Posted on 22 Comments

Key Label Printing Tips

Identify sheet size

A4 (210mm x 297mm) or US Letter Size (215.9mm x 279.4mm)? Find the sheet size on the package, and make sure the printer options are set to the correct paper size!

Identify printer compatibility

Some labels are laser printers only, some labels are inkjet printers only, others are compatible with both inkjet and laser printers. Find the printer compatibility information on the package.

Print ratio setting

Make sure your print options are set to ‘Actual Size’ or 1:1 print ratio. If there is a “Fit to Page” in the Print Dialog, or any kind of setting that stretches the image. Switch it off.

Design with tolerance

Printers have an accuracy of approximately 1mm in the vertical and in the horizontal, and the paper can also rotate slightly as it goes through the printer. You need to take this into account when you design your labels. If possible, avoid designing labels with a border around them because any inaccuracy will be visible.

Keep unprinted labels in the wrapping

Labels have moisture in them to help the toner to bond, this will dry out if they are left open to the air. Without the moisture the toner rubs off.

Read the printer manufacturer’s manual

There may be specific settings or instructions which you need to follow for printing labels on your particular printer.

Be patient

The print and the labels do not usually line up exactly when you first print them and fine adjustments are often needed. This is because every printer is slightly different, and reacts differently to the software in use.

!!! TEST ON A PLAIN WHITE PAPER

First, print onto plain white paper then holds up to the light against a sheet of labels to check that your design is roughly aligned. Adjust your printer and design if necessary.

22 thoughts on “Key Label Printing Tips

  1. “DO – Feed the labels into the media bypass slot (above the paper tray ) if you have one”

    Obviously it depends on the printer, but for my Brother MFC-L2740, using the manual feed resulted in too many label prints being rotated.
    The problem is it only has one lever to detect paper insert, so it’s easy to feed it in at a tiny skew, without realising.

    My advice is to use the letter tray…

    Remove all paper from the tray, and then place the label sheet print side down. Push it as far back into the tray as it will go (at both corners, so its guaranteed to be lined up). Then close the tray very gently, so the sheet does not move out of position

    Using this method I was able to print labels perfectly every time 🙂

    1. Dear customer,
      Thanks for your kindly suggestion. We believe it will be helpful to other customers.

  2. Is there a way I can remove the black outline but leave the text where it is. The black outline is smudging as I am using a wrap around cable template. I am using Microsoft Word on Mac

    1. Dear customer,
      For your question, you can refer to this instruction: How to use MS Word template in MAC OS system?

  3. Absolutely perfect bought Avery Labels first – rubbish got chewed up in my printer ink wouldn’t dry these are absolutely spot on, quick delivery – Thank You

    1. Dear customer,
      We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you in the future.
      Best wishes.

  4. I am trying to print MR182 labels using the MS Word 2010 template. However, the images and text are not printing in the boxes. The text is printing 1-1/4″ to the right of the label edge. I have selected Letter as I am in the USA. My printer margins are set to Normal. I noticed the label page is larger than Letter size – is that part of the problem? What do I need to change to make these labels print properly? I have already wasted one sheet. Thank you!

    1. Dear customer
      You can try unchecking the box of “Scale content for A4 or 8.5×11″ paper size” in Option>Advance>Print
      And try save the Word file as PDF and then check if the image is correct.
      We suggest print on a plain Letter size paper before print on label sheets to avoid wasting label sheets.
      If there is anyother please feel free to contact us by E-mail.
      Best Regards

  5. Thanks for another informative website. The place else may just I am getting
    that type of info written in such an ideal approach? I have a project
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  6. I bought your MR236 package from Amazon. I’m using the Normal MS Word template. While the template is somewhat close, it is certainly not within 1 mm or even a few mms. If the first row is centered, the text in future rows on the printed version start moving higher on the label and with no adjustments move outside the label about 5 rows down. I noticed in the layout that there is a strip .08″ wide between rows. When I slowly start increasing the width of those strips, it adjusts and improves the print version. Is there a better way? This is annoying.

    1. Dear customer,
      You can try unchecking the box of Scale content for A4 or US letter paper size from Options>Advanced>Print. And make sure the paper size in both Word settings and Printer setting is A4 size. If you have any other problems please feel free to contact us by e-mail.
      Best Regards

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  11. Hello

    I bought MR105 and have just printed out via word but the ink just wipes off 🙁

    What am I doing wrong? I’m using a Canon ts3300 there’s no option for label paper or anything…

    1. Dear Customer,
      Thank you for purchasing with us.
      We would like to personally apologize for your experience with our product.
      We tested again with inkjet printer on this label after received your review, and ink stay on well. We suggest that you can follow the tips below to prevent ink from smudging:
      1. Reduce the DPI to resolve any smudging issues as higher image quality settings can lead to over saturation of ink on the label material. Open the printer dialog box and select “Properties” or “Preferences.” Look for the “Print/Quality” tab or the “Quality/Print Quality” option. From there, you can select a lower dpi or make a quality adjustment. For black ink in particular, selecting the “Print as Image” box in the print dialog pop-up may help.
      2. Hold your label sheets by the edges to prevent your hands’ natural oils from getting on the printable label surface. The oil could cause smudging or, if nothing else, leave a fingerprint.
      3. Allow ink to dry completely before stacking, handling, or peeling the printed labels.
      4. Run each label sheet through the printer one time, and one time only. After multiple passes, the tight paper path of an inkjet printer can cause the label to curl. Curled labels are more likely to jam or peel off inside the printer resulting in a paper jam.
      5. Try another inkjet printer to see if it’s because the ink.
      If there is still smudging problem, please feel free to contact us for a replacement or refund. We strive to offer the 100% satisfaction for all our customers and will try our best to resolve customer problems.

      Thank you for giving us the opportunity to make this right

      Sincerely,
      Mr-Label

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