Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing a shipping label. The method includes transmitting request signals from a processor, via a network, to a remote electronic storage location, such as a database or a server. The request signals specify particular label requirements for a label. The label specification data is transmitted from the remote electronic storage location that meets the requirements of the request signals. The label specification data includes identifying data for a particular parcel carrier. The label specification data is transmitted from the processor to a selected printer and the printer prints a shipping label as a function of the label specification data, such that the identifying data is printed in a coded format. The contents of the remote electronic storage location are then updated.