Royal Mail PPI and label integration

[paretowasright]

Hi I am working with a new client and they are just integrating Royal Mail PPI into their store. They have asked me today if a label template exists that easily integrates the return address, recipient address and PPI barcode requirement. To their amazment RM said they have nothing!
Little wonder RM are in such a mess!
Any guidance much appreciated else the client will revert back to RM smart stamp which does all this but is more expensive.

 

[deadgoodundies]

What we do is we use the PPI graphic that Royal Mail gave us when we opened the account (that has the PPI number on it)

Set up a shipping label template in the printer software (we use Dymo label writers) that has the graphic, return address and space for the customer details and then in our e-commerce back end we can select all the orders to ship do a label export and then copy and paste it into the dymo software (smart paste) and then all our labels are done ready for application to the packets.

 

[Christiane]

I get my PPI label printed with my return address and use invoice paper with an integrated label. This way, I don't have to match the invoice with the label. You can get invoice paper with a large enough label that could integrate return address, customer address and PPI logo.

One word of advice, I wouldn't try to print the PPI label on your printer, it swallows the black ink like there's no tomorrow!

 

[deadgoodundies]

I get my PPI label printed with my return address and use invoice paper with an integrated label.

Just out of interest we thought about doing that but what happens if the invoice runs over 2 or more pages.
Are you invoices pre-printed with your details etc. and you just adjust your margins so that it only prints away from where the intergrated label is?

Also isn't the paper a lot more expensive with the integrated labels rather than using seperate labels and paper.

Not questioning the reasons why as it's a better way than what we are doing if it can be done cost effectivley.

 

[Christiane]

If it runs on two pages it just takes two pages, not much we can do about that as we print our invoices in bulk. Most our orders are on 1 page, we get a few on two or three pages a day but not a great deal.

Invoice paper solved a few problems for us. It's a lot quicker and there's no need to match the label with the invoice. It definitely sped up the process for us.

With the PPI label, we stick the same label on all our Royal Mail packages (first, next day, international), so again, error-free and very easy for the packing staff.

Our invoices are not pre-printed, the templates on the website has our details on it.

I think I had calculated a comparison when I did the switch and the Dymo labels were more expensive, but as it made life so much easier and quicker, cost became irrelevant.

 

[paretowasright]

Just to say thanks for all the feedback I have shared it with my client.
They were however a bit distracted today as got a competitor ebay seller trying to stitch them up using friends to buy stuff on both ebay and amazon and then giving negative feedback...the only problem is the parties are connected on facebook and friendsreunited so could back fire in spectacular fashion on the idiot competitor concerned!

 

[Happy2Help]

If it runs on two pages it just takes two pages, not much we can do about that as we print our invoices in bulk. Most our orders are on 1 page, we get a few on two or three pages a day but not a great deal.

Invoice paper solved a few problems for us. It's a lot quicker and there's no need to match the label with the invoice. It definitely sped up the process for us.

With the PPI label, we stick the same label on all our Royal Mail packages (first, next day, international), so again, error-free and very easy for the packing staff.

Our invoices are not pre-printed, the templates on the website has our details on it.

I think I had calculated a comparison when I did the switch and the Dymo labels were more expensive, but as it made life so much easier and quicker, cost became irrelevant.

Hi Christiane
You said you did some price checking, where did you get your invoice paper from?

 

[kulture]

Hi I am working with a new client and they are just integrating Royal Mail PPI into their store. They have asked me today if a label template exists that easily integrates the return address, recipient address and PPI barcode requirement. To their amazment RM said they have nothing!
Little wonder RM are in such a mess!
Any guidance much appreciated else the client will revert back to RM smart stamp which does all this but is more expensive.

Which just goes to show they do not know what they are talking about.

What you want is Despatch Express. It us RM software that you can integrate into your store. It prints address labels (which RM supply for free) and all you buy is the Zebra printer.

 

[Christiane]

Hi Christiane
You said you did some price checking, where did you get your invoice paper from?

these guys, they have bulk prices, and they don't print their web address on the paper unlike some other I use.
S6 is the one I use with zen cart (margins all at 9mm) and when margin amended to left 20mm for ebay.

 

[Raw Rob]

Instead of integrated labels, we print the packing slip on A4 paper, after the order is packed the packing slip is folded to show the delivery address and return address and then inserted into a "documents enclosed" envelope and stuck to the package. Works well and it works out cheaper than integrated labels.

Rob

 

[Christiane]

Instead of integrated labels, we print the packing slip on A4 paper, after the order is packed the packing slip is folded to show the delivery address and return address and then inserted into a "documents enclosed" envelope and stuck to the package. Works well and it works out cheaper than integrated labels.

Rob

Let me know where you buy them from!
I buy my packaging from Rajapack and the A6 is £214.40 for 10,000, the integrated label invoice is £179.50.
I also think it's quicker and easier to slap the label on the envelope rather than putting the paper in those pockets.

 

[Raw Rob]

Let me know where you buy them from!
I buy my packaging from Rajapack and the A6 is £214.40 for 10,000, the integrated label invoice is £179.50.
I also think it's quicker and easier to slap the label on the envelope rather than putting the paper in those pockets.

Oops. When I set up, it was cheaper the way I do it, but now it looks like it is cheaper with integrated labels.

Rob

 

[webprojectuk]

Hi,

You will need to create a PDF file and build the pages within.

If you need more advice then please get in touch...

 

[a1anm]

these guys

We get our integrated labels here as well. No complaints.

 

[4GLte.eu]

Hi there,

I am thinking about implementing a Royal Mail PPI but I cant find answers for my concerns.

I am hoping you can help me. We don not print any invoices, we send them via email in PDFs.

What is the most cost effective printer for the PPI labels?

Is it the ZEBRA or a regular black&white laser printer A4 ?

Tom

 

[JamesSco]

I can't comment on the Zebra as we only use this for courier orders and get the printer/ink/labels for free. However, for standard mailings we use a Standard laser printer with A4 sheets of labels.

Each A4 sheet of labels containers 10 separate labels to which we print on our customers name, our return address and also the PPI label. Saves time and hassle as everything you need is on the 1 label and you get 10 orders to a page.

Once last bit of advice, be sure to choose a laser printer where you can buy refilled ink cartridges. We have the HP one, the 'official' ink costs £40 odd a box but we can get two boxes of refilled cartridges for £13.

 

[Jeff FV]

I use these people http://www.ppi-labels.co.uk/ to print my PPI labels.

Good price, quick turnaround, great service. If you just want PPI labels then buying these will save you a whole load of hassle. Not applicable though if you want to print the PPI label and address label all on the sticker. (We don't - as I say, we use these PPI stickers and then have a Brother QL label printer that churns out the address labels.)

HTH

J

 

[Paula Mulvey]

I can't comment on the Zebra as we only use this for courier orders and get the printer/ink/labels for free.

What courier do you get a free printer, labels, and ink with pls?

 

[Paula Mulvey]

I were wondering the same please