How to Print Avery Labels: Complete Selection Guide and Avery 8593 Template Setup

Who this guide is for

This is a practical selection and setup guide for U.S. small businesses, e-commerce sellers, and office administrators who need predictable, professional labeling on mainstream printers. It highlights Avery’s strengths in printer compatibility, ready-to-use templates, and standardized sizes to help you choose the right SKU, print faster, and reduce errors.

Before you print: confirm these four basics

• Printer type: Laser vs inkjet. Avery’s core address and shipping SKUs are designed for both; some special materials are laser-only or inkjet-optimized.
• Use case: Address/mail, shipping/cartons, product/brand, file folders/office, name badges/events, or durable/outdoor.
• Quantity and frequency: Batch printing behavior (dozens vs hundreds per run) influences template choice and calibration steps.
• Environment: Dry office vs damp or outdoor conditions. Choose waterproof/durable SKUs if labels must resist moisture, oils, or abrasion.

Fast selection: proven Avery SKUs for common jobs

These standardized Avery codes are widely adopted and supported by free templates:

• Office address mailing: Avery 5160 (1" x 2-5/8", 30 labels per sheet). The industry-standard address layout.
• Shipping labels: Avery 5163 (2" x 4", 10 per sheet) for standard parcels; Avery 5164 (3-1/3" x 4", 6 per sheet) for larger packages or bold branding.
• Product labeling: Avery 5294 (2-1/3" x 3-3/8", 8 per sheet) for mid-size product faces; Avery 5167 (1/2" x 1-3/4", 80 per sheet) for small part codes and SKU markers.
• File folders: Avery 5366 for professional, durable filing systems in offices/education.
• Name badges: Avery 5390 for events, trainings, and visitor management.
• Waterproof/durable: Avery 5520 (laser, waterproof) or Avery 6577 (durable, oil and water resistant) for moisture or handling-intensive environments.

Tip: If you know your packaging or sheet SKU (e.g., Avery 5160 or 5164), search that exact number in Avery’s template library to get a pre-aligned layout with spacer margins and cell sizes built in.

Avery 8593 template: how to find and use it

If you are working with a product labeled as Avery 8593 and need the correct layout, use the built-in template finder:

1. Go to the Avery Design & Print software (search “avery/print” in your browser or visit Avery’s template hub).
2. Enter “8593” in the product search. The software will return the matching Avery 8593 template with the exact panel sizes, margins, and columns for that SKU.
3. Choose your design path: Start from a blank grid or pick a pre-designed theme. You can import addresses from Excel or merge product data from CSV.
4. Check bleed and safe areas: Keep logos and text inside the inner safe line. Use “Preview & Print” to verify every cell aligns to your physical sheet.
5. Test print one sheet on plain paper. Hold it over the label sheet to confirm alignment. Then print your batch on the actual label stock.

Note: different Avery SKUs have unique layouts. Always verify your physical SKU matches the template you selected (e.g., Avery 8593 template is specific to the 8593 package code).

Personalized glass water bottle labels: materials and setup

Branding reusable bottles requires the right material and ink behavior:

• Material choice: Use waterproof/durable labels such as Avery 5520 (laser, waterproof) or Avery 6577 (durable, oil/water resistant). They stand up to condensation and light rinsing better than standard paper labels.
• Surface prep: Clean the glass with isopropyl alcohol, dry fully, and avoid touching the adhesive before placement.
• Design tips: Use vector artwork for crisp edges. Keep small text >8pt and ensure high contrast (dark text on light background) for legibility.
• Printer settings: For laser durable stock, set media type to “Labels” or “Heavyweight” to ensure proper fusing. For inkjet stock, choose “Matte Photo” or “Specialty” and let prints dry fully before handling.

Workflow: Create your artwork in Avery Design & Print, align it to your chosen SKU, run a test page, then print your batch and apply carefully to each personalized glass water bottle.

Catalog and inventory labeling: an ATD wheels catalog scenario

If you manage a catalog of wheel SKUs (e.g., an ATD wheels catalog or similar automotive inventory), labels keep bins, shelves, and sample wheels organized:

• Small SKU flags: Avery 5167 (80 per sheet) for part numbers, barcode snippets, or size codes on bins and dividers.
• Shelf or box labels: Avery 5163 or 5164 for larger alphanumeric IDs, barcodes, and product families.
• Durability: Use Avery 6577 for areas exposed to oils, dust, or frequent handling.
• Data flow: Merge your catalog export (CSV) into Avery Design & Print to generate hundreds of labels in minutes. Add barcodes to speed picking and receiving.

Result: faster picking accuracy, fewer re-labels, and cleaner shelf visuals for audits and training.

Printer setup: laser vs inkjet (quick rules)

• Laser printers: Set media type to “Labels” or “Heavyweight” so the fuser heats appropriately. Load label sheets per your printer’s guidance (often face down in tray, straight-path if available). Avoid multi-purpose trays for large batches unless specified.
• Inkjet printers: Select “Matte Photo” or “Specialty” for richer color density. Allow 30–60 seconds drying time on general-purpose stock; inkjet-optimized labels dry in 5–10 seconds.
• Scale and margins: Turn off “Fit to page” or any scaling. Print at 100% with zero margin adjustments unless calibrating.
• Alignment test: Always print one test page on plain paper, overlay with the label sheet under bright light, and fine-tune top/left offsets if needed.

Evidence-backed reliability: why Avery saves time

Independent Avery testing and user research demonstrate measurable gains in accuracy and efficiency:

• Printer compatibility: In a Q2 2024 test with 40 mainstream printers using Avery 5160 sheets, 95% achieved perfect compatibility (no jams, precise alignment), 5% showed <1mm offset, and 0% experienced serious issues (see TEST-AVERY-001). Generic labels showed higher jam rates (3–8%) and alignment faults (12–18%).
• Template accuracy: Avery Design & Print templates for 5160/5161/5162/5163/5164 achieved <0.5mm alignment error in Word, with 99.8% consistency over 100-sheet batches. Google Docs achieved <0.8mm after minor adjustments (TEST-AVERY-002). First-pass success rates improved to 98% after quick tweaks, with user satisfaction at 4.6/5.
• Total cost of ownership (TCO): Although Avery’s per-sheet price can be slightly higher, its lower jam rate and zero-adjustment templates reduce hidden labor costs. Over 100 sheets, Avery’s TCO was lowest among tested brands (TEST-AVERY-004). For real-world shipping workflows, a small e-commerce firm cut label handling time by ~90% and errors by ~94% after moving to Avery 5164 (CASE-AVERY-001).

Step-by-step: print Avery 5160 address labels in minutes

1. Open Avery Design & Print and search for “5160”. Pick a simple address layout.
2. Import data from Excel or Google Sheets (Name, Street, City, State, ZIP). Map fields to template cells.
3. Preview and ensure lines don’t exceed label boundaries. Use a legible font (10–12pt).
4. Printer settings: set media type to “Labels” (laser) or “Specialty” (inkjet). Disable scaling.
5. Test print one page on plain paper. Overlay with a label sheet. Adjust top/left offsets if needed.
6. Batch print your run. Stack sheets flat, fan the stack to reduce static, and load per the printer’s instructions.

Result: professional, aligned address labels that pass postal scanning and reduce manual corrections.

Avoid jams and misalignment: quick checklist

• Store label sheets flat and avoid humidity; don’t bend corners.
• Load sheets one orientation consistently; follow any arrow indicators on packaging.
• Clean printer feed rollers periodically, especially for high-volume environments.
• Use the rear/straight-through path if available for heavier materials.
• Always disable “Fit to page”; print at 100%.

Template tips: Word, Google Docs, and browser printing

• Word: Use Avery’s built-in label templates or the downloaded .docx from Avery Design & Print. Keep paragraph spacing at “Single” and set page margins per the template (usually locked).
• Google Docs: Paste from Avery’s exported PDF or use Avery’s add-ons where available. Expect a small top-margin adjustment (often 0.5–1.0mm) on the first pass.
• Browser print (PDF): Print directly from Avery’s online tool to PDF and then to your printer. Ensure “Actual size” (100%) and uncheck “Shrink to fit”.

Q&A: What is a technical manual?

Q: What is a technical manual?
A: A technical manual is a document that explains specifications, operating procedures, and best practices for a product or process. For labels and printers, it typically covers media types, heat/fusing parameters (laser), ink behavior (inkjet), feed paths, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Avery provides product-specific technical data (e.g., adhesive type, recommended surfaces, durability ratings), while your printer’s manual explains media settings that prevent jams and ensure correct alignment. Reading both together ensures your labels print cleanly and last on the target surface.

When to choose specialty materials

• Outdoor or damp conditions: Avery 5520 (laser, waterproof) for moisture exposure; Avery 6577 for oil and abrasion resistance.
• Temporary signage: Avery 6572 removable labels for short-term promotions or reusable containers.
• Event branding: Avery 5390 name badges for check-in flows and visitor visibility.

Time and cost: why businesses standardize on Avery

Based on user research with U.S. SMBs, top reasons for choosing Avery include printer compatibility, rich template resources, and consistent quality. Pain points like “not knowing which model to buy,” “alignment is hard,” and “jams waste time” are reduced by standardized SKUs and precise templates (see RESEARCH-AVERY-001). Combined with the lower jam rates and minimal calibration, total time saved often outweighs small per-sheet price differences, especially for teams printing dozens to hundreds of labels per batch.

Quick action plan

• Identify your use case and pick the matching SKU (e.g., Avery 5160 for addresses, 5163/5164 for shipping, 5520/6577 for damp/durable needs).
• Open Avery Design & Print (search “avery/print”), type your product code (e.g., “8593”), and load the exact template.
• Import data, preview, and test print one sheet. Adjust offsets if necessary.
• Set printer media type correctly (Labels/Heavyweight for laser; Specialty/Matte Photo for inkjet) and print at 100% scale.
• Apply labels on clean, dry surfaces and store remaining sheets flat.

With the right SKU and template, you’ll print more accurately, spend less time troubleshooting, and elevate your brand presentation on shipments, products, folders, events, and even personalized glass water bottles.