CREATING & PRINTING A PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING LABEL

Even more than being able to get the free shipping supplies, I love the fact that I can prepare my own Shipping Label and even prepay the postage.  To begin the process of creating your Label, go to: https://sss-web.usps.com/ds/jsps/index.jsp

Make sure you follow the instructions very closely for creating your label.  The first thing you are asked to do on this page is to enable your computer to use the software for printing out the Priority Mail Label.  Click on the ,"See System Requirements".  This takes you to a pop-up dialog box which indicates that you will need to download a "Java Applet" or in the case your computer will not run Java, some special software.   Like I said follow the instructions very carefully. While you must have either MS Internet Explorer or Netscape to download the Java Applet, I believe their alternate software will allow you create a label if you are using other types of Browsers.  I do not know this for a fact as there is not anyway I can test the alternate software to determine such.

Once the Java Applet or their software is loaded, your computer is ready to allow you to create and print the label.   Well, almost............

I suggest that before you begin the process of creating your label, you take the time to register for their service.  This is a must if you would like to store your return address and the address of the person you are mailing for future use Make sure you are logged in after your registration.  And for goodness sakes, write down and/or print out your registration information!. Additionally, if you decide to use the "Shipping Label With Postage" function, you must be registered and logged in.

Personally, I at first did not use the Label With Postage Function. By not using it, I still was required  to stand in line at the Post Office so they could scan the Bar Code which among other things calculates your Postage Fee if you have entered the weight of the package during the Label Preparation.  I finally bit the bullet and used my credit card to go the Postage Paid route. That way, you just drop the package off at the Post Office, or in a USPS Parcel Box or, in some regions, you can call for a pickup and do not even have to leave your home to get the AV goodies started on their journey.  I have started the pickup thing.  Just make sure that you print out your label the day before shipment, and ensure you have selected the next day as the shipping date.  When you create your label, the Post Office is notified to expect your package on the date you indicate it will be shipped.   So, If I am going to ship on Tuesday whose date I entered before printing label,  I am going to call the post office on Monday and request a pick up time for as early as possible on the next day. I do not believe they will guarantee same day pick up unless you are a frequent or volume shipper.

If you use the Postage Paid route or wish to have the Barcode to be able to read the weight, you are going to need a weight scale at home. It must be one that will measure ounces and pounds.  I use my Companions scale which I believe is for those on a diet.  However, we use it for packages, weighing our mineral stones, the amount of grinding grit & polish media for our stone polisher and the Acid we use to clean the stones before the smoothing and polish steps are implemented. Of course that means you are going to need to have the box, the bubble wrap, other insulation if necessary and the plants and/or leaves to calculate your total weight.  What I usually do is pack my items late in the afternoon of day before shipment and weigh the ready to ship sealed box.  Just store it where it is not going to be subjected to a direct heat source.  If you have used good packing methods, the plants and/or leaves will arrive in nearly or  the exact same condition as when you packed them.   

Again, follow the instructions carefully regardless of which ever method you choose, Pre-paid or not pre-paid. Having a scale will cut down on the amount of time you need to stand at the postal counter while they weigh your package and calculate the postage.

And, I would heed their advice to use good quality printing paper.  If you do not, the Bar Code segments may run/blur and this could prevent the package from reaching the recipient as that Bar Code is going to be read several times during its' journey.

Oh, when you tape the label on your box, here are two "Absolutely Do-Not's":  Do not place any tape, clear or not, over the Bar Code, nor place any tape where the Postage will be affixed if that is to be done at the Post Office.

I do believe that about covers the label thingie'.  I just gotta'  say that I am impressed and love what the USPS has done to make it easy to prepare and ship AV goodies via Priority Mail shipping.