Create professional labels with barcodes, QR codes, and dynamic inventory data. Works with Dymo, Brother, Zebra, and any system printer.
The label designer gives you a drag-and-drop canvas where you place text, barcodes, QR codes, images, lines, and shapes exactly where you want them. Every element snaps to a grid for precise alignment, and you can resize, reposition, and layer elements visually.
Hold ⌥ (Option) while dragging an element to duplicate it. On iPad, long-press an element and choose Duplicate from the context menu.
StringsTheory ships with eight pre-configured Dymo label sizes that match the most common Dymo LabelWriter rolls. Select any template and the canvas automatically sizes to the exact label dimensions.
| Model | Size (W × H) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 30252 | 1.125" × 3.5" | Address labels, general inventory |
| 30336 | 1" × 2.125" | Small product labels, price tags |
| 30332 | 1" × 1" | Square QR code labels, small parts |
| 30346 | 0.5" × 1.875" | File folder labels, shelf tags |
| 30334 | 1.25" × 2.25" | Medium product labels, bin markers |
| 30258 | 0.875" × 3.5" | Mailing labels, equipment tags |
| 30256 | 2.3125" × 4" | Large shipping labels, box labels |
| 30333 | 0.5" × 1" | Tiny identification tags, cable wraps |
Dymo templates set the canvas to the exact printable area of each label roll. If you use a third-party compatible roll, the dimensions should still match as long as the roll size is the same.
Not using Dymo? No problem. You can create a label at any width and height in inches. This works with Brother DK-series, Zebra, Rollo, or any other label stock you feed through a thermal or standard printer.
Measure your label stock with a ruler or check the manufacturer's spec sheet. Entering the exact dimensions ensures your printed output lines up perfectly with no clipping or white-space gaps.
Every label is composed of elements you drag onto the canvas. Here is what you can add:
Text — Add static text or dynamic field placeholders. Configure font size (6pt–72pt), bold weight, and alignment (left, center, right). Multi-line text wraps automatically within the element bounds.
Barcode — Generate barcodes in three industry-standard formats:
Barcodes can display static values or pull dynamically from inventory fields like {barcode} or {sku}.
QR Code — Encode any text, URL, or dynamic field into a scannable QR code. Common uses include linking to a product page, encoding a serial number, or embedding a work order lookup URL.
Image — Insert images from your label image library. Upload logos, certification marks, or product photos that appear on the printed label. Images are embedded at print time at their original resolution.
Line — Draw horizontal or vertical separator lines to organize your label layout. Adjust thickness and color.
Rectangle — Add rectangular frames or filled boxes to group information visually. Useful for highlighting a price, drawing a border around a barcode, or creating a background region.
On thermal printers (Dymo, Zebra, Brother), color is rendered as grayscale. Keep your designs high-contrast (black on white) for best print clarity.
Dynamic fields are the core of what makes StringsTheory labels powerful. Instead of typing static text, insert a placeholder that gets replaced with real inventory data at print time. This means one label template works across your entire catalog.
StringsTheory supports over 20 dynamic placeholders:
| Placeholder | Description |
|---|---|
{itemName} | The item's display name |
{sku} | Auto-generated or custom SKU |
{internalSku} | Your internal reference code |
{barcode} | The item's barcode value (UPC, EAN, or custom) |
{serialNumber} | Serial number from production tracking |
{salePrice} | Retail sale price, formatted with currency symbol |
{unitCost} | Your wholesale or unit cost |
{category} | Top-level category name |
{subcategory} | Subcategory name |
{itemType} | Item type classification |
{location} | Storage location or bin number |
{quantity} | Current stock quantity |
{reorderPoint} | Low-stock threshold value |
{uom} | Unit of measure (ea, box, roll, etc.) |
{customerName} | Associated customer name |
{dealerName} | Dealer or distributor name |
{color} | Item or unit color |
{revision} | Product revision identifier |
{manufacturedDate} | Date of manufacture (formatted per your locale) |
{notes} | Item notes field |
You can combine static text with placeholders in a single text element. For example: Price: {salePrice} or {itemName} - {color}. The placeholders resolve at print time using the item currently selected in your print queue.
Every label design you save goes into your label library. The library gives you a centralized place to manage, organize, and reuse your label templates across your entire workflow.
Labels are stored locally in your SwiftData database and included in backups. If you use Cloud Sync (Annual plan), your label library syncs across all your devices automatically.
Production workflows often require two labels per unit — for example, a product label on the front and a serial/barcode label on the back, or a box label alongside an internal tracking label. StringsTheory's dual-label mode lets you assign two label designs that print side by side in a single print job.
A common dual-label setup for guitar builders: a 30256 (large) label for the shipping box with item name, customer, and barcode, paired with a 30332 (small square) QR code label affixed to the case or gig bag.
Before you send anything to the printer, the live print preview shows you exactly what will print. Dynamic field placeholders are resolved using the currently selected inventory item or production unit, so you see real data — not placeholder names.
What you see in the preview is what you get on the label. If text is clipping or a barcode looks too small, go back to the designer and adjust element sizes before printing.
When your label looks right in the preview, you have two output options: print directly to a connected printer, or export as a PDF file.
On iPad, the same print and export options are available via the share sheet. Tap the share icon in the preview toolbar and choose Print or Save to Files.
For high-volume printing, use the Print Queue to batch multiple labels and send them to your printer in bulk. The label designer is best for designing and one-off prints; the print queue handles production-scale output.