How to change the label size in Dymo LabelWriter software
Applies to
Dymo LabelWriter 450 series, Dymo LabelWriter 550 series, Dymo LabelWriter 4XL, Dymo LabelWriter 5XL, Windows, macOS, Dymo Connect, and Dymo Label Software
Last updated
May 2026
Problem
Your Dymo LabelWriter is printing on the wrong part of the label, cutting off text, printing too small, printing sideways, skipping labels, or spreading one label design across multiple labels.
This often happens because the label size selected in the Dymo software does not match the physical label roll loaded in the printer. The printer may be working correctly, but the software is sending the wrong layout or page size.
Solution
To change the label size in Dymo LabelWriter software, open Dymo Connect or Dymo Label Software, choose the correct label type or template, confirm the printer model, check the print preview, and then print a simple test label.
The label size in the software must match the actual label roll installed in the printer. If you change the roll from address labels to shipping labels, file labels, barcode labels, or name badges, you should also change the label type in the software before printing.
Step by step instructions
Open Dymo Connect or Dymo Label Software
Start by opening the Dymo software you normally use to print labels.
For most current setups, this will be Dymo Connect for Desktop. Older installations may still use Dymo Label Software, especially with older LabelWriter 450 series printers.
Before changing the label size, make sure the correct printer is selected. If the wrong printer is selected, the available label options may not match the labels you are trying to use.
Check the physical label roll first
Open the top cover of the LabelWriter and check which label roll is installed.
Look at the label shape, size, and purpose before changing the software settings. For example, an address label, file label, name badge, shipping label, and barcode label all need different templates.
Check the following:
- The label roll is seated correctly on the spool.
- The labels are feeding from the bottom of the roll.
- The label roll matches the type of label you want to print.
- The label is not damaged, curled, or feeding at an angle.
- The printer is not loaded with a different roll from the one you expected.
If you are not sure which label size you have, check the label box, packaging, or roll information if available.
Select the correct printer
In Dymo Connect, look for the printer selection area, usually near the print or design options.
Choose the correct Dymo LabelWriter model from the list. This is important if you have multiple printers installed, duplicate Dymo entries, or old printer drivers still listed.
Check for:
- The correct LabelWriter model.
- No duplicate or old Dymo printer selected.
- The printer not showing as offline.
- The printer matching the one physically connected to the computer.
If the wrong printer is selected, change it before choosing the label size.
Choose the label type in Dymo Connect
In Dymo Connect, start a new label or open the label design you want to use.
Look for the label selection or template area. Choose the label type that matches the physical roll installed in the printer.
Common label types include:
- Address labels.
- Shipping labels.
- File folder labels.
- Name badge labels.
- Barcode labels.
- Appointment cards.
- Multipurpose labels.
- Large format labels for 4XL or 5XL models.
Once the correct label type is selected, the design area should change to match the label dimensions.
Check the layout and orientation
After selecting the label size, check the design area carefully.
The label preview should look like the physical label. If the label in the preview is wide but your physical label is narrow, or if the preview is landscape when you expected portrait, the wrong template may still be selected.
Check these points:
- The label shape matches the physical label.
- The text sits inside the printable area.
- The design is not cropped.
- The orientation is correct.
- The content is not pushed outside the label boundary.
If anything looks wrong, select a different label template before printing.
Adjust existing label designs
If you opened an old saved label, changing the label size may not automatically make the design fit perfectly.
Text boxes, logos, barcodes, and address fields may need to be resized or moved after changing the template.
Review the design and adjust:
- Text box position.
- Font size.
- Barcode size.
- Image placement.
- Margins and spacing.
- Address block alignment.
- Any objects close to the label edge.
Do not assume an old design will print correctly on a new label size without checking the preview first.
Create a simple test label
Before using a full address list, barcode, logo, or shipping label, create a simple test label.
This helps confirm that the selected label size matches the physical roll.
Use a basic test such as:
- Open a new blank label.
- Select the correct label size.
- Add one text box.
- Type Test Label.
- Print one label only.
If the test label prints in the correct position, the label size is set correctly.
Change the label size in older Dymo Label Software
If you are using older Dymo Label Software, the label size is usually changed by choosing a different label template or label type from the software’s label list.
Open the software, create a new label, and look for the section that allows you to choose the label format. Select the label that matches the roll installed in your LabelWriter.
After selecting the label size, check the preview and print one test label.
Check automatic label detection on LabelWriter 550 models
Dymo LabelWriter 550 series printers can detect compatible label rolls.
If you are using a 550 series printer, Dymo Connect may automatically identify the label type. If the software does not detect the roll correctly, remove and reload the labels.
Check the following:
- The roll is compatible with your 550 series printer.
- The roll is seated correctly.
- The labels feed from the bottom of the roll.
- Dymo Connect recognises the label type.
- The detected label size matches the roll installed.
If the software cannot detect the roll, try a known compatible label roll.
Check the print settings before printing
When you click Print, check the final print settings before confirming.
Make sure the selected printer and label size still match. Some applications or saved templates may remember old print settings, especially if you have used different label sizes before.
Before printing, confirm:
- Correct Dymo printer.
- Correct label template.
- Correct number of copies.
- Correct orientation.
- Correct preview.
- No old print jobs waiting in the queue.
This prevents wasting labels and helps avoid repeated misprints.
Clear old print jobs if the size still looks wrong
If labels keep printing with the wrong layout even after changing the label size, there may be old print jobs stuck in the queue.
On Windows, open Settings, then Bluetooth and devices, then Printers and scanners. Select the Dymo LabelWriter and open the print queue. Cancel any waiting jobs.
On macOS, open System Settings, then Printers and Scanners. Select the Dymo LabelWriter and open the print queue. Remove any waiting jobs.
After clearing the queue, close and reopen Dymo Connect, then print a fresh test label.
Restart the software after changing rolls
If you have changed from one label roll to another and the software still seems to remember the old size, close and reopen Dymo Connect.
This is especially useful when moving between very different label types, such as small address labels and large shipping labels.
After reopening the software, select the printer, choose the correct label size, and print a test label.
Optional methods or tools
- Use the label packaging to confirm the exact label size.
- Use Dymo Connect templates to select the correct label type quickly.
- Use a plain text test label before printing a full batch.
- Use Windows Printers and scanners or macOS Printers and Scanners to check the selected printer.
- Clear the print queue if old jobs keep printing with the wrong size.
- Restart Dymo Connect after changing label rolls.
- Use a known compatible roll if automatic label detection is not working on a LabelWriter 550 series printer.
- Download the latest Dymo software from https://www.dymo.com/support?cfid=user-guide if the label list appears wrong or incomplete.
Best practices or tips
- Always check the physical label roll before choosing a template.
- Match the software label size to the actual labels in the printer.
- Print one test label before printing a batch.
- Check the print preview every time you change label size.
- Avoid reusing old templates without checking their layout.
- Keep different label rolls in their packaging so the size is easy to identify.
- Remove duplicate printer entries if the software keeps selecting the wrong printer.
- Use the correct LabelWriter model in the printer selection area before changing label settings.
Changing the label size in Dymo LabelWriter software is one of the most important steps for accurate printing. If the software template does not match the physical label roll, the printer may crop text, skip labels, print sideways, or spread one design across more than one label.
Once the correct label size is selected, Dymo LabelWriter printers can be used reliably for address labels, shipping labels, barcode labels, file labels, name badges, and other everyday labelling tasks. A quick check of the roll, template, printer selection, and print preview before printing can prevent most label alignment and sizing problems.
