Did you know that you can create mailing labels right in Address Book? No need for 3rd party label software!  Not only that, but Address Book will also print envelopes and contact lists as well.

First, create a Group for the addresses you want to mail. To do this, click the + at the bottom of the Group column and give it a name.  Then, drag the names into that Group.

Next, click on the Group, and choose File→Print (or Cmd-P).

In the middle of the screen is a Styles dropdown. Choose Mailing Labels.

Below that is a Layout button. Choose Avery Standard, and then the Label style from the next dropdown.

On the next button called Label, you can choose whether to print Home, Work, or Both addresses. You can also sort the labels alphabetically or by zipcode. There are even boxes to include the Company name, Country, or just Country if it’s outside the USA.

Further down, you can even select the Font, Color, and Size.

To print Envelopes, go back to the Styles dropdown and choose Envelopes. You can turn on and off your return address. Choose your envelope size and the orientation used by your printer’s manual feeder.

You can also print Address Lists to keep handy. Choose Lists from the Style dropdown. Choose your paper size, and then put checkmarks in front of the fields you want to include.

Here are a few printing suggestions as well:

1. Use your manual paper feeder for labels and envelopes instead of the main paper drawer.
2. Many printers have a door on back that you can open. Instead of the labels bending around the printer platen and possibly coming off, the sheet now has a straight path and will come out the back.
3. When printing labels, first print one copy of page 1 on regular paper. Place it over a blank sheet of labels and hold them both up to a light. Look to see if the addresses are centered on the label or if they overlap.  If necessary, go back to your printer settings and make adjustments so the text fits on one label.

Once you’ve selected all your options, click Print!