import javax.swing.JCheckBox; public class Main { public static void main(String[] argv) throws Exception { JCheckBox checkbox = new JCheckBox(); String label = "<html><table cellpadding=0><tr><td><img src=file:" + "icon.gif" + "/></td><td width=" + 3 + "><td>" // Retrieve the current label text + checkbox.getText() + "</td></tr></table></html>"; // Add the icon checkbox.setText(label); } }