Printer Setup & Software
This guide covers how to physically print your labels after DistruLabels has generated the file.
Important: "Printing" vs. "Generating"
In DistruLabels, the "Print" button creates (generates) a PDF file containing your labels. The application itself does not currently communicate directly with your local printer hardware.
In the App: "Printing" means generating the PDF file.
On Your Computer: "Printing" means sending that PDF file to your physical label printer.
When opening the PDF file for printing, if the PDF file looks correct on your screen, any issues with size, quality, or orientation are happening during the physical printing process on your computer.
What's the best way to print my labels?
For the most consistent results, download the PDF and open it directly in your label printer's software or a PDF software (like Adobe) rather than printing from a web browser. This gives you better control over print settings and helps avoid unexpected scaling or quality changes.
My printer software seems outdated. Does that matter?
Yes! Outdated printer drivers can cause sizing inconsistencies, quality issues, and other printing problems. Keep your printer software updated and update it if you're seeing label printing issues.
Size & Scaling Issues
The label printed at the wrong size. How do I fix this? First, verify that the Label Template you selected in DistruLabels matches the physical size of your label stickers (e.g., ensure you selected a 2" x 4" template for 2" x 4" stickers).
If the template is correct, you need to adjust the size in your printer software settings. Sizing issues are typically caused by printer settings like "Fit to Page" or incorrect paper size selection.
Important: Make sure "Scale" is set to "Actual Size" or "100%" (not "Fit to Page").
My browser or PDF viewer is changing the label size when I print. What should I do? You need to ensure the printer is using the exact dimensions of the file rather than stretching it to fill the paper.
"Fit to Page" and "100%" are actually opposites. Fit to Page will stretch or shrink your label to fit the margins of the paper, which often distorts the barcode. 100% (or Actual Size) forces the printer to respect the exact size of the PDF file, even if the margins are tight.
If you are printing from Google Chrome:
Click the Print icon to open the preview window.
Click More settings to expand the options.
Find the Scale option.
Ensure it is set to Default or select Custom and type 100.
Make sure Fit to printable area is NOT selected (if available).
If you are printing from Adobe Acrobat: Select Actual Size or Custom Scale: 100%. Do not select Fit.
Orientation Problems
My labels are printing sideways or rotated. How do I fix this? You may need to switch between portrait and landscape orientation in your computer's printing settings. This setting is typically found in your print dialog—not in DistruLabels. Check your printer's documentation for recommended orientation settings for your specific label size.
Print Quality Issues
The print quality looks poor or pixelated. What's wrong? Check the PDF on your screen first. Zoom in on the file. If the text looks crisp and clear on your screen, the issue is with your printer settings.
If printing from a web browser: Print quality can suffer when using a browser's built-in PDF viewer. Try these solutions:
On PC: Press Ctrl + Shift + P to open print settings. Look for an option like "Let the app change my printing settings" and enable it. Disable any settings that reduce quality.
On Mac: Press Cmd + Option + P to open advanced print settings. Change the quality setting to "Best."
Better solution: Download the PDF and open it in your printer's software or a PDF viewing software Adobe Acrobat Reader for optimal quality.
Does it matter which application I use to print? Yes! Print quality and sizing can vary significantly depending on which application you use. Your printer's native software typically gives the best results, followed by Adobe Acrobat Reader. Web browsers and generic PDF viewers may automatically adjust quality or sizing, which can cause issues.
Recommendation: Always use your printer's software when possible. If using a different application, verify it's not changing quality or size settings automatically.
Printing from a Browser: Using System Settings
If you prefer to print directly from your browser like Google Chrome, we highly recommend bypassing the browser's default print window. The standard Chrome window often hides advanced options like darkness, density, and paper types. The workflow below is Chrome specific but is roughly the same for all major browsers.
How to access advanced settings:
Press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Cmd + Option + P (Mac) on your keyboard while viewing the print screen.
This opens the System Dialog (your computer's native print window).
From here, you can choose specific paper sizes, force "Best" quality, and adjust scaling with more precision than Chrome allows.
Never use Internet Explorer. Microsoft no longer supports it and it's well know to fail at opening and printing pdfs. Use any other browser instead.
Saving your settings: On a Mac, you can save these configurations as Presets in the dropdown menu to use again later. On Windows, you can often save Printing Shortcuts or Profiles within the "Preferences" or "Properties" menu, depending on your specific printer driver.
Color Printing
Can I print labels in color? Yes! As long as you have a color printer, you can print color labels. The PDF files generated by DistruLabels are full-color.
Note: Most standard shipping and cannabis label printers (like Zebra, Dymo, or Rollo) are Thermal Printers, which can only print in Black & White.
Label Shape & Design Limitations
Can I print to circle-shaped labels? DistruLabels doesn't support circular label templates—we only support square and rectangular labels.
Workaround: If you need to use circular labels, design your template with extra white space around all edges so important information won't be cut off when the label is applied to the circular sticker.
Sheet vs. Roll Printing
Can I print multiple labels on a single sheet instead of a roll? Currently, DistruLabels generates labels as sequential pages designed for roll printers, with each page corresponding to one label sticker. We don't have a built-in option to arrange multiple labels on a sheet layout.
Workaround: You can manually edit the PDF using PDF editing software to rearrange labels onto sheets, but this requires manual work outside of DistruLabels.
Still Having Issues?
If you've tried these solutions and are still experiencing problems:
Verify your label size in DistruLabels matches your printer's paper/label size settings.
Check your printer's documentation for recommended settings for your label dimensions.
Test printing the same PDF from your printer's software vs. a browser to isolate the issue.
Contact Distru support with details about your printer model and the specific issue you're experiencing.
Pro Tip: Save your working printer settings as a preset once you get everything configured correctly. This ensures consistent results every time you print labels.