Did you know UPS will give you a free thermal printer if you ship enough packages? This guide shows you how to obtain complimentary thermal printing equipment and supplies from UPS, helping you reduce operational costs significantly.
How to Obtain Free Equipment
The process involves three simple steps:
- Establish a UPS.com account - Create a free shipping account if you don't already have one
- Contact UPS customer service - Call 1-800-742-5877 to speak with an account manager
- Demonstrate shipping volume - Account managers can waive the standard $2 per week rental fee for customers with substantial shipping volume
What Qualifies as "Substantial Volume"?
While UPS doesn't publish specific thresholds, sellers shipping:
- Multiple packages daily
- 50+ packages per week
- Regular, ongoing shipments
...typically qualify for the waived rental fee.
What Printer Do You Receive?
UPS provides the Zebra LP 2844 thermal printer, an industry-standard device that:
- Prints 4" × 6" shipping labels
- Operates at reliable speeds
- Works with both Windows and Mac (with some setup)
- Handles high-volume printing demands
Why Thermal Printers Are Superior
Thermal printers have fewer moving parts than standard inkjet printers, making them:
- More reliable for daily use
- Less likely to jam or malfunction
- Lower maintenance requirements
- No ink or toner costs
Equipment Maintenance & Support
Printer Replacement
If your UPS-provided printer malfunctions:
- Contact UPS customer service
- They replace units at no cost
- Typically ships within 2-3 business days
- No troubleshooting hassle
This effectively provides free lifetime printer support as long as you maintain your shipping volume.
Free Supplies Available
Beyond the printer, UPS provides numerous supplies at no charge:
Shipping Materials
- Blank thermal printing labels (4" × 6")
- Branded UPS boxes (various sizes)
- Shipping tags
- Label pouches (6.5" × 10" address pouches)
Forms & Documentation
- Customs forms
- International shipping documentation
- 320 or 940-count thermal label rolls
How to Order
- Log into your UPS.com account
- Navigate to shipping supplies
- Select items marked as "Cost Free"
- Supplies deliver to your registered address within 5-7 business days
All items are marked as "Cost Free" in the UPS supply catalog.
Setting Up Your Free Printer
Once you receive your Zebra LP 2844:
- Connect via USB to your computer
- Install the Zebra printer driver (download from Zebra's website)
- Configure label size settings (4" × 6" for standard shipping)
- Test print from UPS.com to verify setup
Mac Compatibility Note
The Zebra LP 2844 requires additional driver configuration on Mac systems. You may need to:
- Install CUPS drivers
- Manually configure label sizes
- Use specialized printing software
AZLabels Integration
Once you have your free UPS thermal printer, maximize its value by using AZLabels software for Amazon FBA labels.
What AZLabels Offers
- Browser extensions (Chrome/Firefox)
- Print FNSKU labels directly from Seller Central
- Automatic label formatting
- Works with your UPS Zebra printer
Pricing
Free basic tier includes:
- 100 product labels monthly
- 10 shipping labels monthly
- Full printing features
- No credit card required
This lets you leverage your free UPS printer for both UPS shipments and Amazon FBA inventory.
Maximizing Your Free Equipment
Best Practices
- Maintain consistent shipping volume - Keep your eligibility active
- Order supplies regularly - Stock up on free labels and boxes
- Use for all label printing - FBA labels, shipping labels, barcodes
- Keep the account manager contact - Helpful for future equipment needs
Cost Savings Analysis
For a seller shipping 100 packages weekly:
- Printer cost saved: $200-300 (retail price)
- Label costs saved: $10-20 monthly
- Ink costs saved: $30-50 monthly (vs. inkjet)
- Annual savings: $500-800+
Conclusion
Obtaining a free thermal printer from UPS is one of the best ways to reduce fulfillment costs as an Amazon seller or eCommerce business owner. The combination of free equipment, free supplies, and free replacement service provides tremendous long-term value.
Call UPS today at 1-800-742-5877 to speak with an account manager about getting your free Zebra LP 2844 printer. Then pair it with AZLabels to streamline your entire labeling workflow.