1
Barcode is too small
The full label is scaled down or the bars are visibly compressed.
Fix print scale first; barcode checks are unreliable if the whole label is the wrong size.
Fix print scaletroubleshooting guide
My Shipping Label Barcode is Not Scanning — How to Fix It
Fix shipping label printing problems: my shipping label barcode is not scanning. Check scale, paper, margins, orientation and barcode quiet zones.
Best next step
Follow the symptom-led steps before buying or reprinting postage.
Start with the tool or template that matches this guide before printing paid postage again.
Quick answer
Barcode scan failures usually come from shrinking, blur, tape glare or missing quiet-zone whitespace. Confirm scale first, then inspect print quality and label placement.
- Recommended size
- 4 × 6 in
- Print scale
- 100%
- Orientation
- Portrait
Symptom-led fix
Find the cause before reprinting
Follow the symptom that best matches your bad print. Each step points to the safest next tool before you buy postage again.
Print one test at 100% / Actual Size first.
2
Whitespace was cropped
The barcode touches text, a label edge, tape, or package folds.
Use the image checker to estimate quiet-zone whitespace around the barcode.
Check quiet zone3
Print looks gray or shiny
The barcode is faded, streaky, wrinkled or covered with glossy tape.
Reprint one test after increasing density or changing paper/tape placement.
Download test print packStep 1: Check print scale
Open the print dialog and choose 100% or Actual Size. Avoid Fit to Page because it can shrink the barcode and label boundaries. If you printed from a browser preview, download the PDF and retry from a PDF viewer.
Step 2: Check paper and orientation
Confirm the paper in your printer matches the label PDF. A 4×6 roll should not be printed as Letter, and Letter sheets should not crop the label area. If the output is rotated, switch portrait/landscape before changing scale.
Step 3: Run a calibration print
Print a blank template before buying new labels or reprinting postage. If the template is wrong, the carrier label will also be wrong. Measure the printed border and compare it to the target size.
Step 4: Decide what to fix next
If the whole label is the wrong size, fix scale. If only one edge is missing, fix paper size, margins or roll alignment. If the size is correct but scans fail, inspect print density, barcode quiet zone, tape glare and label damage.
Source notes
This guide is based on recurring seller-support patterns: labels printed from browser previews, PDF viewers resizing files, thermal rolls loaded off-center, and barcodes losing quiet-zone whitespace.
When a platform or carrier offers a specific label-format setting, follow that official setting first, then use the checker and templates here to confirm print scale, paper size, orientation, and barcode quiet zone before shipping.
For troubleshooting, prioritize fixes that include printer model, paper size, PDF viewer, and scale setting before reprinting paid postage.
FAQ
Should I re-buy postage?
Usually no. First fix the print settings and reprint the original PDF if your platform allows it.
Why does Actual Size matter?
Barcode scanners expect the bars and quiet zone to remain within tolerance. Shrinking can make scans fail.
Can tape cause scanning problems?
Yes. Glossy tape over a barcode can reflect light and reduce scan reliability.
What should I try first if I am in a hurry?
Download the label PDF, print from a PDF viewer at 100% / Actual Size and make sure the selected paper size matches the paper in the printer.
How do I know whether the printer or the label file is the problem?
Print a blank template at 100%. If the template is also wrong, fix printer settings before changing the label file or buying new postage.