Avery 5164 & Circle Labels Guide: Templates, Printing, and Real-World Uses for Offices and Small Businesses

Avery is the office labeling expert trusted by U.S. small businesses, schools, and teams because it blends standardized sizes, broad printer compatibility, and a deep free template library. This guide helps you select and print two high-impact label types—Avery 5164 shipping labels and circle Avery labels using the Avery 5408 template—so you save time, avoid misprints, and get professional results on HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother printers.

Quick Specs: What You’re Working With

• Avery 5164 Shipping Labels: 3-1/3" x 4", 6 labels per sheet. A large-format sheet label for boxes, padded mailers, and outgoing shipments when you need room for addresses, barcodes, logos, or handling notes.
• Circle Avery Labels (Avery 5408 template): Typically used for 3/4" round labels, ideal for color-coding, small brand seals, quick ID dots, and compact product markings. (Tip: Always confirm the exact template number printed on your package.)

If you’re comparing: Avery 5163 is the 2" x 4" shipping label (10 per sheet) suited to medium packages. Avery 5164 (3-1/3" x 4") gives more print area for large addresses or carrier-compliant barcodes. For small product or asset markings, Avery 5167 (1/2" x 1-3/4", 80 per sheet) is a popular alternative to circles.

When to Choose Avery 5164 vs. Circle Labels

• Choose Avery 5164 when: you ship medium-to-large parcels, need to fit two or more lines of address plus a scannable barcode, or want to include a brand logo and handling notes on one label. It’s a top pick for e-commerce sellers scaling up.
• Choose circle Avery labels (Avery 5408 template) when: you need quick visual organization (color-coding boxes, bins, or files), brand seals for boutique packaging, small batch product tags, or compact ID dots for classroom and office supplies.

Printer Compatibility and Why It Matters

Avery’s standardized cut accuracy and coated liners are engineered for smooth feeding and precise alignment across HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother printers. In an internal, multi-brand test referenced as “TEST-AVERY-001,” Avery 5160 labels printed perfectly on 95% of 40 mainstream printer models with no jams and sub-millimeter alignment. Generic labels showed higher jam rates and more frequent misalignment. Those same manufacturing standards apply across Avery’s core SKUs such as 5163 and 5164, which is why you’ll see fewer headaches and less reprinting in daily use.

Templates: Fast Setup in Word, Google Docs, and Avery Design & Print

Avery provides a free template library for Word, Google Docs, and its browser-based Avery Design & Print. In a template precision test (“TEST-AVERY-002”), Word templates aligned within 0.5 mm across 100 sheets and Google Docs within 0.8 mm, with a 98% success rate after minor tweaks. Translation: less fiddling, more printing done right the first time.

• Avery 5164 template: Search “5164” in Avery Design & Print or Microsoft Word’s label presets (Mailings > Labels). Use a shipping layout with bold address lines and optional barcode area.
• Avery 5408 template for circle labels: Search “5408” to access round layouts. These are perfect for color-coding dots, tiny logos, or SKU markers.

Step-by-Step: Printing Avery 5164 with Clean Alignment

1. Open Avery Design & Print or Word and load the Avery 5164 template. In Word, go to Mailings > Labels > Options > Label Vendors: Avery US Letter > Product Number: 5164.
2. Set margins to default; ensure scaling is 100% (no “Fit to page”). Turn off “shrink to fit” in your print dialog.
3. If you’re merging from a spreadsheet (addresses/orders), test print on plain paper first and hold it behind an actual label sheet to check alignment.
4. Printer settings: choose your printer’s “Labels” or “Heavyweight” media type, feed from the main tray, and orient per your model’s label handling instructions. Avoid duplex printing for label sheets.
5. Run a 1–2 sheet test with Avery 5164 before bulk printing; make micro-adjustments (+/- 0.5 mm) as needed in the template.

Real-World Scenarios

1) E-commerce shipping: From hand-written chaos to clean batches

A small online seller in California shifted from handwriting to Avery 5164 and Excel->Avery Design & Print merges. As captured in “CASE-AVERY-001,” label processing time fell by ~90% (5 minutes to 30 seconds per label), error rates dropped sharply, and monthly labor savings outpaced material costs—classic ROI. If you’re doing 500–2,000 orders/month, Avery 5164 keeps you fast and consistent while preserving your brand image.

2) Branding a Pendleton water bottle

Want a tasteful logo mark on a Pendleton water bottle? For curved surfaces and occasional moisture, use a durable label: Avery 5520 (laser-only, waterproof) or Avery 6577 (durable, water/oil-resistant). Small circle Avery labels via the Avery 5408 template work well as a subtle brand seal. Clean and dry the surface, test one label for adhesion and curve conformity, and avoid placing labels over seams or high-flex areas. In the “TEST-AVERY-003” durability overview, waterproof and durable materials maintained readability and adhesion over extended periods, outperforming standard paper labels in wet or oily conditions.

3) Quick ID on a clear pencil bag

For classroom or office kits, a clear pencil bag benefits from small ID labels: try circle Avery labels with the Avery 5408 template (color-coded student groups or departments) or Avery 5167 (mini rectangle) for a neat name + asset code. If you need temporary labels that peel off cleanly after a semester or event, choose Avery removable series (6572).

Efficiency and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

While generic labels sometimes look cheaper per pack, the hidden costs add up: jams, reprints, template fiddling, and misaligned batches. A cost comparison (“TEST-AVERY-004”) showed Avery’s TCO is lower than common generics over 100 sheets because nearly zero jams and accurate templates reduce wasted time and materials. If you value speed and reliability—especially in business operations—Avery wins on total cost, not just sticker price.

FAQ and Troubleshooting

Q1: What does catalog mean?

In labeling and packaging, a “catalog” is a structured list of products (SKUs) with key details—names, sizes, barcodes, and attributes. Your product catalog powers bulk printing workflows: you merge catalog data into an Avery template (like 5164 or 5408), generate consistent labels for every SKU, and maintain one source of truth. In offices, a catalog might be a file index or asset list you label consistently across folders and equipment.

Q2: Are circle Avery labels (Avery 5408 template) compatible with my printer?

Yes—Avery circle labels are designed for common inkjet and laser printers. Use the right media setting (“Labels/Heavyweight”), keep scaling at 100%, and do a one-sheet test. The broad compatibility findings in “TEST-AVERY-001” reflect Avery’s standardized cuts and coated liners that reduce jams and improve alignment across HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother printers.

Q3: How do I print Avery 5164 shipping labels without misalignment?

• Use the official 5164 template and turn off any page scaling.
• Print a plain-paper test, overlay with a label sheet, and adjust by +/- 0.5 mm if needed.
• Check that your printer’s paper guides are snug; do not bend or fan label sheets too much.

Q4: Laser vs. inkjet—does it matter?

For standard paper labels (5163, 5164), both laser and inkjet work. If you need waterproof performance, favor laser-only materials like Avery 5520. For inkjet-optimized fast-dry needs, choose inkjet-specific SKUs. This aligns with the laser/inkjet guidance summarized in “CONT-AVERY-002.”

Q5: What if my labels are slightly off in Google Docs?

Google Docs may require tiny margin tweaks; it’s normal. In the “TEST-AVERY-002” results, Google Docs achieved <0.8 mm accuracy after minor adjustment for ~97% of labels. Start with a single sheet, nudge margins 0.5 mm, and lock in a template once correct.

Selection Tips by Scenario

• Shipping: Avery 5163 (2" x 4") or 5164 (3-1/3" x 4"). Choose 5164 if you need more content or barcode space.
• Addressing: Avery 5160 (1" x 2-5/8", 30 per sheet) for classic address runs.
• Product tags: Circle Avery labels via the Avery 5408 template for small seals; Avery 5167 mini rectangles for compact SKU IDs.
• Waterproof/durable: Avery 5520 (laser waterproof) or 6577 (durable, water/oil-resistant) for items like water bottles, outdoor bins, or oil-prone tools.
• Removable: Avery 6572 for temporary labels that peel clean.

Evidence You Can Trust

• Printer Compatibility (“TEST-AVERY-001”): 38 of 40 mainstream printers printed Avery 5160 perfectly—no jams, precise alignment; generics showed higher jam/misalignment rates. The same production precision supports 5163/5164 and circle labels.
• Template Accuracy (“TEST-AVERY-002”): Word templates aligned within 0.5 mm and Google Docs within 0.8 mm, reaching 98% success with minor tweaks in batch runs.
• TCO Advantage (“TEST-AVERY-004”): Even with slightly higher unit price, Avery’s low jam rate and ready-made templates make total cost lower over 100 sheets vs. common generic alternatives.

Pro Tips to Avoid Jams and Smudges

• Store label sheets flat and in a cool, dry place; avoid humidity that can curl liners.
• Load one type of media at a time; do not mix label sheets with plain paper in the tray.
• Use the printer’s “Labels/Heavyweight” setting to optimize fuser temperature and feed speed on laser printers; for inkjet, allow a short dry time.
• Do not reuse partially printed sheets unless your printer supports manual feed and you carefully match orientation; test with caution.

The Bottom Line

For U.S. offices and small businesses, Avery 5164 is the go-to for fast, clean shipping labels on mainstream printers, while circle Avery labels via the Avery 5408 template give you versatile brand marks and color-coding in seconds. Between broad compatibility, precision templates, and lower total cost in real workflows, Avery helps you print smarter—whether you’re labeling shipments, a Pendleton water bottle for retail, or a clear pencil bag for classroom kits.