Label Format Guide: How to Choose Among a wide range In-Stock Formats

Why Label Format Choice Matters

Your label format determines what you can print on it, which printer you need to use, and how many labels you get per roll. A wrong format choice leads to unreadable labels, printer incompatibilities, and waste. This guide helps you choose among our a wide range in-stock formats.

The Most Requested Formats and Their Use Cases

• 4 × 6 inches (102 × 152 mm): the standard format for shipping and logistics. Compatible with all carriers (UPS, FedEx, Purolator, Canada Post). The most requested format in Quebec.
• 3 × 2 inches (76 × 51 mm): inventory labels, product labels, small shipping labels. Versatile, good size-to-readability ratio.
• 2 × 1 inch (51 × 25 mm): product barcodes, price tags, small identification labels. Ideal for retail.
• Small formats (1 × 0.5 inch and smaller): pharmaceutical labels, lab tube labels, micro-labels for electronic components.
• Large formats (6 × 4 inches and up): pallet labels, cargo labels, freight shipping labels. For long-distance identification.

Core 1-Inch vs 3-Inch: The Golden Rule

The core is the central tube of the label roll. Its size determines printer compatibility:

• 1-inch core (25 mm): for desktop printers (Zebra ZD, Godex G500, Datamax E-Class, Sato CG). Smaller rolls, more labels per roll in a compact footprint.
• 3-inch core (76 mm): for industrial printers (Zebra ZT, Datamax I-Class/H-Class, Sato CL, Toshiba B-SX). Larger rolls, designed for continuous operation with fewer roll changes.

Never mix cores. A 1-inch label doesn't fit in a 3-inch printer, and vice versa. Always check the core before ordering.

Custom Formats Made in Canada

If none of the a wide range in-stock formats match your need, we manufacture custom formats in Canada. Custom dimensions, special shapes (round, oval, rounded corners), varied substrates (paper, polypropylene, polyester, vinyl), and adapted adhesives (permanent, removable, cryogenic, high-tack).

Custom formats have a short production lead time since manufacturing is local. Contact us with your specifications and we'll provide a quote quickly.

How to Order the Right Format

To order efficiently, have this information ready:

• Exact label dimensions (width × height)
• Core size (1 or 3 inches)
• Printer type (model and brand)
• Application (shipping, inventory, product, cold storage, etc.)
• Technology (direct thermal or thermal transfer)

To browse our format catalog, visit our thermal labels page. Our team can help you identify the exact format compatible with your Zebra printer or Godex printer. To understand which printing technology suits your format, see our article direct thermal vs thermal transfer.