Label printers are a cost-efficient way to organize your inventory. Whether you’re looking for labeled raw materials, work-in-progress items, or finished goods, label printers can help streamline the process of labeling everything from boxes to clothing tags.
Label printing is an essential task for keeping track of all your products’ information and their location so that they don’t get lost, among other things, on shelves or warehouse racks. They also help keep people informed about what’s inside each package without opening them up (which could lead someone not familiar with its contents into accidentally breaking something).
Organizing inventory is vital for the retail business, especially with so many types and quantities of merchandise that need to be labeled appropriately. With accurate labeling in storage spaces or on display shelves, retailers can better organize their inventories and keep track of it during manufacturing processes after production has taken place. A label printer is the best way to go if you need your labels in a jiffy! These days, we’re all too busy with hand-writing and labeling. With so many different types of inventory that require differently sized labels, why not let an automatic machine do it? It’s easier than ever with just one click on the computer screen.
How are you going to label all your assets? I recommend a thermal label printer, which does not need ink cartridges. Some models can print on polyester, nylon, and plastic labels – these types of printers would be great in any business where labeling is needed, like organizing inventory or tracking supplies.
Therefore, to do our part to help out, we’ve compiled a list of 19 of the Best Thermal Label Printers on the market today and will go through some of their features to help you decide which one is right for you and your organization.
Best Thermal Label Printers of 2021
Printing labels for your products is often necessary but can be a headache, especially when there are so many options to choose from. Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge needed to make an informed choice on which printer will best meet your needs and keep you coming back again and again.
To find the perfect thermal label printer, it’s essential that those looking have enough information to avoid making a wrong decision or wasting their time going through too much of what they don’t need. With this guide, we’ll tell you about some things worth keeping in mind and help arm you with all of the knowledge required!
1. Rollo – Best Overall Thermal Label Printer
The Rollo label printer is a direct thermal printer that can print labels reliably and quickly at a speed of about 150 millimeters per second. Though this is a direct thermal printer, its labels are still reliably made enough to be readable and scannable. It can take in either rolls or stacks of 4-inch x 6-inch label paper, giving some added convenience. However, if you plan to feed the printer rolls of labels, those labels must have perforations between them.
Compatibility
Because it is a direct thermal printer, it is primarily suited for creating shipping labels. To this end, it is compatible with a vast range of shipping platforms, including Endicia Dazzle, ShipStation, ShippingEasy, Shippo, ShipWorks, Ordoro, marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, Easy, and Shopify; and couriers like USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
It prints mainly 4-inch x 6-inch shipping labels, though it can print labels up to 4.1 inches wide.
Verdict
If you look to print shipping labels quickly, this printer is an excellent and affordable choice. We recommend it for that purpose. However, if you want labels that will last, go for something else.
- Fairly inexpensive
- Great for printing 4-inch x 6-inch shipping labels and short-term barcodes
- Compact size
- Prints quickly
- It is a direct thermal printer, meaning that labels tend to fade with time
- Only really useful for shipping labels and similar things
2. MUNBYN – Best Thermal Printer for Shipping Labels
MUNBYN is a label printer featuring several robust features that make it one of the most versatile thermal label printers on the market. Being a thermal printer, you will not need to add ink for printing purposes.
MUNBYN label printer measures 7.7 x 3 x 3 inches and weighs 3.39 pounds, making it one of the lightest label printers you can have for your business. Its size and weight also make it easily portable in addition to taking just a small space on your office table.
The installation and setup of this label printer are a no-brainer. Its one-click installation eliminates all the complexities that come with installing most electronics. Moreover, it only has two buttons to make it easy for anyone to operate.
With this label printer, you will easily print up to 700 sheets continuously. It only pauses automatically for 5 minutes to protect against overheating before continuing with the printing. The automatic detection of the labels’ size and characteristics and easy loading make this printer user-friendly.
Heat dissipation function
With this printer, you can create custom print labels directly for application areas such as tax receipts, bookstores, bakeries, hospital medical, toll stations, supermarket chains, the clothing industry, etc. It works with all Windows and Mac systems to make it one of the most versatile label printers on the market. However, it does not support the Chrome OS system.
The label printer analyzes and learns your labels with continued use to bring convenience to your business operations. It is perfect for thermal-direct labels, such as shipping labels, warehouse labels, UPS, Amazon FBA labels, and Food Nutrition labels.
MUNBYN label printer also works perfectly with major shipping and sales platforms labelings, such as Etsy, Fedex, ShippingEasy, Poshmark, eBay, Shopify, Amazon, Ordoro, ShipStation, and Shippo, among others.
Once you insert your label, the printer automatically holds it and feeds it into the printer. However, the print labels should be from 1.7 inches to 4.1 inches wide. These labels, which are the most suited for shipping and warehouse labels, are the only ones that the printer produces. The printer produces the labels at a printing speed of 150mm/s.
Verdict
If you are looking for a thermal label printer that is easy to install and set up, works on Mac, and comes at a lower price than the Arkscan 2054A, we recommend MUNBYN thermal label printer.
- Affordable, dependable, and fast
- Easy to set up and use
- Compact and lightweight design with good quality printing
- Compatible with both windows and mac system
- Setup with the Mac system is a bit tricky.
3. DYMO LabelWriter 4XL – Best Printer For Large Labels
The DYMO LabelWriter 4XL Label Printer can print large shipping labels up to 4 inches x 6 inches in size, and its software allows you to select from more than 60 different label templates. It can print shipping labels and stamps from entities like DYMO Stamps, eBay, Amazon, Etsy, and its DYMO stamps are all USPS-approved.
Speed
You load the printer with rolls that contain 1050 labels per roll, and it can create labels at an impressive maximum speed of 129 labels per minute, depending on the kind of label you choose to print. 4-inch x 6-inch shipping labels take about 3 seconds each to print, though.
Compatibility
It is compatible with Quickbooks and Microsoft Office software, though it cannot print UPS-approved labels and only supports label paper from DYMO.
Verdict
We recommend this printer if you need to print large quantities of shipping labels quickly. Do not buy it if you ship with UPS, though.
- Has over 60 available label templates
- Prints USPS-approved stamps
- Prints up to 129 labels per minute
- Compact
- Relatively inexpensive
- Only supports labels from DYMO
- Not compatible with UPS labels
4. Polono – Best Affordable Thermal Printer
The Polono Label Printer is the perfect solution to your shipping and warehouse labeling needs. It’s fast, reliable, and easy to use. This printer has been designed for high-speed printing, printing 72 labels per minute.
The printer has a one-minute setup that saves you time and hassle. It’s compatible with all major shipping platforms, including USPS mailboxes or Amazon FBA shipments – so no matter what product it is printing out of your warehouse (or wherever).
Automatic label detection
The Polono label maker is equipped with an intelligent paper return function, which allows it to pick up and feed your labels automatically. This adaptable product supports a wide range of widths ranging from 1.57″ (40 mm) to 4.65″ (118 mm), so you’ll always be able to find one that suits your needs
Verdict
The Polono Label Printer is a high-speed, reliable, and easy-to-use device perfect for your shipping and warehouse labeling needs. It supports a wide range of widths and is eco-friendly with advanced direct thermal technology. Plus, it has a one-minute setup time so that you can save time and hassle.
- Fast printing speed
- Compatible with all major shipping platforms
- Supports a wide range of widths
- The device driver sometimes causes a blue screen in Windows
- Some users find it not very easy to set up on Mac
5. AOBIO X4 – Best 4×6 Thermal Label Printer
The Aobio X4 Label Printer has been designed exquisitely and is the perfect size to fit on your desk. It’s compatible with Mac OS (10.9 and higher), Windows(XP and higher), and major e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Esty, PayPal, etc.
This label printer can print at speeds up to 152mm per second and with a high resolution of 203 dpi. It can print in different sizes, making it great for any business situation. With direct thermal printing technology, Aobio needs only thermal labels you can purchase anywhere. There’s no need for any toner or ribbon either.
The thermal printer head is protected from overheating by a commercial-grade heat dissipation design, keeping foreign objects out of your printer.
Verdict
The Aobio X4 Label Printer is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a high-resolution, fast printer. It’s easy to set up and use and compatible with many platforms. The built-in automatic catching mechanism prevents wasted labels, making it a great choice for businesses.
- Fast printing
- Compatible with many platforms
- Built-in automatic catching mechanism prevents wasted labels
- Thick cords
6. iDPRT SP410 – Best Thermal Label Printer for Mac
The iDPRT SP410 is a good solution to your shipping needs. It’s fast, efficient, and easy to use. With 5.9inches/s (150mm/s) high-speed printing technology, this label printer can print 72 sheets of 4×6 labels per minute, improving your working efficiency considerably. Supporting the width of 2″ (50mm)-4.25″ (108mm) and the length of 1″ (25mm)-11.81″ (300mm), this shipping label printer can meet needs on various platforms, including UPS, USPS, eBay, Amazon, Shopify, etc.
The iDPRT printer is designed to print on various label types, including stack and roll labels. The machine has a 10,000-print monthly duty cycle. The print head may stably produce 160,000 standard labels. Thanks to sophisticated thermal direct technology, this label printer can print without using toner or ink.
Design
The DPRT SP410 label printer is durable and textured, with a beautiful design. The adapter is built-in, so you won’t have to worry about the external charger getting messy or needing to be plugged in and out.
The shipping thermal label printer is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. With the free Bartender Label Editing Software, you can easily create any labels you want to print.
Verdict
The iDPRT SP410 is a speedy and efficient label printer, useful for any business. The printer’s beautiful design makes it stand out from other printers on the market. The machine is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, making it easy to use for various people.
- Speedy and efficient
- Beautiful design
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems
- Some users find the cordes short
7. DYMO LabelWriter 550 – Best Budget Thermal Label Printer
The DYMO LabelWriter 550 Label Printer is the next generation of the DYMO LabelWriter 450 series. It is 20% faster than its predecessor.
The LabelWriter 550 is a label printer that automatically recognizes the size, type, and a number of remaining labels. It’s easy to use with an intuitive design so that you can get started right away without any complicated setup required.
DYMO Connect software
The free DYMO Connect desktop program allows you to create and personalize 60+ types of labels through the USB connection. Additionally, DYMO Connect also provides quick and easy access to the latest software updates available for your label printer.
The label printer only works with genuine DYMO labels: it only accepts high-quality, BPA-free DYMO Authentic LabelWriter labels, and paper labels are made from FSC® certified material.
Verdict
The DYMO LabelWriter 550 Label Printer is a great solution for anyone looking for an easy-to-use, small, and compact printer. The free DYMO Connect desktop program allows you to create and personalize 60+ types of labels, and the printer only works with genuine DYMO labels. Additionally, the label printer is 20% faster than its predecessor, the DYMO LabelWriter 450 series.
- Free DYMO Connect desktop program
- 60+ types of labels
- Faster than the DYMO LabelWriter 450 series
- Only works with genuine DYMO labels
8. K Comer – Cheap Shipping Label Printer
The K Comer Shipping Label printer uses the newest Thin-film direct thermal printing technology, allowing for faster and more reliable printing. With a 203DPI resolution, it can print labels with a width range of 1.57 to 4.3 inches and a height range of 1 inch to 11.8 inches, which are compatible with most shipping and mailing labels.
Features
The Comer 4×6 label printer comes with the company’s newest high-temperature print head, which can continuously produce labels up to 500,000 PCS before needing replacement. In addition, the printer requires no toner or ink, nor do they require ribbon; all you need are thermal papers.
Multi-system and multi-format friendly
Comer CX418 label printers run on all versions of Windows and Mac OS. It takes only a minute to set up. CX418 can print direct thermal labels in a variety of sizes, including 4″ x 6″ shipping labels, warehouse labels, barcode labels, product labels, address labels, ID tags, market tags, and so on.
Customer Service
As a gift, the Comer thermal printer comes with a label holder and a USB disk. The driver, installation instructions, setup guidelines, and user handbook are all included in the package. The customer care team can assist you with any issues you may have at any time. Technical assistance is available for free and without warranty.
Verdict
The K-Comer 4×6 Shipping Label printer is perfect for small businesses, home offices, and everyone in between who needs to quickly and easily print labels. Thanks to its fast printing speed, easy installation, and compatibility with various label sizes, the K-Comer 4×6 Shipping Label printer is an excellent investment.
- Long print head life
- Fast printing speed
- Compatible with a variety of label sizes
- Intelligent Paper-Return feature minimizes thermal paper waste
- Free technical assistance
- Lack of ChromeOS support
- Doesn’t work well with Mac
9. LabelRange LP320 – Best Warehouse Label Printer
The LabelRange LP320 is a label printer that may print labels in various sizes from 1.57″ to 4.72″ wide and high, ideal for 4″ x 6″ shipping, warehouse, barcode, Amazon FBA labels and product labels, address stickers, ID tags, and more. You may print any direct thermal labels, such as UPS. There are no specific requirements for this. There is no need for ink or toner, or ribbon.
The printer recognizes your label’s size, gap, and properties and places it at the tear-off line as soon as possible. There is no need to waste the first label. It has a 6in/sec printing speed, which can print up to 60 4″ x 6″ shipping labels per minute.
Сompatibility
The LabelRange LP320 is compatible with Windows (XP and later) and Mac OS (10.9 and later). Not compatible with smartphones, tablets, or Google Chromebooks. For a new Macbook with a TYPE C port, connect it to the printer using a USB C to USB B printer cable.
To begin, you’ll get a USB disk and 100 4″, 6″, or 8″ fan-fold labels from the LabelRange. Technical Help is available for 24 hours via phone and email from the manufacturer.
Verdict
The LabelRange LP320 is a great and simple alternative to more expensive and complex thermal label printers on the market. It works for any type of direct thermal label, including UPS labels, compatible with both Windows and Mac OS machines. In addition, the product package includes a USB disk and 100 fan-fold labels to get you started. This makes it an excellent value for the price, especially for warehouse use.
- Compatible with a wide range of labels
- 100 fan-fold labels included for easy label printing out of the box
- Up to 12 hours of continuous operation
- Doesn’t work with Microsoft Surface tablet PC
10. Jiose – Best Thermal Printer for Food Labels
Jiose label printing machine is a great device for everyday label printing tasks, including food labels. It may be used with various thermal direct label sizes, including 1.57″ to 4.25″, and offers address labels, barcodes, storage labels, and other kinds of information printing capabilities. It is compatible with almost all transportation and e-commerce systems.
The Jiose is a label printer with an average print speed of 86 labels per minute and can print 300,000 standard labels consistently. It has a 203dpi resolution and prints at 4ips (inches per second).
The Jiose printer automatically detects your label’s size, gap, and features and places it at the tear-off line. There is no label paper wasted. This device is suitable for any direct thermal labels up to 4.25″ wide. The label printer is compatible with both Windows and Macs.
ROHM Ceramic thermal print head
With the ROHM Ceramic thermal print head, the Jiose label printer achieves up to 162mm/s printing speed with clear quality. It reduces unnecessary time-wastage and is perfect for any business looking to save money on costly materials. There is no need for ink or toner because the printer uses the direct thermal printing method.
Verdict
If you’re looking for an affordable device that can print high-quality labels quickly and easily, the Jiose label printer is a great option. It’s compatible with various systems and offers a wide range of printing capabilities, making it perfect for any business or individual. Plus, its sleek design means it won’t take up too much space on your desk. So, if you’re in the market for a quality label printer, the Jiose is worth considering.
- Great value for money
- Compatible with most label sizes
- Fast label printing compared to other portable label printers
- Sleek and compact design
- Lack of support for ChromeOS, Surface tablets, iPads, and mobile phones
11. Zebra ZSB-DP14 – Best Wireless Thermal Label Printer
The Zebra ZSB label printer is an excellent solution for your business. It’s wireless, cloud-connected, and has guided Bluetooth mobile setup – no USB, no cables, no problem! You can print crisp, clear labels with 300 DPI resolution that prints up to 73 address labels per minute.
ZSB Series recycling label cartridges
The ZSB printer uses exclusive drop-in label cartridges that are simple to load/unload and are entirely recyclable. The Desktop and Mobile App workspaces show you real-time information about the label cartridge size presently in the printer, as well as how many labels you have left in your cartridge.
Label Designer app
With the browser-based Label Designer application, you can create the perfect label in just a few clicks. You’ll be able to print them on Mac or Windows computers as well as Android and iOS mobile devices.
Mobile features
The printer is a mobile, Wi-Fi-enabled device with an Android or iOS that allows users to print from anywhere. The user can crop and rotate images and create shipping labels right on their phone.
Verdict
The Zebra ZSB printer is a great choice for businesses who want a wireless, cloud-connected label printer with an easy Bluetooth mobile setup. It prints crisp, clear labels at 300 DPI resolution and has a recycling label cartridge system. The Label Designer app makes it easy to create custom labels, and the printer is compatible with Microsoft Office and Google Contacts. It also has mobile features that allow users to print from anywhere.
- Wireless
- Cloud-connected
- Easy Bluetooth mobile setup
- Prints crisp, clear labels at 300 DPI resolution
- Recycling label cartridge system
- Mobile features allow users to print from anywhere
- Because this is a wireless printer, it does not have a USB connection.
12. JADENS – Best Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer
Are you looking for a 4×6 thermal label printer that works via Bluetooth connection? The JADENS wireless shipping label printer is your answer. This high-tech thermal printing system uses no ink or toner, so there’s no messy cleanup involved. It also works with fanfold labels and roll labels, which means you can use it for all kinds of shipping needs. Plus, it comes with an extra 50 sheets of labels.
The JADENS label printer has a Japanese high-tech thermal print head and 203 DPI high printing quality. It’s compatible with Windows 8 and later via Bluetooth or USB, Mac OS X 10.9 or later via only USB, Android & iOS, via Bluetooth with the “Shipping printer” app.
Wide usage
The JADENS thermal label printer is used to print labels from various marketplaces and shipping carriers, including Endicia, Dazzle, ShipStation, Shippo, Shopify, eBay, Amazon. The device is convenient for making shipping labels, warehouse labels, and market labels for your online boutique. It’s great for shipping items using your online small business.
Verdict
If you are looking for a thermal label printer that can print via Bluetooth connection, the JADENS wireless shipping label printer is a great option. It comes with an extra 50 sheets of labels and has a Japanese high-tech thermal print head with 203 DPI printing quality. It is compatible with various platforms, plus it has a one-year warranty.
- Japanese high-tech thermal print head
- No ink or toner is required
- Works with iOS and Android platforms via Bluetooth connection
- Can print via USB and Bluetooth connection
- Can’t print via Bluetooth from Mac OS
- Can’t print PDF from Samsung Galaxy
- Lack of Linux support
13. Arkscan 2054A – Another Great Thermal Label Printer
Arkscan 2054A is a multifunctional printer designed to print shipping labels, barcode labels, product labels, and other labels intended for other purposes. The labeler can print documents between 0.75-inches and 4.25-inches in maximum width. The length of the documents has to be between 0.4-inches and 90-inches. It accepts roll paper, which you can load inside the printer’s chambers, or a fanfold paper that you can load from the back of the printer.
To make the 2054A labeler diverse, it comes with a 2054A- USB, allowing users to connect it to a desktop or laptop. It also supports Ethernet and WiFi with 2054A-LAN to make it networkable and allow you to print right from your tablet or smartphone.
The label printer measures 6.5H x 8.3W x 9.4D inches and weighs 4.8 pounds, thus making it one of the lightest label printers on the market. Like its peers, the 2054A operates mainly from smartphones, PCs, Laptops, tablets, and other computing devices.
Although the 2054A-LAN model doesn’t have a control panel, it comes with a power button and a release button for opening the hatch that houses the label media rolls. Besides supporting the rolls, the 2054A-LAN also supports folded stacks of die-cut labels, which you can either hold in a feeder bin or pile just behind the printer.
Label printing
The Arkscan 2054A prints at a speed of 5 inches per second, making it ideal for fast printing several piles of labels. With its thermal-direct technology, you will not have to keep refilling a toner or ink to complete your tasks. As long as you have any thermal label papers with you, you are good to go. The thermal label papers may include FedEx or UPS free shipping labels that come in 4 x 6 niches, 4 x 8.25 inches, and 4 x 6.75 inches.
With this label printer, you can print a shipping label from eBay, Amazon, Shopify, ShipGator, Etsy, EasyPost, UPS WorldShip, Stamps.com, ShipWorks, Shippo, ShippingEasy, and ShipStation, among others. Moreover, it comes with a free software of BarTender and UltraLite label-making Windows-based software. It contains the most commonly used label designs and print features such as graphics, barcodes, complete design for text, and most serializing capabilities.
Verdict
The label printer is compatible with Zebra LP2844, allowing you to print from various software that Zebra label printers could exclusively use. Most of the setup and printing arrangements require less than a minute to set, making this label printer one of the most user-friendly models you can find on the market. Coupled with how reasonably priced it is, we highly recommend this label printer!
- Value for money
- Excellent print quality
- Dependable and reliable technical support
- Easy to install and use
- Poor-quality small font size printing
- Lacks Mac software
14. Zebra – GK420d – Powerful Label Printer
The Zebra GK420d is a powerful printer that features USB, Ethernet, and WiFi connectivity. It can print about 127 millimeters, or 5 inches, of label per second and does so at a resolution of 203 DPI, which is sufficient for all shipping labels and barcodes. The resolution quality is not top-notch, but it’s more than enough for most purposes.
It’s fast and energy-efficient, making it ideal for shipping warehouses, retail stores, and other places requiring large quantities of receipts or shipping labels. It can print labels up to 4.09 inches wide. The only significant downside is that this printer is substantially more expensive than we have considered here.
The Zebra GK420d has a built-in diagnostic system that monitors the printhead’s temperature and prevents it from overheating, informing the technician if the temperature exceeds the allowable limits. The recommended label rate on the Zebra GK420d is up to 4,000 labels per day.
Verdict
You will have to shell out more cash for this printer than most of its kind, though it is very efficient. Cheaper alternatives are available. Only buy if you have the money to spend.
- Features USB, Ethernet, and WiFi connectivity
- Prints labels quickly with acceptable resolution for shipping
- Prints larger labels than many desktop thermal label printers
- Expensive
15. Phomemo PM-246 – Good Value for Money
If you are on a budget but in need of a fast, reliable, and heavy-duty thermal label printer, the Phomemo PM-246 might be your best pick. The label printer will help you save money while creating and printing cost-effective labels for packages, shipping, postage, file folders, and envelopes.
If you are a heavy shipper, this label printer comes in handy because it can print up to a 4-inch width label with a 6-inch printing speed per second. Moreover, it can work non-stop for more than 12 hours. It will also allow customization of labels directly from any application you are using, in addition to printing black and white labels.
This thermal label printer’s lightweight and pocket-size design allows you to carry it like a small tool to wherever you need to do label printing. It measures 3.4 x 3.2 x 1.7 inches and weighs only 2 pounds.
Automatic label identification function
It comes with an adjustable paper guide that eases fixed length and continuous labels. The printer can print labels of 1.49 – 4.72 inches of width and 1.18 – 9.84 inches of height.
The label printer is compatible with shipping platforms, such as Shopify, Amazon, eBay, ShippingEasy, Etsy, Shippo, PayPal, and UPS WorldShip. With Windows, Mac OS, and Linux compatibility, you can customize your labels right from Microsoft and Mac Address Book.
With direct thermal technology, the label printer eliminates the need to buy the costly toner or ink, making it affordable to most people. It comes with an overheat protection function in the aluminum plate to ensure it runs smoothly, which increases heat dissipation for a continuous printing experience.
Moreover, the extended version platen roller ensures your label print doesn’t jam. The feature also improves the wear resistance of the headpiece to make printing more effective.
Phomemo comes with a USB charging port where you can charge it with a standard USB cable or plug it into your power bank, making it highly convenient. With its 1000mAh battery capacity, you can print up to 4 rolls of thermal papers from Phomemo.
Verdict
If you are looking for a value of money and versatility in a thermal label printer, this might be your ideal device. You will get quality label prints at their price point like those you could get in a high-end label printer.
- Value for money
- High-speed printing at 150 mm/s
- Compact, lightweight but powerful
- Might skip 2 to 3 labels, thus wasting labels
16. DYMO LabelWriter 450 Turbo – Time-Proven Printer
This label printer is an excellent choice for small businesses for whom every dollar counts. The printer is inexpensive, small, and has a pretty little dynamo for printing labels. It can print up to 71 labels per minute if they are small and average about 51 labels per minute.
Labels
The DYMO LabelWriter 450 can label in 18 different shapes and sizes, depending on the template you select. Most of the labels capable of making are pretty small, with 2-1/4 inches being their maximum allowable width. This is sufficient for most postage and shipping labels, though, and since this is a direct thermal printer, those are the kind of labels that it is best suited to making anyway.
Connection
The only major downside to the DYMO LabelWriter 450 is that it does not feature WIFi connectivity, so you will have to connect it to your Windows or Mac computer with a USB cable.
Verdict
If you need a cheap, effective, and easy-to-use printer to create small shipping labels and barcodes, this is a great choice, and we recommend it. It isn’t suitable for large jobs, though.
- Inexpensive
- Compact
- Prints quickly
- Makes high-resolution labels
- Easy to maintain
- Has many different label templates from which it can print
- Prints only small 2-1/4-inch wide labels
- A direct thermal printer, so labels can face with time
- No WiFi connectivity; must connect with a USB cable
17. Epson ReadyPrint T20 – Best Receipt Printer
Since the Epson ReadyPrint T20 column for accepting papers is about 3.15 inches long and about 2.28 inches wide, that makes it just suitable for printing out receipts; if you run a retail store or any business that sells products to customers, this is an excellent printer to check out.
It’s a direct thermal printer, meaning that though it is relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain, the labels or receipts that your print with it will not necessarily be of superb or long-lasting quality. However, if you intend to use it for printing receipts, this will not be necessary, and the printer can still be a very cost-effective way to meet your needs.
It can print up to 200 millimeters per second, which is great if time is of the essence. It’s got a character set of 95 alphanumerics and 18 international characters, which all come in various font sizes.
Compatibility
Epson T20 offers a range of drivers compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. Windows driver supports 24 languages.
Long life
The printer’s head life is 100 kilometers, auto-cutter life is 1.5 million cuts. Such efficiency and reliability result from a long and distinguished history in the Epson TM series ecology and conservation.
Efficient energy use
ReadyPrint T20 qualifies for the ENERGY STAR rating. The standby power consumption is among the lowest in the industry at less than one watt. Since a receipt printer’s electricity can mostly be accounted for by time spent on standby, this low value significantly reduces the printer’s overall power consumption.
Verdict
We recommend this if you need to print receipts in large quantities. This is an excellent choice. If your label printing needs are more varied, look to a different printer.
- Prints quickly
- Small and portable
- Relatively cheap
- Perfect for printing receipts
- Can print readable barcodes
- It has a wide range of characters
- Can print on only small strips of paper; doesn’t have much versatility beyond receipts and barcodes
- Direct thermal printer – labels will not last very long
18. Brother QL-700 – Cheap High-Resolution Printer
This small, inexpensive, and very efficient desktop-size printer prints shipping labels of various sizes and lengths, barcodes, and postage stamps with ease. Depending on the type of labels you intend to print, it can churn out an impressive 93 labels per minute, so this unit is excellent for business owners operating under a hectic schedule. The unit works with rolls of label paper about 2.4 inches wide, and that you drop into it. It also has an auto-cutter that cleanly separates your labels for you.
Resolution
Though it is a direct thermal printer, it’s got an impressive high-resolution capability, producing labels up to 300 x 600 DPI. This is sufficient for all shipping labels and bar codes and is even enough to give your label some overall longevity.
Printing stamps
The only real drawbacks to this printer are that if you need it to print stamps, you must connect it to your computer with a USB cable. Though it can be connected to a WiFi network, it will not print stamps in that state. Though it can be configured to print long labels and signs (up to 3 feet long, in fact), the width of the labels it can print is quite limited.
Verdict
As long as you don’t need to print extensive labels, we wholeheartedly recommend this unit. It is cheap, efficient, and highly versatile.
- Very cheap
- Prints quickly
- High-resolution capability
- WiFi connectivity
- Includes auto-cutter
- Prints incredibly long labels if necessary
- Prints stamps
- Only prints stamps through a USB connection
- Only prints labels that are 2.4 inches wide or less
19. Seiko Instruments 620 – Versatile Small Label Printer
The Seiko Instruments Smart Label Printer 620 is a compact and inexpensive printer that creates labels up to 1.9 inches wide.
This makes it ideal for printing wristband labels or other tiny labels, like address, name tag, and file folder labels. It’s got an astonishingly fast maximum printing speed of 165.4 inches per minute, can print a wide range of different barcodes, and has a 203 DPI resolution.
It is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers, though it can only connect via a USB cable.
Verdict
If you need a cheap printer that can quickly give you lots of small labels, we highly recommend this unit.
- Cheap
- Prints quickly
- Very compact
- Good for wristband, file folder, address or name tag labels
- Only designed to print very small labels
- Can only connect to computers via USB
Buyer’s Guide
We’ve now discussed several excellent thermal label printers and given you a taste of what they can do. We recognize that each person and organization’s needs are different. Since you are ultimately the best judge of your own needs and requirements, we thought we’d give you some crucial general information and answer some common questions about thermal label printers to make you better able to match your set of needs with the right product. With this, you can only be a smarter shopper.
With that said, here are some valuable things that you should know as you shop around and that you’d do well to make a note of before deciding which printer to buy.
What distinguishes thermal label printers from other kinds of label printers?
We’ve repeatedly been referring to thermal label printers throughout this guide instead of label printers in general. But how is a thermal label printer different from any old label printer? And more importantly, why should you care about these differences? These are foundational questions to which you need answers before you can so much as start to pick out the right printer for you.
For one thing, thermal label printers differ from other printers by their special printheads and what those printheads do. The printhead of a thermal label printer spans the material’s width that it is meant to take in. It consists of many heated pins representing a pixel that uses wax or resin-based ink to print your desired label onto your chosen surface. This way of making labels is exact and ensures that the ink on labels made by a thermal printer won’t smear or fade like ordinary ink does, which is especially important if you intend to produce shipping labels or barcodes, where precision, readability, scalability, and durability are all of the essences.
In addition to this, thermal label printers are much more versatile than other printers. They can print onto a wide range of materials, including paper, tape (whether made of polyester, vinyl, or nylon), heat shrink tubing, or other materials. You can also use them to make labels of different sizes.
Different Types of Thermal Label Printers
Thermal label printers can be divided into a couple of different types, each with its respective strengths and weakness. Here they are:
Desktop
These are the most commonly used thermal label printers by retail stores and small businesses. They are small, easy to store, and can take low to moderate label printing work. They are perfect for offices and most small companies and can be relied on to make, at most, a few hundred labels per day.
Industrial
Only use industrial thermal label printers if you have severe and heavy label printing needs quickly. These printers are generally large and expensive but can easily generate thousands of labels per day. They are also the label printer type of choice for those companies that need to print huge labels.
Mobile
This label printer is tiny and highly convenient to use, as there are no associated wires or cables to deal with. Still, their small size makes them only suitable for printing tiny labels – generally just 2, 3, or 4 inches in size at the very most. However, the ability to wirelessly connect them to computers is quite useful.
Wristband
A standard desktop can print wristbands just as well, but if you happen to require wristbands in especially high quantities, it may be wise to get a device that is specially designed for this explicit purpose. Wristband printers are, after all, generally cheaper even than standard desktop label printers.
Ticket
These printers are explicitly intended to print tickets, so if you run a theme park, theater, or any other place that requires admission tickets, give these a look. They are designed to print onto thicker paper, and they have taller cases meant to accommodate tall stacks of to-be-printed tickets.
Other Considerations to Bear in Mind When Choosing a Thermal Label Printer
Here are a few other things to remember as you’re on the lookout for the right thermal label printer for you:
Output Volume
Possibly the single most crucial question that you can ask yourself before picking out a thermal label printer is: How many labels will I need to print per day? Different printers are meant to handle different sorts of workloads and generate different output levels. Assuming about 8 hours of operation per day, an industrial-strength printer can crank out anywhere from 7,000 to 10,000 labels daily. Smaller printers in the desktop range can create anywhere between 500 and 1,000 labels.
Printer Size
How much office space do you have? If you’re working in small quarters, it’s recommended that you go with some desktop printer, as larger industrial-strength printers can be pretty cumbersome.
Label Size
How big are the labels that you seek to print? Desktop printers can easily handle creating labels about 4 inches wide or less. You will probably need to buy an industrial-strength printer for larger labels, generally used for freight shipping. Remember, however, that maximum label sizes vary significantly between printers, and you may be able to find a desktop printer, or some other type of smaller printer, that can make larger-sized labels for you.
Resolution
The resolution of labels made by thermal label printers is measured in DPI (dots per square inch). For barcodes (provided they are written in larger than 8-point font), 200 DPI resolution is sufficient. If you want professional quality or even aesthetic beauty on your labels, though, consider a higher-resolution printer with 300 or even 600 DPI.
Direct Thermal vs. Thermal Transfer Methods
Another factor to consider in choosing the right thermal label printer is the printing method that the machine uses. There are two different printing methods: direct thermal and thermal transfer. A printer’s two methods will have significant consequences for the type of material onto which label the printer can make and how long it will last.
Direct thermal printers selectively heat thermal paper to produce an image, do not use ribbons, and are relatively simply constructed. Still, their labels are not meant to last for exceptionally long periods. Heat can also do significant damage to the labels that these printers make. That does not mean that you should never use direct thermal printers; however, shipping labels only need to be readable until the shipment arrives where it is intended to go. In such cases, they are an economical option.
Thermal transfer printers use ribbons, making it feasible to use materials other than paper onto which to print your labels. This gives your labels high durability and general quality, and it means that the printer itself is versatile. However, thermal transfer printers are generally more expensive than direct thermal printers.
Connecting Your Printer
The last major thing to think about is how you intend to connect your printer to your office’s computer or computers. There are two basic ways to do this: a USB or Ethernet cable or a WiFi network. Most thermal label printers made today allow for either option. If you only have one computer office, connected via a cable may be most straightforward, with USB being the most common. If your office setup is more complex, with multiple computers likely to issue an elaborate sequence of commands to your printer, go for a WiFi network.
Bluetooth connectivity is also an option for some printers, particularly mobile ones – though this reduces the range of effectiveness to only about 33 feet.
Conclusion
That wraps up the information we seek to give you about thermal label printers. Through our reviews and our buyer’s guide above, we’ve striven to provide you with a sample of some of the different kinds of thermal label printers that you can choose from, as well as some crucial general information that you’ll need to be able to make the right decision to help your business or organization thrive. Though the final decision rests with you, we especially recommend looking at both the Rollo Label Printer and the DYMO LabelWriter 4XL Label Printer for their speed, efficiency, versatility, and low price.
Maintenance
To keep your printer up and running, check out our article on tips for cleaning thermal printers.
REFERENCES:
https://www.dymo.com/
https://epson.com/
https://www.brother-usa.com/
https://www.zebra.com/
https://www.smart-label-printer.com/
The proud owner and lead writer of OFFICE-EQUIP.COM
Office equipment seller since 2011. Started writing in 2018 and sharing his experience and knowledge with love and respect.
The Dymo 450 Duo (ultimately) does what it has to do.
As a stand alone fixed very easy to connect. As a shared network printer a bit more difficult. Not to be connected via the print server of well-known NAS servers such as Synology, so the Dymo print server is needed. However… There is no manual included.
That the printer needs to be installed as two printers is clear. Just how? After finding a manual online, it appears that one has to be connected to port 9100, the other to port 9102.
Too bad that after about 10 tape labels there will be holes in the printed text (not printed pieces). There is a cleaning card for the label printer, not for the tape printer.
I initially bought this LabelWriter 450 because I had to send a large mailing and therefore also print the address labels for it. The Dymo LabelWriter has already done a perfect job here. It was very easy to print all my labels from an Excel list.
I work with Mac OSX myself and the installation was actually just plug & play. All I had to do was install the included program, Dymo Label. Then connect the printer to a USB port and I was ready to print.
I’ve already printed more than 300 labels and the device does what it needs to do! So I am very satisfied with this device.
We bought the labelwriter 450 to use in our business because we first printed on stickers via the printer. But this was not always convenient and you had to print an entire piece of paper right away.
Now we can print label by label, its speed is high enough, it’s absolutely not big so it fits perfectly on a corner of your desk it’s quiet!
The only disadvantage may be that his images are not 100% sharp, but apart from all the pluses, this is only a tiny thing!
Brother QL 700
Product unpacked, connected, label roll in and it works instantly! What is striking is the solid ‘feel’ of the printer. It is also very fast, quiet and the print quality is great. Texts but also logos are printed with razor-sharp precision. The printer has cutting blades that automatically cut off the label after printing. The automatic cutting, but also other options are adjustable in the extensive software that can be downloaded for free from the Brother website. The software is very clear, offers many different label layouts as standard and works intuitively.
It has been in use for several weeks now and hasn’t regretted it for a second.
In short, a great purchase!
Wanted a device that could combine different labels. It’s nice that you can just print the labels and then the tape labels because my old tape label machine was defective. I chose Dymo 450 Duo. The printing is just super fast because before you know it, the printing is done. With the software you can go any way you want, if you want an image you can just add it. Also useful that you can save labels so you always have the same layout. Couldn’t share it with my router in the network because you need port 9102 for the tape labels and this didn’t work but it’s not quite a problem of the device but find the Dymo print server a bit on the expensive side. They should have provided a network connection.
As an avid Dymo labelwriter user (this is now my 4th) I still maintain that Dymo has the most interesting and user-friendly labelwriters on the market. I have always been very satisfied with the ease with which you can make any type of label fast and handy. No hassle with (printer) settings, ink cartridges, etc. Label design, or choose an existing template, print, paste, done!
I had a little problem with an error in the print server of my system, which made it impossible for me to print the biggest shipping label. After some fruitless searching (Google is your friend 🙂 ), I simply contacted the Dymo helpdesk. And after some tweaks and tests later the Hill was simply solved. It was in the settings of my print server. And everything works fine and flawless!
After a lot of misery and frustration with labels on a4 sheets and programs that are not easy to set up etc. I decided to buy the dymo 450 labelwriter and I don’t regret that, what an easy thing to say. Enter your address, click on print and you’re done. Unbelievably easy and without ink too!!!! I should have done this a long time ago.
Installing the software can be the biggest digibeet, so easy is that, labelwriter in the usb and print it.
I can recommend this device to anyone
My DYMO LABERWRITER 450 experience:
+ Print without ink, so printing costs almost nothing
+ Print very fast
+ Lots of possibilities in terms of label format
+ Compatible Dymo labels’ are many times cheaper than the real Dymo labels and the quality is exactly the same.
+ User-friendly software
+ Print in great detail, even the smallest font
+ Can even print pictures
+ Convenient import possibilities to print large quantities of addresses in one go, according to a design of your choice.
– Poor customer service when it comes to software questions. Make sure you have installed NET.3.5 when installing or you will encounter many problems.
– Blue light is always on, quite bright and disturbing at night.
– Unfortunately it is not possible to print in colour.
– If the last label has been used, the printer will tell you that the labels have run out, and if you put new labels in the printer, a blank label will come out first, and then the previous label again. To prevent this from happening, you must cancel the print job on the PC before you refill the labels.
All in all a super purchase!
I have used the Rollo Label Printer for my Etsy shop and it has changed the way I ship and get rid of all my products. Ever since my little shop took off I have been struggling to keep up with packaging everything while keeping my day job. With this printer, it takes one step out of my packing process and therefore makes it so much quicker.
The labelwriter 450 from Dymo is very easy to install, and then very easy to use.
Many possibilities to design your own sticker/label, for example by inserting a photo or logo. In 2 weeks I have used it a lot for postal address labels, and for labelling large products and folders.
Also very good service from Amazon!
Good advice from the customer service and very fast delivery after ordering.
Thank you very much.
It’s time again for my review of this dymo labelwriter 450
I’ve already printed a lot of labels with it and I’ve been able to try them out extensively.
– Delivery: As we are used to from Amazon is that everything was delivered nice and well taken care of, for which I thank you again.
– Box + contents: The mini-kit is nicely packed and contains the following: The labelwriter 450, connections for mains and PC, installation CD, manual and 3 rolls of labels.
– First use: Just insert the installation CD into the computer and follow the instructions. When the installation is complete, connect the labelprinter and you can start immediately.
– Design: Beautifully sleek design, it goes nicely on your desk.
– Price: Price quality is very good with this labelwriter. the device works perfectly, quickly and easily.
– Advantages and disadvantages:
I’m going to start with the advantages: The device comes with a very extensive software program to make the labels with, it’s really endless. (barcodes, text, images, date and time, symbols, etc.)
Your text is printed thermally, so there is no ink involved.
The only drawback I can find is that you can’t turn off the labelwriter.
Conclusion: a very nice device with very clean labels.
I strongly recommend this product!
The Labelwriter 450 DUO nicely prints and a wide choice of label sizes. The installation went without a hitch. Great ease of use by being able to create address books. Very nice is that you can design your own labels, including images.
Only a pity that the interaction between the Dymo label software and the newer versions of MS Office is not (yet) perfect: lists from new office versions cannot be imported and there is no communication with the newer Access, something I actually bought the device for because I use it very often with various databases. The Dymo add in does install nicely in office applications and works fine from there.
I’ve got the LabelWriter 450
Delivery:
– When you place your order, you can already indicate whether you want to pick up the parcel at a post office. Very nice option that I also used.
– speed…… Tuut tuut, that’s fast.
In other words, very fast, ordered at noon, delivered the next morning (!) at the post office.
– Price: very cheap, shipping costs weren’t even there.
– reliability: very good.
Final conclusion:
Definitely a printer that is recommended and then order it here, then you know for sure that you can use your labels tomorrow.
I would order another one myself, but well 2 labelprinters is a bit “over-Done”.
I say, “do.”
The Dymo 450 Twin Turbo was ordered in the evening and delivered the day after. In terms of service and prices, this webshop is inimitable! Moreover, the shipping was free!
The device itself is in terms of price/quality perfect for my purposes. The print resolution 300 x 600dpi is sufficient to display even the smallest letters legibly. The printing is done thermally so goodbye expensive toner and cartridges. The design and ease of use is very good. Moreover, the supplied software is sufficient to quickly get professional labels out of it. Quickly create a logo or icon via Illustrator and export as .png, import it on your label and that’s it! With a speed of 70 labels per minute it is also very fast.
This is my 2nd labelprinter of the same brand. The 450 is just a perfect machine that meets my expectations. Maintaining the address file is easy. The printing of the labels is perfect and fast. That’s all I can tell about a machine that prcies does what I want.
Thanks
Wanted to order it before, but now finally done. Dymo 450 Turbo was in the house next day, in a “do a dance” box.
After unpacking him, he still had problems with the roll. This was almost completely eaten. I put it in, as prescribed, but first got stuck, then tried again, and then it kept turning. In short, it took about 30 labels before it finally did well. This was the only minus point for me, as I said, not a clue how it came about.
Use is really great, making labels with the included software is a piece of cake, really great! I created and saved all the labels for my webshops, and when an order comes, how to just copy the address into the label, and 1 press of a button, and you have the label. In short, a real turbo so.
Furthermore, a nice long cord, so placeable everywhere, installing software was easily done, what more should I say, a perfect labelwriter.
The DYMO 450 printer:
– complete, including USB cable and 3 large rolls with labels
– easy to use software that can be used even by an illiterate digital bite
– installation of the printer is quick, complete and very easy to carry out. Anyone can do it.
– quality does not because in that of a professional labels
-…speed, 51 a minute, try catching up on that…
—- Conclusion: very good and reliable label printer.
As a publisher who has to send a number of books to different addresses every day, my life has become so much easier after the purchase of the Dymo LabelWriter 450. Making and printing an address label is so much faster and looks so much more professional than writing by hand. And I suspect that postmen and postwomen all over the country also think that this is a good idea. 😉 The LabelWriter is very fast and delivers the highest level of print quality. And without ever having to buy ink or powder. The included software also works very clearly and pleasantly. I try hard, but so far I can’t find any drawbacks. The device itself also looks very nice on the worktable. A feast for the eyes and the rhythm of work.
I am very satisfied with the LabelWriter 450 Turbo!
The only disadvantage I could think of is the fact that one can’t print color.
The speed of this device is dizzying!
Also the design program that comes with it has many possibilities to print from another program e.g. exel.
Installing a new printrol is done in 2 seconds!
Definitely recommended for people who love order and like to put everything in the right place above or below the appropriate label.
I’ve been using Dymo label writer 450 for years.
I really like it.
That’s why I bought it for my cousin in Indonesia.
He will use it for his correspondence and for labelling his shoes.
We’re looking forward to color labeling and an even smaller size label.
Dymo 450
Easy to install device. Because of the thermal print you never have to buy toner, but after a while the text will fade in the sun. I think it’s an easy to use device that works well and is suitable for both home and business use. What I didn’t like so much is that the included labels don’t say what size they are. That would have been easy to mention on the back of the strip so that when he has put on the last label you know which one to buy and to choose the right label in the dymoso software.
You have even faster dymo’s but in a small company this speed is sufficient for me.
The LabelWriter 450 is a very simple device. You take it out of the box, connect the cables, install the software on your computer and you can print. Very quick and easy.
It is a good basic printer for anyone who wants to organise a home office in a neat way. You can print different things like labels for envelopes, backs for folders, labels…
This printer can also be used for professional users, but you should definitely take a look at DYMO’s other range.
It takes some getting used to the Mac operating system at first, but for 90% of your prints you don’t need to print special labels, so that’s not too bad.
A roll of labels is included, but you can always order more.
In short: a good, solid basic label printer. Ideal for a home user or an SME. It makes everything neat and tidy in a blink of an eye.
After you have finally installed the Dymo labelwriter Wireless, you will benefit from it immediately. It’s convenient and fast to print labels. Your device really doesn’t have enough labels to start, so you can’t really practice much or you have to order a roll of labels right away. They’d better add them directly. You have to do some puzzling to find out how you can create multiple address books. I don’t find the app on your mobile very user-friendly and convenient to use. The labels are really just the way I want them. With the program on the computer it is. You really need to get some skills in it. And the whole plug&play story is a bit too positive. My technical knowledge and patience are pretty good and I’ve been working on installing the printer for a while, I have to say. But if you’ve overcome all that, then you’ll enjoy it a lot. I would like to see an overview of the labels I can use for my printer.
After 4 years of intensive use of the Labelwriter 450 I had to buy a new one, because the old one had become unusable due to water damage. I use this labelwriter to make address stickers and product labels for clothing. Easy to install, works fast and easy. Highly recommended!
After all my research, I found the ONE! Get one Munbyn label printer for my Etsy shop. Bought both the printer and their postal scale. Could not be easier to set up, add software and print. It takes up almost no space. I will say that I think you should buy one of the accessories for the labels, which I am looking into now, I currently just have the labels in a stack behind the printer. It’s great that the printer takes NO ink either, so i wont have to ever worry about that. Also I had a question for the company. I sent them an email from their site and they got back to me with in a few hours, so great customer service.
Had to move away from Dymo because they will not support the new M1 Mac.
I guess if using an older Mac or windozes it would be ok. I did use the Dymo 450 for 5years on an intel based Mac.