Avery 05167 Labels Review: Strong Adhesion, 8.5/10 Verdict
A surprising number of bulk mailing professionals describe the Avery Printable Return Address Labels, 0.5" x 1.75", White, 8,000 Blank (05167) as both a time-saver and a frustration—earning it a solid 8.5/10 overall from cross-platform feedback. While Avery markets these as “smudge-free and jam-free every time,” the reality is that most users agree with that claim, but a small yet vocal group has run into printer alignment issues that can waste sheets.
Quick Verdict: Conditional Yes — Ideal for high-volume, laser-printer users who value adhesion and easy peeling, but alignment-sensitive users should proceed with caution.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong Ultrahold adhesive sticks to paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and metal | Alignment issues on certain printers, especially older HP models |
| Sure Feed technology reduces jams and misfeeds | Not suitable for inkjet optimization—laser printer performance is better |
| Easy Peel with Pop-up Edge speeds application | Some find frosted/matte finish less “clear” than expected |
| Works with free Avery templates for fast customization | Occasional curling or peeling on rounded surfaces |
| Bulk quantity (8,000 labels) offers cost efficiency | Waste potential if sheets misalign repeatedly |
| FSC-certified paper for eco-conscious buyers | Requires precise printer settings for best results |
Claims vs Reality
Avery claims that its Sure Feed™ technology “prevents misalignments and jams by delivering a more reliable feed through your printer.” For many, this holds true. A verified buyer on Walmart noted: “Not a single jam through 500 sheets—alignment was spot on with the Avery template.” However, digging deeper, alignment troubles are a recurring theme among dissatisfied customers. An Amazon reviewer wrote: “Half of the sheets I print are not aligned and must be thrown away. I have no problem printing paper.” This suggests that Sure Feed helps, but printer model and condition still play a major role.
Another bold claim is the Ultrahold permanent adhesive, advertised to “stick and stay” on multiple surfaces. Reddit discussions and retailer reviews largely support this. One user commented: “These rectangular white labels have amazing adhesion… sticks and stays put on cardboard, paper, metal or glass.” Yet, in niche uses—like labeling curved food containers—some found adhesion lacking. An Amazon customer experienced: “They stick, but as soon as you look at them, they peel right off!”
Finally, the Easy Peel® design promises quicker separation and application. Across Reddit, Trustpilot, and Amazon, this is the most universally confirmed claim. A verified buyer on Amazon praised: “No more digging at the paper to try to get that edge up.” In bulk mailing scenarios, this time savings is significant.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The standout feature for most is adhesion on flat surfaces. Office managers, small business owners, and non-profits running mailers all report the labels stay intact through postal handling. A Reddit user noted: “I mailed 300 envelopes for a fundraiser—every label arrived looking exactly as printed.” For laser printer users, smudge resistance is also a consistent win. Noon.com reviewers stressed the crisp print quality for logos and small fonts, which is vital for branding.
The bulk quantity—8,000 labels per box—earns praise from high-volume users. For wedding planners prepping invitations or schools labeling supplies, the economy is clear. One Trustpilot reviewer summed it up: “Perfect for mailing, shipping, filing and organizing items in your home or workplace.” This scale makes the per-label cost extremely low, especially when bought during sales.
Common Complaints
Misalignment emerges as the most cited frustration. While Avery provides templates, a portion of users—especially those with older or budget printers—report wasted sheets. An Amazon customer vented: “I have tried the Avery adjustment tool & I just cannot get these labels to print properly. I am frustrated beyond belief.” The issue seems printer-specific; Canon and newer HP laser printers fare better in user accounts than older inkjets.
The frosted finish, while marketed as “bright white,” also divides buyers. Some expected a glossier or more opaque surface. One Amazon reviewer remarked: “They aren’t totally clear; they are frosted.” Although this is more relevant to the matte clear variant, a few white-label buyers noted that the finish wasn’t as vibrant as anticipated.
Lastly, rounded-surface adhesion complaints—like on jars—suggest these labels are best for flat applications. Curling or peeling is rare on envelopes but more common on non-flat substrates.
Divisive Features
The environmental claim via FSC certification is embraced by eco-conscious buyers, but others see it as irrelevant to performance. The Easy Peel design, while almost universally liked, occasionally gets undercut when misalignment wastes the “ease” benefit. Bulk quantity is a selling point for some, but for low-volume users, 8,000 labels can be overkill, leading to storage concerns.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot and Reddit show no significant signs of counterfeit or scam concerns for this SKU, especially when bought from verified retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Avery.com. Long-term durability feedback is positive—labels applied months earlier reportedly remain intact without yellowing. A Reddit user revisiting a year-old filing system noted: “Labels still look the same, no peeling or fading.”
However, some Amazon feedback warns about rare packaging errors, such as missing labels in a pack, though these appear isolated. Avery’s direct support is generally responsive, replacing defective shipments when contacted.
Alternatives
Competitors mentioned in user discussions include Premium Label Supply (noted for inkjet compatibility) and Betckey (praised for price but lacking Sure Feed tech). While these may suit light-duty or mixed printer environments, heavy laser printer users often return to Avery for alignment reliability—when printers are compatible—and template ecosystem.
Price & Value
Current pricing hovers around $27–$38 for 8,000 labels, translating to roughly 0.3¢ per label. eBay resale prices show sealed boxes moving for $24–$28, indicating reasonable retained value for unopened stock. Community buying tips include watching for bulk discounts from office suppliers or pairing with other Avery products to hit free shipping thresholds.
FAQ
Q: Do these work with inkjet printers?
A: They are optimized for laser printers, and most user praise comes from laser setups. Inkjet users report mixed results, with more frequent smudging or feed issues.
Q: Can they stick to plastic or glass?
A: Yes, many users confirm adhesion to smooth plastics and glass. However, on curved or textured surfaces, peeling is more likely.
Q: Are Avery templates accurate for alignment?
A: For many, yes—particularly with Canon and newer HP lasers. Older printers may still misalign despite template use.
Q: Is the paper FSC certified?
A: Yes, it’s made from materials sourced from responsibly managed forests, which appeals to eco-conscious buyers.
Q: How easy is it to peel each label?
A: The Easy Peel feature is widely praised for speeding application and reducing waste from damaged labels during peeling.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a high-volume, laser-printer user needing strong adhesion and time-saving peel design for flat surfaces. Avoid if you have an older printer prone to misalignment or if you need labels for curved surfaces. Pro tip from the community: Always print a test sheet on plain paper to check alignment before committing a label sheet.
