Printing Problems

How to Stop Word from Printing Table or Label Borders

Nimra Malik Sep 27, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent table boundaries or label outlines from appearing on the final printed document.

How to Stop Word from Printing Table or Label Borders

Product: Microsoft Word / WPS Writer
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Preparing to print a document containing labels or layout tables where grid lines were used for structural formatting.
Observed behavior: Visible borders around labels or table cells are printed on the physical page, which disrupts the clean appearance of the printed document.

Before you start

Before removing the borders for printing, it is highly recommended to turn on 'View Gridlines' in your layout settings so you can still visually identify the label boundaries while editing without them printing.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Table Borders via Table Design Settings

Since document labels are typically formatted as invisible tables, setting the table boundaries to 'No Border' will prevent the structural lines from printing.

This method works by keeping the table structure intact for your labels while making the physical lines invisible to the printer.

Reveal Table Tools

Click anywhere inside your label document or table to reveal the Table Tools tabs on the top ribbon.

Select the Entire Table

Navigate to the 'Table Layout' tab, click on 'Select' in the left corner, and choose 'Select Table' to highlight all the labels.

Access Border Options

Switch to the 'Table Design' tab located at the top of the application window.

Apply No Border

Click the 'Borders' dropdown menu and select 'No Border' from the list of options.

Verify with a Test Print

Print a single test page to confirm that the label borders no longer appear on your physical document.

Gridlines vs. Borders: Gridlines are visual guides on your screen that do not print, whereas borders are formatted lines that will always show up on printed pages.

Manage Document Layouts Effortlessly

Create and Print Labels Seamlessly in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for designing, editing, and printing label documents without the hassle of unwanted borders. It is fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats, allowing you to seamlessly edit your existing label templates.

1. Open the Label File: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word label document.
2. Select the Table: Click inside the label area, go to the Table Tools tab, and click the Select button to highlight the entire table.
3. Remove Borders: Click the Borders icon in the ribbon and choose 'No Border' from the drop-down.
4. Preview and Print: Go to Menu > Print > Print Preview to verify that the borders are successfully hidden before executing the print job.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents (.docx) and label templatesIntuitive Table Tools for fast and easy border managementFree and lightweight alternative for everyday document editingBuilt-in accurate print preview to ensure perfect label alignment before printing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my labels print with black lines around them?

Label templates are often built using standard tables. If the table borders are set to a visible line style rather than 'No Border', the application will print those lines. Changing the border setting will quickly resolve this.

How can I see my labels if I turn off the borders?

You can use the 'View Gridlines' feature. In the Table Layout tab, click 'View Gridlines'. This displays faint dotted lines on your screen that help you align your text but will not show up when the document is printed.

Does this method work for mail merge labels?

Yes. When you generate a mail merge for labels, the output is formatted as a table document. You can select the entire mail merge output and apply the 'No Border' setting before sending it to the printer.

Can I remove borders from just one specific label?

Absolutely. Instead of selecting the whole table, just highlight the text or click inside the specific cell (label) you want to modify, then go to Table Design > Borders and select 'No Border'.

Document & File Issues