Industry Trends

Avery 8160, 8163, 8167 Labels: Your FAQ Answered by Someone Who's Messed Them Up

Look, I've been the person ordering office supplies and managing print jobs for small businesses for about six years now. I've personally made (and documented) a dozen significant label-ordering mistakes, totaling roughly $1,200 in wasted budget and a whole lot of frustration. Now I maintain our team's pre-print checklist to prevent others from repeating my errors. Here are the real questions people have about these Avery labels, answered directly.

1. What's the actual difference between Avery 8160, 8163, and 8167 labels?

This is the first thing everyone gets confused about, and for good reason. The numbers are close, but the uses are different.

• Avery 8160: These are your classic, all-purpose address labels. They come 30 labels per sheet, and each label is 1" x 2-5/8". This is the go-to for mailing envelopes, packages, or organizing files. It's probably the most common label template out there.
• Avery 8163: These are shipping labels. You get 2 labels per sheet, and each one is a much larger 4" x 5". This size is perfect for slapping on the front of a box or a poly mailer. If you're doing e-commerce, this is your workhorse.
• Avery 8167: These are name badge labels. The sheet has 8 labels, each measuring 2-5/8" x 4". They're designed to fit into standard plastic name badge holders for events, conferences, or office visitors.

Real talk: In my first year (2019), I ordered 8163s when I needed 8160s for thank-you cards. The result? Giant shipping labels awkwardly crammed onto tiny envelopes. 50 items, $45, straight to the recycle bin. That's when I learned to triple-check the template number before hitting "print."

2. Are they really compatible with Word, Google Docs, and Canva?

Basically, yes—but with a big, important "it depends." Avery templates are industry standard, so most major software has built-in support or easy import options.

• Microsoft Word: This is the gold standard. Use the "Mailings" tab and select "Labels." Avery templates are in the dropdown. It's foolproof.
• Google Docs: It works, but it's clunkier. You need to use the "Add-ons" menu, get the "Avery Label Merge" add-on, and follow the steps. It's not as seamless as Word, but it gets the job done for free.
• Canva: Canva is fantastic for design but trickier for precise alignment. You can search for "Avery 8160" as a custom size, but you have to manually set up the grid and margins. I've had mixed results here.

Here's the thing I learned the hard way: Always print a test sheet on plain paper first. Hold it up to a sheet of labels to check the alignment. I once approved a 200-label run from a Google Docs template that was off by a millimeter. Looked fine on screen. Every single label was misaligned. $120 lesson learned.

3. What's the biggest mistake people make when printing these?

Most people focus on the design and completely miss the printer settings. The question everyone asks is "why are my labels smudging?" The question they should ask is "is my printer set to the right paper type?"

Labels are not plain paper. If your printer is set to "Plain Paper," the ink won't dry properly and will smudge. You need to go into your printer properties and select "Labels" or "Heavy Paper." This changes the ink flow and drying time.

Looking back, I should have made this the first item on our checklist. At the time, I assumed the printer would "figure it out." It didn't. A batch of 100 shipping labels for a client delivery smeared in the box. We had to hand-write replacements overnight. The upside of using our own labels was saving $20. The risk was looking completely unprofessional. It wasn't worth it.

4. Can I use Avery 8160 labels in a laser printer if they're for inkjet, or vice versa?

This is where you can get into real trouble. Avery makes labels specifically formulated for Inkjet or Laser printers. The difference is in the adhesive and coating.

• Inkjet labels have a porous coating to absorb liquid ink.
• Laser labels have a heat-resistant coating to handle the toner fusing process.

Can you swap them? Technically, sometimes. But I don't recommend it. I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I've gotten away with using laser labels in an inkjet in a pinch. On the other, I've also seen laser labels melt and jam a printer, and inkjet labels smear horribly in a laser. The adhesive can also fail.

My policy now? Match the label to the printer. It's a no-brainer for avoiding a $300 service call. If your office has both types of printers, label the boxes clearly.

5. Are these the best labels for my project? When should I look elsewhere?

I recommend Avery 8160/8163/8167 for probably 80% of standard office and small business labeling needs. They're reliable, widely available, and the template system saves hours.

But, part of being honest is knowing the limits. Here's when you might want to consider alternatives:

• For outdoor or long-term use: Standard Avery labels are water-resistant but not waterproof. If something will be exposed to weather or frequent handling, look for "ultra-durable" or synthetic labels.
• For very high-volume, automated shipping: While 8163s are great, dedicated thermal shipping labels for a Dymo or Zebra printer are a game-changer for shipping 50+ packages a day.
• For intricate, full-color designs: If you're printing a full-bleed photograph or very detailed artwork, the alignment has to be perfect. Sometimes, using a professional online printing service for labels guarantees that color and alignment. The total cost of ownership—including your time and potential reprints—might be lower.

One of my biggest regrets was trying to save $50 by printing 500 fancy, full-color wine labels in-house on Avery sheets instead of using a pro service. The color was off, the cutting was inconsistent, and we wasted about 30% of the sheets. The "savings" cost us in time and a mediocre final product.

6. What's your one non-negotiable tip for first-time users?

Run the full, final print on ONE sheet of labels first. Check everything: alignment, spelling, smudging, color. Then, let it sit for a minute to dry completely. Touch it. Rub your thumb over it. If it passes, then run the rest of your batch.

This simple step has caught 47 potential errors on our team in the past 18 months. It turns a potentially expensive mistake into a single wasted label. That's a trade-off I'll make every time.

Bottom line: These Avery templates are tools, and like any tool, they work best when you know how to use them. Hopefully, my mistakes help you avoid your own.