How to Print Address Labels From Your Computer

Printing your own address labels saves time when you mail holiday cards, invitations, or thank-you notes. Instead of writing each address by hand, you can type them once and print a whole sheet in a few minutes. This guide walks you through the steps using common programs you may already have on your computer.

You will need a printer, a pack of label sheets (Avery is the most popular brand and works with almost every program), and the addresses you want to print. Label sheets come in many sizes, but the most common size for return addresses is Avery 5160 (30 labels per sheet) and for mailing addresses is Avery 5161 or 5162. Look on the box for the four-digit number, since that number tells your computer how to line up the printing.

The easiest free option is Avery Design and Print at avery.com/print. You pick your label number, type or paste your addresses, and the website lines everything up for you. Microsoft Word and Google Docs also have built-in label tools under their Mailings or Add-ons menus. Whichever you choose, always print a test page on plain paper first. Hold the test page up to a label sheet against a window to make sure the addresses fall inside the label boxes. Once it lines up, load the real label sheet and print.

If your printing comes out crooked, the problem is almost always the label number setting or how the sheet is loaded into the printer. Most home printers want the label sheet face-down, but check the small icon on your printer's paper tray to be sure.