Create a Custom Label Layout in Word 2007

Word 2007 allows you to print a sheet of 30 labels quickly and easily. All you have to do is enter an address once. And then the Label wizard will generate a sheet of labels for you. But what if the standard label templates included with Word 2007 don't print correctly on your printer?

 

These steps will help you add a 'New Label' template of your very own.

1. Open Word 2007. Create a new, blank document.
2. Click the Mailings tab. Then click the Labels button.
3. In the Envelopes and Labels wizard, enter a dummy address in the Address block.
   
   Note: We will assume that you want a Full page of the same label. This radio button should be pre-selected.
   
   
4. Click the Options button.
5. If needed, set the Tray drop-down choice to the tray you wish to use for labels.
   
   Note: The Label vendors drop-down choice will display the last choice you made. If you've never been in the dialog box before, it should say Microsoft. Since we plan to create our own custom 30 labels per page template, we'll adjust one of Microsoft's default choices.
   
   
6. From the Label vendors drop-down box, select Microsoft.
7. Select (click once) on the second 30 Per Page choice.
8. Key Step: Click the New Label button. You should see this Label Details dialog box.
   
   
   
   
9. Edit the Label name from "30 Per Page" to another of your choice. Ex: Office name or your first name.
10. You now need to edit four of the fields here: Top Margin, Side Margin, Horizontal Pitch, and Label Width. As you edit these settings, the Preview window will show you how the labels will print.
    
    Note: You will need to experiment with these settings by printing and then returning to tweak the margins or widths.
    
    Note: Here is an example set of settings that helped one county office:
    
    
    • Top Margin: 0
    • Side Margin: 0.1
    • Horizontal Pitch: 2.8
    • Label Width: 2.8
      
      
11. After editing the settings, click OK.
    
    Note: The Label vendors drop-down box will change to Other/Custom. Your new Label name will appear in this box. You will be able to return here to edit the settings.
    
    
12. Click OK to close the Label Options box.
13. In the Envelopes and Labels dialog box, click the New Document button.
14. Print this sheet of labels.
    
    Note: How did the addresses print? What needs adjusted? If all is OK, you can now pick your Other/Custom layout name when using the wizard. But assuming that you need to go back into the wizard, let's do that.
    
    
15. Close the dummy Labels document. Don't save changes.
16. If needed, create a new, blank document.
17. You should still be on the Mailings tab. Click the Labels button.
18. Enter a dummy address in the Address block.
19. Click the Options button.
    
    Note: The Label vendors drop-down box should be set to Other/Custom. Your new Label name will appear in this box and should be selected.
    
    
20. Click the Details button.
21. Adjust the Top Margin, Side Margin, Horizontal Pitch, and Label Width as needed. When done, click OK. click OK.
22. In the Envelopes and Labels wizard, click the New Document button.
23. Print this sheet of labels.
24. Repeat Steps 15 -23 as needed until you have the 30 Per Page labels that you need.

Note: Once you have the correct settings, be sure to write them down! You might need to enter them again; or, use them on another computer in the office.

Tip: These settings are stored  in an xml file called pg_custom.xml in your local profile. You can backup the pg_custom.xml file to a USB drive or to your Server. If you copy your pg_custom.xml file to another person's computer, the custom label definitions will appear in their Word 2007 when opened. Of course you need to place the file in their local profile, in the same Office folder.

1. Open My Computer. Open Local Disk (C:).
2. Open the Documents and Settings folder. Open your <UserID> folder.
3. Open the Application Data folder. Open the Microsoft folder.
4. Open the Office folder.
5. Backup or copy the pg_custom.xml file as needed.