Producing labels on your laser printer can serve a wide variety of needs, from organizing files, tapes and binders to advertising events and sales to producing name tags for meetings. Today, labels are available in nearly every shape, size and color. When buying labels, however, make sure they are designed for use with your printer. Desktop printers require a fairly light-weight label stock - between 5 and 6 mils thick.
Label stock is more sensitive than regular paper. Store it flat to minimize curling (and flatten it after the first run through your printer if you intend to send it through again). If your printer allows, run label stock through a straight paper path to further minimize curling.
Heat and humidity affect the adhesive on label stock; do not expose it to heat or sun, and store it at mid-range humidity levels. Over time, label stock becomes brittle, so don’t buy more than you are likely to use in a year's time or less.
You will have problems re-running a label sheet if even one of the labels on it has been removed and that edge of the sheet is fed into the printer; remaining labels are likely to stick somewhere in your printer’s paper path. If you don’t always need a full sheet of labels, look for the smaller 4 1/4 x 10" label sheets now available from some manufacturers. Or if your printer has small-paper handling capabilities, cut 8 1/2 x 11” sheets to the size you need.
Full 8 1/2 x 11" uncut label sheets are handy when you need an off-size or as an alternative to buying many boxes of different label sizes. Of course, you’ll have to do the cutting yourself after printing.
Most software programs are capable of printing labels, allowing you to import from applications such as a data base. Many programs offer built-in templates that support Avery brand labels and others that use the same layout specifications. If you don’t have built-in templates, you can create your own without much difficulty. (Avery’s labels even come with a software guide to help.) Or, consider opting for one of the inexpensive dedicated label programs that make label creating and printing a breeze.
If you use precut labels, make sure that print will be properly aligned. Print first on plain paper. Check to see if your print will appear in the right place by placing your paper behind the label stock and holding it up to a window or bright light.
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