According to a survey, around 75% of people throw out their home printers within just a few years of purchasing them. It&#;s because either they were constantly malfunctioning or not working at all.
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It&#;s fairly commonplace to hear people and offices complain about their printers. However, these common complaints are often just due to purchasing the wrong printer or a cheap one.
This is why today we are going to cover 7 factors you need to consider when looking to purchase a label printer. Not all label printers are made the same, and you should know how to find the right one for your needs and one that will last you for years!
Let&#;s dive right in!
Quality and DurabilityWhen looking for a label printer, you want to find one that is made from high-quality and sturdy materials. This will ensure that your label printer is durable and will last for years. You don&#;t want to have to go back to the store a few weeks after purchasing your label printer because it&#;s already falling apart.
When it comes to choosing a label printer, it&#;s important to find a reputable brand that you can trust. This will ensure that you get a quality product. Some of the best brands when it comes to label printers include:
So, when shopping for a label printer, be sure to check out these brands and see which one is the best fit for your needs.
Is It User Friendly?You also want to make sure that the label printer you choose is user-friendly. This means that it&#;s easy to set up and use. You don&#;t want to be struggling with your label printer every time you need to print something out.
The last thing you want is a label printer that is constantly jamming or giving you error messages. When label printers are user-friendly, they tend to have fewer issues and are overall more reliable.
In addition to that, if this is a commercial label printer for a business, then user-friendliness is even more important. This is because it won&#;t just be one person that needs to know how to use it. You&#;ll need to train multiple team members, so the easier it is to use, the better.
Costs of a Label MakerOf course, one of the most important factors you need to consider when choosing a label printer is the cost. You want to find a label printer that fits within your budget.
Label printers can range in price from around a couple of grand to over one hundred thousand. So it&#;s important to figure out how much you&#;re willing to spend on a label printer before beginning your search.
It&#;s also important to keep in mind that the more expensive label printers tend to be of higher quality and have more features than the cheaper ones. So, if you can afford it, it&#;s often worth it to spend a little extra on a label printer. Remember that you pay for what you get.
Consider Your Label-Making NeedsAnother important factor to consider is your label-making needs. This includes factors such as:
You want to make sure that the label printer you choose can handle all of your label-making needs. Otherwise, you&#;ll just be wasting your money on a label printer that can&#;t even do what you need it to do.
Printer ResolutionWhen choosing a label printer, you also want to make sure that it has a high resolution or Dots Per Inch (DPI). DPI is an important specification to consider when purchasing a label printer. The higher the DPI, the better the print quality will be.
Label printers have a resolution of 203DPI, 300DPI, or 600 DPI. If you&#;re looking for a label printer that produces high-quality prints, then you&#;ll want to make sure that it has a high DPI. So go with the 600 DPI, or higher, if you can!
Different Types of Commercial Label PrintersWhen it comes to label printers, there are generally two types: ink-based label printers and toner-label printers.
Inkjet label printers use ink to print onto the label. These types of label printers are typically cheaper than toner label printers. However, they don&#;t have the same print durability.
Toner label printers use a toner (a dry powder) to print onto the label. Toner label printers typically produce longer lasting prints that are more waterproof and more UV resistant, but they&#;re also more expensive.
So, when choosing a label printer, you&#;ll need to decide which type is best for your needs, Toner or Inkjet. If you&#;re looking for the most durable prints, then you&#;ll want to go with a toner label printer. However, if you&#;re on a budget, then an inkjet label printer may be the better option.
Label Printer OptionsWhen it comes to label printers, there are a few different options to choose from. Not all commercial label printers are going to offer the same type of options or features. So, you&#;ll want to compile a list of what you&#;re looking to get out of your printer.
Here are a few common printer options you&#;ll see businesses looking for:
Features such as these can be a huge plus! Create your list before you start looking around though. This can help you save time by not searching through the printers that don&#;t even offer what you&#;re looking for.
Finding the Right Label PrinterLabel printers come in a variety of prices and with different features, so it&#;s important to figure out what you need before beginning your search.
In order to make the best decision for your business, you should consider factors such as the type of labels you need to print, how many labels per day your company needs, printer resolution, and label printer options. By taking all of these into account, you&#;ll be able to find the perfect label printer for your business.
If you&#;re ready to begin your search for the right label printer, or if you want additional help from label printing experts, contact us here at TCS Digital Solutions.
Drew StricklandDrew is the Chief Marketing Officer and E-commerce Director at TCS Digital Solutions, with over 20 years of experience in the printing industry. His extensive background in marketing within this sector has deepened his passion and knowledge. He offers valuable tips and reviews on the latest printing products and innovations, dedicated to helping businesses and individuals find the most efficient and high-quality solutions for their printing needs. For a closer look into his insights and experiences, you can connect with Drew on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
All types of companies need good label printing to keep their operations running smoothly. Investing in a commercial label printer delivers versatility, efficiency, and savings &#; key pillars that set businesses up for success.
This guide will explore everything you need to know, from the technologies powering modern label printers to practical factors like maintenance and integration. Read on to make an informed decision in choosing the right labeling solution for your evolving business needs.
Did you know? &#; Did you know that efficient label printing can reduce operational costs by up to 30% for businesses?
Before we dive into specific features, let&#;s clearly define what a commercial label printer is and how it differs from a regular home or office printer.
Designed for high-volume label printing needs, commercial label printers empower businesses to efficiently create product labels, shipping labels, barcode labels, packaging components, signage, and much more in-house. This eliminates reliance on third-party printing services.
Common applications include:
With on-demand printing capabilities measured in thousands of labels per day, investing in the right commercial equipment brings labeling operations entirely under your own control.
While regular document printers found in most offices allow basic label printing, commercial label makers are in a class of their own. Built for business, commercial printers offer:
Pick a label printer that handles your business&#;s current and future printing volumes. It should grow with your company rather than limit it. Buying a higher-capacity printer now saves money later on. The long-term savings make the initial investment worthwhile for most small and large businesses.
&#;&#; Keep in mind While exploring commercial label printers, it's crucial to consider not just the initial cost but also the printer's compatibility with various label materials and technologies. This ensures your chosen solution can adapt to future labeling requirements and industry trends, maximizing your investment's value over time.
Modern commercial label printers leverage innovative technologies to deliver versatile, high-quality printing with precision and efficiency. Let&#;s explore some of these technologies empowering businesses daily:
Industrial label printers rely on thermal, inkjet or laser technology to transform blank label materials into professional-grade items. Highlights include:
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Commercial label printers now come in thermal, inkjet, or laser technologies. Prioritize color needs, print quality, material flexibility, and printing volume when choosing the best technology for your business.
PRO TIP: When evaluating the technologies and features behind commercial label printers, consider printers with scalable resolutions. Printers offering adjustable DPI (dots per inch) settings provide flexibility for various applications, from high-detail graphics for promotional labels to simple, clear text for shipping labels. This adaptability ensures your printer can meet diverse printing needs as your business evolves.
The materials your business prints on depend entirely on the application and product. Modern commercial label printers offer versatility in handling:
These printers use design software for printing text, numbers, barcodes, tables, diagrams, and images onto labels.
This equates to endless labeling possibilities allowing customization to new products, changing regulations, and evolving business needs.
Many businesses now store data in the cloud. So label printers need to connect to these centralized systems. Most commercial printers easily plug into:
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USB: Simple plug-and-play connectivity to individual computers.More advanced network management protocols like SNMP allow deeper integration with business networks and systems.
Label printer technology keeps improving quickly. So the printer you need today may not fit your future business growth. But considering a few key factors allows you to make a printer investment that scales up with your company&#;s expanding needs:
Assess requirements across three key areas &#; volume, materials/purpose, and connectivity:
While upfront cost drives most purchase decisions, don&#;t let that be the dominant factor. An undersized label printer incapable of growing with your business turns out far more expensive long-term.
Did you know? &#; The rise of smart labels with RFID and NFC technology allows for real-time tracking and consumer engagement. Even address labels Amazon uses now are incorporating these smart technologies. This trend towards digital printing also supports small batch and personalized label production. When choosing a label printer, consider one that accommodates these advanced features to future-proof your investment.
The printer itself represents only one piece of the investment. Ink, toner, label materials, maintenance parts, and possible downtime also add up over years of ownership.
Consider:
When you calculate costs over the several-year lifespan of a commercial printer, you always save money by printing in-house instead of outsourcing. You also gain efficiency and can respond faster to customers.
Beyond everyday shipping and inventory labels, modern commercial printers empower advanced applications:
A commercial barcode printer for labeling streamlines inventory management and shipping by allowing tracking through production, warehouse storage, final mile delivery, and even customer use.
Most commercial label printers seamlessly integrate with barcode label design software for printing scan-readable UPC, QR, and other codes. RFID smart labeling takes it a step further by actively tracking goods.
This brings simplicity where spreadsheets and manual tracking once created headaches.
Sustainability in labeling influences everything from materials used to energy efficiency of printers, and responsible disposal/recycling.
Many modern commercial printers adopt eco-conscious practices like:
Decisions like opting for thermal printing and only printing what&#;s essential further minimize environmental footprints.
&#;&#; Keep in mind As you delve into advanced applications to enhance your business functions, remember that the integration capabilities of your commercial label printer with existing systems and workflows are just as important as its technical features. Ensuring seamless connectivity can significantly streamline operations and boost efficiency.
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Commercial label printers last longer than regular office printers. But taking good care of them extends their life and keeps them performing well.
Follow some basic usage and maintenance guidelines to keep printers in top shape:
Respecting simple precautions goes a long way to enjoying years of trouble-free operation.
While all commercial label printers include basic design software, third-party programs integrate tightly to boost capabilities.
Learn all about Rollo&#;s shipping integrations for e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, and major shipping carriers.
Specialty software helps make the most of commercial printers. Programs for specific barcodes, hazard labels, graphics, and data help get the full value from the printers.
Look for label software that delivers:
While built-in and free label software works for basic needs, commercial solutions speed up specialized labeling projects.
Like any device, label printers can have jams, feeding problems, or low ink warnings. But knowing basic troubleshooting fixes most issues.
Following factory-prescribed maintenance, using approved media, and avoiding label fragments/dust build-up minimizes problems. Refer to manufacturer guides for step-by-step troubleshooting advice on any specific models in use.
PRO TIP: Regularly calibrating your commercial label printer can significantly reduce the chances of print errors and misalignments. This simple maintenance step ensures consistent quality and efficiency, saving time and resources by minimizing the need for reprints and adjustments. Always refer to your printer's manual for specific calibration instructions to keep it operating at peak performance.
While meeting today&#;s demands, commercial printers continuously adopt the latest technology innovations to deliver more value:
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RFID smart tags transform standard labels into micro-networked trackers relaying data to enterprise systems.Did you know? &#; According to a recent report by Smithers Pira, the future of label printing looks bright, with the market expected to grow from $39.46 billion in to a staggering $49.90 billion by , marking a growth rate of 4.0%. This significant increase highlights the evolving demand and technological advancements in the label printing industry.
An investment in the right commercial label printer today pays dividends through years of use, only seeing returns multiply as labeling needs grow over time.
&#;&#; Keep in mind In your journey to select the right commercial label printer, remember that this decision is not just about addressing current needs but also about anticipating future demands. Investing in a versatile and scalable printing solution will serve your business well into the future, supporting growth and adapting to evolving market trends.
While next-generation technology holds exciting potential, even current affordable and capable options deliver value, safety compliance, customer responsiveness, and sustainability &#; all central to staying competitively efficient in this modern economy.
Hopefully, this guide provided helpful insights into the full lifecycle around selecting, using, and maintaining industrial label printers optimized for the unique needs of your business.
What label printing technology does your business currently use? Share your experiences or questions below!
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&#; Q: What factors should I consider when choosing a commercial label printer?
&#; A: Consider print volume, label material compatibility, print technology (thermal, inkjet, or laser), connectivity options (USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi), and future scalability to ensure the printer meets both current and future needs.
&#; Q: How do I decide between thermal, inkjet, and laser label printers?
&#; A: Thermal printers are ideal for most businesses due to their cost efficiency and reliability for continuous label printing. Unlike inkjet printers, which require frequent ink purchases, and laser printers, known for their high initial costs and energy use, thermal printers offer a more economical and sustainable solution for producing high-quality labels without the extra expenses.
&#; Q: Can commercial label printers integrate with my existing business systems?
&#; A: Yes, many modern label printers support various connectivity options and protocols like SNMP for integration with business networks, ERP systems, and cloud-based platforms, enhancing workflow efficiency.
&#; Q: What maintenance is required to keep a commercial label printer in good condition?
&#; A: Regular maintenance includes using approved label materials, periodic cleaning with compressed air and lint-free cloths, following the manufacturer&#;s maintenance schedule for component replacement, and keeping firmware and drivers updated.
&#; Q: How can I calculate the ROI of investing in a commercial label printer?
&#; A: Consider the initial purchase cost, operational costs (ink, toner, labels, maintenance), and potential savings from in-house printing versus outsourcing. Factor in efficiency gains, reduced downtime, and the ability to quickly respond to labeling needs, which can significantly impact ROI.
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