Laser vs Inkjet Labels: Which to Buy and How to Print
Laser and inkjet printers need different label sheets. Buy the wrong type and the ink can smudge or the sheet can jam. This guide shows how to choose and print the right one.
Laser printers and inkjet printers work in very different ways, so they need different label sheets. A laser printer uses toner that is fused onto the page with heat. An inkjet printer sprays liquid ink that must dry on the surface. The same label layout can come in both types, but the sheet material is not the same. Check the box before you buy.
Laser labels vs inkjet labels
The two types look the same, but they handle the printer differently.
| Laser labels | Inkjet labels | |
|---|---|---|
| Printer type | Laser printers | Inkjet printers |
| How ink or toner sticks | Toner is fused onto the sheet with heat | Ink soaks into or sits on a coated surface |
| Common Avery® code style | 5xxx, such as 5160 | 8xxx, such as 8160 |
| Main risk if you use the wrong type | Heat and sticky surface can cause jams or uneven print | Ink can smudge, run or dry slowly |
On the box, look for the words Laser or Inkjet, or a printer icon. Avery® shows the printer type on each product. If you are not sure which printer you have, check the printer's name or its manual.
Why the printer type matters
Heat. A laser printer passes the sheet through a hot part to melt toner onto the paper. Laser label sheets are made to take that heat. Inkjet sheets may not be made for it, so they can curl, stick or jam.
Drying. Inkjet ink needs time to dry. If you touch a freshly printed inkjet label, it can smudge. Let the sheet sit for a short time before you handle it. Laser labels are dry as soon as they leave the printer, so they do not smudge in the same way.
Check the box for any other printer note. The manufacturer's advice is the best guide for your sheet.
Check the box before you buy
Each label box shows more than the printer type. Before you buy, check these details on the box:
- Printer type. Laser or inkjet. This is the most important one.
- Product number. The code you will choose in your software, such as 5160 or 8160.
- Label size. Width and height of each label, in inches or millimetres.
- Labels per sheet. The number of labels on one sheet, such as 30 for the 5160 layout.
- Paper size. Letter for US sheets, or A4 for sheets such as L7160.
If the printer type and the paper size match your printer, and the label size matches your job, the sheet is the right one.
How to choose the right sheet
- Check your printer type. Look in your printer's manual or its label on the front.
- Pick the label size first. Buy the same layout in the matching printer type.
- Look at the box. The printer type should be printed on it.
- If your size is in both types, buy the one that matches your printer.
For a real example, Avery® 5160 is the laser version of a 1 inch by 2⅝ inch address label with 30 labels per sheet. Avery® 8160 has the same layout for inkjet printers. Our Avery 5160 vs 8160 guide explains the two codes in more detail. You can see both sheets on the Avery® 5160 page and the Avery® 8160 page.
Outside the US, the A4 sheet L7160 has 21 labels per sheet. Check the printer type on the box for your sheet before you buy.
Print settings to check
Printer menus differ, so the names below are general. Look for the same options in your printer's print window or its paper settings.
- Paper type. Choose the label or heavy paper type if your printer has one. This tells the printer to slow down and use the right heat or ink setting.
- Feed. Use the manual or rear feed if your printer has one. A straight path helps the sheet move without bending.
- One sheet at a time. Feed one sheet at a time, especially if your printer has been jamming. Do not stack a full pile of label sheets.
- Scale. Print at 100% or Actual size. Do not use fit-to-page or scale-to-fit, because the labels will move out of place.
- Test first. Print a test page on plain paper. Hold it over a label sheet against a window to check the alignment.
If you print labels from LabelPeel, the print checklist covers these points before you print.
Do not reuse a sheet in a laser printer
A sheet that has already been through a laser printer has been heated. Do not run it through the printer again, even if only a few labels were used. The second pass can cause sticking, jams or poor print. If part of a sheet is used, use the single-label option in your software to print on the empty spots, then print the rest of the labels on a fresh sheet of the same type. Word can print one label on a partly used sheet. LabelPeel has a start at label option for the same job.
Common problems
The sheet jams. Stop printing, then remove the sheet gently. Check that the paper type is set to labels and that you are using the right printer type. Feed one sheet at a time.
The ink smudges. The sheet is probably inkjet, and it has not dried. Let it sit before you handle it. If the smudge happens on a laser sheet, check that the printer type on the box is right.
The labels are in the wrong place. The printer scaled the page. Print at 100%, turn off fit-to-page, and print a new test on plain paper.
The labels curl or stick. Check the printer type. Do not feed a sheet that has already been printed in a laser printer.
Some labels do not print. The data may have blank rows, or the printer may have skipped a sheet. Check the list, then print one sheet again.
Print your labels
Once you know your printer type, you can make the labels. In LabelPeel, paste your list, choose the sheet that matches your printer, check the print settings, and print a test. The Avery® 5160 page shows the sheet size, count and layout.
If you want a step-by-step guide for a specific program, read how to print address labels or how to print labels on Mac. Both explain how to choose a sheet and print a test first.
Buy one sheet, print a test, and then print the rest. It is the cheapest way to find out whether your printer type and sheet match.
Questions
Can you use laser labels in an inkjet printer?
It is not a good idea. Laser labels are made for the heat of a laser printer, and inkjet ink needs a surface that takes ink. Buy the inkjet version of the same layout.
Are Avery 5160 and 8160 the same labels?
They have the same layout, with 30 labels per sheet, each 1 inch by 2⅝ inches. The 5160 is the laser version and the 8160 is the inkjet version. Read the box to check the printer type.
Can I run a label sheet through a laser printer twice?
No. Do not reuse a sheet that has already gone through a laser printer. The sheet may already be heated, and a second pass can cause problems. Use a new sheet for each print run.
What if my label sheet jams?
Stop printing and remove the sheet. Feed one sheet at a time, use the rear or manual feed if your printer has one, and check that the paper type is set to labels.
Sheets in this guide
Skip the mail merge — paste your list and print
Every row becomes one label, lined up on the sheet. Free while LabelPeel is in beta.