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Guides for label printers, shipping scales, custom boxes, labels, print runs and POS hardware, compared on what businesses actually pay: cost per label, cost per box, minimum order and turnaround.
Find supplies by job
Shipping, packaging, printing and checkout each have their own math. Start where your costs are.
Shipping & fulfillment
Label printers, scales and mailers
Packaging
Custom boxes, mailers and inserts
Labels & printing
Labels, stickers, cards and print
POS & office
Scanners, receipt printers, consumables
Promotional merchandise
Branded apparel, drinkware and giveaways
Print production gear
Cutters, laminators and binding
Procurement & reordering
Bulk buying, vendors and reorders
Do the math first
- 01
Barcode Scanners for Small Retail: 1D vs 2D, Wired vs Wireless
Most small retailers should buy a 2D imager scanner.
- 02
Custom Stickers and Product Labels: Materials, Cuts and Files
Choose vinyl for durable, water-resistant stickers and product labels, and paper for low-cost indoor labels.
- 03
Dimensional Weight: Choosing Box Sizes That Cost Less to Ship
Carriers bill the greater of a package's actual weight and its dimensional weight: length × width × height in inches divided by a divisor, commonly 139 for UPS and FedEx daily rates.
- 04
How to Calculate Packaging Cost per Shipment
Packaging cost per shipment is the sum of every item that goes into one order (box or mailer, void fill, tape, shipping label, insert) plus the labor to pack it.
- 05
Poly Mailer vs Box: Which Is Better for Shipping Your Products?
Poly mailers are the cheapest and lightest option for soft, unbreakable items such as clothing, and they rarely trigger dimensional weight charges.
- 06
Thermal Label Printer Buying Guide for Small Businesses
For shipping labels, a direct thermal printer that handles 4x6 inch labels is the standard choice: no ink, fast output and cheap labels.
Business Supplies questions, answered
Do I need a 2D barcode scanner?
If you will scan QR codes, digital coupons or tickets on phones, yes. A 2D imager also reads standard 1D barcodes.
Read: Barcode Scanners for Small Retail →What is the difference between die-cut and kiss-cut?
Die-cut stickers are cut through both the sticker and backing to the shape. Kiss-cut stickers are cut only through the sticker, leaving a larger backing.
Read: Custom Stickers and Product Labels →How do I calculate dimensional weight?
Multiply length, width and height in inches, rounded per the carrier's rules, then divide by the carrier's divisor. Compare it to the actual weight and pay the higher.
Read: Dimensional Weight →What should packaging cost per order?
It depends on the product, but many small sellers spend from under a dollar for mailers to several dollars for branded boxes. Calculate yours rather than guessing.
Read: How to Calculate Packaging Cost per Shipment →Can I ship clothing in a poly mailer?
Yes. Poly mailers are the standard for apparel and other soft goods.
Read: Poly Mailer vs Box →What size label does a shipping printer use?
The carrier standard is 4 by 6 inches. Most shipping platforms print to that size by default.
Read: Thermal Label Printer Buying Guide for Small Businesses →Built for repeat buyers
We compare supplies on cost per label, per box or per print, including minimums and shipping.
Each guide says who the supply suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
The business supplies index
- 01Shipping & fulfillmentThermal label printers, shipping scales, poly and padded mailers, tape and packing stations.2 pages
- 02PackagingCustom printed boxes, mailer boxes, tissue, inserts and branded tape.2 pages
- 03Labels & printingProduct labels, custom stickers, business cards, flyers, direct mail and signage.1 page
- 04POS & officeBarcode scanners, receipt printers, cash drawers, office paper and bulk consumables.1 page
- 05Promotional merchandisePrinted apparel, branded drinkware, giveaways, employee kits and trade-show merchandise.0 pages
- 06Print production gearCutting machines, laminators, binding tools and in-house print production equipment.0 pages
- 07Procurement & reorderingBulk purchasing, vendor comparisons, price breaks and reorder management for physical supplies.0 pages