The 5 Greatest Label Printing Software program I Examined and Suggest

Having led a nonprofit devoted to sending sanitary pads to areas dealing with shortage, I’ve personally navigated the challenges of managing shipments and making certain every parcel reaches its vacation spot with the correct info.

Operating such an initiative usually required me to make use of the greatest label printing software program, and belief me, it’s not as simple because it appears. From getting the correct sizes to making sure the labels stick correctly, there’s lots of behind-the-scenes work that goes into it. The method can change into much more overwhelming whenever you’re counting on outdated or inefficient instruments. The mistaken software program can result in errors, wasted time, and lots of frustration.

That is why discovering the correct label printing answer is essential. By streamlining your complete course of, you may scale back guide effort and have peace of thoughts that each label is printed exactly.

My prime 5 greatest label printing software program suggestions for 2025

With so many choices obtainable, I understand how overwhelming it may be to search out the correct one. That’s why I’ve compiled an inventory of the most effective label printing software program instruments for 2025 that can assist you select the one that most closely fits your wants and makes your labeling duties hassle-free.

These instruments aren’t only for nonprofits. Companies can use them for product delivery, faculties for occasion provides, and people for organizing private shipments.

Regardless of the trade, the correct label printing software program could make the duty simpler and extra environment friendly.

What I search for in the most effective label printing software program

When testing the most effective label printing software program, I concentrate on the next key options to make sure it meets the wants of companies that require environment friendly, high-quality label creation and printing:

• Label design flexibility: I assess whether or not the software program gives a variety of design choices, permitting customers to create labels of assorted shapes, sizes, and layouts. The software program ought to help customized dimensions and templates for various label codecs (e.g., delivery labels, product labels, barcode labels, and packaging). It also needs to permit for superior design customization, together with font kinds, colour schemes, borders, and alignment instruments to create professional-looking labels.
• Barcode and QR code era: I test whether or not the software program contains built-in instruments to generate barcodes and QR codes. The power to simply create completely different barcode sorts (e.g., UPC, EAN, Code 128) and customise their measurement, density, and alignment is crucial. For companies that require product monitoring or stock administration, having sturdy barcode and QR code era options ensures correct, scannable labels. I additionally take a look at whether or not the software program permits for simple testing of barcode high quality earlier than printing.
• Integration with databases and spreadsheets: The perfect label printing software program ought to be capable to combine with databases, spreadsheets, and different software program programs to streamline the label era course of. I assess whether or not the instrument helps importing information from CSV information, Excel spreadsheets, or reside databases. This function is especially helpful for printing massive batches of labels with distinctive information, comparable to product names, costs, or delivery addresses. I test if the software program gives mail merge-like performance to automate the inhabitants of labels with dynamic information.
• Assist for various printing strategies: I consider whether or not the software program is appropriate with varied label printers, together with desktop, industrial, and cell printers. It ought to help each thermal switch and direct thermal printing strategies. Moreover, the software program ought to permit customers to regulate print settings comparable to print velocity, decision, and label alignment to optimize high quality and effectivity primarily based on the kind of printer getting used.
• Template library: I assess whether or not the software program gives a wealthy library of pre-designed templates and layouts to hurry up the label creation course of. Templates needs to be obtainable for varied industries, together with retail, logistics, meals and beverage, and healthcare. This function is particularly worthwhile for customers who must create normal labels rapidly with out ranging from scratch. I additionally test if customers can save their customized designs as templates for future use.
• Batch printing: The software program ought to help batch printing, which is essential for companies that must print massive portions of labels without delay. I assess whether or not the instrument permits customers to handle print jobs effectively by queuing a number of label designs or printing in bulk primarily based on dynamic information. Printing a whole bunch or hundreds of labels with minimal intervention is crucial for streamlining operations, particularly in high-volume environments.
• Integration with stock and delivery programs: I test if the label printing software program integrates with widespread stock administration, delivery, and e-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, Amazon, UPS, and FedEx). This integration permits companies to robotically generate delivery labels and monitor and optimize stock with out manually coming into information. It streamlines order achievement and ensures consistency between order information and the printed labels.

The checklist under accommodates real consumer critiques from our greatest label printing software program class web page. To qualify for inclusion within the class, a product should:

• Embody templates for varied sorts of labels (e.g., delivery, stock)
• Permit non-technical customers to design and print labels
• Present options to categorize labels and modify them by batch
• Ship WYSIWYG label designers with choices to tug and drop
• Assist a number of languages and various kinds of barcodes
• Adjust to laws or trade requirements comparable to GS1-128

This information has been pulled from G2 in 2025. Some critiques have been edited for readability.

After testing Avery Design & Print, I discovered it to be a extremely handy instrument for creating and printing Avery labels, stickers, and different customizable designs.

One of many largest benefits was how easy it was to format every thing for printing on Avery stickers. I did not need to spend time adjusting margins or worrying about alignment—every thing match completely proper from the beginning. This made your complete course of clean and saved me lots of time.

Establishing the software program was simply as simple. Downloading and putting in Avery Design & Print took just a few minutes, and I may bounce straight into my undertaking with none pointless steps or problems.  There was no steep studying curve, and the intuitive workflow allowed me to start out instantly.

One other function I appreciated was the flexibility to retailer Avery templates and designs for future use. This was particularly helpful after I wanted to make minor tweaks or reprint a design with out ranging from scratch. Having my earlier templates available made redesigning fast and hassle-free.

Nevertheless, a couple of drawbacks stood out. The consumer interface may use some enhancements by way of UX design. Whereas useful, sure parts felt outdated, and navigating by way of the instrument wasn’t as seamless as I’d have appreciated.

Additionally, the free templates had been considerably restrictive, significantly concerning font sizes and design flexibility. I discovered myself restricted by way of inventive freedom, which was irritating after I needed to experiment with completely different kinds.

Lastly, switching between options typically felt sluggish, which interrupted my workflow. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, however the occasional gradual response did make the expertise really feel much less fluid.

What I dislike about Avery Design & Print:

• The consumer interface felt considerably outdated and may benefit from a extra fashionable UX design. Whereas useful, navigating by way of the instrument wasn’t as seamless as I had hoped, making some duties really feel clunky.
• The free templates had been restrictive, significantly in font sizes and design flexibility. I discovered it irritating after I needed to experiment with completely different kinds however was restricted by the instrument’s built-in constraints.

What G2 customers dislike about Avery Design & Print:

“In comparison with skilled design software program, Avery Design & Print may provide fewer superior modifying instruments. This may very well be a disadvantage for customers needing particular design parts.”

– Avery Design & Print Evaluate, Med A.

I used to be impressed by Label LIVE’s highly effective batch printing, which allowed me to effortlessly automate order printouts and label era. The method was extremely environment friendly—by merely dumping a appropriately formatted CSV or XML file right into a monitored folder, Label LIVE took care of the remaining. This saved me an amazing period of time and streamlined my workflow considerably.

One other facet I appreciated was the What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) designer interface, which supplied a seamless printing expertise throughout completely different printers. I even examined it on an 80mm printer, and the outcomes had been surprisingly crisp and well-aligned.

One other robust level was the software program’s deep integration with programming logic, as I may dynamically present or cover parts primarily based on situations. Moreover, the flexibility to combine straight with spreadsheets utilizing variables made it simple to automate and customise label era with out guide intervention.

Nevertheless, there have been a couple of downsides. The error messages may very well be extra user-friendly and descriptive, as I usually discovered myself troubleshooting points by way of trial and error. A extra detailed rationalization of the issues would have saved me appreciable time.

Moreover, the print preview function didn’t work as anticipated—even when my label printer was listed and chosen because the default. The software program nonetheless reported that no printer was discovered. This was irritating, as I needed to undergo additional steps simply to confirm how the label would look earlier than printing.

Lastly, fine-tuning label sizes for particular printers required extra effort than I anticipated, which made the preliminary setup a bit tedious.

What I dislike about Label LIVE:

• The error messages weren’t descriptive sufficient, forcing me to troubleshoot points by way of trial and error. A clearer rationalization of issues would have saved me appreciable time and frustration.
• The print preview function didn’t all the time acknowledge my chosen default printer. Regardless of being listed, the software program reported that no printer was discovered, requiring additional steps to confirm label formatting earlier than printing.

What G2 customers dislike about Label LIVE:

“Label creation may very well be sooner. When printing greater than 100 completely different labels, the method can take as much as 10 minutes, which will be time-consuming.”

– Label LIVE Evaluate, Tommy Y.

After testing BarTender, I discovered it to be a strong and versatile barcode label printing software program. It’s broadly used for creating and printing barcodes, RFID tags, and extra

One in every of its largest strengths is the availability of pre-built templates, which considerably sped up the design course of. As a substitute of ranging from scratch, I may select from varied templates and customise them to suit my wants. This was particularly useful when working underneath tight deadlines, as I may rapidly tweak present designs reasonably than constructing every thing from the bottom up.

Moreover, BarTender’s skill to pull variable information from exterior databases or Excel added a robust automation layer. This function allowed me to create dynamic labels with out manually inputting info, which is a big benefit for companies dealing with large-scale labeling.

Nevertheless, regardless of these benefits, deployment and consumer entry management had been obscure. The mushyware lacks clear documentation on limiting consumer permissions, making it difficult to handle entry for various crew members. I needed to experiment fairly a bit earlier than determining the easiest way to regulate consumer settings, which was irritating.

One other main draw back is the steep studying curve. Whereas BarTender gives spectacular performance, getting comfy with all of its options took appreciable time. YouTube tutorials can be found, however they’re very normal and don’t go into sufficient depth to handle extra particular points. A extra structured and detailed assist system would have made the educational course of a lot smoother.

What I dislike about BarTender:

• The dearth of clear documentation for managing consumer permissions made deployment and entry management complicated. I needed to experiment extensively earlier than discovering an efficient strategy to management consumer settings, which was time-consuming.
• BarTender has a steep studying curve regardless of its highly effective options. The obtainable YouTube tutorials had been too normal and didn’t present the depth wanted for extra particular points, making the educational course of tougher than it needs to be.

What G2 customers dislike about BarTender:

“It’s difficult to grasp the deployment course of, product limitations, and tips on how to set consumer restrictions, making it tough for finish customers to navigate.”

– BarTender Evaluate, Larry M.

I discovered MarkMagic to be extremely customizable. The power to export and import completely different codecs made it extraordinarily versatile, permitting me to work with varied file sorts seamlessly. This flexibility was significantly helpful when coping with a number of labeling necessities throughout completely different platforms.

One other main plus was the truth that MarkMagic runs fully within the browser, eliminating the necessity for software program set up. This made it extremely handy to entry from any machine with out worrying about system compatibility or updates. Moreover, the graphical consumer interface (GUI) was simple to be taught, making the onboarding course of clean and intuitive.

I additionally appreciated how effortlessly MarkMagic built-in with present programs, permitting for fast implementation with out requiring main changes. Its cloud-based nature was one other enormous profit for me, because it ensured accessibility from wherever whereas decreasing the necessity for native storage or upkeep.

Nevertheless, the consumer interface may very well be modernized to enhance the general consumer expertise. Some parts felt outdated, and a extra polished design would improve navigation and usefulness.

One specific concern I encountered was with textual content formatting in J-Magic, which felt a bit clunky. Adjusting textual content kinds and placements wasn’t as clean as I’d have appreciated, requiring extra guide tweaking than anticipated.

Moreover, I faced challenges in correctly formatting pictures to be used on kinds, which typically required additional effort to make sure appropriate alignment and backbone.

What I dislike about MarkMagic:

• The consumer interface may benefit from modernization. Some parts felt outdated, and a extra polished design would enhance navigation and general usability.
• I encountered challenges with textual content formatting in J-Magic, which was not as clean as anticipated. Adjusting textual content kinds and placements required extra guide effort than anticipated.

What G2 customers dislike about MarkMagic:

“I’ve encountered challenges with MarkMagic when utilizing two-dimensional (2D) barcodes, as they take considerably longer to generate in comparison with one-dimensional (1D) linear barcodes. Moreover, formatting pictures appropriately to be used on kinds has been problematic.”

– MarkMagic Evaluate, Craig L.

Loftware Cloud is a extremely environment friendly and user-friendly labeling answer, very best for environments that demand fast label creation underneath stress. Its ease of use allowed me to design and print labels quickly, at the same time as a newbie, saving worthwhile time I’d have spent studying a brand new instrument. 

One of Loftware Cloud’s standout advantages is its scalability, making it a powerful match for organizations of all sizes. Whether or not you are printing easy labels or managing high-volume, advanced label manufacturing, the software program adapts simply to evolving enterprise wants. 

When it comes to designal, Loftware Cloud excels with varied options that make label creation each inventive and useful. The drag-and-drop performance made it simple to design professional-quality labels, even with out superior graphic design expertise. Pre-defined templates had been extremely useful for streamlining the design course of, whereas the flexibility to save customized designs as templates ensured consistency throughout a number of initiatives. Including barcodes to labels was equally simple, requiring solely the collection of the suitable barcode symbology—no technical experience was obligatory.

I used to be additionally impressed with the multi-printer configuration, which allowed for seamless printing throughout varied places or groups. The power to distribute the workload throughout a number of servers considerably enhanced the system’s efficiency, making certain that label printing remained clean and uninterrupted even throughout high-demand durations.

Nevertheless, Loftware Cloud does have some drawbacks that I encountered throughout my use. One concern was the occasional bugs that disrupted my workflow, guaranteeing duties extra irritating. Particularly, I discovered that error messages weren’t all the time clear, making it tough to pinpoint the supply of the problem and troubleshoot successfully.

The configuration course of may also be considerably advanced. A number of steps are concerned, and for customers unfamiliar with the platform, it might probably take longer than anticipated to get every thing arrange correctly.

Moreover, whereas I appreciated the flexibility to write in JavaScript for extra superior label customization, the script editor felt restricted. The small window and lack of a monospace font made it tough to work with and fewer user-friendly than I’d have most well-liked. A extra intuitive scripting interface would have significantly improved the expertise.

Lastly, the dealing with of subject sizes within the label design was considerably inconsistent. Throughout the design course of, the fields appeared to take up extra horizontal area than they really did when printed. This discrepancy led to some misalignment points, requiring trial and error to make sure that the fields had been positioned appropriately on the ultimate label.

What I dislike about Loftware Cloud:

• I encountered occasional bugs that disrupted my workflow, guaranteeing duties extra irritating. The dearth of clear error messages made troubleshooting difficult, slowing the method.
• The configuration course of was extra advanced than I anticipated, with a number of steps concerned. This made setup take longer than anticipated, particularly for customers unfamiliar with the platform.

What G2 customers dislike about Loftware Cloud:

“Typically, labels don’t generate appropriately primarily based on the serial quantity. There are additionally a number of bugs, comparable to adjustments not making use of instantly and solely reflecting after logging out and logging again in.”

– Loftware Cloud Evaluate, Abhash Okay.

When selecting between CMYK or RGBF for label printing, you must print in CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) mode, as that is the usual colour mannequin for printers. RGB (Pink, Inexperienced, Blue) is good for digital screens however doesn’t translate precisely to print, affecting colour high quality.

5. Which is the most effective free label printing software program?

Label Stay is one of the greatest free-label printing software program choices. It gives a easy, user-friendly interface with important options like barcode creation, template choice, and print preview. Discover different free label printing software program.

Could all of your labels stick the place they belong!! 

The perfect label printing software program I examined gives varied options to fulfill completely different enterprise wants, from ease of use and customization to highly effective integrations and high-volume printing capabilities.

However bear in mind, your necessities may differ relying on the dimensions of your corporation or the complexity of your labels, so it’s all the time a good suggestion to check out a couple of choices earlier than selecting one. 

And don’t neglect, whereas it’s essential to get the right label printed, it’s simply as essential to put it on the correct field. As a result of, let’s face it, the very last thing you need is for that “fragile” label to finish up on a field filled with rubberbands as an alternative of glassware.

Design and customise labels like a professional with the greatest graphic design software program.