Free Avery Label Maker for Popular Sheet Sizes
Avery provides a capable free official design tool with its full product catalog, mail merge, images, QR codes, and barcodes. printshi is an independent alternative for six popular US Letter layouts when you prefer a no-account, local workflow with partial-sheet starting positions and printer calibration.
Open the Avery 5160 editorPopular Avery Label Sizes Explained
Avery makes many label formats. printshi currently includes exact sheet geometry for these six:
- Avery 5160 : 1″ × 2⅝″, 30 labels per sheet. The classic return address and mailing label. Perfect for envelopes, small packages, and file folders.
- Avery 5161 : 1″ × 4″, 20 labels per sheet. A wide address label for longer lines.
- Avery 5162 : 1⅓″ × 4″, 14 labels per sheet. Extra height for four-line addresses and larger type.
- Avery 5163 : 2″ × 4″, 10 labels per sheet. A larger format ideal for shipping labels, name badges, and product labels that need more space for text or barcodes.
- Avery 5164 : 3⅓″ × 4″, 6 labels per sheet. The biggest of the three, great for shipping boxes, large envelopes, or any label that needs to be readable from a distance.
- Avery 5167 : ½″ × 1¾″, 80 labels per sheet. Small return-address, inventory, and file labels.
Compatible store-brand sheets often use the same layout, but verify the product specifications before printing because margins and gaps can vary. Always test on plain paper first.
Getting the Alignment Right
Misaligned labels are the most common frustration with home label printing. Text drifts off-center, bleeds onto neighboring labels, or gets clipped at the edges. Here's how to avoid that:
- Always print at 100% scale. In your print dialog, look for "Actual size" or "None" under page scaling. "Fit to page" or "Shrink to fit" will misalign every label on the sheet.
- Test on plain paper first. Print one sheet on regular paper, then hold it up to the light against your label sheet. If the text blocks line up with the label borders, you're good to go.
- Check your printer margins. Some printers have a non-printable border of 0.25-0.5 inches. If your labels extend into that zone, you may need to adjust your layout slightly.
- Feed labels correctly. Most printers handle label sheets best when fed from the manual/bypass tray, printed side up. Check your printer's manual for label-specific guidance.
Full-Sheet Label Printing
Sometimes you need a single large label that covers the entire 8.5″ × 11″ sheet : for example, a sign, a large shipping label, or a product poster. Full-sheet label stock (Avery 8165 or equivalent) is available in matte, glossy, and clear finishes.
When printing full-sheet labels, set your document size to US Letter and remove all margins. Use a PDF export to lock the layout before printing, which prevents your printer driver from adding its own margins or scaling.
Start Printing Avery Labels for Free
Choose one of the six supported stock numbers, create the label, and print directly from the browser. Addresses and imported images are processed in the browser rather than uploaded to a printshi account.
Supported Avery Formats and Dimensions
| Avery Template | Label Size | Labels per Sheet | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5160 | 1" x 2⅝" | 30 | Return address, mailing labels |
| 5161 | 1" x 4" | 20 | Wide address and mailing labels |
| 5162 | 1⅓" x 4" | 14 | Address labels, file folders |
| 5163 | 2" x 4" | 10 | Shipping, name badges |
| 5164 | 3⅓" x 4" | 6 | Large shipping, box labels |
| 5167 | ½" x 1¾" | 80 | Tiny labels, barcodes |
When to Use printshi or Avery Design & Print
Avery Design & Print is modern, free, and much broader than printshi. It includes Avery's complete stock catalog, pre-designed artwork, mail merge, QR codes, barcodes, and sequential numbers. Use it when you need an official template that is not in printshi.
Use printshi when these workflow details matter:
- No account is required. Open the editor and begin immediately.
- Partial sheets are explicit. Choose the first unused position instead of wasting a sheet.
- Printer calibration is built in. Apply small horizontal and vertical offsets after a plain-paper test.
- Address data stays local. CSV parsing and design storage happen in the browser.
- Machine codes are scan-tested. Create QR codes and Code 128 barcodes with print-safe quiet zones.
How to Print Avery Labels with printshi: Step by Step
- Open the printshi editor at printshi.com/editor
- Select one of the verified sheet grids: 5160, 5161, 5162, 5163, 5164, or 5167
- Add text elements for your label content — name, address, etc.
- Customize fonts, sizes, and alignment
- For batch labels, import a CSV file with your data
- Preview the full sheet layout
- Print at 100% scale — never use "fit to page"
- Test on plain paper first, then print on your Avery sheets
Do I Need Avery Software to Print on Avery Sheets?
No. Avery sheets are adhesive stock cut to specific dimensions. printshi has verified exact layouts for the six supported products above. For any other Avery product, use Avery's official template or verify every margin, pitch, and gap before printing; matching only the label width and height is not enough for a full sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need Avery software to print on Avery label sheets?
- No. Avery sheets can be printed by software with the correct geometry. printshi includes exact layouts for 5160, 5161, 5162, 5163, 5164, and 5167.
- What's the difference between Avery 5160 and 5163?
- Avery 5160 labels are 1" x 2⅝" (30 per sheet), ideal for return addresses. Avery 5163 labels are 2" x 4" (10 per sheet), better for shipping and name badges.
- Can I use store-brand labels instead of Avery?
- Yes. Any label sheet that matches the Avery template dimensions will work. Store brands labeled "compatible with Avery 5160" use the same layout.
- Why are my Avery labels printing off-center?
- Make sure you're printing at 100% scale (actual size). "Fit to page" or "shrink to fit" will misalign every label. Also test on plain paper first.
- Can I print Avery labels without Microsoft Word?
- Yes. printshi replaces Word entirely for label printing. It's faster, has better fonts, and doesn't require mail merge for batch printing.
- Does printshi work with Avery 5160 sheets?
- Yes. printshi has a built-in Avery 5160 template with the exact dimensions (1" x 2⅝", 30 per sheet, 3 columns x 10 rows).