Dana, I love my 400 and have had it for about 2 years. Once you get your label set up you shouldn't have a problem on the next label of the same size. I have a notebook and write down every number to be sure I put those same numbers back in the next time I want that same size label. Yes, you do waste at least 2-3 labels. I found if I wait until I have quite a few jobs to print, I just key them in one after another and you don't lose any labels except for the first one. Hope that makes sense. I think they are well worth the money. The ribbons aren't cheap when you have to re-order either. Good luck! Rae