{"id":8581,"date":"2026-08-18T12:44:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T19:44:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.avery.com\/blog\/?p=8581"},"modified":"2026-08-18T12:48:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T19:48:43","slug":"troubleshooting-common-shipping-label-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.avery.com\/blog\/troubleshooting-common-shipping-label-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Shipping Label Problems and How to Fix Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Let the label experts help you troubleshoot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So you printed your shipping label, but something went wrong. Honestly, label fails happen to the best of us. Maybe it printed crooked, started peeling off, smudged, or won’t scan correctly. I’ve certainly dealt with these problems myself running my own small business. I’ve also learned a lot about preventing them since joining the Avery team. I mean, Avery has been making labels since R. Stanton Avery invented stickers in 1935<\/a>. Nine decades of experience solving label fails and an R&D department onsite? I have access to literally some of the most knowledgeable label makers in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, I’ll walk through some of the most common shipping label problems, what causes them, and what you can do to fix them\u2014label expert-approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is my shipping label printing crooked or cut off?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Is your shipping label crooked or getting cut off when you print? Start by checking your printer settings and label size. The problem could be as simple as a mismatched setting, or you might be printing a postage format that doesn’t fit your labels. If everything looks right and you’re still having trouble, the label sheets themselves may not be feeding smoothly through your printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Printer settings are the first thing to troubleshoot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before changing anything else, check your printer settings. Choose the \u201cLabel\u201d setting in your printer preferences if it’s available. If not, try \u201cHeavyweight,\u201d \u201cCardstock,\u201d or \u201cPhoto.\u201d These settings adjust how your printer handles thicker materials like label sheets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still having trouble? Read our step-by-step instructions for choosing the best printer settings for labels<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Make sure your shipping labels are the right size for the postage you\u2019re printing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Make sure your labels fit your postage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If part of your shipping label is getting cut off, make sure the labels you’re using are the right size for the postage you’re printing. When I first started shipping for my business, I didn’t realize that carriers and shipping services can have specific requirements for label size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many major carriers use a 4″ \u00d7 6″ shipping label format<\/strong>, including USPS and UPS. But, it’s always best to check the requirements for the specific carrier and service you’re using before printing. Then make sure your label size and print settings match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still printing crooked? Look at the label sheets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your settings and sizes are correct but your labels are still printing crooked, the sheets may not be feeding smoothly through your printer. Choosing labels designed for reliable printer feeding can help. For example, Avery shipping labels with Sure Feed\u00ae technology<\/a> have a unique \u201cgrip strip\u201d that helps label sheets feed through printers better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why does my shipping label keep peeling off?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stuck fiddling with a label that won’t stay stuck on? When a label starts peeling off, the adhesive is usually the culprit. You may be using a removable label, or a repositionable label that hasn’t had enough time to set…. or an old label that’s dried out. If the adhesive isn’t the problem, check the package itself. Dust, moisture, oil, wrinkles, and uneven surfaces can all prevent a label from making full contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confirm that your label is meant to stay on<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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This might sound obvious, but make sure you’re actually using a permanent label. Removable labels are designed to come off cleanly, so they’re not a good choice when you need a shipping label to stay put throughout transit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repositionable shipping labels<\/a> work a little differently. They’re designed so you can peel the label back and adjust it shortly after application. That’s really handy if you put your label on crooked\u2014I definitely appreciate a second chance! However, the adhesive needs time to set and become permanent. If you’re using repositionable labels, follow the product instructions and give the adhesive enough time to set before shipping your package.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Label Adhesives Types: Permanent vs. Removable Explained<\/a><\/blockquote>