Why I Use Avery Templates for Our Office Printing (and When I Don’t)
I’m the person who orders everything from shipping labels to branded giveaways. When I took over purchasing in 2020, I assumed all templates were the same. Spoiler: they’re not. Avery’s library (especially the 5160/8160 label templates and the postcard templates) saved me hours.
But here’s the thing: I also learned where Avery isn’t the best fit. That’s the “professional has boundaries” mindset. I’ll tell you both sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the fastest way to use avery .com/print for a postcard project?
Go to avery.com/print, select “Postcards,” and pick a design or upload your own. The magic is in the template selection—type “1560” or “postcard template” and you’ll see dozens of pre-sized layouts. I used the Avery 1560 template for a conference invite last month. Took me 15 minutes to customize in Word and upload. The print quality was solid (mid-range, ~$45 for 250 cards with standard turnaround as of January 2025).
What I’d do differently: I’d double-check the bleed margins beforehand. I didn’t, and the first batch had a tiny white edge. Fixed it in 2 minutes once I knew.
2. Can I use Avery templates for non-paper items like water bottles with a strap or cream tote bags?
Sort of. Avery’s template system is designed for printable sheets (labels, cards, envelopes). For physical items like water bottles with a strap or cream tote bags, you can’t print directly on them using Avery templates. But—here’s the workaround:
Use Avery’s label templates (like 5160 or 8160) to create custom stickers or iron-on transfers. I ordered blank water bottles from a promo supplier, printed Avery labels with our logo, and applied them myself. The tote bags? Same approach—I used Avery’s 2x4 inch label template for a neat logo sticker. Not as durable as screen printing, but for a one-off event, it worked perfectly.
Cost break: 100 custom Avery labels ≈ $15-20. Water bottles ≈ $2/each from a bulk vendor. Total per bottle: ~$2.15 – way cheaper than a custom print run for a small team.
3. Avery 1560 template vs. 5160: What’s the difference?
I mix these up all the time—or rather, I used to. Avery 1560 is a postcard template (4.25" x 5.5", 2 per sheet). Avery 5160 is a standard address label (1" x 2.63", 30 per sheet). You wouldn’t use 5160 for a postcard. But the design process is identical: both are fully compatible with Word and Google Docs.
If you need a postcard for a mailer, go with 1560. If you’re doing mailing labels, 5160. And if you’re like me and occasionally grab the wrong one, just check the Avery website—they list the dimensions clearly.
“The vendor who said ‘this isn’t our strength—here’s who does it better’ earned my trust for everything else.” That’s how I feel about Avery for labels and postcards: they’re specialists. For full custom promo items, I go elsewhere.
4. How do I find and download avery post card template in Word?
Simple: In Word (or Google Docs), search for “Avery 1560 template” on the Avery website. Download the .docx file. It opens with pre-set margins and text boxes. You can also access it directly from Word’s “Labels & Templates” add-in (if you’ve installed the Avery plugin).
Pro tip: Save the template as a custom Word template (.dotx) so you can reuse it. I keep a folder called “Avery_office_templates” on our shared drive. Saves the next person from redoing the formatting.
5. How to do manual bp? (You mean back-office printing process, right?)
I’ll be honest: when I first saw “how to do manual bp” I assumed it was a typo for “manual business printing.” In our office, manual BP means manually handling the print job—selecting paper, adjusting printer settings, aligning templates. If you’re using Avery templates, the “manual” part is minimal: load the correct Avery product (matching the template number), set your printer to “heavy paper” or “cardstock” if needed, and print. No manual calibration required.
But if you’re doing a large run (say 1,000 postcards), don’t do it manual. Use avery.com/print and let them handle the production. I learned that the hard way: our old laser printer jammed on 200 sheets of 80lb cardstock. Not worth the headache.
6. What’s your biggest lesson about using Avery templates for promotional items?
I have mixed feelings. On one hand, Avery templates are incredibly convenient for small batches. On the other, they’re not built for industrial-grade durability. A tote bag with an Avery label will survive a few washes, but after that, the edges curl. For long-term use, find a screen printer.
Part of me wants to keep everything in one system. Another part knows that specialized vendors are worth the extra cost for certain items. I compromise: use Avery for labels, postcards, and short-run sticky tasks; outsource custom merchandise to a promo shop.
7. Can I get custom sizes for water bottle labels using Avery templates?
Absolutely. Avery offers blank label sheets in many sizes: 2x2, 3x5, 4x6, etc. For a water bottle with a strap (say 8 oz bottle with a 3" x 3" label area), pick a template like Avery 22806 (2.5" x 3.5") and adjust the design. Just measure your bottle’s label space first. I didn’t once—ordered labels that were too big and had to trim them by hand. A lesson learned the hard way.
8. Should I buy Avery brand templates or use generic ones?
I’ll give you my honest take: Avery templates are the gold standard because they’re widely used and supported. But if you’re on a tight budget, generic brands that mimic Avery sizing (like Office Depot’s store brand) work about 90% as well. The downside: the adhesive might be weaker, and the cut lines aren’t always perfect. For critical client-facing materials (like our quarterly newsletter postcards), I stick with genuine Avery. For internal use—office labels, inventory tags—the generics are fine.
Price difference: Avery 1560 postcard sheets (50 sheets) ≈ $15; generic equivalent ≈ $10. For 250 postcards, that’s a $25 saving. Decide what’s worth it.
My Final Take (More Like a Personal Note)
If I could redo my first year as admin buyer, I’d start with Avery templates and avery.com/print rather than piecing together random Word documents. The time savings alone—maybe 6 hours a month—paid for the slightly higher material cost. But I also learned to respect the boundary: Avery is amazing for labels, postcards, and small-scale custom printing. For water bottles with straps or cream tote bags in bulk, the right answer is a specialized promo vendor.
Pricing as of January 2025. Verify at avery.com.
