25 Real Ways To Get Free Address Labels
Updated November 2026
The easiest way to get free address labels is to get on the mailing list of a charity that sends them, such as St. Jude, Disabled American Veterans, Boys Town or the National Wildlife Federation. You can also get free or nearly free return address labels through printing company promo codes, or print your own with a free template from Avery or Microsoft.
Here are 25 ways to get free address labels, which charities are known to mail them, and what to do if you get labels you didn't ask for.
Free Address Label Options at a Glance
| Option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Charity mailings | Free (usually after a small donation) | People who already support a cause |
| Printing company promo codes | Free labels, often plus shipping | Custom designs |
| Free templates (print your own) | Cost of blank labels and ink | Small batches, any design |
| Cheap custom labels | A few dollars for hundreds | Large batches with no strings attached |
Why Use Return Address Labels?
The USPS recommends a return address on mail so it can be sent back to you if it can't be delivered, and some services require one. Labels also save time when you're mailing holiday cards, invitations or bills, and they let your recipient know who the envelope is from.
Free Address Labels From Charities
The most common way to get free address labels is through charity mailings. Many nonprofits send free return address labels (often with a donation request) to remind people of their cause.
There's no guarantee when, how often, or even if a charity will send labels. Most mail them to past donors or to names on mailing lists they rent, so the most reliable way to get on a list is to make a small donation. If you support the cause anyway, that's a nice bonus, and your donation to a qualified charity may be tax-deductible.
Charities known to send free address labels
These organizations have mailed free address labels to donors and supporters. Offers change, so check each charity's site for current giving options.
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is one of the best-known senders of free labels, and you can also buy personalized address labels through its gift shop to support the hospital.
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
- Boys Town
- National Wildlife Federation
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
- The American Legion
- Christian Appalachian Project
- Arbor Day Foundation
- Susan G. Komen
- Best Friends Animal Society
- American Heart Association
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
- American Lung Association
- Feed the Children
- National Foundation for Cancer Research
- Animal Humane Society
Good to know: When you donate, your name and address are often shared with or sold to other organizations. That means more free labels, but also more donation requests.
Do you have to pay for address labels you didn't order?
No. Under federal law, merchandise you receive in the mail without ordering it, including charity address labels, is yours to keep as a free gift. You're not obligated to donate or return it, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Give only to causes you actually want to support.
How to stop getting charity mailings
If the labels start piling up, you can:
- Contact the charity and ask to be removed from its mailing list, and ask it not to share your name.
- Register with DMAchoice, the Association of National Advertisers' mail preference service, to reduce mail from many nonprofits and companies. The FTC explains how in its guide to stopping junk mail.
Free Address Labels From Printing Companies
Many printing companies run promo codes that make address labels free or close to it. The catch is that you'll usually pay shipping or pick up your order in store. In exchange, you get to design your own labels instead of using whatever a charity sends.
Look for "free labels" promos or a dollars-off coupon (such as $10 off $10) that covers the cost. Sign up for each company's email list and follow them on social media to catch these deals.
Printing companies that regularly offer coupon codes:
17. Current Labels
18. Shutterfly
19. Tiny Prints
20. Vistaprint
21. Walgreens Photo
22. Zazzle
RELATED: 100+ Companies That Will Send You Free Stickers
Print Your Own Address Labels for Free
Printing your own labels isn't completely free, since you need blank label sheets and ink, but the designs and templates are free. Find a template, type in your address, and print onto compatible label sheets.
Free address label templates
23. Avery has free templates you can customize online or download for Word, then print on matching Avery labels.
24. Microsoft Create offers free return address label designs you can edit and print with compatible labels.
25. OnlineLabels lets you choose a design, fill in your information and download a print-ready PDF. Check which label sheets the template is sized for before you print.
To make blank labels free too, watch for office supply store rewards promotions, or use rewards you've earned, such as free Amazon gift cards.
No label sheets? Print the design on plain paper or cardstock, cut it out, and glue it on.
Cheap Alternatives to Free Address Labels
If you'd rather skip donation requests, cheap custom labels are easy to find:
- Personalized label sellers like 500Labels sell hundreds of custom labels for a few dollars, often with free shipping.
- Check printers like Walmart Checks sell matching address labels with many designs.
- Etsy sellers will design and mail return address labels, and many offer free shipping.
- A self-inking return address stamp costs a little more up front but lasts for years and never runs out at the wrong moment. It's the option I use for my family.
And the truly free option: have the kids write your return address on envelopes. They get handwriting practice, and you avoid hand cramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which charities send free address labels?
Charities known to mail free address labels include St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Disabled American Veterans, Boys Town, the National Wildlife Federation, the VFW, the American Legion and the Christian Appalachian Project. Most send them to donors or people on mailing lists they rent.
How do I get free address labels by mail?
Make a small donation to a charity that mails labels, and you'll usually start receiving them, along with donation requests. For custom designs, watch printing companies like Vistaprint and Shutterfly for free-label promo codes.
Do I have to pay for free address labels from charities?
No. The FTC says unordered merchandise you receive in the mail is yours to keep as a gift, and you have no obligation to donate or send it back.
How can I make free return address labels?
Use a free template from Avery, Microsoft Create or OnlineLabels, type your address, and print it on compatible label sheets or plain paper.
How do I stop charities from sending me address labels?
Ask each charity to remove you from its mailing list and not share your name, and register with DMAchoice to reduce mail from many organizations at once.
Sources
- Unordered Merchandise, Federal Trade Commission
- How To Stop Junk Mail, Federal Trade Commission
- DMAchoice, Association of National Advertisers