If you manage shipping, office filing, or product labeling, you’ve likely searched for “Avery print” help—especially for the workhorse Avery 5160 address labels. This complete guide shows you how to choose the right Avery label, set up the Avery 5160 template in Google Docs, fine‑tune printer settings for perfect alignment, and when to switch to special options like Avery no‑iron clothing labels. We’ll also share test data and real‑world results so you can print with confidence—not guesswork.

Before You Print: 3 Quick Checks

1. Confirm your printer type: Laser, inkjet, or both. Most Avery address/ship labels (e.g., 5160/5163/5164) are compatible with both. For waterproof/durable labels, prefer laser (e.g., Avery 5520). See guidance below.
2. Estimate volume: If you print weekly batches of 100–1,000+ labels, template accuracy and jam prevention matter more than a few cents of sheet cost.
3. Match the environment: Office/file labels live indoors; shipping labels may face scuffs; products or clothing may need removable, waterproof, or fabric‑safe options.

Why Avery 5160—and When to Pick an Alternative

Avery 5160 is the most widely used US address label: 1" x 2‑5/8", 30 labels per sheet. It’s ideal for mailers, return addresses, and bin locations.

• Need larger address lines or bold branding? Use 5161 (1" x 4", 20/sheet) or 5162 (1‑1/3" x 4", 14/sheet).
• Shipping cartons: 5163 (2" x 4", 10/sheet) or 5164 (3‑1/3" x 4", 6/sheet).
• Small product SKUs or barcodes: 5167 (1/2" x 1‑3/4", 80/sheet) or 5294 (2‑1/3" x 3‑3/8").
• Waterproof/durable: 5520 (laser waterproof) or 6577 (durable, oil/water resistant).
• Removable: 6572 series (clean removal for temporary signage or pricing).
• Clothing and camp gear: Avery no‑iron clothing labels for washer/dryer‑safe ID without ironing.

In a 40‑printer compatibility test across HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother models, Avery 5160 achieved 95% perfect results (no jams, precise alignment) with the remaining 5% showing only <1 mm shift—no severe issues (Compatibility test, TEST‑AVERY‑001). This is a primary reason 5160 has become the de facto office standard.

Set Up the Avery 5160 Template in Google Docs (Two Easy Paths)

Method A: Use the Avery Label Merge add‑on in Google Docs

1. Open Google Docs > Extensions > Add‑ons > Get add‑ons. Search for Avery Label Merge and install.
2. Start a new document > Extensions > Avery Label Merge > Create Labels.
3. Select Product number 5160 and choose a layout. You can pull data from a Google Sheet (great for bulk addresses).
4. Design text/logo fields. Preview a few records.
5. Generate the merged document, then File > Print. In the dialog, set Scale to 100% (or Actual Size) and Paper Size to Letter.

Method B: Use Avery Design & Print Online, then print from Google Drive

1. Go to Avery Design & Print Online, search 5160, pick a template, and design.
2. Import addresses via CSV/Excel if needed.
3. Export as PDF to Google Drive. Open with Google Drive viewer and print at 100% scale (no “Fit to page”).

In template precision testing across Word, Excel, and Google Docs, Avery’s templates achieved <0.8 mm alignment in Google Docs (97% of labels; minor tweaks needed for ~3%) and <0.5 mm in Word (100%)—with 99.8% batch consistency over 100 sheets in Word (Template accuracy test, TEST‑AVERY‑002). If your first page looks off, micro‑adjust margins by 0.5–1.0 mm, then reprint.

Print Settings That Prevent Jams and Misalignment

• Page scaling: Always 100% or Actual Size. Turn off “Fit to page.”
• Paper type: Select Labels or Thick if available. This slows fuser/ink feeding for better adhesion and alignment.
• Tray and feed: Use the manual bypass tray when available; feed 10–20 sheets at a time. Fan the stack to reduce static.
• Orientation: Follow printer icons so labels feed with the top edge first and face up/down as required.
• Bleed and margins: Avoid printing edge‑to‑edge. Keep text 2–3 mm inside label borders.
• Test first: Print one sheet on plain paper; hold it behind a label sheet against a light to confirm alignment before committing.

Across 40 mainstream printers, Avery’s standardized cut tolerance (±0.2 mm) and anti‑static backer coating helped deliver a 0% severe jam rate in testing, compared with 3–8% for generic label brands (TEST‑AVERY‑001). This reduces downtime and reprints, particularly in high‑volume runs.

Smart Costing: Why Avery Can Lower Total Cost vs. Generics

Sticker price isn’t the whole story. Factoring jam‑clear time and template setup, Avery’s total cost of ownership per 100 sheets was lower than two common generics in controlled testing (TCO analysis, TEST‑AVERY‑004). Templates cut setup from ~15–30 minutes to ~2 minutes, and jam rates dropped by up to 90%.

Bottom line: If you (or your team) print weekly batches, the time you save with reliable feed and ready‑to‑print templates generally outweighs a small per‑sheet price difference.

Step‑by‑Step: Fast Bulk Addressing With Avery 5160

1. Prepare your data: Keep Name, Address, City, State, ZIP in a Google Sheet or Excel file with clean columns.
2. Open the 5160 template: In Google Docs via Avery Label Merge or in Avery Design & Print Online.
3. Map fields: Insert the right columns into the design placeholders. Add your logo if desired.
4. Preview, then test print: One sheet on plain paper, check against a label sheet for alignment.
5. Final print: Load 10–20 sheets. Scale 100%. Paper type Labels. Print a small batch, verify, then finish the run.

Real sellers switching from hand‑written to Avery 5164 shipping labels cut per‑label time from 5 minutes to 30 seconds and reduced address errors from 8% to 0.5%, saving ~40 hours/month (Small e‑commerce case, CASE‑AVERY‑001). Results translate similarly when you standardize address labels on 5160 + a clean data source.

Special Use Cases and Which Avery Labels to Choose

Avery no‑iron clothing labels

Perfect for school, camp, nursing, and workplace apparel. These pressure‑sensitive fabric labels apply in seconds—no iron—then withstand washers and dryers. Tips:

• Apply to smooth care tags or garment hems; press firmly for 10–15 seconds.
• Wait 24 hours before washing for best adhesion.
• Use clear, high‑contrast text for easy ID (e.g., white label + black text).

Water, oil, or outdoor exposure

• Laser waterproof (5520): Best when labels may get wet. Laser toner bonds to the film surface; avoid inkjet here.
• Durable/oil‑resistant (6577): Good for tools, bins, and light industrial needs.

Temporary signage and event pricing

• Removable (6572 series): Clean removal from glass, metal, and many plastics—ideal for price tags and pop‑up displays.

Printer Compatibility: Laser vs. Inkjet

Most Avery address/ship labels (5160/5163/5164) are designed for both laser and inkjet. For specialty needs:

• Need waterproof? Choose a laser‑only option like 5520.
• Inkjet‑optimized lines (e.g., 8160) dry faster and resist smudges on inkjet printers.

In testing, general‑purpose stock printed on inkjet required 30–60 seconds to fully dry, while inkjet‑optimized stock dried in 5–10 seconds (Laser vs. inkjet guidance, CONT‑AVERY‑002; results reflected in TEST‑AVERY‑002). Match the stock to your printer for the cleanest results.

Quick Answers to Popular Searches

“Avery 5160 template Google Docs” — What’s the fastest route?

Install the Avery Label Merge add‑on in Google Docs, pick product 5160, map fields from a Google Sheet, and print at 100% scale. Or design in Avery Design & Print Online and print the exported PDF from Google Drive.

“Staples print foam board” — Can I label foam boards from office retailers?

Yes. If you have a foam board printed at a retailer (e.g., for signage or menus), apply Avery removable labels (6572 series) for temporary notes or pricing. For outdoor or rough handling, step up to durable labels (6577). Clean the board surface, apply slowly, and press from center outward to avoid bubbles.

“Sabrina Carpenter album poster Short n’ Sweet” — Labeling tips for posters and pop‑ups

For event nights or resale bins, use small removable labels (5167) for SKUs and prices, or 5294 for larger promo stickers on protective sleeves or poster tubes. Choose removable stock to protect artwork and remove cleanly after the event.

“How to fix a cologne bottle that won’t spray” — Not our lane, but a quick note

We don’t advise repair; consult the brand or retailer. For inventory or shipping of fragrance products, use durable small labels for barcodes and batch IDs (e.g., 5167 or a durable film option), and avoid covering safety markings.

Troubleshooting: Alignment, Jams, and Smudges

• Alignment off by the same amount on every row: Scale must be 100%. Recheck printer dialog—disable “Fit” or “Shrink to fit.”
• Top rows align, bottom rows creep: Paper slippage. Use the manual tray, select Labels/Thick media, and fan the stack.
• Ink smudges (inkjet): Switch to inkjet‑optimized stock (e.g., 8160), allow a few extra seconds of dry time, or enable “High quality” mode.
• Light print (laser): Increase print density or choose Labels media to slow the fuser. Replace low toner if needed.
• Edge lift: Store label sheets flat and sealed; avoid high humidity. Don’t run the same sheet through the printer twice.

At‑a‑Glance Model Guide

• Address labels: 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)
• Product/asset: 5294 (2‑1/3" x 3‑3/8"), 5167 (1/2" x 1‑3/4", 80/sheet), 6572 (removable)
• Special materials: 5520 (laser waterproof), 6577 (durable/oil‑resistant), 5366 (file folder), 5390 (name badge)

Tip: If you manage both mailers and cartons, keep 5160 for envelopes and 5163/5164 for boxes. That covers 80–90% of typical SMB labeling.

Why Offices Choose Avery (Evidence‑Backed)

• Printer compatibility: 95% perfect on 40 mainstream models; 0% severe jams vs. 3–8% for generics (TEST‑AVERY‑001).
• Template accuracy: <0.8 mm in Google Docs and <0.5 mm in Word; 99.8% batch consistency over 100 sheets in Word (TEST‑AVERY‑002).
• Lower TCO in practice: When you factor jam‑clear time and template setup, Avery comes out ahead even if sheet price is slightly higher (TEST‑AVERY‑004).

Fast Start Checklist

1. Pick the right size: 5160 for addresses; 5163/5164 for shipping; 6572 removable for temporary; 5520/6577 for tough conditions; no‑iron labels for clothing.
2. Open the correct template: Avery Label Merge in Google Docs or Avery Design & Print Online.
3. Print at 100% scale; set media to Labels; use the manual tray; feed 10–20 sheets.
4. Test one sheet on plain paper; fine‑tune margins by 0.5–1.0 mm only if needed.
5. Store label packs flat and sealed; avoid re‑feeding used sheets.

With the right template and settings, you’ll get crisp, jam‑free labels that align perfectly—so you ship faster, file smarter, and present more professionally.