# Walgreens Print FedEx Labels: A Comprehensive Guide to Convenient Shipping and Savings

The convergence of retail and logistics has created unprecedented convenience for consumers and small businesses, and the partnership between Walgreens and FedEx stands as a prime example. This collaboration transforms thousands of neighborhood drugstores into powerful shipping hubs, allowing customers to not only drop off pre-labeled packages but also to print FedEx labels directly in-store, solving a common problem for those without a home printer. By understanding how to leverage this service, particularly a simple trick for on-demand printing, anyone can streamline their shipping process, manage returns effortlessly, and even unlock significant savings. A FedEx package being scanned at a Walgreens counter.

The Strategic Alliance: Understanding the Walgreens-FedEx Partnership

In an effort to expand its retail network and provide more accessible service points, FedEx teamed up with Walgreens to establish FedEx OnSite locations in stores across the country. This move effectively placed a mini-shipping center within a short drive for millions of Americans. The primary goal was to offer secure locations for package drop-offs and pickups, but one of the most valuable, and often overlooked, features is the ability to handle shipping label needs on the spot.

The services offered through this partnership are designed to cater to a modern, mobile lifestyle:

  • Package Drop-Off: Customers can bring sealed and pre-labeled FedEx packages (both Express and Ground) to a Walgreens counter for shipment. This is ideal for e-commerce sellers, remote employees sending documents, or individuals mailing gifts.
  • Package Hold for Pickup: Instead of risking a package being stolen from a porch, recipients can redirect their incoming FedEx deliveries to a local Walgreens. They receive a notification when the package arrives and can pick it up at their convenience by presenting a valid ID.
  • QR Code-Based Returns: Many online retailers now issue a QR code for returns instead of a printable label. Customers can bring this code to Walgreens, where a team member will scan it, print the label, and accept the package, simplifying the entire return process.
  • On-Demand Label Printing: The cornerstone of convenience for many, this service allows individuals who have a shipping label file (like a PDF) but no printer to easily print it in-store.

The Simple Trick: How to Print a FedEx Label at Walgreens Without a Printer

The most common hurdle for occasional shippers is the lack of a printer. Buying a printer, ink, and special label paper for a single package is impractical. Walgreens solves this with its in-store printing services, often found at the photo kiosk. The process is straightforward and leverages their Print & Go email service.

Follow these steps to print your FedEx label in minutes:

1. Generate Your Shipping Label: First, you need the digital label. Go to the FedEx website to create a shipment and pay for postage. Alternatively, if you are an online seller on a platform like eBay, Poshmark, or Mercari, generate the label through your seller dashboard. At the end of the process, choose the option to download the label as a PDF document. Save this file to your computer or smartphone.

2. Email the Label to Walgreens: Open your email client and compose a new message. Attach the PDF shipping label you just saved and send it to walgreens@printandgo.com. This is the dedicated email address for Walgreens' remote printing service.

3. Receive Your Secure Release Code: Within a minute or two, the Print & Go system will automatically process your email and send a reply. This email will contain a unique, secure release code. This code is your key to accessing the document at the in-store kiosk, so keep the email handy on your phone.

4. Visit a Walgreens Photo Kiosk: Head to your local Walgreens and find the self-service photo kiosk. On the main screen, you should see an option for "Print & Go" or "Document Printing."

5. Enter the Code and Print: Select the option to print from email and enter the release code from your phone. Your document will appear on the screen. Confirm the print settings (black and white is fine for a shipping label) and print it. The cost is minimal, typically less than 50 cents per page. You can pay directly at the kiosk with a credit or debit card.

Once printed, you can affix the label to your securely sealed package with clear packing tape, ensuring no barcodes are covered. Then, simply take it to the main counter or photo desk to complete the FedEx drop-off.

A Complete Shipping Guide: From Packaging to Drop-Off

Using Walgreens as your FedEx hub is easy, but following proper shipping practices is crucial to ensure your package arrives safely and on time. Before heading to the store, make sure your shipment is ready.

Preparing Your Package for Drop-Off

Proper packaging is your first line of defense against damage. FedEx and Walgreens have specific guidelines for acceptance.

  • Choose the Right Box: Use a new or like-new corrugated cardboard box that is sturdy and appropriately sized for your item. Avoid old boxes with structural weakness, tears, or previous shipping labels.
  • Cushion the Contents: Use at least two inches of cushioning material, such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or crumpled paper, around your item. The goal is to prevent the contents from shifting during transit.
  • Seal It Securely: Use pressure-sensitive plastic packing tape that is at least two inches wide. Do not use cellophane, masking, or duct tape, as they are not strong enough. Tape all seams using the H-taping method—one strip along the center seam and one strip across each edge seam.
  • Check Weight and Size Limits: Walgreens OnSite locations accept packages up to 55 pounds and with maximum dimensions of 48 inches x 25 inches x 25 inches. If your package exceeds these limits, you will need to take it to a dedicated FedEx Office or Ship Center.

The Drop-Off Experience

With your securely packaged and labeled shipment in hand, the drop-off process is simple. Head to the designated counter, which is usually the photo department or main checkout area. A Walgreens team member will scan the barcode on your label, and the package officially enters the FedEx network. Always ask for a receipt. This receipt is your proof of drop-off and contains the tracking number, which is essential for monitoring the package's journey.

Maximizing Savings and Efficiency on Your Shipments

Beyond convenience, using FedEx services wisely can lead to significant cost savings. Whether you're a small business owner or just sending a one-off package, these tips can help reduce your shipping expenses.

1. Use FedEx One Rate
Similar to USPS Flat Rate, FedEx One Rate offers predictable, flat-rate pricing for packages under 50 pounds. If you use free FedEx Express packaging (available online or at FedEx centers), you can ship to anywhere in the U.S. for a single price based on the box size and service speed. This is particularly cost-effective for sending heavy but small items over long distances.

2. Open a FedEx Business Account
Even if you only ship occasionally, opening a free FedEx account provides access to discounts on various shipping services. It also streamlines the label-creation process, saves your shipping history, and makes managing shipments easier.

3. Choose the Right Service Level
Don't default to the fastest option if it's not necessary. FedEx offers a range of services at different price points:

  • FedEx Ground®: The most economical option for non-urgent shipments within the U.S.
  • FedEx Express Saver®: Delivers in three business days, offering a balance between speed and cost.
  • FedEx 2Day®: Guarantees delivery in two business days.
By matching the service level to your needs, you avoid overpaying for unnecessary speed.

For one online seller, the combination of in-store printing and smart shipping is transformative. "For an online seller like myself, not needing a printer is a game-changer," says Jessica Miller, a Poshmark seller. "I just email my label to Walgreens, print it there for less than a dollar, and drop off the package in one trip. It saves me time, space, and the cost of ink and a printer."

The integration of logistics services into everyday retail locations like Walgreens is more than just a convenience; it's a fundamental shift in how we approach shipping. It removes barriers like the need for a printer, provides secure alternatives to home delivery, and consolidates errands into a single stop. By mastering the simple trick of printing labels via email and following a smart shipping guide, anyone can turn their local Walgreens into a full-service shipping partner, saving both time and money in the process.

A person using a self-service photo and document printing kiosk at a retail store. A stack of neatly packed cardboard boxes ready for shipping. A FedEx delivery truck on a street, representing the shipping and logistics network. The storefront of a Walgreens with a FedEx OnSite logo displayed.