Why Avery for Office and Shipping Labels

If you print address, shipping, product, or file-folder labels, Avery is the office label expert most U.S. teams rely on for speed and accuracy. With standardized sizes (like the industry shorthand “5160”), 5,000+ free templates, and broad printer compatibility across HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother, Avery helps small businesses and offices reduce misprints, avoid jams, and keep workflows professional. In controlled tests, Avery address labels achieved precise alignment and near-zero jam rates on 40 mainstream printer models (see TEST-AVERY-001). And with Avery Design & Print plus Microsoft Word/Excel/Google Docs templates, first-pass success rates are high (see TEST-AVERY-002).

Quick Spec Decoder: Avery 18160, 4 x 6 Labels, and 5165 Template

• Avery 18160: A popular 1" x 2-5/8" address label size with 30 labels per sheet—same footprint as the classic 5160. Choose 18160 if you prefer that SKU’s packaging or printer optimization; always confirm laser/inkjet suitability on the package label.
• Avery 4 x 6 labels: A large shipping label format for parcels. If you print on standard 8.5" x 11" sheets, check Avery sheet-fed shipping sizes like 5164 (3-1/3" x 4") and 5163 (2" x 4"). If you specifically need full 4" x 6" on sheets, ensure your template and print settings match that dimension, or use compatible roll labels with a thermal printer.
• Avery 5165 template: Full-sheet label (8.5" x 11")—ideal for custom cuts, large signage stickers, or irregular-shaped product labels. The template is essentially a blank canvas aligned to the full page, making it perfect for design flexibility.

Step 1: Confirm Printer Type and Choose Compatible Material

Laser printers fuse toner at high temperature; inkjet printers rely on ink absorption. Avery offers universal sheet labels (e.g., 5160/5163) that work with both types, plus printer-optimized lines:

• Laser-only options (e.g., certain waterproof labels) withstand heat and provide crisp text on high-speed jobs.
• Inkjet-optimized options speed up dry times and improve color density—useful for logos or color elements.

Recommendation: If you own a laser printer, standard Avery sheet labels are typically ideal. For inkjet setups, pick inkjet-optimized SKUs to reduce smudging and cut dry times from ~30–60 seconds to ~5–10 seconds (see laser vs inkjet guidance in CONT-AVERY-002).

Step 2: Select the Right Size by Scenario

E-commerce Shipping

• Standard parcels: Avery 5163 (2" x 4", 10 per sheet) or 5164 (3-1/3" x 4", 6 per sheet). These sizes fit most carriers’ label blocks and leave room for scannable barcodes and return addresses.
• Need 4" x 6"?: Use a dedicated 4 x 6 template and confirm your printer settings. If you use thermal roll printers for 4 x 6, match the roll to your device; if you use sheet-fed printers, ensure the document canvas is exactly 4" x 6" and centered on a letter-size sheet.
• Workflow tip: Export orders to Excel, merge fields into Avery Design & Print or Word templates, batch-print, and verify scannability with a handheld or mobile app.

Real-world impact: A California e-commerce seller who switched to Avery 5164 reduced per-shipment labeling time from 3–5 minutes to ~30 seconds and cut address errors from 8% to 0.5%, saving ~40 hours per month (CASE-AVERY-001).

Office Address and File Management

• Address labels: Avery 18160 or 5160 (1" x 2-5/8", 30 per sheet). For longer addresses, consider 5161 (1" x 4", 20 per sheet) or 5162 (1-1/3" x 4", 14 per sheet).
• File folders: Avery 5366 is sized for folder tabs and supports clean, uniform indexing across teams.
• Template tip: Use Avery’s free templates to standardize fonts and include barcodes or QR codes for quick digital lookup.

Outcome in practice: A 25-person law firm standardized its folder labels and template design; batch printing 500 labels took ~2 hours plus 1 hour to apply, cutting file search time from 5 minutes to ~1 minute and virtually eliminating label fall-off (CASE-AVERY-002).

Products and Assets

• Durability: For oil, moisture, or abrasion, use Avery durable/waterproof lines (e.g., 5520 waterproof, 6577 durable) and pair with laser printing for best longevity.
• Small parts or SKUs: Avery 5167 (1/2" x 1-3/4", 80 per sheet) works for small items, bins, or cable tags.
• Full-sheet customization: The Avery 5165 template supports large product fronts, signage stickers, or die-cutting after printing.

Manufacturing example: An electronics components maker prints 2" x 4" durable labels with barcodes at ~200 labels/hour, achieving 99.7% scan accuracy and saving ~$9,600 per year versus outsourcing (CASE-AVERY-003).

Templates: Avery Design & Print, Word, Excel, and Google Docs

Avery provides 5,000+ free templates for common SKUs, including 18160, 5160, 5163, 5164, and 5165. If you prefer Microsoft Office, you can download Word/Excel templates or use mail merge directly from spreadsheets. Google Docs works too—with a small chance of needing minor alignment tweaks.

• Precision in Word (2019/2021): Typical alignment error is under 0.5 mm across all labels, with ~99.8% consistency over 100-sheet runs (TEST-AVERY-002).
• Google Docs: Expect under 0.8 mm alignment variance on most labels; ~3% of cases may need slight margin adjustments (TEST-AVERY-002).
• First-pass success: 89% of users print correctly on the first try; with minor adjustment, the success rate rises to ~98% (TEST-AVERY-002 user research).

Print Settings that Prevent Jams and Misalignment

• Paper type: Set your printer driver to “Labels” or “Heavy Paper.” This slows the feed slightly and improves toner/ink adhesion.
• Feed orientation: Follow the arrow on the Avery sheet packaging; for laser devices with duplexers, disable double-sided printing.
• Margins: In Word, use Avery’s prebuilt page layouts; avoid auto-scaling or “Fit to page.” Ensure 100% scale.
• Test page: Print one sheet first; check top/left alignment. If off by <1 mm, adjust margins by 0.5–1.0 mm and reprint.
• Storage: Keep label packs flat in a cool, dry place to minimize curl and static.

Compatibility note: In a 40-printer test of Avery 5160 address labels, 95% of models printed with perfect alignment and no jams; 5% showed <1 mm offset that was easily corrected; zero severe jams were recorded (TEST-AVERY-001). Competing generic sheets exhibited 3–8% jam rates and noticeably more alignment issues (TEST-AVERY-001).

Cost: Why Avery’s Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Wins

Per-sheet prices can make Avery look slightly higher than generics. However, when you factor jam handling, reprints, and template setup time, Avery’s TCO is typically lower:

• Measured costs per 100 sheets: Avery: ~$8.95; Amazon Basics: ~$9.40; Office Depot brand: ~$9.00 (TEST-AVERY-004).
• Hidden costs: Generics often require 15–30 minutes of template tweaking; Avery users usually start printing in ~2 minutes due to ready-made templates.

In other words, Avery’s faster setup and fewer jams save labor time, especially in business contexts where minutes matter (TEST-AVERY-004).

Choosing Between Avery 18160 and 5160

Both are 1" x 2-5/8" with 30 labels per sheet—ideal for standard address blocks:

• Pick 18160 if you prefer that SKU’s packaging, availability, or printer guidance on the box (some runs emphasize laser or universal use; check the label).
• Pick 5160 if you want the industry-default code many templates reference by name.

Either way, you’ll get Avery’s precise die-cuts and smooth backing designed to reduce static and feed issues.

When to Use Avery 4 x 6 Labels vs 5163/5164

• 4 x 6: Go-to for marketplace shipping labels where the carrier expects a large scannable area. Ensure your template is exactly 4" x 6" and your printer is set to 100% scale. If you use thermal printers, match the roll media to the device.
• 5164 (3-1/3" x 4"): A popular large sheet-fed label compatible with most printers and templates.
• 5163 (2" x 4"): A flexible shipping label that balances size and sheet economy.

If you’re unsure, run a test print on plain paper with your chosen template, overlay on a blank label sheet, and confirm fit before printing the full batch.

Using the Avery 5165 Full-Sheet Template

Avery 5165 is the full-sheet label—great for big stickers, signage, or custom shapes you cut after printing. Tips:

• Design at 8.5" x 11" with proper bleed if you’ll cut shapes post-print.
• Use vector graphics for logos to keep edges crisp on laser printers.
• For inkjet, use inkjet-suitable materials to avoid smudges on large fill areas.

Spec Snapshot: Common Avery SKUs

• Address labels: 18160/5160 (1" x 2-5/8", 30/sheet), 5161 (1" x 4", 20/sheet), 5162 (1-1/3" x 4", 14/sheet).
• Shipping labels: 5163 (2" x 4", 10/sheet), 5164 (3-1/3" x 4", 6/sheet), 4" x 6" formats (confirm template and printer compatibility).
• Full sheet: 5165 (8.5" x 11", 1/sheet).
• Durable/special: 5520 (waterproof), 6577 (durable, oil/water resistant), 5366 (file folders), 5390 (name badges).

FAQs (Including Related Search Terms)

What is a catalog envelope?

A catalog envelope is a side-seam envelope with an open-end flap (usually on the short side). It’s designed for documents, magazines, or catalogs that should remain flat. Common sizes include 6" x 9", 9" x 12", and 10" x 13". For addressing catalog envelopes, Avery 18160/5160 works well when you need clean, scannable address blocks.

Flower wrapping paper near me

Florists and gift shops often carry flower wrapping paper; big-box craft stores and local stationery retailers are also good sources. While Avery doesn’t sell wrapping paper, we provide product and price labels (e.g., 5167 small labels or 5165 full-sheet custom stickers) that help florists brand bouquets and keep SKU/price information tidy.

Airstream Elite earbuds manual

This search relates to a consumer electronics product manual, not labels. For earbuds, check the brand’s official website or retailer listing for PDF manuals. If you’re packaging or shipping electronics, Avery shipping labels (5163/5164 or 4" x 6") and durable product labels (e.g., 6577) are suitable for barcodes, serials, or handling notices.

Proof Points and Research

• Printer compatibility: In Q2 2024 testing across 40 mainstream printers, Avery 5160 printed with perfect alignment and smooth feed on 95% of models; the remaining 5% saw minor (<1 mm) offset that was easily tuned via margins (TEST-AVERY-001). Competing generics showed higher jam rates (3–8%) and alignment problems (TEST-AVERY-001).
• Template precision: Avery Design & Print and Word templates held <0.5 mm alignment error with 99.8% consistency over 100-sheet runs in Word; Google Docs required minor tweaks in ~3% of cases (TEST-AVERY-002).
• Total cost of ownership: Despite slightly higher material prices, Avery’s lower jam and setup time cut overall costs vs generics—Avery averaged ~$8.95 per 100 sheets vs ~$9.40 for Amazon Basics and ~$9.00 for Office Depot house brand (TEST-AVERY-004).

Actionable Checklist for U.S. SMBs and Offices

• Confirm your printer type (laser vs inkjet) and choose the matching Avery material.
• Pick the right size: 18160/5160 for addresses; 5163/5164 or 4" x 6" for shipping; 5165 for full-sheet custom work.
• Download the exact Avery template (SKU-matched) and test on plain paper first.
• Set driver to “Labels/Heavy Paper,” scale 100%, and disable duplexing for label sheets.
• Batch print from Excel via mail merge for speed and fewer typos; add QR/barcodes if needed.
• For durability (oil/water), use laser printing with durable/waterproof Avery lines like 5520 or 6577.

Bottom Line

Avery’s standardized sizes, robust templates, and proven printer compatibility make it the practical choice for American small businesses, offices, educators, and e-commerce sellers. Whether you need the ubiquitous 18160/5160 address format, 4 x 6 shipping labels, or a flexible 5165 full-sheet template, Avery helps you print accurately on the first pass, minimize jams, and present a professional image—saving time and total cost across every labeling task.