Find a place to start
Choose what you see for a few practical checks. Your answers stay in your browser.
Separate these three settings
- Shopify document format: the page size chosen when printing the label. Shopify lists thermal 4 × 6 inches for label printers and Letter or A4 for desktop printers.
- Physical stock: the dimensions of the labels or paper actually loaded in the printer.
- Print settings: the printer, paper size, orientation and scaling chosen in your browser or system print dialog and printer driver.
The names and available options vary by browser, operating system, printer and driver. A4 and 4 × 6 are different dimensions; select the setting that matches your actual stock and printer.
Work through a cropped 4 × 6 label
- Look at the preview. Check all four edges and the barcode. If the preview is already cropped, inspect the document format and print settings before using more labels.
- Match document and stock. Shopify lists the thermal 4 × 6 format for label printers. Confirm the stock is 4 × 6 and the selected printer and print-dialog paper size match it. A standard desktop printer may instead use Letter or A4 sheets.
- Compare orientation and scale. Try the orientation shown correctly in the preview. Where available, compare actual size and fit options; driver and browser behavior vary. Avoid enlarging a label beyond the printable area.
- Check the printer. Follow the exact model’s instructions for loading media, alignment and calibration if applicable. Retest and confirm the full label and barcode meet carrier requirements. Contact the printer maker or Shopify if cropping persists.
Before changing a purchased label
For a printing mistake, Shopify says an unshipped label can be reprinted from the order or Shipping labels page without buying another. Its troubleshooting guidance says the label format can be changed on the initial print page, but after leaving that page a size change may require voiding and repurchasing the label. Check Shopify’s current instructions, eligibility and any cost before voiding or buying another label. Never reuse a carrier-scanned label for a different shipment.
Is the whole label reduced rather than cropped? See the too-small label guide.
First compare your printer, document and paper settings. If you also need to check device compatibility, use our printer compatibility advisor.
Related: compatibility guide · Mac printing guide · standard printer guide.