Hi, new to DC, and I've got a couple of questions

[Former_Member]

Hi! :-)
I just signed up for DC the other day, haven't had any sales from it yet, but I'm okay with that. My questions are actually about shipping labels. I saw a couple of people mention that they were having trouble printing them, and I'm wondering if one *must* use the Etsy shipping labels. I'm kind of leaning toward "duh! no!" but I don't want to assume. I'm hoping not, because I don't mind going to the post office.

Also, does one just use regular printer paper for labels? I've never tried printing any, nor have I seen any self-printed ones, so I just don't have a clue.

Thanks for any and all help! (Also, if there's a thread like this, and I missed it, please feel free to merge this one with it!)

[PatsysPatchwork]

I print my own labels. You can go to Avery.com and use their on line templates to design your labels. I like it because you can put your logo on your label. It's free you just need to buy your own labels. I get mine at Walmart.

[Former_Member]

Thanks, Pat!

[PatsysPatchwork]

You're welcome! ;0)

[Former_Member]

I print my own labels as well and use ShipStation to process all of my shipments.

[GallifreyanMarket]

Sorry, brand new this month to Etsy and wondering do you have to print labels at all? i dont have a printer so I am just writing on the box :/ Not immensely professional I know, but is it okay until I can purchase a printer?

[KeepingItNatural]

Melissa---That's fine.
Printers just make it easier.

[OriginalsbyLauren]

Shawna, I print labels through etsy and I love it, I used to use stamps.com

FYI if you print your labels, you save10% and delivery confirmation is free

You can use printer paper and tape it on or by labels that stick on

[PrairiePrimitives]

I'm still using PayPal shipping because most of my sales are still paid for that way AND because I don't want the postage added to my Etsy bill (that seems like a tax-time nightmare waiting to happen!).

If you buy a printer to use for business purposes, it would be at least partially tax deductible (in the U.S.).

[OriginalsbyLauren]

Tana, you are wrong about the printer. I used to do taxes for,hrblock and the printer needs to be solely for business for you to deduct it.

I don't see why printing through etsy has any tax problems. We can download the information, so no difference

I like the etsy labels because when they print the tracking is added to,the sold page and sent to the buyer, so it saves a step. It also helps me keep track of which orders have been shipped, as it moves them to the completed page.

[Former_Member]

All good information, folks, thanks a bunch! I think for now, at least, I'm going to stick with writing them by hand and taking them to the post office, though I'll be checking into the other options. :-)

[PrairiePrimitives]

I've been led to believe that items used for both business and personal use can be deducted on a pro-rated basis. Is this not correct?

Back when I had a landline and paid for my long distance calls, I deducted the business-related LD calls, though I didn't deduct any of my basic phone bill. So what you're saying is that I would have had to have a dedicated business phone line in order to be able to deduct anything. Is this correct?

I haven't given any thought to deducting part of my cell bill (I gave up my landline 2+ years ago), but ya know ... I *should* deduct part of it because I have the data plan so I can use Square! And also so I can check my Stats throughout the day. (Of course I do other things with the phone/data plan too, so I wouldn't deduct the entire data plan, and probably not even half of it.)

It's not the PRINTING thru Etsy that I think could cause tax problems, it's the way Etsy adds the postage to a seller's Etsy bill, rather than letting the seller pay it as they go. Seems too tangled up for me. Hey, do whatever works for you, that's what I say! I'm glad you're so busy you need to be concerned about saving a step here or there. Maybe when I get to that point, I'll reconsider!

[PrairiePrimitives]

Lauren, might want to read this:

http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Deducting-Business-Expenses

Personal versus Business Expenses
Generally, you cannot deduct personal, living, or family expenses. However, if you have an expense for something that is used partly for business and partly for personal purposes, divide the total cost between the business and personal parts. You can deduct the business part.

[KitchenCrafts]

If you print many labels look into a thermal printer. It is the best value -no ink-and the labels are self stick.

[Former_Member]

I print my labels and mail from home. usps first class. Super easy. Etsy DC actually has less steps to do than PayPal. It's a little scary the first one or two times, but then you realize how easy it is. Everything is printed right on the label and you don't have to go to the post office which is nearly impossible for me with 2 kids under 3. I just print on paper and tape to the package. I have a kitchen scale to weigh just round up or add an ounce just in case. I had a glitch printing my label with DC the first time but found a way around it and haven't had any other problems.