Sheets To Labels

Why Are My Labels Printing Out of Alignment? | Fix Avery & Custom Sheets

Apr 13, 2026

There is nothing more frustrating than printing a batch of 30 labels and finding that the text creeps higher and higher up the page until the bottom row is completely cut off.

This "creeping" misalignment is the #1 issue in label printing. Here is how to diagnose and fix it.

If your label job starts in a spreadsheet, you can test the layout first in Address Label Maker, Excel to Labels, or Label Designer before wasting actual stock.

The key fixes are:

  1. Set print scale to 100% / Actual Size.
  2. Make sure the PDF paper size matches the real label stock.
  3. Check non-printable printer margins.
  4. Test on plain paper before loading labels.
  5. Adjust offsets only after the basics are correct.

The Culprit: "Fit to Page"

90% of alignment issues are caused by your printer settings. When you print a PDF, most browsers/systems default to "Fit to Page" or "Shrink to Fit".

  • Label sheets (A4 or Letter) have very specific margins.
  • If your printer shrinks the content by even 2% to "fit" it, the cumulative error grows with every row. By the bottom of the page, the alignment is off by inches.

The Fix

In your print dialog:

  1. Look for Scale or Page Sizing.
  2. Select "Custom: 100%" or "Actual Size".
  3. Ensure "Fit to Page" is unchecked.

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  • why are my labels printing out of alignment
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Issue 2: Wrong Paper Size

Are you printing a "US Letter" (8.5x11") design on "A4" paper (or vice versa)?

  • Symptom: The labels are centered left-to-right but drift vertically, or are cut off at the side.
  • Fix: Ensure your design template in Label Designer or Address Label Maker matches the physical paper you bought. Check the box on your label package.

Issue 3: Non-Printable Margins

Most home printers cannot print to the absolute edge of the paper (borderless).

  • Symptom: Content near the very edge is clipped.
  • Fix: Keep important text and barcodes at least 0.25" (6mm) away from the edge of the label itself, especially if the label is close to the edge of the page.

How to Test Without Wasting Labels

Label paper is expensive. Don't waste it on calibration.

  1. Load plain paper into your printer.
  2. Print your design.
  3. Place the plain paper on top of a sheet of label paper.
  4. Hold them up to a bright light (window or lamp).
  5. You can see through the paper to check if the text aligns with the peel-off borders.

Advanced Tip: Custom Offsets

If your printer consistently pulls paper slightly to the left or right, some tools allow page offsets. In Label Designer, you can define custom paper sizes with adjusted margins such as adding 2mm to the top margin to compensate for a quirky printer feed.

Which workflow should you test in?

If your source data is already in Google Sheets, read How to Print Labels from Google Sheets before testing another print run.

Try Label Designer

If you want a faster way to test templates, margins, and custom paper sizes, try Label Designer. If you are printing mailing labels, use Address Label Maker. If your source data is already in Google Sheets, read How to Print Labels from Google Sheets.