comparison
Label Types: QR Code vs Printed Label for All UK Marketplaces 2026
Every UK marketplace × courier combination in one table. Know before you go: do you need a QR code or a printed label? Verified 6 October 2026.
Complete Label Type Matrix
| Marketplace | InPost | Evri | Royal Mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinted | 📱QR Code | 📱QR Code | 📱QR Code |
| Depop | Not supported | 📱QR Code | 🖨️Printed |
| eBay | 📱QR Code | 📱QR Code | 📱QR Code |
| Etsy | Not supported | 🖨️Printed | 📱QR Code |
| Whatnot | Not supported | Not supported | 🖨️Printed |
| Amazon | Not supported | 🖨️Printed | 🖨️Printed |
| Gumtree | Not supported | 📱QR Code | Not supported |
📱 = QR code (no printer needed)🖨️ = printed label required = not supported
Label Method Detail
Vinted+InPost
QR code in the Vinted app (or a printable label if you prefer)
Vinted+Evri
QR code in the Vinted app (or a printable label)
Vinted+Royal Mail
QR code only; Vinted no longer issues a printable Royal Mail label
Depop+Evri
Depop Shipping: Evri QR code emailed to you (or a printable label)
Depop+Royal Mail
'Other' shipping: buy your own postage (Royal Mail app, Click & Drop or Post Office counter)
eBay+InPost
Simple Delivery: QR code plus a 6-digit locker code (no printable label)
eBay+Evri
Simple Delivery: printable label or QR code
eBay+Royal Mail
Simple Delivery: printable label or QR code
Etsy+Evri
Etsy label (printable) for Evri
Etsy+Royal Mail
Etsy label (printable); domestic labels bought on the Etsy website also include a QR code for printing at the Post Office
Whatnot+Royal Mail
Prepaid Royal Mail label generated by Whatnot (printable), which you must use
Amazon+Evri
Buy Shipping label (PDF); choose the 'drop off' service for ParcelShops and lockers
Amazon+Royal Mail
Buy Shipping label (PDF): Tracked 24/48, 1st/2nd Class and Special Delivery
Gumtree+Evri
Delivery on Gumtree: prepaid Evri label, print at home or QR code
QR Code vs Printed Label: What's the Difference?
📱
QR Code
Display the QR code on your phone screen at the drop-off point. The scanner reads it instantly, with no printing needed.
Used by: InPost (everywhere), Evri (Vinted, eBay, Depop Shipping, evri.com), Royal Mail (Vinted, eBay, Etsy website labels), DPD and Relay on Vinted
No printer needed
Generated in-app instantly
Eco-friendly
Faster at drop-off
🖨️
Printed Label
Print the label at home or get one at the Post Office counter. Attach to your parcel before drop-off.
Used by: Royal Mail when you buy your own postage or use Whatnot's prepaid labels, Etsy's Evri labels, and InPost or Evri on Vinted if you prefer to print
Works without a smartphone
Physical record on parcel
Available at counter
Frequently Asked Questions
Which UK couriers use QR codes instead of printed labels?
InPost is QR-code first everywhere. Evri offers QR codes on Vinted, eBay, Depop Shipping and evri.com, printed in the ParcelShop or at the locker. Royal Mail issues QR codes through Vinted (QR-only), eBay Simple Delivery and Etsy website labels. Printed labels are only needed when you buy your own Royal Mail postage without the app's QR option, or use Whatnot's prepaid labels.
Do any couriers on Vinted require a printed label?
No. Every Vinted carrier issues a QR code, and Royal Mail on Vinted is QR-code only: it is scanned at a Post Office, Collect+ shop, Royal Mail locker or customer service point, never a postbox. InPost and Evri also offer a printable label if you prefer to attach it yourself.
Can I use InPost without a printer on all marketplaces?
Yes, wherever InPost is available: Vinted, eBay Simple Delivery (QR and six-digit code only) and the InPost app. InPost is not integrated with Depop Shipping, Etsy or Whatnot, but a label bought directly from InPost for a Depop 'Other' order is still a QR code.
What if I sell on Depop and don't have a printer?
Use Depop Shipping: Depop emails you an Evri QR code after the sale, and any Evri ParcelShop or locker prints the label for you. If you ship yourself under 'Other', evri.com's 'print in ParcelShop' option gives you a QR code, and Royal Mail postage bought in the Royal Mail app can be printed at the Post Office from a QR code.
What label do Whatnot sellers use?
A prepaid Royal Mail label that Whatnot generates for every UK order, printed at home and dropped at a Post Office, or handed to a Royal Mail collection booked through Whatnot. You must use Whatnot's label; your own postage voids seller protection.