How to Print CD Labels on an HP Printer (2026)

Yes, you can absolutely print professional-looking CD and DVD labels on an HP printer — I’ve done it dozens of times for everything from mix CDs (still a thing, fight me) to client portfolio discs and a friend’s wedding favours. The results are genuinely impressive once you get the method right.

The key word there being “method.” There are a few gotchas that’ll waste your label sheets if you don’t know about them. Here’s how to get it right first time.

Can HP Printers Print Directly onto CDs?

Quick answer: no, basically none of them can in 2026. HP ditched the CD/DVD tray feature from their consumer printers years ago. If you specifically need direct-to-disc printing (straight onto inkjet-printable CDs), you’ll want an Epson EcoTank ET-8550 or Canon PIXMA TS8350 — both still have disc trays.

But here’s the thing — printing on adhesive CD label sheets works just as well, and it’s what most people do anyway. You print the design onto a sticky label sheet, peel it off, and apply it to your disc. The results look properly professional. I showed a labelled disc to a graphic designer mate and he assumed they were commercially printed.

What You Need

1. An HP inkjet printer — Any HP inkjet that handles A4. Higher resolution (600+ dpi) gives better results. Laser printers work too, but inkjet colour is noticeably better on label stock.
2. CD/DVD label sheets — Adhesive labels die-cut to CD size, designed for printer feeding. Avery is the go-to brand in the UK.
3. Label design software — Something to create your design and align it to the template.
4. A label applicator (optional but strongly recommended) — A little gadget that centres the label on the disc perfectly. About £5-10 on Amazon UK. Saves an enormous amount of frustration.

Recommended CD Label Sheets

Product	Type	Qty	Printer Compat	Price
Avery L7676	Full-face CD labels	100 labels (50 sheets)	Inkjet & laser	~£12-15
Avery J8676	Full-face CD labels	50 labels (25 sheets)	Inkjet only	~£8-10
Avery L7760	Glossy full-face CD labels	50 labels (25 sheets)	Inkjet & laser	~£12-14
Herma 4460	Standard CD labels	50 labels (25 sheets)	Inkjet & laser	~£7-9

Avery L7676 is the one I always buy. Two CD labels per A4 sheet, with matching spine labels. Works with inkjet and laser, and — crucially — the free Avery design software has perfectly aligned templates for it.

Step 1: Design Your CD Label

Several options here, ranging from dead easy to a bit more involved:

Avery Design & Print (Free — My Recommendation)

Avery’s free online tool at avery.co.uk/software is the path of least resistance:

1. Open Avery Design & Print.
2. Search for your label product code (e.g., “L7676”).
3. Pick “CD/DVD Label” from the templates.
4. Design away — text, images, backgrounds, shapes, the lot.
5. The template is pre-aligned to the label sheet, so alignment is handled for you.

I use this for 90% of my CD labels because the alignment is spot on every time. No faffing about with margins.

HP Smart App

HP’s own app can print on label sheets, though it doesn’t have CD-specific templates. You’d need to:

1. Create your design in Canva, Photoshop, GIMP — whatever you like.
2. Size it to 120mm diameter with a 15mm centre hole.
3. Print via HP Smart, selecting the right paper size and type.

Works, but you’re doing the alignment yourself. More room for error.

Canva

Canva has CD label templates — search “CD label” in their template library, customise, download as high-res PDF, print.

Fair warning: Canva templates don’t always line up perfectly with specific label sheets. I learned this the hard way — wasted four label sheets before realising the template was about 2mm off. Always print a test on plain paper first.

Microsoft Word

Word has CD label templates, especially with the Avery add-in:

1. Mailings > Labels > Options.
2. Select Avery as the vendor, find your product number (e.g., L7676).
3. Design your label in the template.
4. Print.

A bit clunky compared to Avery’s own tool, but it works.

Step 2: Set Up Your HP Printer

Get these settings right before you print on your precious label sheets:

Paper Type

In your print dialogue, set the paper/media type to:

• Labels (if your printer offers it)
• Heavy Paper or Thick Paper
• Photo Paper — Matte (if the above aren’t available)

This slows the paper feed and adjusts ink coverage for the thicker label stock. If you leave it on “Plain Paper,” you’ll get smudging and potential misfeeds. Ask me how I know.

Print Quality

Set to High or Best. These labels are going to be held up close and looked at — you want them crisp. For any design with photos, use 600 dpi or higher.

Paper Size

Leave on A4. CD label sheets are standard A4 with the labels die-cut within.

Borderless Printing

Turn it off. CD label templates have their own margins built in. Borderless printing shifts everything and ruins your alignment.

Step 3: Print a Test Page

Do not skip this step. Seriously. This is the difference between nailing it first time and wasting £3 worth of label sheets.

1. Load plain A4 paper.
2. Print your CD label design.
3. Hold the printed sheet against a blank label sheet — hold them up to a window or desk lamp.
4. Check the alignment. Does your design sit perfectly within the label cut-outs?
5. If it’s off, adjust in your software and retest.

Only print on actual labels once the test is spot on.

Step 4: Print on Label Sheets

1. Load the label sheet into your HP printer’s main tray. On most HP printers, that means label side facing up (because the printer feeds face-down from the tray and flips the sheet). Check your manual if you’re not sure.
2. Feed one sheet at a time. Label sheets are thicker and the edges can catch. Loading a stack is asking for a jam.
3. Print your design with the settings from Step 2.
4. Let it dry for 30-60 seconds before you touch it. Inkjet ink on glossy stock needs that extra time.

Step 5: Apply the Label to Your Disc

This is where people cock it up. An off-centre label makes the disc wobble at high speed in the drive, which can cause read errors or even damage the drive over time. Not ideal.

Using a Label Applicator (Recommended)

A label applicator (about £5-10 on Amazon UK) centres everything perfectly:

1. Place the disc on the spindle, label side up.
2. Peel the backing off your printed label.
3. Place the label on the applicator, sticky side down, align with the guides.
4. Press down. Done.
5. Smooth out any air bubbles from centre outwards.

I’ve applied hundreds of labels this way. Never had one go wrong.

Without an Applicator

1. Peel the backing off.
2. Line up the label’s centre hole with the disc’s centre hole.
3. Lower the label onto the disc gently, starting from the centre and smoothing outwards.
4. Press out bubbles with a credit card or similar.

Be patient. Once the adhesive touches the disc, you can’t really reposition without wrecking the label.

Print Quality Tips

Use the Right Resolution

• Text-only labels: 300 dpi is fine.
• Logos and simple graphics: 600 dpi.
• Photos: 1200 dpi or maximum resolution.

Choose Glossy Labels for Photos

If your design has photographs, go glossy (Avery L7760 rather than the standard matte). The difference in vibrancy is massive — glossy labels make photos pop, matte labels make them look a bit flat and washed out.

Watch Your Ink Levels

CD labels guzzle ink, especially full-coverage designs with dark backgrounds. Check your levels before a batch. If you’re doing this regularly, an HP ink tank printer (like the HP Smart Tank 7605) will save you a fortune on ink compared to cartridges. For general printer-picking advice, see our guide on the best printer for infrequent use.

Skip the Full Black Backgrounds

I made this mistake on my first batch — a full-bleed black background across the entire label. Used a terrifying amount of ink and smudged like mad. Use dark grey (#333333) instead of pure black, or leave a thin white border. Looks nearly identical but dries properly.

Alternatives to Adhesive Label Sheets

Direct Disc Printing (Non-HP)

If you’re printing CDs in volume, a printer with a disc tray is the better option:

• Epson EcoTank ET-8550 (~£400 on Amazon UK) — Direct-to-disc printing with the EcoTank system for low ink costs.
• Canon PIXMA TS8350 (~£150-200) — More affordable, still has CD/DVD print support.

No peeling risk, no wobble from off-centre labels. Proper job.

LightScribe / LabelFlash

Remember these? The disc drive used its laser to etch designs onto special discs. Both discontinued now, but if you’ve got a compatible drive and some discs lying about, it still works for simple monochrome designs. Very 2008, but there’s a charm to it.

Disc Markers

For one or two discs where looks aren’t critical? A Sharpie. Not glamorous. Gets the job done.

Troubleshooting

Labels Are Misaligned

• Double-check you’re using the correct template for your label product code. L7676 and J8676 look similar but aren’t identical.
• Make sure “Fit to Page” or “Scale to Fit” is switched off — the design must print at exactly 100% scale.
• Check the label sheet is loaded the right way round.

Ink Smudges on Labels

• Switch to “Labels” or “Heavy Paper” media setting.
• Set quality to “High” — sounds counterintuitive, but higher quality settings apply ink more precisely and it dries better.
• Give labels 60 seconds before touching them.
• If it keeps smudging, try a different brand. Some cheapo labels have rubbish coatings that just don’t absorb inkjet ink properly.

Paper Jam with Label Sheets

• One sheet at a time. Always.
• Use the rear feed tray if your HP has one — it’s a straighter paper path, much better for thick label stock.
• Check no label edges are peeling up before feeding the sheet in. Even a tiny lifted corner will cause a jam.

Colours Look Wrong

• Run a print head cleaning cycle from HP Smart or your printer’s menu.
• Check ink levels — if cyan or magenta is low, your colours will shift noticeably.
• Set colour management to “Printer Manages Colours” or use sRGB.

Summary

Printing CD labels on an HP printer is genuinely straightforward once you know the method:

1. Buy Avery L7676 label sheets (the safe default).
2. Design your label in Avery Design & Print (free, perfectly aligned).
3. Set your printer to Labels/Heavy Paper, high quality, A4.
4. Print a test on plain paper first — don’t skip this.
5. Print on the label sheet, let it dry, apply with an applicator.

For a few pence per disc and five minutes of your time, you get results that look genuinely professional. I’ve been doing this for years and still get a little buzz when a freshly labelled disc comes out looking perfect.