mailing label

Mailing Labels — Address Labels, Return Address Labels & Multipurpose Labels for Office & Direct Mail

Mailing labels are self-adhesive labels designed for printing recipient addresses, return addresses, and routing information on envelopes, packages, and direct mail pieces. Where handwritten addresses are time-consuming, inconsistent, and unprofessional at scale, printed mailing labels produce uniform, legible, professional-looking addresses in seconds — transforming a high-friction manual process into a fast, automated workflow. For offices processing dozens to thousands of pieces of outgoing mail, mailing labels are not a convenience but a productivity essential that determines the speed, accuracy, and professional quality of every piece of outgoing correspondence.

Our mailing label collection covers the full range of address labeling needs: standard address labels in the most common sheet formats (30-up, 20-up, 10-up), return address labels in small formats (80-up, 60-up), full-sheet labels for custom cutting, and specialty labels for direct mail, product labeling, and color-coded routing applications. Compatible with laser printers, inkjet printers, and thermal label printers.

Mailing Label Formats & Sizes

• 30-Up Address Labels (1" × 2.625" per label, 30 labels per sheet): The most widely used mailing label format in the United States. 30 labels per 8.5×11" sheet in a 3-column × 10-row layout. Compatible with Avery 5160, 5260, 8160, and thousands of equivalent templates in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and all major label printing software. The standard for address labels, name badges, file folder labels, and general-purpose labeling. Available in white, clear, and colored stock.
• 20-Up Address Labels (1" × 4" per label, 20 labels per sheet): Wider labels for addresses with longer lines — company names, suite numbers, and international addresses that exceed the character width of 1×2.625" labels. Compatible with Avery 5161, 5261, and equivalent templates. 20 labels per sheet in a 2-column × 10-row layout.
• 10-Up Address Labels (2" × 4" per label, 10 labels per sheet): Large address labels for packages, large envelopes, and applications where maximum label size and readability are required. Compatible with Avery 5163, 5263, and equivalent templates. 10 labels per sheet in a 2-column × 5-row layout. The standard for shipping labels printed on office laser and inkjet printers.
• 80-Up Return Address Labels (0.5" × 1.75" per label, 80 labels per sheet): Small labels for return address printing on standard #10 envelopes. 80 labels per sheet provides an economical supply for high-volume return address labeling. Compatible with Avery 5167 and equivalent templates.
• 60-Up Return Address Labels (1" × 1.625" per label, 60 labels per sheet): Slightly larger return address labels for better readability. 60 labels per sheet. Compatible with Avery 5160 half-size and equivalent templates.
• Full-Sheet Labels (8.5" × 11", 1 per sheet): One label per full sheet for maximum size flexibility. Can be cut to any custom size. Used for large shipping labels, product labels, and applications requiring a full-page label.

Mailing Label Materials

• White Paper Labels: The standard mailing label material. Smooth white surface accepts laser and inkjet printing with sharp, high-contrast text and barcodes. Permanent adhesive bonds securely to paper envelopes, corrugated boxes, and poly mailers. The most economical and widely used mailing label material.
• Clear Labels: Transparent labels that create a “no-label look” on white or light-colored surfaces — the label appears to be printed directly on the envelope or package. Requires a laser printer for best results (inkjet ink may not adhere as well to clear label stock). Popular for premium correspondence and branded packaging where a clean, label-free appearance is desired.
• Weatherproof / Waterproof Labels: Synthetic (polypropylene or polyester) labels that are waterproof, tear-resistant, and smear-proof. For packages that will be exposed to moisture, outdoor storage, or rough handling. Printed addresses remain legible and scannable through rain, condensation, and physical abrasion.
• Colored Labels: Labels in assorted colors (red, blue, green, yellow, orange) for color-coded routing, priority marking, and visual organization. Colored labels are used in mail rooms to indicate routing destinations, priority levels, and handling instructions without requiring text labels to be read.

Printer Compatibility

• Laser Printer Labels: Designed to withstand the heat of laser printer fuser units (up to 400°F / 200°C). The adhesive is heat-stable and will not melt or cause labels to separate from the sheet during printing. Always use laser-compatible labels in laser printers — inkjet labels may melt or jam in laser printers.
• Inkjet Printer Labels: Coated surface that absorbs inkjet ink without bleeding or feathering, producing sharp text and barcodes. Inkjet labels should not be used in laser printers — the coating may not withstand fuser temperatures.
• Laser/Inkjet Compatible Labels: Labels designed to work in both laser and inkjet printers. The most versatile format for offices with mixed printer environments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mailing Labels

Q: What is the most common mailing label size?
A: The 1×2.625" label (30 per sheet, Avery 5160 format) is the most widely used mailing label size in the United States. It fits the standard #10 business envelope address area, is compatible with virtually all label printing software, and provides enough space for a 4–5 line address in 10–12 point font.

Q: How do I print mailing labels from Microsoft Word?
A: In Microsoft Word, go to Mailings → Labels. Select the label vendor (Avery) and product number (5160 for 30-up labels) from the label options. Type or paste the address, then click Print for a single label or New Document to create a full sheet of labels. For mail merge (printing different addresses on each label from a list), use Mailings → Start Mail Merge → Labels and connect to your address data source.

Q: Can I use mailing labels on bubble mailers and poly mailers?
A: Yes. Standard paper mailing labels with permanent adhesive adhere well to poly mailer and bubble mailer surfaces. For best adhesion, ensure the mailer surface is clean and dry before applying the label. Press firmly across the entire label surface for 10–15 seconds. For cold-weather shipping or rough handling environments, use labels with aggressive permanent adhesive for maximum bond strength.

Q: What is the difference between a mailing label and a shipping label?
A: Mailing labels are general-purpose address labels used for envelopes, packages, and direct mail — they carry the recipient address and return address but do not include carrier tracking barcodes. Shipping labels are carrier-specific labels generated by shipping software that include the recipient address, tracking barcode, carrier routing code, and service level information required for parcel tracking and automated carrier sorting. Use mailing labels for standard postal mail; use shipping labels for tracked parcel shipments.