Printing Problems

How to Fix Avery 5160 Label Printing Misalignment in Word

Bushra Parveen Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where Avery 5160 labels become increasingly misaligned on subsequent printed pages.

How to Fix Avery 5160 Label Printing Misalignment in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Printing multiple pages of Avery 5160 mail merge labels
Observed behavior: Labels align correctly on the first page but begin to drift and become significantly misaligned on later pages, despite adjusting document margins and font sizes.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting software templates, ensure you are using genuine Avery 5160 label sheets and that your printer tray has no debris obstructing the paper path.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Page Scaling in Printer Settings

Prevent the printer driver from automatically shrinking or stretching the label template, which is the most common cause of progressive misalignment.

Many printing issues occur because the default printer settings attempt to scale the document into the standard printable area. This disrupts the precise measurements of the Avery 5160 template.

Open Print Dialog

In Microsoft Word, click on the 'File' tab in the top left corner and select 'Print', or press Ctrl+P on your keyboard.

Access Printer Properties

Click the 'Printer Properties' or 'Preferences' link located just below your selected printer's name.

Set Scale to 100%

Navigate to the 'Effects', 'Layout', or 'Advanced' tab (depending on your printer). Find the 'Page Scaling' or 'Zoom' section and change the setting from 'Fit to Page' or 'Scale to Fit' to 'Actual Size' or '100%'.

Verify Paper Size

Ensure the selected paper size is strictly set to 'Letter' (8.5 x 11 inches) and not 'A4'.

Disable Page Scaling in Printer Settings

Test Print: Print your labels on a regular sheet of plain paper first. Hold the printed sheet in front of the blank label sheet against a light source to verify the alignment before wasting actual label stock.

Solution 2

Check Printer Hardware and Clean Rollers

Resolve physical feed issues that cause thicker label sheets to slip or drift during printing.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Print Documents and Labels Flawlessly with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word continues to give you template formatting and printing headaches, switch to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative that handles DOCX files and standard label templates with ease.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download and install WPS Office for free on your device.
2. Open Your Label Template: Launch WPS Writer and simply open your existing Avery 5160 Word document.
3. Print at Actual Size: Go to the Print menu, easily locate the scaling options, ensure it is set to 100%, and print perfectly aligned labels.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx) and standard Avery label templates.Intuitive print interface that makes adjusting page scaling and exact margins effortless.Lightweight software that loads instantly and consumes fewer system resources.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Avery labels print progressively lower on the page?

This progressive drift down the page is a classic sign of 'Fit to Page' scaling being active. The printer slightly shrinks the entire page to fit inside its default hardware margins, causing the alignment error to multiply as it moves down the sheet. Always ensure you print at 100% or 'Actual Size'.

Should I adjust the margins in Word to fix the Avery 5160 misalignment?

Adjusting margins is generally not recommended if you are using an official Avery template. The template is already precisely measured. Modifying margins usually worsens the problem on subsequent rows; instead, disable printer scaling or investigate the physical paper feed mechanism.

Why does plain paper print perfectly but my label sheets constantly drift?

Label sheets are thicker, heavier, and have a slicker backing than standard copy paper. If your printer's rubber feed rollers are dusty, smooth, or worn out, they may slip on the heavy label stock, causing the sheet to pull through unevenly. Cleaning the rollers often restores their grip.

Document & File Issues