SHIPPING LABEL PRINTER GUIDE

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1 SHIPPING LABEL PRINTER GUIDE A Shipping label printer is a small printing device, about the size of a table phone and is used for printing tags for packages. These are used in homes, offices as well as businesses. There can, however, be slight differences in the design depending on the purpose of use. Most shipping label printers also have an inbuilt auto cutter to cut down the labels once the printing is done. This comes handy mainly in the commercial houses where the labels are printed in bulk. Generally, a label printer can print over tags measuring 4 by 6. This size may, however, vary depending on the size of the printer. The Best shipping label printer & thermal label printer for business will be found later in this review. Using a label printer is nowadays essential to be able to keep up with the high demand for printing various things like tags, receipts, labels, tickets, and more. The main technology that label printers use is the thermal printing method which has some benefits over other technologies that rely on ink and toner. Instead, they directly print onto thermal labels using heat. These self-adhesive thermal labels come in rolls and are very much inexpensive. An average roll can be used to print as many as 250 rolls. This method is therefore much more cost efficient to the conventional printing method that uses inks and toners. Read along and find the best shipping label printer for your needs. The most important aspect is the efficiency of output but there are other advantages like a lower cost of operation and maintenance. If you need a quality label printer for various applications, it s best to be mindful of certain things before you jump in and make a purchase. To find out which label printer is the right one for your needs, you have to be aware of the following: 1. Frequency of use If you are going to be using the printer only once in a while, it may not really be necessary to go for a high tech printer as most of the features will be underutilized and therefore not very profitable to the buyer. However, if you are going to be printing bulks on a regular basis, make sure that you are buying one that gives good performance on a long term basis. 2. Daily print volume

2 Finding the right label printer depends a lot on how many labels need to be printed on a regular basis. Think about the number of labels that you need to print and if the answer is a low number, then perhaps an entry-level machine is more suitable. On the contrary, if you have to print larger volumes of labels then getting a more professional machine will do the trick. This should be the most important consideration while buying printers. Low volume refers to about 100 prints per day or 500 in a week. Medium volume refers to prints in a day and high volume refers to more than 300 prints per day. If the printer does not have the capacity to take the required load, it may unnecessary malfunction while still being under the warranty period. 3. Resolution Thermal printing resolution is measured in dots per square-inch or DPI. The market offers some varied selections but usually, 200dpi is the standard resolution for most printers. For most applications like barcodes and larger text on the label, this resolution is sufficient. These machines also tend to be less expensive. However, there are also label printers that can give your labels a more professional finish with crisper details as they offer higher resolutions like 300dpi or you are printing detailed logos and barcodes, it is better to go for higher resolutions such as 600 dpi. These label printers are worth considering if you have a bigger budget and you want to make a really solid investment in the quality of your labels. Resolution is crucial when choosing the best shipping label printer for your needs. 4. Connectivity Most label printers on the market come with a standard USB connection to be able to transmit the data from a computer sitting close. This is the simplest way to realize a connection with a printer but there are other options too. In rarer circumstances, some machines offer wireless connectivity which can be helpful if you plan to print directly from a network or don t have a computer placed close to the printer. Some printers come as a standalone device with its own digital display. They also have an internal memory where you can store information about your contacts. Then there are other printers that have to be monitored via a streaming device such as phones, tablets and computers. The connection between the two can be made through Ethernet LAN or wireless LAN.

3 These are the main aspects to keep in mind when you re evaluating a label printer. To cut your research time even further, try looking at this nice selection of only the best products on the market. They ve been carefully analyzed and even though they have different prices, they re all considered worth the money and shouldn t be missed if you want to make a smart investment. 5. Support You can only be sure that you have got hold of the best label printer when you are fully aware of the support that is offered for your machine. Make it a point to check the warranty and the responsiveness of the customer support. Printers are an investment. So find out how long they are meant to last and whether or not you can have them repaired after the warranty period. Many printers start working slow after a couple of uses. If you are going to be using it frequently, this could be a major disappointment. You should consider the brand that you are buying from, reputable brands may cost more but they always deliver quality products. They also have a good customer support network in case you encounter any difficulties. 6. Performance Last but not the least, it is important to understand the performance of your machine. This would include checking out the features integrated into the machine and how compatible are they with your requirements. Get hold of the best label printer that will increase your productivity and not pose a hindrance.

4 Zebra ZP 450 Thermal Shipping Label Printer Zebra Technologies is one of the most reputable brands in the printing business. Their high level of customer support and their advanced technology solutions make their printers stand out from the competitors. Most oftenly, Zebra printers come with a repulsive price tag. Luckily, the Zebra ZP 450 is a very affordable solution. This printer is engineered with reliability in mind and even if it has a relatively low cost it has a very durable dual-wall framed construction. It also boasts an all-metal printhead that reduces the need for replacement parts and simplifies the maintenance process. The double-walled casing is made of ABS that provides good impact resistance. The open-access design facilitates loading of the media. In such a compact design, Zebra managed to fit in a powerful 32-bit processor that offers fast label throughput and plenty of flash memory to store lots of fonts and graphics for your projects. The maximum widths supported by this unit are 4.25 for standard desktop applications. Setting up this printing device can be done more easily thanks to the EPL2 and ZPL II programming languages which help to integrate it better with other Zebra printers. The versatility of this model is further extended by a peeler/dispenser option to meet a larger variety of applications. Parallel, serial, and USB ports enable good connectivity to a computer or other devices but you will need to buy the cables separately. Due to the presence of a reflective sensor, the printer is capable of detecting the gaps, notches, or black marks between labels and will print them more accurately. There s also a transmissive sensor which discovers when a roll has run out. Keep in mind that the rolls can have a maximum outside diameter of 5. Considering everything about the Zebra, the final verdict is generally positive but there are some flaws. The 203dpi resolution although helpful for maintaining a high printing speed, it s pretty basic for the price. Still, the machine compensates in other

5 areas especially in terms of construction which is one of the most durable you can find. Features of the Zebra ZP 450 Its greatest advantage is that it is thermal. No ink needed, you ll save lots of money in the long run. Easily connects to your computer using USB The Zebra ZP 450 drivers are available for download online. With other label printers, finding the drivers online can be close to impossible. With this printer, driver setup is extremely simple. Prints up to 4 6 thermal labels. Pros Extremely reliable Great support from a reputable brand One of the fastest printers printing up to 5 inches/second Best built quality on the market Works with both Windows & Mac Deemed the best shipping label printer in our test Cons Designed specifically for UPS WorldShip Can be difficult to customize for other uses if you re not tech savvy Setup can be lightly difficult

6 DYMO LabelWriter 4XL Thermal Shipping Label Printer Equipping your office with a label printer that can handle difficult tasks like a professional machine can make a huge difference in productivity. A label printer like the DYMO LabelWriter 450 is designed to save you a lot of time as it prints many types of labels quickly and efficiently. Thanks to the thermal label printing technology, it can also save you a lot of money in the long run as it doesn t require any ink or toner. This unit prints 40line standard address labels at an impressive speed that can reach values of 51 labels per minute. The included software can also help to speed up the creation and the printing process for a wide range of labels including address, barcode, and file folder labels. You can also use popular programs such as Microsoft Word and Mac Adress Book if you want to save some time and quickly print some customized labels. With this machine, you can eliminate the hassle and waste of sheet labels as it allows you to always print precise quantities. The labels and graphics can benefit a lot from the 600 x 300 dpi resolution which greatly enhances the details and makes the text easier to read. Setting up the machine is very simple as the software is intuitive enough and if you have some patience to read all the included user guides then you can be sure that all your questions will be answered. The machine is very reliable for printing but the fact that it lacks an on-off switch is a bit strange and the only way to completely turn it off is by pulling out the plug. Considering the printing abilities but also the sleek and compact design of the DYMO LabelWriter 450, this could make an extremely useful addition to every workplace. From detailed labels and name tags to well-defined graphics and barcodes, you can count on this device as it s able to deliver fast and reliable printing results, no matter the difficulty of the task.

7 Features of the DYMO 4XL This label printer allows you to customize your own labels. You can choose from the 60+ labels that come with the device or you can also create your own layouts and add logos and graphics. You can connect this printer to your PC and print tags directly from there. This printer has a very good pace and can easily print up to 53 standard lines in one minute It has a resolution of 300 dpi, which is good enough for barcodes and complex graphics You can store address info within the printer itself It runs on thermal print technology, thus cutting down the need for ink and toners Pros The customers can avail free tech support in case of any failure The brand provides a good customer support Very easy to operate and maintain Quick installation Prints at a very fast speed Good warranty period Cons The printer only accepts certain types of rolls If it stops in between prints, you will be required to restart all over again The replacement parts are not found very easily

8 Brother QL-820NWB Thermal Label Printer In case you decided to step up your label printing game and you wish to purchase a more professional model, the Brother QL-700 should be right up your alley. It prints labels at a staggering speed of up to 93 labels per minute and has an auto cutter for ensuring the most accurate finished edges. There are lots of features to get excited about in this label printer including the high resolution of printing. The speed of this printer is definitely one of its most important aspects worth discussing. It can tackle labeling tasks much quicker as it supports lightning-fast print speeds of up to 93 labels per minute. Big projects can be done more efficiently in this way. The resolution is also very decent, rendering text and graphics in a much more crisper manner up to 300 x 600 dpi. This machine can print pre-sized paper labels for common uses in any office. Some examples include file folders, DVDs, envelopes, and packages. As this is a versatile device, it can also print on continuous paper and is able to tape rolls for signs and banners with a maximum length of three feet long. Thanks to the built-in auto cutter, you can create virtually any label size you might need and you can get rid of the worry of unfinished edges as the final results will be much cleaner. Like many other Brother label printers, this one allows the switching of label types in just a few seconds. It achieves this by using a direct thermal printing mechanism which has easy drop-in tape rolls. You have no ribbon or ink to replace. The label printer automatically recognizes the roll size and will make the right adjustments to the label template. The Brother QL-700 offers a lot for the cost which doesn t seem that high when you start to place its features in a balance. To get the most out of this label printer is highly recommended to install the drivers before you get the special software called

9 P-Touch. This has great potential if you re looking for a high-speed label printer that adds a much more professional look to any labels you wish to print. Features of the Brother QL-820NWB It offers both serial and Ethernet connectivity It can be used together with a scanner Can print up to 93 labels in a minute It is very flexible given that it can be used to print not only labels, but also packages, envelopes, folders, and banners Good print resolution. Can be used for barcodes and graphics alike Has an auto cutter inbuilt into the device Very easy to install and operate Good warranty period Pros Quick pace You can change labels in a very short span of time You can customize your own labels Can print labels of all shapes and sizes Cons Very noisy The settings are a little difficult to understand in the beginning Does not have an AC adapter or detachable power cords May not be very convenient to carry around

10 ROLLO Thermal High Speed Shipping Label Printer Rollo s Shipping label printer is a commercial grade machine that offers a very reliable method to print your labels. Suitable for the most demanding conditions, this thermal shipping printer uses a special patent-pending design to boost the productivity of your label printing. As this device has been engineered for high volume shippers, it s fully compatible with all the biggest shipping couriers and selling platforms. The latest printing technology called direct thermal is used in this model and it s capable of producing high-quality labels for shipping without relying on any kind of ink or toners. It s nice that you can use the machine with virtually any direct thermal label. There s no need to get some overpriced labels that are only compatible with specific printers and therefore you can potentially save some money. With a single touch of a button, the device will automatically detect the size and the particular characteristics of your labels. When it s time to load new labels, you can certainly be amazed by the simplicity and quickness of the process. At a closer inspection, the label printer has a modern design and the manufacturer managed to create a nice fusion of portability and sturdiness. Although it looks compact, it can surpass your expectations when it starts printing with a staggering speed of up to 238 labels per minute on all four rows of labels. In terms of quality, the good news doesn t stop. The machine is able to print crystal clear labels that are similar in quality to those that major couriers require. It s compatible with all the important players in the shipping business including USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL. Taking into account how easy and hassle-free this device operates, it s safe to say that the Rollo label printer is a good recommendation for any small business owner. An impressive label printer in terms of both print quality and speed, this machine is great for saving a lot of time and money as you won t be needing any ink. An absolute game changer considering the price.

11 Features This Rollo shipping label printer is based on advanced technology and prints in very high definition. This makes it appropriate for printing small fonts as well as complex graphics. This is a thermal label printer, meaning that it does not use ink or toner but rather prints directly on thermal label sheets to produce the effect of printing. This reduces the need to replace cartridges every once in a and also make bulk printing easier It prints at a very fast rate. Can easily print up to 238 labels in one minute. This makes the machines very much functional in production houses. The machine comes in a sturdy design and has its own case so that it can easily be carried from point A to point B Pros The machine has received more positive reviews than negative reviews The installation process is very easy and does not take a lot of time In case of any difficulties during the installation and operation, you can refer the instruction manual which is very easy to follow. The instruction manual arrives via an when you avail the product. Company provides excellent tech support Cons This printer is not compatible with stamps.com, due to which you will have to resort to an alternative option like Shipstation, which in fact, is not as efficient as stamps.com and also a lot more complicated There are other printers in the range that give a better print quality