For equal rectangles, you need the paper size, piece width and height, margin on each side and gap. With pre-cut labels, the actual sheet determines the layout; a different grid cannot be chosen freely.
A4 example: 60 × 30 mm
A4 is 210 × 297 mm. With 10 mm margins and 3 mm gaps, the available area is 190 × 277 mm.
- No rotation: floor(193 ÷ 63) = 3 columns; floor(280 ÷ 33) = 8 rows; 24 pieces.
- All rotated: floor(193 ÷ 33) = 5 columns; floor(280 ÷ 63) = 4 rows; 20 pieces.
The first grid wins. It uses 186 × 261 mm, centred with 12 mm lateral edges and 18 mm above/below.
Letter example: 2.5 × 1 in
On 8.5 × 11 in paper, choose 0.25 in margins and 0.125 in gaps. The original orientation fits 3 columns × 9 rows = 27. Rotating every piece fits 7 × 4 = 28. These are custom geometry examples, not a named adhesive product.
What the count does not prove
The best of two uniform grids is not a universal packing maximum. Mixed orientations could have different results. Nor does a count guarantee a commercial label reference: check its sizes, margins and pitch.
Try either example in the planner and download the outline PDF. Print on plain paper and compare it with your material before using label stock. This calculator places outlines; it does not add your text or artwork.
To put words on the sheet, use the text label maker. Choose repeated text or a list, set your own sizes and preview a one-page PDF. It uses a fixed-width font and stops the download if text cannot fit; check the plain-paper print before using final stock.
References and scope
The numerical examples are our own. Check a physical print on your own equipment.