How to Add Borders to Avery Labels in Word

Adding borders to Avery labels in Word is like giving your labels a neat frame that makes them pop. Whether you're organizing your pantry, sending out invitations, or just keeping your filing cabinet in order, this little trick can make a big difference. Today, we'll walk through the steps to create those tidy borders and ensure your labels look polished and professional.

Why Bother with Borders?

Before we get to the how-to, let's chat about why you might want to add borders to your Avery labels. Adding borders isn't just about aesthetics, though that's a huge plus. Borders can help define the edges of your labels, making them easier to cut or peel off. They also add a touch of professionalism and can be particularly handy if your labels include a lot of white space.

Think about it. Without borders, a label with a white background might blend into the sheet, making it tough to distinguish where one label ends and another begins. Borders solve that problem by providing a clear line of demarcation. Plus, they can add a bit of flair if you choose colored borders to match your branding or theme.

Getting Ready: Selecting the Right Avery Template

Before we start, ensure you have the correct Avery template for your labels. These templates are a lifesaver because they match the layout of Avery label sheets perfectly, saving you from the headache of misaligned prints. You can find these templates on the Avery website or directly in Word.

Here's how to find a template in Word:

• Open Word and click on Mailings in the top menu.
• Select Labels from the dropdown.
• In the Envelopes and Labels window, click on Options.
• Choose Avery US Letter (or your region's equivalent) from the Label vendors list.
• Scroll through the list and select your Avery product number.
• Click OK.

Once you've got your template, you're ready to start adding borders to your labels.

Creating the Label Layout

Now, let's set up your label layout. You'll want to open a new Word document using the Avery template you selected. This template will appear as a table in the document, with each cell representing a label.

If you're not seeing the table gridlines, go to the Layout tab under Table Tools and click on View Gridlines. This will make sure you can see the boundaries of each label as you work.

Adding Content to Your Labels

Before adding borders, you might want to add your text and any images to the labels. It's easier to see how your design will look with borders if you've already got your content in place. Don't worry too much about perfection right now, you can always tweak the layout later.

Here are a few tips for adding content:

• Text: Keep it legible. Choose a font and size that fits well on the label and is easy to read.
• Images: If your label includes a logo or other graphic, make sure it's high resolution so it prints clearly.
• Alignment: Use center, left, or right alignment to position your text and images just right. You can find these options in the Home tab.

Adding Borders to Your Labels

Alright, it's time to add those borders. This is where the magic happens, turning your plain labels into something a bit more special. Here's how you can add borders in Word:

• Click anywhere inside the table.
• Go to the Design tab under Table Tools.
• Look for the Table Styles group and click on Borders.
• Choose All Borders to apply borders to every cell in the table. This ensures each label has a border.
• To customize the border style, select Borders and Shading from the Borders dropdown.
• In the Borders and Shading window, you can adjust the Style, Color, and Width of your borders. Play around with these settings to find what suits your design.
• Click OK to apply your changes.

And just like that, your labels have borders! You can always go back and adjust the borders if they don't look quite right.

Fine-Tuning Your Borders

Sometimes, the default settings might not give you the exact look you're going for. Fortunately, Word offers plenty of customization options to help you tweak your borders.

Adjusting Border Thickness

If you find the default border too thin or too thick, you can easily change it. Here's how:

• Go back to the Borders and Shading window.
• Select a new Width from the dropdown list. You can preview how the border will look in the diagram on the right.
• Once you're happy with the width, click OK.

Changing Border Colors

Sometimes a splash of color can make your labels stand out even more. To change the border color:

• Open the Borders and Shading window again.
• In the Color dropdown, choose a new color for your borders.
• Click OK to apply your changes.

A word of advice. Make sure the color you choose complements your label's design. You don't want the borders to overpower the text or images.

How Spell Can Help

While Word is a great tool for creating labels, there's another tool that can help streamline your document creation process. Spell is an AI document editor designed to make creating high-quality documents faster and easier.

Imagine starting with a blank page and having Spell generate your first draft in seconds. It's like having an assistant who knows exactly what you need. You can then edit the draft using natural language prompts, making it easy to refine your labels until they're perfect.

Plus, with Spell, you can collaborate with your team in real-time, just like you would in Google Docs. This feature is perfect if you're working on a project with others and need to share updates or get feedback quickly.

Printing Your Labels with Borders

Once your labels look just right, it's time to print. But before you hit that print button, let's go over a few tips to ensure your labels come out perfectly.

Test Print

It's always a good idea to do a test print on plain paper before using your actual label sheets. This way, you can check that everything aligns correctly and make any necessary adjustments without wasting your label sheets.

• Print a test page on regular paper.
• Hold it up to a label sheet to check the alignment.
• If everything looks good, load your label sheets into the printer.
• Make sure your printer settings match the label sheet size and type.

Printer Settings

To prevent any printing mishaps, double-check your printer settings:

• Set the correct paper size in the print settings.
• Select the highest quality print setting for the best results.
• Ensure your printer is set to print in color if your labels have colored elements.

With these steps, you should have beautifully printed labels with neat borders ready to go!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best preparation, things can occasionally go awry. Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to fix them.

Misaligned Prints

If your labels are printing off-center or misaligned, try these solutions:

• Check your printer settings to ensure the correct paper size is selected.
• Re-align the paper in the printer tray. Sometimes paper shifts slightly, leading to misalignment.
• Recalibrate your printer if it has a calibration option.

Border Not Showing

If the borders aren't appearing on your printed labels, consider these steps:

• Ensure you've applied borders to all cells in the table.
• Check that the borders aren't too thin to be visible. Increase the border width if necessary.
• Make sure your printer isn't set to grayscale if you're using colored borders.

Spicing Up Your Labels with Different Border Styles

Feeling adventurous? Try playing around with different border styles to give your labels a unique look. Word offers a variety of styles, from dashed lines to double borders. Here's how to experiment with them:

• Open the Borders and Shading window.
• In the Style dropdown, you'll find several line options like dotted, dashed, and double lines.
• Select a style that fits your design and click OK.

Mix and match styles to see what works best for your labels. Sometimes, a simple change in border style can make all the difference.

Customizing Borders for Specific Labels

If your label sheet includes different types of labels, or if you want to highlight a specific one, you can customize borders for individual labels. Here's how:

• Select the specific cell (label) you want to customize.
• Go to the Design tab under Table Tools.
• Click on Borders and choose Borders and Shading.
• From here, adjust the border settings specifically for that cell.
• Click OK to apply.

Customizing specific labels can be handy if you're creating a sheet with a mix of different labels, such as address labels and return address labels.

How Spell Fits Into the Picture

While Word provides excellent tools for label creation, Spell offers a streamlined approach to document editing that can enhance your label-making process. With Spell, you can quickly draft and refine your labels, using AI to ensure everything looks polished and professional.

Spell's natural language editing feature allows you to make adjustments without the hassle of navigating complex menus. Simply highlight the text you want to change and tell Spell what you'd like to do. It's like having an assistant who understands exactly what you need.

And if you're working with a team, Spell's real-time collaboration ensures everyone's on the same page. Edit together, provide feedback, and see changes instantly, all within a single platform.

Giving Your Labels the Final Review

Before you call it a day, give your labels one last look. Check for any typos, make sure the alignment is spot on, and confirm that your borders are consistent across all labels. It's the little details that make your labels stand out.

If you spot any issues, don't worry. You can always go back and make adjustments in Word or with a quick edit in Spell. The goal is to ensure everything looks just as you envisioned.

Final Thoughts

Adding borders to Avery labels in Word is a straightforward way to boost their appearance and functionality. By following these steps, you'll create labels that are not only practical but also pleasing to the eye. And with Spell, you can streamline the entire process, making it even easier to produce high-quality documents effortlessly. Embrace the power of great design and see how much of a difference those little borders can make!