How to Print CD Labels on an HP Printer (2026)

You can print professional-looking CD and DVD labels on an HP printer using adhesive label sheets. The results can be impressive once you get the method right.

There are a few common mistakes that can waste label sheets. Here’s how to avoid them and get it right the first time.

Can HP Printers Print Directly onto CDs?

Quick answer: no current HP consumer printer supports direct CD/DVD printing in 2026. HP discontinued the CD/DVD tray feature on its consumer printers years ago. If you specifically need direct-to-disc printing, meaning printing straight onto inkjet-printable CDs, consider an Epson EcoTank ET-8550 or Canon PIXMA TS8350. Both have disc trays.

Printing on adhesive CD label sheets also works well. Print the design onto an adhesive label sheet, peel it off, and apply it to the disc. Careful printing and application can produce a professional-looking result.

What You Need

1. An HP inkjet printer. Any HP inkjet that handles A4 paper will work. Higher resolution (600+ dpi) gives better results. Laser printers also work, but inkjet colour is noticeably better on label stock.
2. CD/DVD label sheets. These are adhesive labels that are die-cut to CD size and designed to feed through a printer. Avery is a popular brand in the UK.
3. Label design software. Use this to create your design and align it with the template.
4. A label applicator (optional but strongly recommended). This small tool centres the label on the disc. It costs about £5-10 on Amazon UK and makes application much easier.

Recommended CD Label Sheets

Product	Type	Qty	Printer Compat	Price
Avery L7676	Full-face CD labels	40 labels (20 sheets)	Inkjet & laser	~£17-18
Avery J8676	Full-face CD labels	50 labels (25 sheets)	Inkjet only	~£8-10
Avery L7760	Glossy full-face CD labels	50 labels (25 sheets)	Inkjet & laser	~£12-14
Herma 4460	Standard CD labels	50 labels (25 sheets)	Inkjet & laser	~£7-9

Avery L7676 is the recommended option. Each A4 sheet contains two CD labels, along with matching spine labels. The labels work with inkjet and laser printers, and Avery’s free design software includes a matching template.

Step 1: Design Your CD Label

Several options here, ranging from dead easy to a bit more involved:

Avery Design & Print (Free and Recommended)

Avery’s free online tool at avery.co.uk/software is the simplest option:

1. Open Avery Design & Print.
2. Search for your label product code (e.g., “L7676”).
3. Pick “CD/DVD Label” from the templates.
4. Add your text, images, backgrounds, and shapes.
5. The template is pre-aligned to the label sheet, so alignment is handled for you.

The matching template makes alignment straightforward and avoids manual margin adjustments.

HP Smart App

HP’s own app can print on label sheets, though it doesn’t have CD-specific templates. You’d need to:

1. Create your design in Canva, Photoshop, GIMP, or another design tool.
2. Size it to match the dimensions in your chosen label-sheet template. A generic disc design may use a 120mm diameter with a 15mm centre hole, while the Avery L7676 labels listed above have a 117mm diameter.
3. Print via HP Smart, selecting the right paper size and type.

Works, but you’re doing the alignment yourself. More room for error.

Canva

Canva has CD label templates. Search for “CD label” in the template library, customise a design, download it as a high-resolution PDF, and print it.

Fair warning: Canva templates do not always align perfectly with specific label sheets. A template that is even 2mm off can waste a sheet, so always print a test on plain paper first.

Microsoft Word

Word has CD label templates, especially with the Avery add-in:

1. Mailings > Labels > Options.
2. Select Avery as the vendor, find your product number (e.g., L7676).
3. Design your label in the template.
4. Print.

A bit clunky compared to Avery’s own tool, but it works.

Step 2: Set Up Your HP Printer

Get these settings right before you print on your precious label sheets:

Paper Type

In your print dialogue, set the paper/media type to:

• Labels (if your printer offers it)
• Heavy Paper or Thick Paper
• Photo Paper with the matte option (if the above aren’t available)

This slows the paper feed and adjusts ink coverage for the thicker label stock. Leaving it on “Plain Paper” can cause smudging and misfeeds.

Print Quality

Set the quality to High or Best so that text and images remain crisp when viewed up close. For any design with photos, use 600 dpi or higher.

Paper Size

Leave on A4. CD label sheets are standard A4 with the labels die-cut within.

Borderless Printing

Turn it off. CD label templates have their own margins built in. Borderless printing shifts everything and ruins your alignment.

Step 3: Print a Test Page

Do not skip this step. Seriously. This is the difference between nailing it first time and wasting £3 worth of label sheets.

1. Load plain A4 paper.
2. Print your CD label design.
3. Hold the printed sheet against a blank label sheet, then hold both up to a window or desk lamp.
4. Check the alignment. Does your design sit perfectly within the label cut-outs?
5. If it’s off, adjust in your software and retest.

Only print on actual labels once the test is spot on.

Step 4: Print on Label Sheets

1. Load the label sheet into your HP printer’s main tray. On most HP printers, that means label side facing up (because the printer feeds face-down from the tray and flips the sheet). Check your manual if you’re not sure.
2. Feed one sheet at a time. Label sheets are thicker and the edges can catch. Loading a stack is asking for a jam.
3. Print your design with the settings from Step 2.
4. Let it dry for 30-60 seconds before touching it. Inkjet ink on glossy stock needs the extra time.

Step 5: Apply the Label to Your Disc

Care is essential during application. An off-centre label makes the disc wobble at high speed in the drive, which can cause read errors or damage the drive over time.

Using a Label Applicator (Recommended)

A label applicator (about £5-10 on Amazon UK) centres everything perfectly:

1. Place the disc on the spindle, label side up.
2. Peel the backing off your printed label.
3. Place the label on the applicator, sticky side down, align with the guides.
4. Press down. Done.
5. Smooth out any air bubbles from centre outwards.

This method reduces the risk of misalignment.

Without an Applicator

1. Peel the backing off.
2. Line up the label’s centre hole with the disc’s centre hole.
3. Lower the label onto the disc gently, starting from the centre and smoothing outwards.
4. Press out bubbles with a credit card or similar.

Be patient. Once the adhesive touches the disc, you can’t really reposition without wrecking the label.

Print Quality Tips

Use the Right Resolution

• Text-only labels: 300 dpi is fine.
• Logos and simple graphics: 600 dpi.
• Photos: 1200 dpi or maximum resolution.

Choose Glossy Labels for Photos

If your design has photographs, choose glossy labels, such as Avery L7760, rather than standard matte labels. Glossy labels produce more vibrant photos, while matte labels can make them look flatter and more washed out.

Watch Your Ink Levels

CD labels use a lot of ink, especially full-coverage designs with dark backgrounds. Check the ink levels before printing a batch. If you print labels regularly, an HP ink tank printer, such as the HP Smart Tank 7605, can cost less to run than a cartridge printer. For general printer-buying advice, see our guide to the best printer for infrequent use.

Skip the Full Black Backgrounds

A full-bleed black background across the entire label uses a great deal of ink and can smudge badly. Use dark grey (#333333) instead of pure black, or leave a thin white border. It looks similar but dries more reliably.

Alternatives to Adhesive Label Sheets

Direct Disc Printing (Non-HP)

If you’re printing CDs in volume, a printer with a disc tray is the better option:

• Epson EcoTank ET-8550 (~£400 on Amazon UK). It supports direct-to-disc printing and uses the EcoTank system for low ink costs.
• Canon PIXMA TS8350 (~£150-200). It is more affordable and still supports CD/DVD printing.

Direct printing avoids the peeling risk and wobble caused by off-centre adhesive labels.

LightScribe / LabelFlash

Remember these? The disc drive used its laser to etch designs onto special discs. Both discontinued now, but if you’ve got a compatible drive and some discs lying about, it still works for simple monochrome designs. Very 2008, but there’s a charm to it.

Disc Markers

For one or two discs where looks aren’t critical? A Sharpie. Not glamorous. Gets the job done.

Troubleshooting

Labels Are Misaligned

• Double-check you’re using the correct template for your label product code. L7676 and J8676 look similar but aren’t identical.
• Make sure “Fit to Page” or “Scale to Fit” is switched off. The design must print at exactly 100% scale.
• Check the label sheet is loaded the right way round.

Ink Smudges on Labels

• Switch to “Labels” or “Heavy Paper” media setting.
• Set the quality to “High.” Although this may sound counterintuitive, higher-quality settings apply ink more precisely and help it dry better.
• Give labels 60 seconds before touching them.
• If the ink keeps smudging, try a different brand. Some inexpensive labels have coatings that do not absorb inkjet ink properly.

Paper Jam with Label Sheets

• One sheet at a time. Always.
• Use the rear feed tray if your HP has one. Its straighter paper path is better suited to thick label stock.
• Check no label edges are peeling up before feeding the sheet in. Even a tiny lifted corner will cause a jam.

Colours Look Wrong

• Run a print head cleaning cycle from HP Smart or your printer’s menu.
• Check the ink levels. If cyan or magenta is low, your colours will shift noticeably.
• Set colour management to “Printer Manages Colours” or use sRGB.

Summary

Printing CD labels on an HP printer is straightforward once you know the method:

1. Buy Avery L7676 label sheets (the safe default).
2. Design your label in Avery Design & Print (free, perfectly aligned).
3. Set your printer to Labels/Heavy Paper, high quality, A4.
4. Print a test on plain paper first. Do not skip this step.
5. Print on the label sheet, let it dry, apply with an applicator.

For a few pence per disc and five minutes of your time, you can produce a professional-looking result.