The best way to recommend the right barcode label printer is to first start with:
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The biggest question we receive is “Which printers connect to Reftab?” Luckily, Reftab finds all printers connected to your computer.
To answer the question, the biggest thing to look for is that it will connect to your computer.
Most printers have a USB connection, however, some are Bluetooth only.
The biggest factors of a printer are Print Speed, Resolution and Warranty.
If you are printing labels in bulk, you’ll obviously want a faster printer. This in turn leads to a more expensive printer.
Depending on the size of the labels you may need a printer that has a resolution of 300 DPI (dots per inch).
Labels with a logo, or even smaller tags would need this resolution to be readable. However, simple and larger tags can be perfectly fine with 180 DPI.
Be sure to check what voids this warranty, some brands will void warranty if you aren’t using their specific labels.
A good warranty is make or break when it comes to any equipment purchase. Generally, printers come with a 1 to 2 year warranty.
The brands we hear the most are Zebra, DYMO, and Brother.
In our experience, Zebra is on the higher end of equipment (good quality, high price tag).
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DYMO and Brother have options for a lower price point. Keep in mind, these lower price points generally lack the same quality as Zebra, for instance.
Now that you know what to look for, and have a better idea of the brands. Let’s get into 5 options you have:
Avery has been a leading brand when it comes to label printing. Their labels are roughly $0.03/label depending, of course, with how many you are purchasing. They work with the printer you have now, so no need to install any extra drivers. You will need to tinker with your format to be sure they are going to look correct. You can check our guide here, for more information on that. The biggest draw to Avery Sheets is the ability to print color. The printers below are Thermal Printers, only capable of printing in black.
The most expensive option on this list will be the ZD410. It can print roughly 3 labels per second so it also the fast option in this list. The resolution is 203 DPI which is lower than a couple of the other options but still pretty good quality. It is also extremely versatile when it comes to connection. This model includes USB, Bluetooth and Ethernet. It also includes an extensive 1 year warranty.
The QL-810W is a solid option when it comes to printing labels. The setup on Mac Devices may be slightly difficult but we do have clients that have been able to complete it. The printing speed is just under 2 labels per second, so not much slower than the printer above. It offers both USB and Wireless printing. At 300 DPI just about any size label will be printed in pretty good quality. The 2 year warranty is on the longer end of the warranties available which is another selling point in Brother’s favor.
MUNBYN is a slightly less known brand when it comes to label printers, however, this particular model does perform well. It has a print speed of just under 3 labels per second, right on par with the Zebra listed above. The 203 DPI also matches the Zebra, the difference here would be the connectivity. The P941 only comes with USB connection, the guide to install doesn’t seem to be that helpful either. If you are good with technology you shouldn’t have an issue, but if you run into an issue the guide isn’t the most helpful. It comes with a 1 year warranty that should cover most everything that can go wrong within that first year.
Dymo is another leading brand when it comes to label printers. This particular model prints around 1 label per second, slightly slower still. It does, however, print in 300 DPI which gives you crisp labels. LabelWriter 550 offers USB connection only. The biggest downside to DYMO printers is the need for DYMO brand labels. The printers either do not work without their branded labels or use of another brand completely voids the warranty. Something to keep an eye on as DYMO brand paper can be on the more expensive side.
The P-Touch from Brother is worth mentioning because of its price point alone. This may be one of the cheapest printers on the market. The biggest drawbacks here are the speed, 2 seconds per label, the DPI is the lowest at 180, it also has the tendency to waste paper as there is a long lead before the label and a slightly long trail after the label. It does however, come with a 2 year warranty.
You know you need barcode labels, but you’re not seeing what you need in the list of stocked labels. Perhaps you have a special size or shape in mind. Maybe you need a colored logo or graphic printed on the labels. Or you’re just not sure a standard label will survive what you need it to. Here are the 5 things you need to know when you go to get a custom label quote This is perhaps the most important question to ask. There are many factors that will determine the best label for your needs.All these things make a difference in what types of substrates and adhesives should be considered when choosing your custom label.A label can be made to pretty much any size, however, if your “customization” is, say, just a special adhesive, you may be able to save money by not needing a new tool made. Label manufacturers have thousands of different dies (also called tooling) already made. If a new die has to be made for a label, the cost can range from a few hundred bucks to a few thousand, depending on the label. If you want the label to be 2.0625” x 1.125”, could you use a standard size such as 2.0” x 1.0”?Custom labels can be entirely preprinted and shipped to you ready to use, or you can order blank rolls and do the barcode printing yourself. You can even have a partial preprint done at the label manufacturer, such as a color logo or special text, and you would just print the barcode yourself. The type of printer you have makes a difference in the materials available for the custom label. Is it a Thermal Transfer printer or a Direct Thermal printer? Desktop or Industrial? This is something the label manufacturer needs to know upfront in order to get you the right label.As with most things, the more you buy, the less per item you pay. Custom labels are no different. With the manufacturing process, many factors are taken into account when pricing custom labels. The time it takes to set up the press, the waste material, actual press run time, material minimums, etc., are all considered when quoting a custom print job. It actually does cost more to run 1,000 labels than it does to run 50,000 labels. It is usually more cost efficient if you buy in larger quantities. If you don’t want to pay for them all upfront or don’t have anywhere to store them, System ID offers an Agreement to Purchase Blanket Order . This is a contract, usually for one year, which basically says System ID will make and hold your labels and you call them out as needed, paying as they ship.Custom labels are just that… custom. They are not already made, sitting on a shelf, ready to be pulled and shipped out for overnight delivery. The custom quote alone takes anywhere from 24 – 72 hours to complete. Once you decide to order, lead times can be anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks depending on the label. If there is any preprint, you have to allow for artwork and proofing time. That goes for any special die shapes too – a line drawing is done before die is ordered to make sure it is exactly what you need. This is another good reason to consider Blanket Orders from System ID! You only have the 1-3 week lead time on your initial order, and since System ID is holding the rest of your labels, you can call them out for overnight shipment from then on. I could probably write an entire book on the different types of custom labels and applications, but I won’t bore you with that just yet! Just think about it for a minute… there is a label on just about everything! The key is, finding the perfect fit. The barcode people at System ID can help you, so don’t lose any sleep worrying about your labels!
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