Selecting the right label printer

Selecting the right label printer

Posted by barcodes.com.au on Aug 09, 2021

Visibility is the buzzword in business at the moment.

Visibility of movements of products, who’s buying, who’s not buying, where products are located.

We know that technology, such as barcoding and RFID, can help provide this visibility needed that allows businesses to be more effective in their process management and decision making. The critical factor for all this technology to work is a label.

The humble label gives something an identity. This identity allows for that something to be tracked and monitored.

So, when you think about it, the label is the most critical component in the visibility challenge.

Whether it is a delivery label, product label, barcode or pricing label, a label needs to be printed. Of course, you need a printer, but what printer?

Selecting the right printer can be complex but that is where we can help. 

Here’s a few thigs to analyse before choosing a label printer

What will the labels be attached to?

Will your labels be placed on cardboard, metal, jewellery or cloth?

We know that the majority of businesses will be attaching labels to carboard boxes but there are many other uses of labels and a multitude of surfaces to attach them to.

Knowing what surface the label is attached to will help us determine what type of label you will need to print and therefore the printer that is best suited to that application.

What size label?

Label sizes vary depending on the application so understanding the size of labels you print will ensure we can select a printer that is big enough to cater for your needs as printers come in different print widths.

How long does the label need to last?

This may sound like an odd question but determining how long your labels need to last will help us to determine what kind of print technology should be used. Some printer technology will be great for short to medium term printing and others for longer life.

How many labels do you need to print?

This is one of the most important questions to answer when it comes to ensuring you get the right printer for the job.

The simple formula is, the more you need to print, the heavier duty the printer needs to be.

Your aim is to have a reliable printer that can handle the printing load you require without breaking down.

Printers that are designed for high volume printing will also cater for larger label rolls so more printing between refills.

Our biggest tip is to pay attention to your printer selection and not just shop for the cheapest solution that you think may work. It is better to ask an expert to make sure you don’t waste time and money on trying to work with the wrong solution and upsetting your workflows.

The good news is that there is a label printer for all applications, and we can help point you in the right direction.