Label printers are handy devices in any business or workplace since they allow to print barcodes, business cards, and especially shipping labels to send documents or items.
In this article, we will talk about the main types of label printers, the advantages of each, and also cover the best label printers you can find in the market right now.
Last update on 2024-04-08 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
What kind of printer is best for labels?
Currently, the printers most used by Couriers for printing adhesive labels are:
- Thermal transfer
- Direct transfer ones
The thermal transfer, and as its name says, transfers the black ink to the label with the help of heat. On the other hand, those of direct transfer, with the help of heat, generate a chemical reaction leaving the information marked on the paper.
Both label printers are used to identify your parcels but keep in mind each one has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The label produced by direct transfer has a higher resolution than the other. However, it can easily be damaged by heat, light or physical contact.
On the other hand, the thermal transfer printer has much longer useful life but requires a black ribbon in addition to the label roll.
The ribbon just mentioned is a silicone tape, where on one side of the tape there is “paint”, or wax or resin, or even the two things mixed together.
If you want to use this label to identify boxes in the cellar and/or to store them for a long time, you should use the other type.
If what your company needs the most is to print shipping labels, then a thermal printer looks like the best option.
After all, labels produced by this device will be more resistant to light, heat and physical contact, which are all things that will happen when the package is being handled.
Also check Wireless Printers For Small Offices.
Is there a wireless thermal label printer?
Yes. There actually are many models of thermal label printers that work with wireless technology.
Generally, you will be able to find these types of printers with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, so it becomes easy to print whatever it is that you need.
4 best wireless printers for shipping labels
Brother QL-1110NWB
Last update on 2024-04-08 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
If you need broader, longer labels, the QL-1110NWB is an excellent choice. It can print banners up to 9.8 feet long and supports die-cut and continuous-label media up to 4.09 inches wide (with a 4-inch printing area).
Labels may be printed at resolutions ranging from 100 to 600 dots per inch (dpi), and a built-in cutter at the end of the paper path automatically splits continuous paper labels. (According to Brother, the cutter has a lifespan of around 300,000 snips.)
Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth are all supported. You can create and print labels from PCs on your network as well as Apple iOS and Android mobile devices.
Brother’s P-touch Editor is a rather feature-rich WYSIWYG page-design application that includes its own font, border, and clip-art collections for sprucing up your labels.
P-touch Update Software and P-touch Address Book are both included. The latter is a database tool for keeping contacts as well as designing and printing mailing labels.
Pros
- Quick enough for medium-sized label projects
- Excellent print quality for a label printer
- Design is convenient
Cons
- Consumables are rather pricey per label
- There is no battery for mobile usage
- It is not possible to print pre-designed labels from the device
Alfuheim Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer
Last update on 2024-04-08 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
This is one of the best thermal label printers you can find at any retailer.
It enables the printing of any document using a mobile app named “FBA Print.”
You can import a PDF or picture file into the FBA Print easily send it to printing.
Printing at 150mm/s, this model is nearly twice as fast as other printers in the same category. Moreover, Advanced Thermal Direct technology eliminates the need for toner or ink.
Printing width can be changed so that labels with widths ranging from 1.57″ to 4.1″ become perfect for 4″ x 6″ shipping labels, warehouse labels, barcode and ID labels, bulk mailing labels, and other applications.
Pros
- Print via USB cable
- Fast and efficient
- Easy setup
Cons
- Software is a bit clunky
- The only wireless option is Bluetooth
DYMO Label Printer
Last update on 2024-04-08 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The DYMO Label Printer employs direct thermal printing technology. It includes DYMO software to aid in the speedy creation and printing of addresses.
This model counts with a labelling speed of 51 labels per minute and can produce and print barcode labels. It facilitates the direct production of labels from the text in Microsoft Word, Google Contacts, Excel, and other applications.
You can make labels in a range of sizes with the DYMO LabelWriter, and the label customization and printing are made simple.
More than allowing quick labelling, the DYMO Shipping Label Printer prints barcodes and artwork in crisp detail.
Its software is compatible with Windows and Mac.
Pros
- Amazing software
- Great quality
- Fast printing
Cons
- No dual-roll capacity
- Cannot print D1 plastic nor IND Industrial Labels
Rollo Label Printer
Last update on 2024-04-08 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
With an amazing full five stars rating on Amazon, Rollo Label Printer is probably the best label printer we can recommend for any business that needs to ship a lot of items or envelopes.
The ROLLO Label Printer is a high-speed commercial-grade direct thermal printer. It is compatible with any Thermal Direct Label, including free UPS labels.
This saves a lot of money that would otherwise be spent on labels. This USPS mailing label printer works with all major shipping systems and marketplaces, including Shopify, Amazon, eBay, ShippingEasy, and others.
Pros
- Thermal printing
- Incredible printing quality
- Automatic label identification
Cons
There aren’t seemingly cons to this label printer. It does the job it is supposed to do and is also not very expensive considering it is for commercial use.
Final Thoughts
It is not hard to get yourself a good label printer when you need to ship plenty of items, or you simply want to identify things in your office, etc.
The first printers selected for this review might probably fill the needs of small businesses, as well as personal uses.
The last printer, though, is a great option for larger businesses or if you want to pay more to have the ultimate quality.
