Avery Labeling and Print Guide: From 5163 Shipping Labels to Color Coding, Templates, Dry-Erase Posters, Flyers, and Square Envelopes

Avery is the office labeling expert trusted by businesses across the United States for standardized sizes, broad printer compatibility, and a deep library of free templates. This guide is built to help operations managers, office admins, and e-commerce sellers choose the right Avery products and print them right the first time—focusing on Avery 5163 shipping labels, the Avery 15513 template for color coding labels, custom dry erase posters, free event flyer maker workflows, and practical steps for how to make a square envelope.

Pre-Selection Checklist: Get Your Specs Right

• Printer type: Laser or inkjet. Most core Avery labels (such as 5163 and 5160) print well on both; specialty media may be laser-only or inkjet-optimized.
• Surface and durability: Smooth boxes vs. textured mailers, temporary vs. permanent use, indoor vs. outdoor.
• Label size and content: Address, shipping, product info, barcodes, or color-coded indexing.
• Volume: Batch printing differs from occasional runs—template precision and jam-free feeding matter.
• Software: Avery Design & Print (free, web-based), Microsoft Word/Excel, or Google Docs.

Why this matters: In Avery compatibility testing with 40 mainstream printers, Avery label stock delivered a 95% perfect run rate with no jams and precise alignment, while generic labels had 3–8% jam rates and more frequent misalignment (see TEST-AVERY-001). Template precision tests also show Avery Design & Print and Word templates aligning within 0.5–0.8 mm on common formats (see TEST-AVERY-002), minimizing reprints and wasted time.

Shipping Labels: Avery 5163 vs. Alternatives

Avery 5163 is a popular, standard shipping label size at 2" x 4", 10 labels per sheet. It’s ideal for medium-sized parcels, clear addressing, and partial product info. If you ship larger boxes and need more visibility (or include a return barcode), consider Avery 5164 at 3-1/3" x 4", 6 labels per sheet. For smaller packages or two-line addresses, a standard Avery 5160 address label (1" x 2-5/8", 30 per sheet) may suffice, often used together with a separate barcode sticker.

When to choose Avery 5163

• Medium boxes where you want a clear ship-to block and optional logo.
• Carrier-required label areas that fit 2" x 4" comfortably.
• Balance of sheet yield (10 per sheet) and readability.

Template setup and batch printing workflow

1. Open Avery Design & Print (web) or select the 5163 template in Word/Google Docs.
2. Connect your data source (CSV or Excel export of orders) to mail merge fields: name, address lines, city/state/ZIP, and optional order ID or barcode.
3. Set printer options: Paper Type = Labels; Scaling = 100% (Actual Size); Borderless = Off; Tray = manual feed if available.
4. Do a one-sheet test print on plain paper, overlay it onto your label sheet, and check alignment with a bright light.
5. Load the label sheet per printer guidance (often adhesive label side facing you; check arrow icon on packaging).

Evidence you can trust: In Avery’s 40-printer test of mainstream HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother models, Avery label sheets achieved precise alignment and smooth feeding across 95% of models without jams. Template precision in Word reached <0.5 mm deviation across full sheets and 99.8% consistency over 100-sheet batches (TEST-AVERY-001, TEST-AVERY-002). For small business shipping, that translates to fewer reprints and fewer disruptions.

Avery 15513 Template and Color Coding Labels

Color coding labels are a simple, high-impact way to streamline filing, inventory, and scheduling. Avery offers round and rectangular color coding options with standardized product numbers and matching templates in Avery Design & Print.

Finding the Avery 15513 Template

• Open Avery Design & Print and enter 15513 in the product search field.
• Select the corresponding color coding label template; choose color sets and layout (solid fill, text-on-color, barcode).
• Design tips: Use short codes, uppercase letters, and consistent color meaning (e.g., red = urgent, blue = completed, green = pending).

Practical color coding systems

• File folders: Combine color coding labels with Avery 5366 file folder labels for faster retrieval and standardized naming.
• Inventory bins and shelves: Apply removable versions if processes change frequently; for permanent systems, use standard adhesive.
• Calendars and event boards: Color-coded stickers for status and responsibility; pair with dry erase boards for fluid updates.

Why it works: In a survey of 1,850 US SMBs, top label use cases were shipping, file folders, and product/asset labels. Respondents picked Avery for printer compatibility and template availability (RESEARCH-AVERY-001). Color coding increases speed and accuracy in everyday office routines while keeping a professional appearance.

Custom Dry Erase Poster: Flexible Planning, Clean Look

Need a reusable, large-format planning surface? You can make a custom dry erase poster using Avery designs and dry erase-compatible film. This works for project timelines, event checklists, and rotating schedules.

Recommended build

• Design: Create your poster grid in Avery Design & Print using a blank "poster" or calendar layout. Add headers, dates, and color blocks.
• Media: Use a dry erase-compatible film or sheet applied to a foam board or wall-safe surface. Choose removable, surface-safe adhesives if you plan to reposition.
• Printing: For standard desktop printers, tile print the design across multiple pages and assemble on the board. For one-piece large posters, export your design and print at a local shop—then apply a dry erase laminate.
• Care: Use low-odor dry erase markers; clean with a soft cloth. Avoid alcohol-heavy cleaners on removable films.

Tip: Pair color coding labels for immutable statuses (e.g., critical milestones) with dry erase sections for changeable tasks. This hybrid method retains clarity while inviting updates.

Free Event Flyer Maker: Launch Clean, On-Brand Flyers Fast

Avery Design & Print doubles as a free event flyer maker. You get hundreds of templates for concerts, meetups, fundraisers, and corporate town halls—no design team required.

Workflow

1. Open Avery Design & Print and choose a flyer template or a blank canvas.
2. Set brand colors and fonts; add event essentials (title, date/time, location, RSVP URL/QR).
3. Export to PDF and print on quality paper (24–32 lb) for crisp text and minimal show-through.
4. Optional: Create matching labels (5160 address or 5163 shipping) for mailing invites; use the same color theme for consistency.

Pro tip: Include a QR code linking to the registration page. Avery templates support QR placement and alignment, so code scans cleanly after printing.

How to Make a Square Envelope (and Address It Right)

Square envelopes look premium for invitations and announcements. Here’s a practical way to make one and address it with Avery labels.

DIY square envelope steps

1. Choose a finished size (e.g., 6" x 6"). Cut a 10" x 10" square of heavy paper (65–80 lb cover stock works well).
2. Score fold lines: Fold opposite corners toward the center so overlaps meet neatly. Score lines with a bone folder for crisp edges.
3. Glue the side flaps, then the bottom flap. Leave the top flap unglued for closing later.
4. Optional liner: Add a contrasting paper square inside for a premium look.
5. Addressing: Use an Avery 5163 shipping label for centered, legible addresses on square envelopes; or an Avery 5160 label for smaller, minimal addresses.

Mailing considerations: US carriers often surcharge square envelopes. Check current USPS regulations and postage before sending. Using printed labels ensures clean machine readability and reduces return-to-sender issues.

Printer Settings and Compatibility Tips

• Set scaling to "Actual Size" or 100%. Disable "Fit to page" and borderless printing to prevent layout shifts.
• Paper type: Choose "Labels" or "Heavyweight". Use manual feed if your printer supports it for gentler handling.
• For laser printers: Labels must withstand heat; Avery’s universal label ranges do. Specialty media may specify laser-only.
• For inkjet: Use inkjet-optimized labels for faster dry times and better smudge resistance. Universal labels are fine for everyday office use; allow 30–60 seconds dry time.
• Test print: Run on plain paper first. Overlay on the label sheet to confirm edge alignment.

Why this matters: Universal Avery ranges (such as 5160/5163) are designed for both laser and inkjet printing. Inkjet-optimized lines dry faster (5–10 seconds) with stronger water resistance; laser-only waterproof labels (e.g., select specialty SKUs) endure heat fixing and provide durable outdoor performance (see CONT-AVERY-002 and TEST-AVERY-003).

Quick Spec Map: Choose by Use Case

• Address labels: 5160 (1" x 2-5/8", 30 per sheet) – the everyday standard.
• Shipping labels: 5163 (2" x 4", 10 per sheet); 5164 (3-1/3" x 4", 6 per sheet) for larger parcels.
• File folder labels: 5366 – streamline filing with uniform naming.
• Product/asset labels: 5294 (2-1/3" x 3-3/8", 8 per sheet) and 5167 (1/2" x 1-3/4", 80 per sheet) for small parts.
• Removable labels: 6572 – reposition or update without residue.
• Durable/waterproof: 5520 (laser-only waterproof) and 6577 (durable, oil/water-resistant) for tougher environments.
• Name badges: 5390 – clean, professional event identification.

Selection tip: For e-commerce shipping or mailers, 5163 and 5164 cover most parcel sizes. For office filing and indexing, pair 5366 with color coding labels and the 15513 template.

FAQ: Alignment, Jams, and Templates

Why isn’t my print aligned?

Check scale settings (must be 100%), margins (default printer margins can shift content), and paper orientation. Do a plain-paper test and adjust template margins by ±0.5 mm if needed. Avery templates are tuned for precise alignment in Word/Design & Print (see TEST-AVERY-002).

How do I avoid jams?

Use the label paper setting, manual feed tray (if available), and fan sheets before loading to reduce static. Avery’s backing and cut precision reduce jams compared to generic stocks (TEST-AVERY-001).

Where do I get templates?

Open Avery Design & Print online; enter your product number (e.g., 5163 or 15513). You can also download Word templates or use Google Docs.

Can I merge data from Excel?

Yes. Use Avery Design & Print’s mail merge or Word’s mail merge to map fields. Test one sheet before batch printing.

Are Avery labels worth more than generics?

When you factor time and reprints, Avery’s total cost of ownership is lower for business users. In cost analyses, Avery’s lower jam and alignment risk reduce hidden labor costs, often making the overall spend lower than generic labels over large runs (TEST-AVERY-004).

ROI and Efficiency: Why Businesses Choose Avery

If your team prints labels daily or weekly, the cost of misprints, jams, and manual formatting adds up. Based on compatibility and template precision tests, Avery cuts error rates and setup time—especially in mail merges and batch jobs. In small-business shipping scenarios, moving from manual or generic labels to Avery 5163/5164 plus templates has delivered large time savings and reduced address errors. Across 1,850 SMBs, label use was dominated by shipping and filing, and Avery was chosen for compatibility and templates (RESEARCH-AVERY-001).

Bottom line: Choose Avery when your priority is speed, accuracy, and professional presentation across HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother printers. For occasional personal use, generics may suffice; for consistent business workflows, Avery’s standardized sizes and templates pay off.

Next Steps

• Shipping: Start with Avery 5163 for medium parcels; use Design & Print and test one sheet.
• Color coding: Open the Avery 15513 template and build your color scheme.
• Planning: Design a custom dry erase poster and laminate or apply dry erase film.
• Events: Use the free event flyer maker in Design & Print and match your label branding.
• Mailing: Follow the DIY steps for how to make a square envelope and address with 5163 or 5160.

With standardized Avery sizes, proven printer compatibility, and free templates, you can move from idea to printed, professional output in minutes—and keep it running smoothly at scale.