Updated 2026-09-12. This page is not legal advice.
What are the two ways to print food labels at home?
Sheet labels on a regular printer, or a roll of labels on a thermal printer. Sheet labels cost almost nothing to start. A thermal printer costs more up front and nothing per label after that.
How do I print on a regular inkjet or laser printer?
Buy a sheet of self-adhesive labels in the size you need. Avery is the common brand, and every sheet has a template number on the box. Lay out your label in any program that can print, set the page to that template, and print one test sheet on plain paper first. Hold it against a label sheet to check the alignment. Common sizes:
| Use | Size | Avery sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Address style, small bags | 1 x 2 5/8 in | 5160, 30 per sheet |
| Jar lids | 2 in round | 22807, 12 per sheet |
| Front of a bag or box | 2 x 4 in | 5163 or 8163, 10 per sheet |
| Full front panel | 4 x 6 in | 5168, 4 per sheet |
Laser printers give sharper small text than inkjets and the ink does not smear if the label gets damp. Laser labels and inkjet labels are not the same product. Buy the one for your printer.
How do I print on a thermal printer?
A direct thermal printer prints black on heat-sensitive label rolls with no ink or toner. Common desktop models come from Rollo, Munbyn, and Jadens. Buy rolls in the size you want. The common sizes are 2 x 2 inch squares, 2 1/4 x 1 1/4 inch rectangles, and 4 x 6 inch shipping size. Export your label as a PDF or PNG at the exact label size and print it from the printer’s app.
Thermal labels fade with heat and sunlight over months. They suit products that sell within weeks. They do not suit a jar that will sit on a shelf for a year.
What must the label still show?
Printing does not change the rules. The label must still show the product name, the ingredient list by weight, the allergen line, your business name and address, the net weight, and your state’s disclaimer. See your state page for the exact list.
How do I print the Nutrition Facts panel?
Use the Nutrition Label Maker, then print the page. The print view hides everything except the panel. Size it to your label with your printer’s scale setting, and keep the type at or above the FDA minimums, which start at 6 point for the smallest lines on a standard panel.