If you sell on eBay in the UK, dispatch is not a side detail. It is the operational core of the business.
If you are deciding on equipment, start with my thermal printer comparison for UK sellers, where I break down the practical differences between the main models used by small UK resellers.
This page outlines the complete dispatch setup I use and recommend for small UK sellers. It covers the essential infrastructure required to print labels, weigh parcels, manage shipping software and source packaging efficiently.
Each section links to deeper guides where I break down specific equipment and tools in detail.
The goal here is not to overwhelm. It is to build a clean, stable dispatch stack that works from day one and scales as volume increases.
What a Small UK Seller Actually Needs
For most sellers dispatching between 5 and 100 parcels per week, the setup reduces to five components:
- A reliable thermal printer
- Quality thermal labels
- Accurate shipping scales
- Shipping software integration
- Consistent packaging supply
Everything else is secondary.
I focus on tools that are affordable, durable and widely available in the UK.
1. Thermal Printer
A thermal printer is the foundation of a modern dispatch setup.
Inkjet and laser printers work, but they are slower, cost more over time and introduce friction. Thermal printers eliminate ink entirely and produce Royal Mail and courier labels instantly.
If you are choosing your first device, read my Munbyn vs Rollo for UK sellers comparison. It breaks down the practical differences between the two main options used by small UK resellers and explains how volume, workspace size and connection type affect your decision.
I also explain how to choose the right thermal printer for your setup depending on whether you dispatch occasionally or process parcels daily.
Once this decision is made, the rest of your dispatch system becomes much easier to standardise.
2. Thermal Labels
Labels are not interchangeable.
Poor quality labels cause:
- Faded barcodes
- Courier scanning issues
- Adhesion problems
I break down the correct label size, compatibility and UK sourcing options here:
Best Thermal Labels for Small UK Resellers
Using the right labels prevents delivery delays and reprints.
3. Shipping Scales
Accurate scales protect your margins.
Under-declaring weight risks surcharges. Over-declaring increases postage costs over time.
For small sellers, a compact digital scale that handles up to 30kg is sufficient in most cases.
Full recommendations and buying considerations are here:
Recommended shipping scales for small sellers
4. Shipping Software
Your printer and scales are only part of the system. Software connects everything.
For UK sellers this usually means eBay integrated postage, Royal Mail Click and Drop, or direct courier portals such as Evri or DPD. The goal is to connect dispatch tools with your eBay orders so labels generate accurately and tracking uploads automatically.
I break down the workflow differences, cost considerations and when each system makes sense in my guide to UK shipping software for eBay sellers.
Efficiency here matters more than most new sellers realise. When your software workflow is stable, dispatch becomes faster and error rates drop significantly.
5. Packaging Suppliers
Margins are quietly lost through packaging.
Buying single packs from supermarkets or convenience stores is expensive. Establishing consistent supply from trade packaging suppliers reduces per-parcel cost and improves presentation.
I list reliable UK options here:
Best Packaging Suppliers for Small UK Resellers
How the Stack Works Together
This is not five separate decisions. It is one integrated system.
- Printer prints labels sourced for that printer.
- Scales feed accurate weights into shipping software.
- Software generates compliant Royal Mail or courier labels.
- Packaging matches parcel size and protects the item.
When the system is aligned, dispatch becomes predictable and fast.
When it is not aligned, friction appears daily.
Dispatch is practical work. The equipment choices here are based on real-world use rather than theory. If you want to see the real-world dispatch equipment I rely on, I have outlined it separately.
Related Dispatch Infrastructure
- Munbyn vs Rollo for UK sellers
- Best thermal labels for small UK resellers
- Recommended shipping scales for small sellers
- UK shipping software for eBay sellers
- Best packaging suppliers for small UK resellers
- The printers I use for postage labels and reproduction prints
Setup by Volume
Under 20 Parcels per Week
You need:
- Entry-level thermal printer
- Standard 4×6 labels
- Compact digital scales
- eBay integrated labels or Click & Drop
Keep it simple. Avoid overbuilding.
20 to 100 Parcels per Week
You benefit from:
- Wireless thermal printer
- Bulk label purchasing
- Stable shipping software workflow
- Structured packaging storage
Efficiency begins to matter more than absolute equipment cost.
Cost Expectations
A realistic UK small-seller dispatch setup typically costs:
- Thermal printer: £120 to £250
- Scales: £25 to £60
- Labels: £15 to £25 per 500
- Initial packaging stock: £50 to £150
This is a one-time infrastructure investment that pays back through time saved and reduced postage errors.
Why I Built This Page
I created separate guides for printers, labels, scales, software and packaging because each decision has practical consequences.
Click here to see the printers I use for postage labels and reproduction prints
This page exists to connect them into a single system.
If you are starting from scratch, begin with the printer comparison.
If you already own a printer, optimise the rest of the stack.
Dispatch is not glamorous, but it determines speed, cost control and buyer experience.
Build it properly once, and it compounds quietly in the background.
