Google Docs Label Templates vs OpenLabelMaker
Many people try to make labels in Google Docs. It's free, it's familiar — but it's the wrong tool for the job. Here's why a purpose-built label maker is the better choice.
The Google Docs Problem
Google Docs is phenomenal for documents. But for labels, you run into the same issues over and over:
Manual sizing: No built-in label presets. You have to manually calculate table dimensions to match your DYMO 4x6 labels or Avery® 5160® sheets. One calculation wrong and your entire print run is garbage.
No barcodes: To add a barcode to a Google Docs label, you have to generate it elsewhere (Zaps, online tools), download it as an image, and paste it. 50 labels = 50 copy-paste operations.
No batch printing: Need 100 shipping labels from an Excel spreadsheet? In Google Docs, you'd have to create 100 separate documents or manually type/paste 100 addresses into one table. OpenLabelMaker does this in seconds.
Sheet layout nightmare: Label sheets have specific margins and gaps between labels. Google Docs doesn't "know" this — you have to manually position labels within the table grid and hope the printer alignment is perfect.
No DYMO printer support: Google Docs exports PDFs that are page-sized (8.5x11"). A DYMO 4x6 label expects a 4x6" PDF. You'll either get blank space or the label will cut off.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | OpenLabelMaker | Google Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Label printer presets (DYMO, Brother, Zebra) | ✓ 250+ built-in | ✗ None |
| Sheet label layouts (A4, US Letter, HERMA) | ✓ 97+ layouts | ✗ Manual table only |
| Barcode generator | ✓ 6+ formats | ✗ Not supported |
| QR code generator | ✓ Built-in | ✗ Not supported |
| Batch/mail merge from spreadsheet | ✓ CSV, Excel, Sheets | ✗ Manual copy-paste |
| Google Sheets integration | ✓ Direct import | ✓ Native |
| Export PDF (correct label size) | ✓ Exact dimensions | ~ Page-sized only |
| Account required | No | Yes (Google) |
| Supports Chromebook | ✓ | ✓ |
| Data stays private (client-side) | ✓ Yes | ✗ Cloud-based |
Bottom line: Google Docs is a word processor. OpenLabelMaker is a label maker. For a few quick labels, Google Docs works. For anything beyond that — barcodes, exact sizes, batch printing — you need the right tool.
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: You need 50 shipping labels from your Shopify orders
Google Docs: Export your orders to CSV, manually paste 50 addresses into a Google Docs table, manually position them to match your 4x6 label size, print, and pray the alignment is correct.
OpenLabelMaker: Import your CSV, select "4x6 thermal", watch the labels auto-populate with the correct spacing, export PDF, print. Done in 2 minutes.
Scenario 2: You're printing product labels with barcodes
Google Docs: Generate barcode images in an external tool for each SKU, download them, paste them into your Google Docs table cells, hope they align. One mistake and you're reprinting.
OpenLabelMaker: Type your SKU into the editor, click "add barcode", it generates automatically. Duplicate the label design, change the SKU, it updates the barcode. Repeat for 100 products in minutes.
The Case for OpenLabelMaker
- ✓ No learning curve. If you can use Canva, you can use OpenLabelMaker. Drag, drop, done.
- ✓ Built for printing. Every feature assumes you're printing to a real printer — exact label sizes, barcode support, sheet grid layouts.
- ✓ Batch printing saves hours. 100 labels from Excel? 30 seconds. In Google Docs, it's 30 minutes of copy-paste.
- ✓ Works with any printer. DYMO, Brother, Zebra, A4/Letter sheets, thermal printers, inkjet — all supported out of the box.
- ✓ 100% free, forever. No premium tier, no feature lockouts, no surprise costs. Just open and use it.