Mastering Avery Templates in Google Docs: A Pro’s Guide

So, you want to wrangle those pesky Avery templates into the wonderfully collaborative world of Google Docs? You’ve come to the right place. Let’s cut through the chase and get you creating perfectly aligned labels, cards, and more, all within the familiar Google Docs environment.

How to use Avery templates in Google Docs?

The most efficient way to use Avery templates within Google Docs involves a multi-pronged approach. While a direct “import” feature doesn’t exist, you can leverage Google Docs’ table functionality and some clever math to achieve precise alignment. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Identify Your Avery Template: Find the Avery product number you’re using. This is crucial! You’ll need this to access the dimensions.
2. Find Avery Template Dimensions: Head over to the Avery website (avery.com). Search for your Avery product number. The product details page will contain all the crucial measurements: label height, label width, margins, and the number of labels per sheet (rows and columns). Jot these down – you’ll need them shortly.
3. Create a Table in Google Docs: Open a new Google Doc. Insert a table that matches the number of rows and columns specified in your Avery template information. For instance, if your template has 3 columns and 10 rows, create a 3×10 table.
4. Adjust Table Cell Dimensions: This is where the magic happens. Right-click anywhere inside the table and select “Table properties“. Under the “Column width” section, specify the width you wrote down earlier from Avery’s website, it refers to the label width. Then, adjust the row height. Unfortunately, Google Docs does not have precise row height control. In most cases, set a minimum row height slightly larger than the label height you noted down. (You might need to experiment a bit to get the perfect fit – more on that later).
5. Adjust Table Margins: In the Table Properties, set Cell padding to zero. This will ensure that the content fills the cell and avoids any unwanted spacing.
6. Add Your Content: Now, you can start adding your text, images, or other design elements into each cell of the table.
7. Print and Test: Crucially, do a test print! Print onto plain paper first and hold it up to a sheet of your Avery labels to check the alignment. You’ll likely need to fine-tune the row height in Table Properties to get perfect alignment. This trial-and-error process is vital.
8. Print on Avery Stock: Once you’re satisfied with the alignment, load your Avery label sheets into your printer and print!

It’s a bit of work upfront, but once you’ve got the dimensions dialed in, you can save your Google Doc as a template for future use.

FAQs: Avery Templates and Google Docs – The Deep Dive

Here are some common questions I get asked about using Avery templates with Google Docs, along with my expert answers:

1. Can I directly import Avery templates into Google Docs?

No, Google Docs doesn’t offer a direct import feature for Avery templates. This is why we have to use the table method described above. It requires a bit of manual setup, but the results are well worth it.

2. Where can I find the dimensions of my Avery template?

The Avery website (avery.com) is your best friend here. Search for your Avery product number. The product details page will provide you with all the critical measurements you need, like label width, label height, margin sizes, and the number of labels per sheet.

3. Why is my text not aligning properly on the labels?

This is a common issue. There are a few reasons why your text might not be aligning correctly:

• Incorrect Dimensions: Double-check that you’ve entered the correct label width and adjusted the row height in the Table Properties.
• Printer Margins: Your printer might have built-in margins that are interfering with the alignment. Try adjusting the print settings to “Actual Size” or “No Scaling.”
• Font Size and Spacing: Very large font size or excessive line spacing may push the text out of the cell.
• Cell Padding: Verify the Cell Padding in Table Properties. It must be set to zero.

4. How do I adjust the margins within each label cell?

While you can’t directly adjust margins within the table cells in Google Docs in the traditional sense, you can control the text positioning through a combination of font size, line spacing, and paragraph alignment within each cell. Experiment with these settings to achieve the desired look. However, do not get them confused with Table properties margin, which must be set to zero, as advised.

5. Can I use images in my Avery labels in Google Docs?

Yes, you can definitely add images! Simply insert the image into the relevant table cell. You’ll likely need to resize the image to fit within the label dimensions. Click the image, then click on the three dots icon at the top of the document, next to the “Comment” button, and select “All image options“, then “Size & Rotation“, to precisely change its size. Pay attention to the Aspect Ratio to avoid distorting the image.

6. How do I print only specific labels on the sheet?

Unfortunately, Google Docs doesn’t have a built-in feature to print only specific labels. The best workaround is to either:

• Manually delete the content from the labels you don’t want to print before printing. Remember to save a copy with the complete labels!
• Use a PDF editor to select the specific pages you want to print after exporting your Google Doc to PDF.

7. What’s the best way to save my Avery template for future use?

Once you’ve perfected your template, save the Google Doc with a descriptive name (e.g., “Avery 5160 Label Template”). You can then make a copy of this document whenever you need to create new labels. Consider also saving it as a Google Docs template for even faster reuse.

8. Can I use mail merge with Avery templates in Google Docs?

Yes, you can use mail merge! While Google Docs doesn’t have a built-in mail merge feature as robust as Microsoft Word, you can use add-ons like “Mail Merge for Google Docs” or “Autocrat” to connect your Google Sheet data with your Avery template in Google Docs. These add-ons will allow you to automatically populate your labels with data from a spreadsheet.

9. Why are my labels printing with a border around each cell?

By default, Google Docs displays table borders. To remove them, click anywhere within the table, then go to “Format” -> “Table” -> “Table properties”. On “Table border” set the “Border size” to 0pt. This will hide the gridlines when printing.

10. My printer is skewing the labels during printing. What can I do?

Printer skewing can be a frustrating issue. Here are a few things to try:

• Adjust Printer Settings: Make sure your printer is set to the correct paper size and type (e.g., “Labels” or “Heavy Paper”).
• Paper Guides: Ensure that the paper guides in your printer are properly aligned to hold the Avery label sheets firmly in place.
• Clean the Print Heads: Clogged print heads can sometimes cause skewing. Run a print head cleaning cycle on your printer.
• Try a Different Printer: If the problem persists, try printing on a different printer to rule out a printer-specific issue.

11. Can I create a custom Avery template size in Google Docs?

While you can’t create a truly “custom” Avery template size, you can manipulate the table dimensions to match your desired label size. Measure the dimensions of your custom labels, and then use those measurements to adjust the table cell width and minimum row height in Google Docs.

12. Are there any alternatives to using tables for Avery templates in Google Docs?

Technically, you could try using text boxes and manually positioning them to match the label layout, but the table method is by far the most precise and reliable. The table structure provides a framework that ensures consistent alignment across the entire sheet of labels. Although, using Google Drawings would be a viable solution, it would involve similar steps, and would create a less flexible final document.

By mastering the art of using tables and understanding the nuances of printer settings, you’ll be creating perfectly aligned labels and more with Avery templates and Google Docs in no time! Remember to always do a test print on plain paper first to avoid wasting those precious Avery label sheets.