How to Create Your Own Label Template in Microsoft Word

Dec 21

An open document in Microsoft word. "Need a Sheet Label Template?" is typed in large letters at the top

A memorable custom label is vital in building brand awareness. However, for some small businesses, having custom labels printed by a third party simply isn’t in the budget. Even if your business can afford it, you may want to cut down on correspondence time and simply do it yourself.

Regardless of your reasoning, you don’t need to worry - with Microsoft Word, creating a custom label template is simple. Here’s how:

1) Create a new document

The home tab seen when you first open Microsoft Word

2) Go to the “Mailings” tab and select “Labels”

The mailings tab in Microsoft Word. The label option is circled

3) Select “Options”

The envelopes and labels pop-up menu. The options button is circled

4) Select “New Label”

The label options pop-up menu. The new label button is circled

5) Create your label name

The label details pop-up menu. The label name bar is circled, with the name reading "New Label Template"

6) Enter your label dimensions

This will determine the height and width of your labels.

The label details pop-up menu. The label height and label width bars are circled ; the height reads 6", the width 12"

7) Enter your label margins

Your margins dictate how far away from the edges of the page your labels are.

The label details pop-up menu. The top margin and side margin bars are circled; both read 0.5"

8) Enter vertical and horizontal pitches

The pitches dictate the amount of space between labels.

The label details pop-up menu. The vertical pitch and horizontal pitch bars are circled; vertical reads 8.5", while horizontal reads 12.5"

9) Enter label quantity

This dictates how many labels you’ll have in each row and column.

The label details pop-up menu. The number across and number down bars are circled; number across reads three, while number down reads 10

10) Check your page size

Make sure that your page is the right size to accommodate your label dimensions. If the page is too small, an error message will appear. If none of the available page sizes fit your label dimensions, you may need to resize your labels.

The label details pop-up menu, overlaid with an error message. The pop-up menu has the page size bar circled. The error reads: "The margins, label size, and number across or down values produce a page that is larger than the label page size."

11) Select “OK”

The label details pop-up menu. The OK button is circled

12) Check that your label template appears under “Product Number”

The label options pop-up menu. The product number window, which has a new addition titled "New Label Template" is circled

13) Select “OK”

The label options pop-up menu. The OK button is circled

14) Select “New Document”

This should create a new document with your label template.

The envelopes and labels pop-up menu. The "new document" button is circled

15) If you can’t see your labels, go to “Paragraphs” on the “Home” tab

The home tab of Microsoft Word. The paragraph section is circled.

16) Click on the borders box and select “View Gridlines”

This will make your label template visible if it isn’t already.

The borders dropdown menu on the paragraphs section. The "view gridlines" option is circled.

17) To make sure your margins are correct, go to the “Layout” tab

The "Layout" tab of the Microsoft Word page is circled.

18) Select the “Margins” update, then select “Custom Margins”

The "margins dropdown menu under the Layout tab. The "custom margins" option is circled

19) Double-check your margins

20) Select “OK”

The page setup pop-up menu. The OK button is circled.

Congratulations - you just made your own label template! From here, you can customize your labels with whatever graphics or text you want before printing.

Label-Printing Supplies at Barcode Factory

At Barcode Factory, we know that a label template is only part of the process. That’s why we stock everything you need to print your own labels in-house: printers, label stock, thermal print ribbons and more. If you need custom printed labels, we offer fast turnaround and a wide variety of colors, sizes, coatings and more. Contact us here and have one of our certified experts provide a quote, guide you with a purchase or answer any questions you may have.

labelsCustom labelsCustom blank labelsLabel templatesMicrosoft Word

Kelly Cammidge