Industry Trends

Avery Stickers & Templates: Your Office Admin's FAQ (From Someone Who Orders Them)

If you're the person in charge of ordering office supplies—stickers, labels, name badges, you name it—you've probably got a few Avery-related questions. I'm an office administrator for a 150-person company, and I manage about $15,000 in office and marketing material orders annually across a dozen vendors. I've learned a lot (sometimes the hard way) about what works and what doesn't.

This isn't a sales pitch. It's the stuff I wish someone had told me when I first took over purchasing in 2020. Let's get to your questions.

1. What's the deal with all these template numbers (5160, 5163, 94101)?

I used to think these were just random codes to make my life harder. It took me ordering the wrong labels twice to understand they're actually a lifesaver. Think of them like a universal sizing chart for labels.

The number tells you the exact sheet layout. For example:

• Avery 5160: This is the classic "address label" sheet. It has 30 identical, small rectangular labels (1" x 2-5/8") per sheet. It's the industry standard for mailing.
• Avery 5163: These are shipping labels. They're bigger (2" x 4") and you get 10 per sheet. Perfect for boxes and larger packages.
• Avery 94101: These are clear, full-sheet sticker pages. You print your design on the whole 8.5"x11" sheet, then cut it out. Great for custom decals or window stickers.

The key is to match the template number on the box to the template you select in your software (like Word or Google Docs). If they match, your print will align perfectly. Don't guess—always check the number.

2. Where do I get the free templates, and are they really free?

Yes, they're genuinely free. Avery provides them because it makes their products easier to use. My go-to spots are:

• Avery Design & Print Online: Their own web tool. It's straightforward and has pre-made designs.
• Microsoft Word: Go to Mailings > Labels > Options. Select "Avery US Letter" and then find your product number (like 5160).
• Google Docs: Use an add-on like "Avery Label Merge" or search for "Avery 5163 template for Google Docs"—you'll find official guides.
• Canva: Search "Avery" in the templates. They have designs formatted for specific Avery products.

My advice? Bookmark the Avery Templates page. It's the source. I learned this after wasting an hour on a sketchy third-party site that just redirected me there anyway.

3. I need stickers for a company event. What product should I use?

This depends on how you're using them. Here's my decision breakdown from our last company picnic:

• For name badges: Use Avery Name Badges (templates like 5395). They're stiff, have a clean fold, and look professional. Don't try to use floppy mailing labels for this—they'll curl and look cheap.
• For decorative stickers (like on water bottles or tote bags): The Avery 94101 Clear Full Sheet or White Full Sheet stickers are fantastic. You print your full-color design and cut it out. For something like a "Small City Tote Bag" giveaway, a custom circular sticker on the side looks great.
• For temporary event info: Regular Avery Address Labels (5160) work fine for quick info like table numbers or Wi-Fi passwords.

Pro tip from a past mistake: If you're putting stickers on curved surfaces (like coffee mugs for a promo—think Peet's Coffee Major Dickason's Blend K-Cup boxes), you need a flexible vinyl sticker material, not standard paper. Plan ahead and order the right type.

4. How do I avoid wasting sheets of labels when printing?

This was my biggest frustration early on. You'll waste a few sheets while learning—it's normal. Here's how to minimize it:

1. Do a test print on plain paper first. Seriously. Print your sheet, hold it up to a blank label sheet against a bright window or light. Check the alignment.
2. In your printer settings, make sure you select "Actual Size" or "100%." "Fit to Page" will ruin your alignment.
3. Use the template guides. The dotted lines in the template show the cut lines. Make sure your text is well inside them.
4. Load your printer tray correctly. Fan the label sheets before loading to prevent sticking, and make sure they're snug against the guide. Misaligned paper feed causes misaligned prints.

It took me about 5 botched sheets to get this process down. Now I might waste one every 50 orders, usually because the printer was having a bad day.

5. Can I use Avery products for creative or personal projects?

Absolutely. That's half the fun. Office supplies aren't just for offices.

• Gift Tags & Wrapping: The 2" x 4" Shipping Labels (5163) make perfect, sturdy gift tags. You can even print directly on them to label gifts creatively—way easier than trying to wrap socks with wrapping paper and then attach a separate tag.
• Home Organization: Clear labels (like Avery 18667) are invisible on bins and jars. I use them in our office kitchen all the time.
• DIY Product Labels: For homemade jams, candles, or crafts, the Avery 5160 address labels or round labels give a polished, "real product" look.

The templates work the same way. Just pick a design from Avery Design & Print or Canva that fits your vibe.

6. What's the one thing you wish you knew before you started ordering labels?

Total cost isn't just the box price. When I first started, I'd just buy the cheapest box of labels I could find. My initial approach was completely wrong.

I thought saving $2 per box was a win. But then I'd deal with:

• Poor printer compatibility: Jammed printers and wasted sheets.
• Weak adhesive: Labels falling off packages, which looks unprofessional.
• Limited template support: Spending hours trying to format a non-standard sheet.

After 5 years of this, I've come to believe that the minor premium for a known, reliable brand like Avery is worth it. The time I save my team (and myself) from troubleshooting and re-printing far outweighs the small cost difference. The numbers might say "go generic," but my gut—and experience—say stick with the standard that just works. And my gut's been right more often than not.