Avery 5160 Barcode Labels from CSV: Get Print Alignment Right

Avery 5160 is the most common address label sheet in the US: 30 labels per page, 3 across, 10 rows down, on US Letter paper. It is also a standard layout for small barcode labels in most inventory and ecommerce workflows.

The challenge with any label sheet is alignment. Labels that print even slightly off-center are wasteful and professionally awkward. This guide covers how to generate a well-aligned PDF from a CSV and how to confirm alignment before committing to a full print run.

Avery 5160 label dimensions

For reference:

• Label size: 2.625 inches wide by 1 inch tall
• Layout: 3 columns, 10 rows
• Labels per sheet: 30
• Paper size: US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches)

These dimensions matter because the PDF must match them exactly. A PDF that is even a few millimeters off will cause every row to drift further from the label boundary as you move down the page.

Step 1: Prepare your CSV

Your CSV needs at least one column with the barcode value. Common choices:

• SKU or product code
• Internal product ID
• Bin or shelf number

Keep the header row. Export from Excel or Google Sheets as CSV if you are starting from a spreadsheet application.

Step 2: Paste and preview

Go to Print barcode labels from CSV and paste your CSV. Select the barcode column and review the live preview immediately.

The preview renders every label on the Avery 5160 layout. Check a few labels in different positions (top left, center, bottom right) to confirm the barcode and text sit within the label boundary.

Step 3: Test-print before your full run

This is the step most people skip and later regret.

Export the PDF and print one page on plain paper. Then:

1. Hold the plain paper up to an Avery 5160 sheet against a light source
2. Check whether the printed content falls inside the label outlines on the sheet
3. If they are off, adjust your printer settings (no scaling, no fit-to-page, US Letter paper size)

Most alignment issues come from printer scaling. Setting the print dialog to 100% actual size and turning off "fit to printable area" options usually resolves them.

Step 4: Print on Avery 5160 sheets

Once the test page confirms alignment, load your Avery 5160 sheets and print the full PDF.

If you are printing multiple pages, fan the sheets slightly before loading them to reduce the chance of misfeeds.

What fits on a 5160 label

At 2.625 x 1 inch, each label holds:

• A Code 128 barcode (the symbol itself is roughly 1.5 to 2 inches wide at standard size)
• One or two short lines of text: product name, SKU, or description

Long product names will truncate or shrink. Keep label text short: a concise SKU or code paired with an abbreviated name is the most readable layout at that size.

FAQ

My labels are printing slightly low on every row. What should I check?

This almost always comes from printer scaling or bottom margin settings. Check your print dialog: set page scaling to "None" or "100%" and confirm the paper size is US Letter.

Can I reprint individual labels from a partially used sheet?

You can feed a partially used sheet through the printer, but alignment is less reliable on partial sheets. It is usually easier to print a full sheet and discard the unused labels.

Does this work with generic 30-label-per-sheet stock?

Yes, as long as the dimensions match Avery 5160: 2.625-inch wide by 1-inch tall labels on US Letter paper. Many generic brands use these exact dimensions.

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For the general CSV-to-label process, see How to print barcode labels from a CSV. For batch printing from a larger inventory list, see Bulk barcode generator from spreadsheet.