Will paper jar labels stay on in the fridge or freezer?

Not always. Paper labels can peel in a fridge, freezer or dishwasher. For those jars, use waterproof or freezer label sheets, and test one jar first.

What should I put on a canning label?

Most people write the name of the food and the date it was made. Use the same date format on every label, so the jars are easy to sort.

Which sheet is best for spice jars?

Avery® 8293 has 20 round labels, each 1.5 inches wide. That size suits small spice jars with a short name.

Can I make the labels match my jar?

You can choose the sheet and the size of the label, but LabelPeel does not know your jar. Measure the flat part where the label goes, then pick a sheet that is a little smaller.

Do I need to pay to try it?

LabelPeel is free while in beta, and you do not need a card. You can try it on the home page without an account.

Free Jar Label Template — Pantry and Canning Labels

How it works

Paste your list. Copy rows from Excel or Google Sheets, with the heading row, or upload the file. Use one column for the name, such as Jam, and one for the date. Each row becomes one jar label.
Pick a round or square sheet. Choose Avery® 22807 for 2-inch round labels, or a smaller round sheet for spice jars.
Set the wording and print. Put the name in big letters and the date small underneath. Print a test on plain paper, hold it over a sheet, then print at 100%.

Make jar labels

Sheets for jars

Pick the sheet by the size of the flat area on your jar. Round labels suit jars with a round label area, and square labels suit boxes and square containers:

Sheet	Shape and size	Labels per sheet	Good for
Avery® 22807	2" round	12	Canning, jam and gift jars
OnlineLabels OL1027	2.5" round	12	Larger round jars
Avery® 8293	1.5" round	20	Spice jars
Avery® 22806	2" square	12	Square pantry containers
Avery® 5163	2" × 4"	10	Wide labels for bins and tubs
Avery® 5164	3⅓" × 4"	6	Large labels for big storage jars

Measure your jar before you buy. A label should sit on the flat part of the jar, not over a curve or a lid edge. Check each sheet page for the full measurements.

Names, dates and spice jars

Keep the name short, and write the date the same way every time. A short name fits a small label, and a clear date helps you find the oldest jar first. For spice jars, use the 1.5-inch round sheet and keep the words to one or two. Full recipes do not fit on a label, so write those on a card.

Common problems

The label is too big for the jar. Measure the flat area first, then choose a smaller sheet.
The ink smears. Let the labels dry fully before you handle them, and print on a laser printer or your printer's best setting. Smudges are more likely on glossy paper.
The labels do not line up. Check the paper size, turn off Fit to page and print at 100%.

Ideas you can type

The AI helper changes every label at once. Try asking for:

"Put the name in big letters and the date small under it"
"Make the labels for Honey gold"
"Make the labels where Type is Jam red"
"Sort the labels by Shelf"
"Add our logo to the top of each label" (after you add your logo in the Design step)

Before you print

Print at 100%. Turn off Fit to page, so the labels keep their size.
Test first. Print one page on plain paper, and hold it over a sheet to check the lines.
Check the paper size. Most sheets on this list are US Letter.

Tips

Use the same date format on every label, such as 2026-10 or Oct 2026.
Keep one test sheet in a folder, so you can compare later prints.
Write a short note on the list for jars that need a freezer label.
Print a few spare labels for mistakes.
For a list in a spreadsheet, see how to print labels from Excel. You can also find free Word and PDF templates for every sheet.

Free jar label template