Selling through Amazon, Noon or Flipkart means meeting someone else's warehouse rules. A barcode that does not scan, a label that peels in transit or a carton label in the wrong place can mean delays, extra fees or stock that is refused at the fulfilment centre. For brands sending thousands of units a month, those small problems add up quickly.
This guide is for marketplace sellers, brand owners and third-party logistics providers in India, the UAE, the UK, the US and Canada. It covers the label types marketplaces ask for, the roll and material choices that keep your printers running and how to buy marketplace labels in bulk.
Short answer: marketplace sellers usually need three kinds of labels: unit barcode labels such as Amazon FNSKU labels on every product, carton or box labels that identify each shipment box, and courier shipping labels, most often 4 x 6 inch. Direct thermal rolls suit short-life shipping labels, while thermal transfer labels last longer on products. Always check your marketplace's current label requirements before ordering in bulk.
Key takeaways
- Match the label size, core size and roll diameter to your printer before you order.
- Use direct thermal labels for shipping and thermal transfer labels for products that sit in storage.
- Barcode print quality matters more than label price. An unscannable label costs far more than it saves.
- Marketplace rules change, so confirm requirements in your seller portal before every large order.
The three label types every marketplace seller uses
| Label | What it does | Common sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Unit or product barcode label (for example Amazon FNSKU) | Identifies each unit to the marketplace's inventory system | Small rectangles such as 50 x 25 mm or 2 x 1 inch |
| Carton or box ID label | Identifies each box in an inbound shipment | 4 x 6 inch (about 102 x 152 mm) or A6 |
| Courier shipping label | Carries the address and tracking barcode | 4 x 6 inch is the most widely used |
Some sellers also use pallet labels for large inbound shipments and warning or prep labels such as "sold as set" or "do not separate" on bundled items. If you are sending full pallets, read our guide to carton and pallet labels for export shipments.
Direct thermal or thermal transfer?
| Direct thermal | Thermal transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| How it prints | Heat darkens a coated label, no ribbon | Heat transfers ink from a ribbon onto the label |
| Durability | Fades with heat, light and time | Lasts for years, resists rubbing |
| Best for | Courier and shipping labels used within weeks | Product labels, long storage, warehouses with heat or sunlight |
| Running cost | Lower, no ribbon | Slightly higher, ribbon needed |
Unit labels on products that may sit in a warehouse for months, or in hot climates such as the Gulf, are safer on thermal transfer stock. Our thermal transfer ribbon guide helps you pair the right ribbon with the right label.
Getting the roll specification right
Most problems with marketplace labels are fit problems, not print problems. Before ordering, check these against your printer's manual:
- Core size: desktop printers usually take a 25 mm (1 inch) core, industrial printers a 76 mm (3 inch) core.
- Maximum roll diameter: desktop printers often accept rolls up to about 127 mm (5 inches) across.
- Label width and gap: the printer's sensor needs a consistent gap or black mark to find each label.
- Wind direction: most thermal printers need labels wound outside, but check your model.
- Perforations: perforations between shipping labels make tearing and batching faster at the packing desk.
If you are unsure, send us your printer model. Our thermal printer labels page lists the standard sizes we run, and custom sizes are available.
Buying marketplace labels in bulk?
Tell us your printer model, label sizes and monthly volumes. We will supply rolls that fit, scan first time and arrive when you need them, with a quote within 24 hours.
Barcode quality that passes the warehouse scanner
Fulfilment centres scan thousands of items an hour. A barcode that needs three attempts slows the line and may be flagged. To keep scans first-time:
- Print at the correct size. Shrinking a barcode to fit a small label narrows the bars and lowers the scan rate.
- Keep the quiet zone, the blank space either side of the barcode, clear of text and edges.
- Use black on white. Coloured or patterned backgrounds reduce contrast.
- Keep printheads clean and set the correct darkness for your label stock.
- Cover the manufacturer's barcode on the product if the marketplace asks you to, so only one barcode is scanned.
Our guide to barcode label printing and GS1 standards covers barcode types, sizes and verification in more detail.
Pre-printed branded labels for marketplace packs
Marketplace packaging is part of your brand. Many sellers combine plain thermal labels for barcodes with pre-printed branded labels for the product itself, seals for mailer boxes and thank-you stickers inside the parcel. Printing these with Pantone-matched colours makes an unboxing feel premium even when the product ships in a plain carton. See our retail and e-commerce labels for ideas.
Marketplaces have been reducing the prep and labelling services they offer in some regions, so more sellers now arrive with every unit already labelled. Planning your label supply with your production schedule avoids last-minute shortages.
How Sai Impression supports marketplace sellers
Sai Impression supplies direct thermal and thermal transfer labels on rolls for desktop and industrial printers, along with branded product labels and logistics and warehouse labels. We have printed labels in Chennai since 2010 for more than 1000 brands and ship to over 25 countries, so we can support sellers on Amazon.in, Amazon.ae, Noon, Amazon.co.uk and North American marketplaces. Standard jobs are dispatched in as little as 5 days after approval.
Frequently asked questions
What size label do I need for Amazon FNSKU barcodes?
Amazon accepts a range of label sizes for unit labels, and small rectangles around 2 x 1 inch or 50 x 25 mm are common on rolls. Check the current size range in Seller Central and choose a size that keeps the barcode at full width.
Are direct thermal labels good enough for products?
For products that sell within weeks and are stored away from heat and light, often yes. For longer storage, hot warehouses or products handled often, thermal transfer labels are safer because the print does not fade.
Which core size fits my label printer?
Most desktop label printers use a 25 mm (1 inch) core, while industrial printers usually use 76 mm (3 inch) cores. Share your printer model and we will confirm the right roll specification.
Can you print my logo on shipping labels?
Yes. We can pre-print your logo or brand colours on thermal labels and leave the rest of the label blank for your printer to add addresses and barcodes.
Do you ship thermal labels outside India?
Yes. We supply labels to buyers in over 25 countries, including the UAE and other Gulf markets, and can plan regular shipments for monthly volumes.
Keep your marketplace orders moving
Share your label sizes, printer models and monthly usage. We will set up a regular supply that fits your printers and your budget.
Sources and further reading: Amazon: Fulfillment by Amazon, GS1: barcodes. Marketplace label rules change, so check your seller portal for the current requirements.
