How to Print Barcode Labels on Avery 5160 Paper

The Avery 5160 (and its laser/inkjet equivalents like 8160 or 5260) is the "gold standard" for address and inventory labels. With 30 labels per sheet (3 columns by 10 rows), it's the most cost-effective way to label small to medium inventories using a standard home or office printer.

However, the biggest challenge is alignment. There is nothing more frustrating than printing a sheet of barcodes only to find they are slightly offset, making half the sheet useless.

In this guide, we'll show you how to generate barcodes that fit Avery 5160 sheets perfectly every time.

Why Avery 5160 is Great for Barcodes

Availability: You can find these labels in any office supply store.
No Special Hardware: You can use your existing laser or inkjet printer—no need for a dedicated thermal printer.
Size: At 1" x 2-5/8", these labels provide ample space for a high-density barcode (like Code 128) plus a line of human-readable text.

How to Generate Avery 5160 Compatible Barcodes

While many people try to use Microsoft Word templates, it often results in blurry barcodes that scanners can't read. For professional results, you should use a dedicated barcode tool.

1. Prepare Your Data

Create a list of your SKUs or product IDs. If you have 30 labels on a sheet, you might want to prepare exactly 30 values (or multiples of 30) to fill the pages efficiently.

2. Use the BarcodeReady Avery Template

Navigate to the BarcodeReady Bulk Export tool.

Paste your list: One code per line.
Select Format: We recommend CODE128 for the best balance of data density and scannability on small labels.
Select Page Size: Choose the US Letter (3x10 Avery 5160) option from the dropdown.

3. Generate the PDF

Click Generate Bulk PDF. Our system will create a vector-perfect PDF where each barcode is precisely centered within the Avery 5160 margins.

Critical Printing Tips for Perfect Alignment

Even with a perfect PDF, your printer settings can ruin the alignment. Follow these rules:

"Actual Size" Only: In the Print dialog box, ensure that "Scale to Fit" or "Shrink to Fit" is UNCHECKED. You must select "Actual Size" or "100% Scaling". If the printer scales the document even by 2%, the labels will be misaligned by the time you reach the bottom of the page.
Test on Plain Paper: Before using expensive label sheets, print one page on standard white paper. Place it behind a sheet of Avery labels and hold it up to a light source to verify the alignment.
Check Paper Loading: Ensure the paper guides in your printer tray are snug against the label sheet to prevent the paper from twisting during the feed.

Which Printer Should You Use?

Laser Printers (Recommended): Laser toner is much more durable than inkjet ink. It won't smudge if it gets damp or if a customer's thumb rubs across it.
Inkjet Printers: If you use an inkjet, allow the labels to dry for at least 5 minutes before handling them to avoid smearing the barcode lines.

Ready to Print Your First Sheet?

Don't struggle with Word templates and blurry images. Create your professional inventory labels in minutes.

👉 Generate Avery 5160 Barcodes at BarcodeReady

How to Print Barcode Labels on Avery 5160 Paper: A Step-by-Step Guide