What is a label printer?
Essentially, label printers have been specifically designed for printing self-adhesive labels. Unlike standard inkjet and laser printers, they print on special label rolls which are available in various formats and materials and can be operated from an integrated keyboard, smartphone app or PC/notebook software.
Label printer application areas.
Being intuitive to use, label printers are used for a host of applications areas, such as:
- Dispatch and logistics: Here, label printers are used to print shipping labels, accelerate returns management and print labels to identify warehoused goods.
- Heavy industries: Label printers are used in industrial settings to ensure products are labelled with relevant information and they also simplify batch and quality controls.
- Retail: Price tags, shelf labels and promotional signs are often created using thermal label printers.
- Healthcare: Label printers in healthcare settings allow medications and lab samples to be quickly identified.
- Office: Label printers support greater organisation and efficiency through, for example, labelling folders. You can even add your logo or addresses to envelopes.
- At home: Effortlessly label objects around the house with smaller label printers.
How does a label printer work?
Label printers allow the fast and efficient printing of labels in all kinds of formats and on all kinds of materials, utilising special print technology to do so.
Generally speaking, label printers leverage heat which is applied to the label role by the print head, but there are some models that use ink just like standard desktop printers.
There are several factors to consider before making an investment in a label printer.
- Print technology: Thermal direct, thermal transfer or ink depending on your team’s specific needs.
- Print resolution: Resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi) and describes how sharp labels and barcodes are when printed. With 300 dpi, you can be sure of detailed results.
- Print speed: This is labelled in labels per minute (lpm) or millimetres per second and is critical when it comes to efficiency, and depends on print volume, resolution and the technology used.
- Label materials and print width: Make sure to consider compatibility with various materials such as paper, film and polyester. You should also make sure the print width is compatible with your labels. Shipping labels, for example, are wider than office labels.
- Connectivity: Depending on your needs, you’ll require different connection options. USB is the standard, but WLAN and Bluetooth label printers are becoming increasingly widespread. If your printer will be stationary, an Ethernet interface is a good idea.
- Additional features: This includes automatic label dispensers, cutters or built-in RFID writers.
Types of label printers.
There are numerous kinds of label printers that differ in terms of print technology, speed, quality and resolution. To give you a better overview, we’ve summarised the three most important categories to consider.
Ink.
Ink-based label printers are a particularly popular choice for large, detailed printed images such as labels on product containers. They create photo-realistic printouts with a wide colour spectrum and are ideal when you need high print quality and flexibility. Contrary to thermal printing, print speed is a little lower, but it more than makes up for that in other ways:
- Colour printing: These label printers allow photo-realistic printouts with a wide range of colours.
- Application areas: Ink-based label printers are ideal where optically appealing labels and tickets are needed such as in retail outlets and event management.
- Connectivity: Label printers using ink come with numerous connectivity options such as USB, Ethernet, WLAN and Bluetooth to allow printing virtually anywhere.
Thermal direct.
Thermal direct printers work without ink or toner instead using heat and thermal paper with a special coating, which is heated by the print head turning it black to create images and text. While this process means colour printouts aren’t possible and heat sensitivity might be an issue, these kinds of printers do offer multiple advantages:
- Speed: The thermal direct method supports printing of several hundred labels a minute.
- Simplicity: thermal direct printers are easy to use and don’t require maintenance.
- Compact dimensions: These printers are compact, light and therefore flexible.
- Lower costs: These printers are usually more affordable than thermal transfer and inkjet printers.
- Durability: The printed labels are wipe and water resistant.
Thermal transfer.
Thermal transfer printers also use heat to help them print, but also have print ribbons which are heated so the colour is transferred to the label. Unfortunately, these kinds of printers can only print one colour at a time. If you want more, you’ll need to invest more in consumables and be aware that regular maintenance will be needed. There are, however, some benefits:
- Colour printing: Thermal transfer printers can print colours.
- Flexibility: They can print on various materials.
- Print quality: Thermal transfer printers produce a higher quality than thermal direct.
- Durability: The printed labels are extremely durable against water, scratches and UV radiation.
Buying label printers from Bechtle.
Whether in the office, warehouse or at home, label printers help you save time and effort. With premium products from brands such as Zebra, Epson and Brother, you’ll be able to produce professional labels for every need in a snap.
Visit our online shop or contact our experts for advice. Bechtle—IT solutions from a single source.
