Shipping stuff is a total drag. Honestly, between finding a box that isn't crushed and taped-to-death and actually getting the thing out the door, the paperwork feels like a final boss in a video game you didn't ask to play. But here’s the thing: if you want to make a FedEx label, you don't actually need a degree in logistics or a professional thermal printer that costs more than your first car. You just need a decent internet connection and a basic understanding of how the FedEx Ship Manager works.
Most people think you have to go stand in line at a FedEx Office location—those places with the faint smell of toner and packing peanuts—and wait for a tired employee to type in your address. You don't. You can do the whole thing from your couch, even if you don't have a FedEx account.
The Guest Shipping Secret
The easiest way to get started is "Ship as a Guest." It’s basically the "incognito mode" of the shipping world. You jump on the site, put in the weight, pay with a credit card, and you're done. No long-term commitment. No monthly invoices. It’s perfect for that one-off eBay sale or sending a birthday gift to your cousin who moved to Seattle for some reason.
But wait.
If you're shipping more than once a month, stop doing that. Creating a free account actually saves your addresses. There is nothing more soul-crushing than re-typing a 20-digit apartment address in Brooklyn for the third time because the browser refreshed. Plus, FedEx usually tosses a discount your way—sometimes up to 30% or 40% off—just for having a login.
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What you’ll need before you click "Create Shipment"
You can't just eyeball the weight. Well, you can, but FedEx will find out. They have these massive automated scales in their sorting hubs that are more accurate than a jeweler's balance. If you say it's 5 lbs and it's actually 12 lbs, they will charge your card the difference later, and it usually includes a "manual processing" fee that feels like a personal insult.
- A Tape Measure: Dimensions matter just as much as weight. A big, light box can cost more than a small, heavy one because of "dimensional weight."
- The ZIP Code: Double-check this. A wrong ZIP can send your package on a scenic tour of North Dakota when it was supposed to go to North Carolina.
- The Contents: You have to declare what’s inside. Don't be vague. "Electronics" is okay; "Gift" is not.
How to Make a FedEx Label Step-by-Step (The Fast Way)
Go to the FedEx homepage. Look for the "Shipping" tab. It’s right there at the top, staring at you. Click "Create a Shipment."
Now, you’ll see the "From" and "To" fields. This is pretty self-explanatory, but here’s a pro tip: always check the box that says "Perform Address Validation." It’s a tiny little toggle or checkbox that ensures the address actually exists in the USPS/FedEx database. It prevents the dreaded "Address Not Found" delay.
Next up is the "Package and Shipment Details." This is where the magic happens. You’ll choose your packaging. If you are using a standard brown box you found in your garage, select "Your Packaging." If you’re using those free white and purple FedEx boxes, select the specific one (like "FedEx Small Box" or "FedEx Envelope"). Using the wrong selection here can mess up the pricing.
Choosing your speed (and price)
This is where people get tripped up.
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- FedEx Ground: The workhorse. Usually 1-5 business days. Cheapest for heavy stuff.
- FedEx 2Day: Does what it says on the tin. Two days.
- FedEx Overnight: For when you forgot your anniversary and need a miracle.
Printing Without a Printer
What if your printer is out of ink? Or what if you don't even own a printer because it’s 2026 and physical paper feels like a relic of the Bronze Age?
You can still make a FedEx label without a drop of ink. When you finish the online process, choose the "QR Code" option. FedEx will email a code to your phone. You walk into a FedEx Office or a participating Walgreens (yes, Walgreens handles FedEx now), show them the code on your screen, and they print the label for you right there. They’ll even stick it on the box. It’s arguably easier than doing it at home.
The "Shipping a Computer" Nightmare
Let's talk about the tricky stuff. Shipping a laptop or a desktop is a recipe for anxiety. If you’re making a label for high-value electronics, you must look at the "Declared Value" section.
Standard liability for FedEx is usually $100. If your $2,000 MacBook gets crushed by a falling pallet in Memphis, and you didn't declare the value, you're getting $100 and a "sorry about that." It costs a few extra bucks to increase the declared value, but it’s the only way to sleep at night.
Also, for the love of everything holy, use a new box. Cardboard loses about 50% of its strength every time it’s shipped. That Amazon box from three months ago is basically wet tissue paper now.
International Labels are Different
If the package is leaving the country, you aren't just making a shipping label; you're filling out a customs form. You’ll need a "Commercial Invoice." FedEx’s online tool will walk you through it, but you need to be specific. Instead of "Clothes," write "Men's Cotton T-shirts, Made in USA." Customs officials are notoriously picky. If they don't like your description, your package will sit in a warehouse in a different time zone for three weeks while people send you cryptic emails in a language you don't speak.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
People screw this up all the time. Don't be people.
One of the biggest blunders is taping over the barcode. Modern scanners use laser and optical sensors. If you put high-gloss packing tape over the barcode, it can create a reflection that makes the label unreadable. The package then has to be pulled off the automated belt and manually processed. That adds a day to your delivery time. Tape the edges of the label, but leave the "zebra stripes" uncovered.
Another one? Using "FedEx Home Delivery" for a business address. Or vice versa. FedEx Ground is for businesses; Home Delivery is for—you guessed it—homes. Home Delivery actually delivers on Saturdays and Sundays in most areas, whereas Ground is a Monday-Friday operation. If you get this wrong, the system might kick back an error or charge you a residential delivery surcharge later.
Final Actionable Steps
Ready to get that package moving? Here is exactly what to do right now.
- Weigh your box using a bathroom scale if you have to (weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the box, and do the math).
- Measure the L x W x H and round up to the nearest inch. FedEx always rounds up. 10.1 inches is 11 inches in their eyes.
- Log in to FedEx.com or use the mobile app. The app is actually surprisingly good for quick labels.
- Generate a QR code if you don't want to deal with tape and printers.
- Drop it off before the "last pickup" time. Every location has a cutoff—usually between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. If you drop it off at 6:05 PM, it’s not moving until tomorrow.
Shipping doesn't have to be a disaster. Just get the weight right, validate the address, and don't tape over the barcode. You've got this.