How to Fix Label Printing Misalignment

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.

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.

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 SheetsToLabels 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 software allows needed "page offsets". In SheetsToLabels, you can define custom paper sizes with adjusted margins (e.g., add 2mm to the top margin) to compensate for a quirky printer feed.

Happy Printing!