Which Side Do Labels Go in the Printer? Quick Guide (2026)

Loading a label sheet the wrong way means printing on the backing and wasting both the sheet and the ink. There is no universal loading direction because it depends on the printer type, model, and paper path. Once you know how your printer feeds paper, you can orient label sheets correctly every time.

The Quick Answer

Here is a quick reference:

Printer Type	Tray Type	Labels Go…
Inkjet (rear feed)	Back tray / vertical slot	Face up, top edge first
Inkjet (front tray)	Front cassette	Face down, top edge towards printer
Laser (front tray)	Main paper cassette	Face down, top edge towards printer
Laser (rear/manual feed)	Manual feed slot	Face up, top edge first
Thermal (desktop)	Roll or fanfold	Printable side up (facing print head)
Thermal (handheld)	Internal roll	Printable side out (facing thermal head)

Not sure which category your printer falls into? Do the 30-second test below.

How to Test Your Printer’s Label Orientation

This simple test helps you avoid wasting a label sheet when using a new printer. It takes about 30 seconds:

1. Grab a plain sheet of A4 paper
2. Draw a big arrow on one side pointing upward and write “THIS SIDE” next to it
3. Load it into the tray the way you’d normally load paper, and note which way the arrow faces
4. Print a few lines of text
5. Check which side of the paper the text printed on

Load your label sheet so the label side faces the same way as the printed side of the test page.

Inkjet Printers

Rear Feed Tray (Most Common for Home Inkjets)

If you have an HP, Epson, or Canon inkjet at home, it may have a rear paper feed: the tray that stands vertically at the back. Paper goes in from the back, curves over the print head, and comes out face up at the front.

Labels go: face up, top edge first (into the printer).

The label side faces you as you slot the sheet into the back tray. The top of the label goes downward into the feed slot first.

Printers that typically work this way:

• HP Envy series
• HP DeskJet series
• Epson Expression Home series
• Canon PIXMA TS series (rear tray models)

Front Cassette Tray

Higher-end inkjets and multifunction printers often have a front-loading paper cassette instead. Paper feeds from the bottom of the cassette, goes through the printer, and comes out the top.

Labels go: face down, top edge towards the back of the printer.

The label side faces the bottom of the cassette. This may feel counterintuitive, but it follows the cassette’s paper path.

Printers that typically work this way:

• HP OfficeJet Pro series
• Epson EcoTank series (some models)
• Canon PIXMA G series

Dual-Tray Printers

Some printers have both a rear feed and a front cassette. If your printer supports labels in both trays, the rear feed is usually the better choice because its straighter paper path reduces the chance of labels peeling up and jamming. Check the printer manual for any model-specific restrictions.

Laser Printers

Main Paper Cassette

Most laser printers have a front or bottom cassette. Paper feeds upward through the fuser, which uses heat to bond the toner, and exits face down on top.

Labels go: face down in the cassette, top edge towards the printer.

Important: Only use labels rated for laser printers. The fuser reaches 150-200°C, and standard inkjet labels can melt. Check for “laser compatible” or “laser safe” on the packaging before feeding labels through the printer.

Printers that typically work this way:

• HP LaserJet series
• Brother HL series
• Samsung/HP Xpress series
• Canon i-SENSYS series

For more on laser printer advantages, including label printing, see our dedicated guide.

Manual Feed / Bypass Tray

Many laser printers have a manual feed slot, sometimes called a bypass tray, on the front or side. It is often the better option for label sheets because the straighter paper path reduces the risk of jams.

Labels go: face up, top edge first.

Important: Select “Manual Feed” or “Multi-Purpose Tray” in your print settings. Otherwise, the printer will try to grab paper from the main cassette instead.

Thermal Label Printers

Thermal printers work differently. They use a heated print head on specially coated thermal paper instead of ink or toner. The printable surface must touch the print head directly.

Desktop Thermal Printers (Roll Labels)

For DYMO LabelWriter, Brother QL, Rollo, and MUNBYN:

Printable side faces the print head (usually upward).

When loading a roll:

1. Open the label compartment
2. Place the roll so labels unwind with the printable side facing up
3. Feed the end through the guides and out the front
4. Close the compartment

How to tell which side is printable: Scratch the label surface with your fingernail. The thermal-coated side will show a dark mark from the friction heat, while the other side will show nothing. Use this test when loading an unfamiliar brand of labels.

Desktop Thermal Printers (Fanfold Labels)

Fanfold labels, supplied in a zigzag-folded stack, feed from behind or below the printer:

1. Place the stack behind the printer
2. Feed the first label through the rear slot, printable side up
3. Check that the print appears on the top surface as the label exits the front

Handheld and Portable Label Printers

For portable Bluetooth label printers (Phomemo M110, Niimbot B21, etc.):

The roll loads internally with the printable side facing outward, towards the thermal head.

Every model is slightly different, so check the diagram printed inside the label compartment. If the roll is loaded incorrectly, the printer will produce blank labels. Use the scratch test if the printable side is unclear.

A4 Label Sheets: Types and Handling

Peel-Off Label Sheets (Avery, Herma, Label Planet)

A4 sheets have die-cut labels on a peel-off backing and come in many configurations, including 1, 8, 14, or 24 labels per sheet. They are widely available from stationery retailers and online shops.

Loading rules:

• Load with the label side in the correct orientation for your printer (see sections above)
• The backing sheet goes through the printer, while the labels stay attached during printing
• After printing, peel each label off and apply

Template matching is critical: Make sure your document template matches the exact product code (e.g., Avery L7163). If the template is wrong, text will bleed over label edges and the whole sheet is wasted. All the major label brands provide free templates for Word, Google Docs, and their own design software.

Continuous Label Sheets

Some printers, mainly laser printers in offices and warehouses, use continuous label stock supplied as a roll or fanfold. It is less common at home but standard in many shipping operations.

Common Problems and Fixes

Labels Printing Blank

Thermal printer: Label is loaded backwards. Flip the roll or fanfold stack. Do the scratch test to confirm which side is printable.

Inkjet/laser: The label sheet is the wrong way round. Flip the stack and reprint. Use the arrow test near the top of this article if you’re unsure which way is right.

Labels Printing Offset / Misaligned

A4 sheets: The template is wrong. Check the product code on your label box (e.g., Avery L7163) and download the matching template from the manufacturer’s website. Use the exact template rather than estimating the layout.

Thermal printer: The printer may need calibration. Hold the feed button for 5-10 seconds to run auto-calibration, depending on the model.

Labels Jamming

A4 sheets in inkjet/laser:

• Load only 5-10 sheets at a time, not the whole box
• Use the manual feed tray if your printer has one (straighter path = fewer jams)
• Check that labels aren’t peeling off the backing. Old sheets stored in a warm place tend to curl and separate
• Confirm the labels are rated for your printer type, whether inkjet or laser

Thermal printer:

• Check that the label guides are snug against the roll
• Clean any adhesive residue off the print head and rollers with isopropyl alcohol
• Make sure the label size in the printer settings matches the actual labels

Labels Smudging

Inkjet: Use labels rated for inkjet printers because they have a coating that absorbs ink quickly. Give them 30 seconds to dry before touching them.

Laser: The print should not smudge. If it does, the fuser temperature might be too low. Set the media type to “heavy paper” or “labels” in the print settings.

Thermal: Thermal labels don’t normally smudge. If the print is faint, increase the darkness setting in the printer driver.

Printer-Specific Quick Reference

HP Printers

Model Series	Tray	Labels Face
DeskJet (rear feed)	Back	Up
DeskJet (front cassette)	Front	Down
Envy (rear feed)	Back	Up
OfficeJet Pro	Front cassette	Down
LaserJet (cassette)	Front	Down
LaserJet (manual feed)	Manual slot	Up

Epson Printers

Model Series	Tray	Labels Face
Expression Home	Rear	Up
EcoTank (rear feed)	Rear	Up
EcoTank (front cassette)	Front	Down
WorkForce (cassette)	Front	Down

Canon Printers

Model Series	Tray	Labels Face
PIXMA TS (rear tray)	Rear	Up
PIXMA G (front cassette)	Front	Down
i-SENSYS (laser)	Front cassette	Down
i-SENSYS (manual)	Manual slot	Up

Brother Printers

Model Series	Tray	Labels Face
HL (laser, cassette)	Front	Down
HL (laser, manual)	Manual slot	Up
DCP/MFC (inkjet)	Front cassette	Down
QL series (thermal)	Internal roll	Printable side up

Label Buying Guide

For A4 label sheets, always match the product code to what you actually need. These are the Avery codes you’ll see most often in UK shops:

Labels Per Sheet	Common Use	Example Product
1	Full-sheet labels, shipping	Avery L7167
2	Half-sheet labels	Avery L7168
8	Large address labels	Avery L7165
14	Standard address labels	Avery L7163
21	Small address labels	Avery L7160
24	Small labels, barcodes	Avery L7159
65	Mini labels, pricing	Avery L7651

For more help choosing a dedicated label printer, see our guide to the best label printers for small businesses.