How to Print Whatnot Shipping Labels

Learning how to print Whatnot shipping labels is one of the first practical skills every new seller needs. Once a show ends, Whatnot generates prepaid labels for each order. You print them from your seller tools, attach them to your packages and drop them off with the carrier. The postage is already paid from the shipping the buyer was charged, so there is nothing extra to buy for normal orders.

The process is simple once it is set up, but the details trip people up: labels printing too small, the wrong paper size, confusion about QR codes, or not knowing where packing slips are. This guide covers each step and each common problem, whether you print from a phone, a computer, a thermal printer or a regular office printer.

If you want the full shipping picture first, read our guide to how Whatnot shipping works.

What You Need Before Printing Whatnot Labels

You can print a label with almost any printer, but a little preparation saves a lot of frustration on your first busy show day.

• A printer. A 4x6 direct thermal label printer is the most common choice because it needs no ink and prints fast. A standard inkjet or laser printer also works if you use the right format. Compare options in our best label printer for Whatnot guide.
• Labels or paper. 4x6 thermal labels for thermal printers, or plain paper or adhesive label sheets for regular printers.
• A device. The Whatnot app on your phone or the web version on a computer. Batch printing is usually easier on a computer; our guide to using Whatnot on a computer explains the web version.
• Printer drivers. Install the manufacturer's driver or app and print a test label before your first show.
• Packing supplies. Have mailers and boxes ready so labels go straight onto packages. See our packaging supplies checklist.

How to Print Whatnot Shipping Labels Step by Step

Exact button names and screen layouts change as Whatnot updates the app, so think of these steps as the general flow. If something looks different, the help center will have current screenshots.

1. Open your seller tools and go to your orders or shipments area. Your Whatnot Seller Hub is the central place for this.
2. Filter for orders ready to ship. These are paid orders that have not yet been labeled or shipped.
3. Select the orders you want to print. Many sellers select all orders from one show at once.
4. Choose your label format, such as 4x6 for thermal printers or a full-page option for regular printers.
5. Print the labels. Depending on your device, the label opens as a file or sends directly to your printer.
6. Print packing slips if you want a checklist for each order.
7. Match labels to packages using the buyer name and the packing slip.
8. Attach the label flat on the largest surface of the package, with no tape over the barcode.
9. Drop off or schedule pickup with the carrier.

How to Print Labels on Whatnot from a Phone vs a Computer

Printing from your phone

Phone printing works well for small numbers of orders and for sellers with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi thermal printers that have their own phone apps. The typical approach is to open the label in the Whatnot app, then share or send it to your printer's app or your phone's print function. Check that the paper size is set to 4x6 in the printing app.

Printing from a computer

For larger shows, a computer is usually faster. Log into Whatnot in a web browser, open your orders, select multiple orders and print in one batch. USB thermal printers are straightforward to set up on a computer, and you can save label files for reprinting.

How to Change Shipping Label Size on Whatnot

Label size problems are the most common printing headache. There are two places to check: Whatnot's label format and your printer's paper settings.

Step 1: Choose the right format in Whatnot

Look for a label format or size option in your shipping settings or on the print screen. Pick 4x6 if you use a thermal label printer. Pick a full-page or letter-size option if you print on a standard printer, then cut the label out or use adhesive label sheets.

Step 2: Match your printer's paper size

In your printer's driver or app, set the paper size to 4x6 (sometimes listed as 100 x 150 mm) for thermal labels. If the printer thinks it has letter paper, it may shrink the label into a corner or print across multiple labels.

Step 3: Turn off browser scaling

When printing from a browser, set scaling to 100% or actual size, and turn off headers and footers. "Fit to page" can shrink a 4x6 label and make the barcode harder to scan.

Step 4: Calibrate the printer

If labels print offset or skip every other label, run your thermal printer's calibration routine so it detects the gap between labels. Most printers have a button sequence or a setting in their app for this.

Whatnot QR Code for Shipping: Printing Without a Printer

If you do not own a printer yet, you have a few options. Some carriers support printing a label at a retail location from a QR code or label-broker code shown on your phone. Whether that option is available for your Whatnot labels depends on the carrier, your country and Whatnot's current features, so look for it in the label options on an order or check the Whatnot help center.

Other stopgap options include printing on a regular home printer and taping the label securely with clear tape that does not cover the barcode, or printing at a local print shop. These work for occasional orders, but if you plan to sell regularly, a thermal printer quickly pays for itself in time saved and ink avoided.

Whatnot Packing Slips: What They Are and How to Use Them

Packing slips list the items in an order, which is especially valuable when a buyer wins many items in one show. They serve two purposes:

• For you: a checklist so every item in a combined order makes it into the box.
• For the buyer: a record of what they bought, which helps them confirm the order is complete and recognize your shop.

You can generally print packing slips alongside labels or separately from your orders area. Some sellers print them on regular paper, while others print a compact version on 4x6 thermal labels to save paper. Add a short thank-you note on the slip or in the package to build loyalty. For combined orders, our guide to Whatnot bundle shipping explains how to use slips to pack large bundles accurately.

Fixing Common Whatnot Label Printing Problems

If a weight problem shows up, read our guide to Whatnot shipping profiles to fix the root cause.

Attaching Labels and Getting Packages Scanned

A perfectly printed label is useless if it falls off or cannot be scanned. A few rules of thumb:

• Place the label on the largest flat surface, not across seams or edges.
• Do not cover the barcode with shiny tape that causes glare.
• Remove or cover old labels and barcodes if you reuse boxes.
• Use one label per package and never photocopy a label.
• Ask for an acceptance scan or receipt at drop-off for higher-value packages.

That first carrier scan is often what marks an order as shipped. Our guide on how long Whatnot sellers have to ship explains why prompt scans matter for your seller standing.

Reprinting, Voiding and Replacing Labels

You can usually reprint a label from the order details if the original is damaged or prints badly. Reprinting creates the same label with the same tracking number, so use it only on the original package.

If you need a different label, for example because the package ended up heavier than expected or you need to split an order, look for options to void and regenerate the label or to add another package. If you cannot do it yourself, contact Whatnot support before shipping. An unused label should not be left lying around, so destroy it once you are sure it will not be used.

Choosing and Storing Thermal Labels

Labels are a consumable you will buy over and over, so it pays to get them right. Most Whatnot sellers use 4x6 direct thermal labels, sold either on rolls or as fan-fold stacks. Check which format your printer accepts: some printers take only rolls with a specific core size, while others feed fan-fold stacks from behind. Labels made for one brand often work in others, but confirm compatibility before buying in bulk.

Direct thermal labels react to heat and light, which is how they print without ink. That also means they can fade if stored in a hot car or bright window. Keep spare labels in a cool, dry place and use older stock first. A faded barcode can delay a package or prevent it from scanning at all.

A Label-Printing Routine for Busy Show Days

1. End the show and wait for orders to finish processing.
2. Print all labels and packing slips in one batch.
3. Stack labels in the same order as the slips.
4. Pack order by order, checking items against slips.
5. Attach labels, weigh suspicious packages and set aside any exceptions.
6. Drop off within your shipping window and keep receipts.

Pair this with the broader workflow in our first Whatnot show checklist so shipping day runs as smoothly as the show.

Bottom Line

Printing Whatnot shipping labels comes down to three things: select orders in your seller tools, match the label format to your printer, and attach each label cleanly to the right package. Get a thermal printer set to 4x6, use packing slips for every combined order, and fix size problems with paper and scaling settings. Next, choose the right hardware with our label printer guide, or go back to the complete Whatnot shipping guide.

If you are still getting your shop off the ground, the Marketplace SuperHeroes free workshop offers guided help for beginners on sourcing and selling.