Office Labelling Solutions: From Filing to Shipping

A well-labelled office runs more smoothly. From finding files in seconds to despatching parcels without errors, labels are the quiet workhorse behind an organised workplace. This guide covers the most common office labelling applications and recommends the best products for each.

Why Office Labelling Matters

Labelling is one of those tasks that seems minor until it is done properly. Consistent, clear labels across your office deliver real, measurable benefits:

• Faster retrieval: staff spend less time searching for files, supplies and equipment when everything is clearly labelled
• Fewer errors: printed address labels eliminate handwriting misreads on outgoing mail and parcels
• Professional appearance: neat labels on shelves, drawers and assets give visitors and clients confidence in your organisation
• Compliance: many Australian workplaces are required to label hazardous materials, fire equipment and electrical panels to meet WHS regulations
• Accountability: asset tags on laptops, monitors and tools make it easy to track who has what

Filing and Folder Labels

Efficient filing starts with consistent labels. If you use hanging folders, lever arch files or archive boxes, printed labels beat handwritten ones for readability and uniformity.

Recommended products:

• Brother P-touch with 12 mm TZe tape: print laminated labels that will not smudge, peel or fade over time. Ideal for suspension file tabs and spine labels on lever arch folders.
• Dymo LabelWriter with file folder labels: Dymo's pre-cut file folder labels (99017) slot neatly onto hanging file tabs. Print directly from your database or spreadsheet for a consistent filing system.
• Avery laser/inkjet file labels: sheet labels in various sizes for printing batches of filing labels on your existing office printer. Browse our Avery labels range.

Address and Mailing Labels

Printing address labels saves time on every piece of outgoing mail and eliminates the delivery errors that come with hard-to-read handwriting. For offices that send more than a handful of letters or parcels a day, a dedicated label printer pays for itself quickly.

Recommended products:

• Dymo LabelWriter 550: the office standard for address labels. Prints crisp, clear labels at up to 62 labels per minute with no ink or toner required. Compatible with standard address labels (99010) and large address labels (99012).
• Avery address labels (various sizes): available in sheets of 14, 21, 24 or 65 labels per A4 sheet. Compatible with both inkjet and laser printers. Great for mail-merge runs from Outlook or Excel.

Shipping and Parcel Labels

If your office despatches products, returns or documents, printed shipping labels are essential. They ensure barcodes scan correctly at every point in the delivery chain and present a professional image to your customers.

Recommended products:

• Dymo LabelWriter 5XL: prints large-format shipping labels up to 104 mm x 159 mm. Integrates with Australia Post, Sendle, StarTrack and most e-commerce platforms. No ink cartridges needed; just load the label roll and print.
• Avery shipping labels: full-page or multi-up sheet labels compatible with laser and inkjet printers. Available with smooth or textured adhesive for different box surfaces.

All our shipping label products are available with Australia-wide delivery, and prices are shown inc. GST.

Cable and Network Labels

Behind every tidy office desk is a bundle of cables that someone took the time to label. Cable labelling isn't just about neatness. It saves hours of troubleshooting when you need to trace a cable or disconnect a specific device.

Recommended products:

• Brother TZe-FX flexible ID tapes: designed to wrap around cables and stay put without flagging. Available in 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm and 24 mm widths. Use a Brother P-touch handheld or desktop printer to create professional cable labels in seconds.
• Brother HSe heat shrink tubing: for a permanent, professional finish on network and power cables. Print your label, slide the tube over the cable, and apply heat. The result is a label that will never peel off or become illegible.

For detailed information on which tapes work with which printers, see our TZe tape compatibility chart.

Asset Tags and Equipment Labels

Tracking office equipment (laptops, monitors, printers, furniture) is a basic requirement for any business. Printed asset tags with barcodes or sequential numbering make audits straightforward and reduce losses.

Recommended products:

• Brother P-touch with TZe-S (extra strength) tapes: extra strength adhesive tapes stick firmly to metal, plastic and painted surfaces. Print barcodes, QR codes or simple text-and-number asset tags using Brother's P-touch Editor software.
• Avery asset labels: pre-printed or blank asset label sheets for your laser printer. Available in durable polyester for long-lasting adhesion on equipment surfaces.

Shelf, Drawer and Storage Labels

An organised storeroom or supply cupboard keeps your team productive. Label every shelf, drawer and bin so that anyone, including new staff, can find what they need and put things back in the right place.

Recommended products:

• Brother P-touch with 18 mm or 24 mm TZe tape: wider tapes are easier to read from a distance, making them perfect for shelf edges, drawer fronts and storage containers.
• Dymo LabelWriter multipurpose labels: versatile die-cut labels in a range of sizes, suitable for labelling bins, trays and containers in the storeroom or mailroom.

Safety and Compliance Labels

Australian workplaces are required to display certain labels and signage under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation. Electrical switchboards, hazardous substance storage, first aid kits and fire equipment all require clear, durable labelling.

Brother's laminated TZe tapes are well-suited to safety labelling because they resist water, chemicals and UV exposure. Use yellow tape for caution labels, red for danger, and green for safety information, in line with AS 1319 safety colours.

For larger signage needs, the Brother PT-P910BT supports tapes up to 36 mm wide, giving you enough label real estate for multi-line warning text. Browse our Brother range for compatible printers and tapes.

Choosing the Right Labelling Approach

Getting Started

If your office is new to dedicated label printing, a good starting point is a Brother PT-D610BT desktop printer with a selection of 12 mm TZe tapes in your most-used colours. It connects via Bluetooth and USB, works with both Windows and Mac, and handles everything from file labels to cable wraps.

For offices focused on mail and shipping, the Dymo LabelWriter 550 handles address labels, while the 5XL takes care of large-format shipping labels. Both run without ink or toner costs.

Need help deciding? Our team at AusLabels has helped thousands of Australian offices set up efficient labelling systems. Get in touch for tailored recommendations and pricing.