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.
Check a small label in order
- Inspect the preview. Is the entire document reduced on the page, or is only the label portion small within a larger sheet? If documents are combined, Shopify notes that their layout can be resized to fit the selected format.
- Check the document format. For a thermal label printer, compare the Shopify thermal 4 × 6 format with the stock. For a standard desktop printer, check the Letter or A4 document and matching loaded sheet.
- Check the print dialog. Select the intended printer and matching paper size. Review scaling and orientation; compare the preview at actual size or 100% where available, and use the setting that shows the complete label. Do not enlarge blindly.
- Print a test. Check that the entire label and barcode are clear, appropriately sized and meet your carrier’s requirements. If not, review the driver and manufacturer instructions or contact support.
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 an edge missing instead? See the 4 × 6 cut-off 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.