Operations
Vending Machine Slot Sizes: A Reference for Operators
There is no single vending machine slot or label size — it depends on the machine and what the label is for. These are the dimensions that come up most often, and how to measure yours when it is different.
Common sizes
| Label | Typical size | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Soda / drink selection label | 3.25 × 1.375 in | Selection strip on bottle and can machines |
| Candy / bulk machine label | 2.5 × 2.5 in | Product window on Vendstar-style machines |
| Price tag | 22 × 11 mm (approx. 0.87 × 0.43 in) | Beside a selection or on the coin mech |
| Snack machine label | 2–3 in wide, varies | Coil label holder |
| Machine sticker / branding | 2 × 2, 3 × 3 or 4 × 4 in | Front or side of the machine |
| Business card | 3.5 × 2 in | Standard US business card |
Print sheets for these are usually laid out on 8.5 × 11 in (US Letter) or A4 pages so they print at home without scaling.
The ready-made packs are built to these standards out of the box: soda machine labels at 3.25 × 1.375 in, candy machine labels at 2.5 in, and vending machine price tags at 22 × 11 mm.
How to find your machine's size
Measure the visible label area — the part a customer sees — not the full slot. Width first, then height. If the label sits behind a clear guard, measure the opening in the guard, not the guard itself. Write the numbers down; you'll reuse them every time you re-label.
Resizing a template
Every pack in the shop is a Canva template, so a different size is a quick fix:
- Open the template link in Canva.
- Use Resize (or File → Custom size) and enter your measurements with units.
- Nudge the text and graphics back into place if anything shifts.
- Download as PDF and print at 100% scale.
If you'd rather not do this yourself, the custom resize service will set any pack to your exact size for you.
Printing tips
- Always print at 100% / actual size — "fit to page" shrinks the labels.
- Use adhesive label sheets for strips with no plastic guard; plain cardstock for slide-in labels.
- Laser printers hold up better than inkjet if the machine location gets humid.
Related guides
- All vending business guides
- How to label a vending machine, step by step
- How much it costs to start a vending machine business
Sources
- OnlineLabels — label size guide.
- National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) — equipment and merchandising references.