labels, quality matters more.
Adhesive Quality (This Actually Matters)
The difference between cheap and decent labels shows up when:
- Parcels travel through damp depots
- Labels rub against other parcels
- Bags flex during transit
Weak adhesive leads to:
- Peeling corners
- Partial lift
- Barcode scanning issues
I prioritise labels that:
- Stick firmly to poly mailers
- Adhere cleanly to cardboard
- Do not lift at edges after 24 hours
Ultra-cheap labels often fail here.
Saving £5 per 500 labels is not worth refund risk.
Thickness & Curling
Thinner labels:
- Curl more easily
- Feel flimsy
- Can wrinkle on poly mailers
Better labels lie flat and feed cleanly.
Curling also increases jam risk on cheaper printers.
For UK humidity conditions, slightly thicker stock is safer.
Cost Per Label (Margin View)
Thermal labels are already cheap compared to ink.
Typical range in the UK:
- Budget bulk: lower per-label cost
- Mid-range: small premium
- Premium branded: noticeable premium
For most sellers, mid-range bulk is the sweet spot.
The goal is reliability at scale, not chasing the absolute lowest cost.
Storage Matters More Than Brand
Even good labels fail if:
- Stored in damp garages
- Left in direct sunlight
- Compressed under weight
Thermal paper is sensitive to heat and light.
Store flat, dry, and room temperature.
Most “label issues” blamed on printers are actually storage issues.
The printer is only part of the equation, label quality affects feed reliability and adhesion, which I cover in my guide to the best thermal labels for UK sellers.
My Decision Framework
If you:
Ship under 30 parcels per month → Any decent mid-range fanfold labels will work.
Ship 30–150 per month → Choose reliable mid-range bulk supplier.
Ship daily / high volume → Pay slightly more for consistent quality.
Do not optimise labels for aesthetics.
Optimise for:
- Adhesion
- Feed reliability
- Margin stability
My Recommendation
For most UK eBay and Vinted sellers:
Buy mid-range 4×6 fanfold direct thermal labels in bulk.
They:
- Feed reliably
- Stick properly
- Work with Munbyn and Rollo
- Protect dispatch flow
Avoid ultra-thin, ultra-cheap labels.
Thermal printing removes ink friction, don’t reintroduce friction through bad consumables.
I show how this fits into my wider dispatch workflow in my breakdown of how I pack orders in my business.
