A dispatch note and a shipping label are two different documents that serve two different audiences, but sellers routinely confuse them. The shipping label goes on the outside for the carrier, while the dispatch note goes inside for the customer, and getting both right is part of professional fulfilment.
What a shipping label is for
The shipping label is the carrier-facing document on the outside of the parcel: the addresses, the postage barcode and the tracking number. It's what the courier scans to move and deliver the parcel, and it's generated when you buy postage. Our shipping label vs address label guide covers its role in more detail.
What a dispatch note is for
The dispatch note, sometimes called a packing slip or delivery note, goes inside the parcel and tells the customer what they ordered, the quantities, and often the price or a returns note. It's the customer-facing confirmation that the right items are in the box, and it's a key part of a professional unboxing experience.
Why the distinction matters
The practical failure is sending a parcel without a dispatch note, leaving the customer no order summary, or worse, confusing the two and putting the wrong document on the outside. A parcel with only a dispatch note and no shipping label has no postage; one with no dispatch note feels unprofessional. Both belong, in different places.
What to include on a dispatch note
A good dispatch note lists the order number, the items and quantities shipped, and a brief thank-you or returns reminder. Including a returns slip and your contact details makes it easy for the customer to get in touch, and it's a small touch that reduces support enquiries.
Branded versus plain dispatch notes
Many sellers print dispatch notes on plain paper, but a branded note, with your logo and a short message, turns a functional document into a marketing moment. It's inexpensive to do and improves the perceived quality of the order, which is why growing sellers invest in it.
Printing each document
The shipping label prints at 100 × 150mm on a thermal printer, while the dispatch note prints on ordinary A4 or A5 paper through a regular printer. Keeping the two on separate printers, or clearly separated in your workflow, prevents the mix-ups that cause mis-sent parcels.
Building both into your workflow
The cleanest setup is to generate the shipping label and dispatch note together from your order management or shipping platform, print the label on thermal and the note on paper, and pack them as a pair. It's the same batching discipline our shipping automation guide recommends.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dispatch note the same as a shipping label? No. The shipping label goes on the outside for the carrier, while the dispatch note goes inside for the customer.
Do I need to include a dispatch note? It's not legally required, but it's standard professional practice and helps the customer confirm their order.
What should a dispatch note contain? The order number, items and quantities shipped, and ideally a thank-you or returns reminder and your contact details.
The label that carries the parcel
Print the shipping label on a 100 × 150mm direct thermal label, and keep the dispatch note for the inside, where it belongs.
Shop 4×6 Labels