---
type: faq
title: "What does Rewind Direction refer to when it comes to roll labels?"
description: "Rewind direction sets which way the print faces as labels unroll, across 8 positions; hand users often pick #2, #3 or #4, while machines need a match."
resource: https://www.4over4.com/faqs/labels/what-does-rewind-direction-refer-to-when-it-comes-to-roll-labels
tags: ["Packaging & Labels", "faq"]
generated:
  by: "process:4over4-mapp-build"
  at: 2026-10-20T21:01:19.542Z
timestamp: 2026-10-20T21:01:19.542Z
sources:
  - resource: https://www.4over4.com/faqs/labels/what-does-rewind-direction-refer-to-when-it-comes-to-roll-labels
    title: "What does Rewind Direction refer to when it comes to roll labels?"
status: stable
---

# What does Rewind Direction refer to when it comes to roll labels?

The "Rewind Direction" (also called unwind direction, the two terms are used interchangeably) refers to which way the label printing is "right side up" as you unroll your labels to apply them to your products. There are eight possible rewind directions in total: positions 1 to 4 are wound with the print facing out, and positions 5 to 8 are wound with the print facing in. If you are hand applying your labels, the choice is flexible: rewind #2 or #3 is most common for right-handed users, and rewind #4 is the favorite of left-handed users. For automatic or semi-automatic label applicators, the rewind direction is critical, so match the position to your machine.

Rewind direction sets which way the print faces as labels unroll, across 8 positions; hand users often pick #2, #3 or #4, while machines need a match.

[Order Labels](https://www.4over4.com/labels-printing)

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