Do’s and don’ts for Label Printing

DO

ensure you load the paper correctly
Sheets must be fed into a printer narrow edge leading; paper grain lies predominantly in one direction (top to bottom of A4) and going against the grain not only reduces print quality, but may cause labels to separate inside the print.

DO

ensure you carefully select your printer settings
Because the paper is heavier setting automatically adjusts your printer to get the best print results for labels, so always use media-specific printer settings instead. Make sure your page and print size settings is on A4; printers can default to different settings, which disturbs how your template prints.

DO

use the media bypass tray
Usually located just above the paper tray, the bypass tray is specially designed to process thicker print media such as labels. It reduces the number of rollers that sheets go through, which improves the print alignment as there is less page rotation during printing.

DON’T

forget to use the correct laser or inkjet products
Use laser labels with laser printers and inkjet labels with inkjet printers. These products are tailored to suit the inkjet or the laser printing process; ink won’t dry on laser labels and toner won’t bond to inkjet labels. Waterproof labels must be printed with a laser printer; inks are water based and run when wet.

DON’T

store your labels just anywhere
It is advised that new labels should be kept in their packaging and stored in a cool, dry place. The print quality decreases when labels dry out; moisture content is particularly important when bonding toner to laser labels.