posted on March 10, 2003 02:04:13 PM new
OK, I have been a very loyal stamps.com user since they first started. We've had pretty good service for the most part, but have recently run into some problems (database crashed on one of our PCs and support hasn't answered 3 emails).
I have tried out endicia in the past, but it was a long time ago. The main question I have is - can you do multiple labels at once that are all the same weight?
In Stamps.com, we can select lots of names from the address book, and print them all at once. We have monthly mailings that sometimes have as many as 100 or more people all getting the same weight package and it would be a major pain to have to do individual labels.
posted on March 10, 2003 02:18:16 PM new
Hello. I too was a disgruntled ex-Stamps.com user that switched over to Endicia. I have never regretted it! Regarding your question, I believe that you do need to print each label individually, even though the weight of your packages are the same. Harry Whitehouse of Endicia would know more about it, so I may be wrong. Hopefully, Harry will comment on this thread.
posted on March 10, 2003 02:25:03 PM new
You must print one label at a time.
The label prints out with the address including +4 zip code, bar code, delivery confirmation and your return address.
I use a sheet with 6 laels (2 for each package). I purchased them online and got 6000 labels for $90 including shipping.
I copy and paste my address into the address book as I receive them. At shipping time I simply type in the last name and click print, change the weight, and click print. Then on to the next one..... takes seconds!
If you really want to get fancy, and batch print pieces of varying weight and mail class, we have an XML interface which is also referenced in the page above.
posted on March 10, 2003 02:52:18 PM newOn the Avery 5164 sheets will it print one on the top, one in the middle, and then the third on the bottom, all at once
I forget if it goes down one column and then starts at the top of the next column, or does a complete row and then moves down to the next row. But the bottom line is that it blasts out "x" labels at a time, working down the sheet of labels.
As seen in the link I posted above, you can specify the starting row and column when you begin any print job. That allows you to print on partially-used sheets.
That said, printing on sheets of labels does open the possibility of printing on an already-used label space. If you are using E/DC, you are "insured" against this type of failure as we can refund you according to USPS rules:
If you are a high volume printer, the most foolproof printing environment is a 4x6" label printer like the Eltron or Zebra printer lines. You can get them on EBay for less than $200 and the label costs are quite low (~3 cents). We have one described here, but we can't replicate the kind of deal you can get on EBay so that's what I recommend:
We periodically find some bargain printers on EBay and sell them as "Harry's Specials" well below the price we show for the brand new printer above. These are typically UPS OEM printers, but are the Eltron Model 2844.
posted on March 10, 2003 03:11:06 PM new
Ah-ha! Today I find out another great facet of using Endicia. Just the other day (while playing around with the software options), I noticed the ability to import small pictures or logos to print on the labels. Awesome. Now if I could just figure out how to get the free delivery confirmation using my 2-to-a row labels (using the Avery 8163.LYT template and 2x4 labels).
Thanks for today's lesson Harry.
Jack
[ edited by blackjack21 on Mar 10, 2003 03:13 PM ]
posted on March 10, 2003 04:06:10 PM new
oh wow! I think *maybe* it was time to get one of those printers you have on your site, the Endicia site... 2 selling ID's and website...
But you say that they are selling on ebay, and if they are, they are compatible with your system?
I have been using printer and paper, but really want the labels to 'peel and stick'
OR, is there any of these peel and stick type labels that can be used just on your printer????
Thanks!
btw- I couldn't live without Endicia now!
Art Bell Retired! George Noory is on late night coasttocoastam.com
posted on March 10, 2003 04:19:22 PM new
NearTheSea --
The Eltron/Zebra printers (Zebra bought Eltron so the brands are merging) are basically "commodity" items. UPS and FedEX often give them to their volume customers for free.
When looking for an Eltron on EBay, look for a 2844 model with at least a parallel printer hookup. The very old Eltron's sometimes have only a serial port and it's REALLY slow to print a label via the serial port (like two minutes).
The more recent Eltrons have three ports -- USB, Parallel and Serial.
The Eltron's use a roll of sticky labels. A bunch of folks make these labels so the prices are very competitive. We sell the Zebra brand on our site.
BTW, when you get a UPS-OEM printer off of EBay, be sure to download the latest Windows driver from the www.zebra.com site (free) to use with Endicia.
[email protected]
[ edited by harrywhitehouse on Mar 11, 2003 06:33 PM ]
6,000 labels are $89.90 plus shipping (which was under $10.00). Not quite as good as the price quoted above but I was very pleased with the quality and they arrived quickly.
No, I'm not affiliated with them in any way <grin> Just a satisfied customer.
posted on March 13, 2003 12:11:18 PM new
barbarake,
Thanks for that info! I was wondering if you or anyone else could help me with a question. Does Endicia automatically use two labels when printing with the 5164, or is that only when DC is used?
I package my items in #000 4x8 bubble mailers, and currently use the Avery 5168 label. I'd like to find a cheaper label or a cheaper source for the 5168 label. I wouldn't be able to fit (2) of the 5164 labels on the mailer I use.
If anyone knows a low-cost source for the 5168s I'd appreciate it. The lowest cost I've found is $90 including shipping for 2,000 labels.
posted on March 13, 2003 01:10:09 PM new
emak -- When using the default 5164 media selection in Endicia, the program assumes that you have 6 labels (2 columns, 3 rows). And one of those labels probably won't fit both E/DC and postage and the main address.
So what you can do is create a custom label media which essentially considers each row as a single label.
This tutorial doesn't do exactly what you want but it's close:
http://www.envmgr.com/twolabelspersheet.html
You basically want to create a new media as explained in this page. But start with the 5164. Press the New Button and change the number of columns from 2 to 1. Then change the width of the column from 4" to 8.5". Save this resulting media. Now put the various elements on the resulting design space, being careful not to place any element in the very center (where there is a space and no label). Basically, when you print a "label" you will be using two the 5164 labels side by side.
posted on March 13, 2003 01:49:00 PM new
I tried the free delivery confirmation on Endicia and I use the 5264 Avery labels. It printed the confirmation right over the postage. Do you have to use bigger labels or sheets of paper when you use delivery confirmation? I have also printed on plain paper before and stuck the whole page (folded) in a clear plastic envelope that sticks to the box. I haven't had any trouble with sending it like that, has anybody else? I have just started using Endicia and haven't figured the delivery confirmatin out yet and haven't had the time. HELP!!
