Avery’s file folder label range
Avery’s file folder labels split across four practical variants: standard white permanent labels (the workhorse for most filing systems), laser-specific white labels with finishes optimised for laser printer fusing, clear labels that show the folder colour beneath, and assorted-colour packs for colour-coded systems. The dominant size — 2/3 × 3-7/16 inches at 30 labels per sheet — has been stable for decades and is the standard against which non-Avery filing labels are measured. Most third-party filing labels list the Avery 5266 code as their compatibility reference.
File folder label products at a glance
The four codes below cover most home, office and archival filing workflows. All four are 30-up at the same standard 2/3 × 3-7/16 inch label size.
| SKU | Finish | Layout | Sheets / per pack | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5266 | White, permanent | 30-up | 25 sheets (750 labels) | General filing; inkjet or laser |
| 8366 | White, laser-optimised | 30-up | 25 sheets (750 labels) | Laser printers; sharper text edges |
| 8466 | Clear, permanent | 30-up | 25 sheets (750 labels) | Showing folder colour through the label |
| 5066 | Assorted colours | 30-up | 25 sheets (750 labels) | Colour-coded filing systems |
The 5266 white permanent label is the default — most office stationery cabinets stock it because it works in both inkjet and laser printers and the adhesive holds for the life of a typical filing system. The 8366 laser variant is worth choosing for large print runs through a laser; the toner adheres better and printed text has cleaner edges at small font sizes. The 8466 clear labels are useful when the folder itself is colour-coded — the label sits on the folder without obscuring the underlying colour. The 5066 assorted-colour pack ships in five or six rotating colours per box, which is enough to set up a colour-coded system without ordering multiple SKUs.
For sizing across non-standard formats — larger archive labels, hanging file inserts — the file folder label sizes article covers the wider range.
Finding Avery templates in Word
Word’s label templates cover all current Avery filing codes. Two routes:
- Mailings > Labels > Options. Set Label Vendors to “Avery US Letter” and scroll the Product Number list to 5266, 8366, 8466 or 5066.
- File > New, search “Avery 5266” (or another code). If a template exists in the local library, it opens with the 30-label grid as an editable table.
For bulk filing setups — typically 50+ folders at a time — set up a mail merge from a spreadsheet of folder names rather than typing each label individually. The Word file folder labels tutorial has the full mail merge workflow, including the trick of skipping rows when starting on a partially-used sheet.
Print and application
Print one test sheet on plain paper first and overlay it on a blank Avery sheet against a light source to verify alignment. After printing, peel each label from the backing sheet and apply to a clean folder edge with even pressure — labels stick better to clean cardboard than to dusty or older folders.
A note on Avery codes: Avery occasionally renames or replaces SKUs as ranges get refreshed. If a code referenced here doesn’t appear in your Word template chooser, check avery.com for the current equivalent — the underlying label dimensions are the durable detail.