1
Whole label is smaller
The 4×6 boundary measures around 3.7×5.6 or the barcode looks compressed.
Disable Fit to Page, choose Actual Size, then calculate the correction if the ruler measurement is still off.
Calculate corrected scaletroubleshooting guide
Australia Post Label Prints Too Small — How to Fix It
Fix australia post label prints too small without shrinking, cropping or blurring the barcode. Check paper size, scale, orientation and printer setup before shipping.
Best next step
Follow the symptom-led steps before buying or reprinting postage.
Start with the tool or template that matches this guide before printing paid postage again.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-15
Quick answer
An Australia Post label usually prints too small when a browser preview, PDF viewer, or printer driver fits the page to the wrong paper. Print the PDF at 100% / Actual Size on the paper format the label was created for.
- Recommended size
- 4 × 6 in
- Print scale
- 100%
- Orientation
- Portrait
Symptom-led fix
Find the cause before reprinting
Follow the symptom that best matches your bad print. Each step points to the safest next tool before you buy postage again.
Print one test at 100% / Actual Size first.
2
Printed from browser preview
The browser added margins or shrank the PDF to fit the sheet.
Download the label PDF and print from a PDF viewer at 100% before changing marketplace settings.
Check PDF page size3
New printer or roll
Every label from this printer is slightly small.
Run a calibration sheet so you know whether the printer driver or the label file is causing the shrink.
Print calibration sheetPreflight checklist
- Identify whether the symptom is scale, paper size, offset or scan quality.
- Run a blank template before buying new postage.
- Reprint the original PDF after settings are corrected when the platform allows it.
Use the PDF, not a screenshot
Screenshots and mobile share sheets can hide the original page dimensions. Download or open the original label PDF when possible so scale controls remain available.
Match A4, Letter or 4×6 intentionally
Use A4 or Letter for sheet output, or 4×6 only when the label area fits the roll without shrinking required codes. Do not send a full sheet page directly to a thermal roll.
Disable automatic fit behavior
Choose Actual Size or 100%. Auto-fit can make a label look tidy on the page while compressing barcode or QR-code areas.
Check all code areas
Before mailing, inspect barcodes, QR codes, address text and service marks. Reprint if the code is small, clipped, faded or too close to an edge.
Source notes
This guide is based on recurring seller-support patterns: labels printed from browser previews, PDF viewers resizing files, thermal rolls loaded off-center, and barcodes losing quiet-zone whitespace.
When a platform or carrier offers a specific label-format setting, follow that official setting first, then use the checker and templates here to confirm print scale, paper size, orientation, and barcode quiet zone before shipping.
For troubleshooting, prioritize fixes that include printer model, paper size, PDF viewer, and scale setting before reprinting paid postage.
FAQ
Should I re-buy postage?
Usually no. First fix the print settings and reprint the original PDF if your platform allows it.
Why does Actual Size matter?
Barcode scanners expect the bars and quiet zone to remain within tolerance. Shrinking can make scans fail.
Can tape cause scanning problems?
Yes. Glossy tape over a barcode can reflect light and reduce scan reliability.
What should I try first if I am in a hurry?
Download the label PDF, print from a PDF viewer at 100% / Actual Size and make sure the selected paper size matches the paper in the printer.
How do I know whether the printer or the label file is the problem?
Print a blank template at 100%. If the template is also wrong, fix printer settings before changing the label file or buying new postage.