How to choose a label printer? Types, technologies and features

The label is not just a sticker. It's a customer touchpoint, a workflow tool and a showcase for your brand - especially in e-commerce, logistics or manufacturing. A well-chosen label printer can significantly improve processes: speed up packaging, minimize errors and ensure the legibility of labels.

But for this to happen, the equipment must be tailored to your needs - the type of business, working conditions and scale of operations. Find out how to choose a label printer that will really make your life easier.

Labels, barcodes, tickets and more

Although sticking on a label may seem like a small thing, in reality it is of paramount importance wherever fast and flawless identification of products matters.

Self-adhesive label printers are used not only for product labeling, but also for creating barcodes, inventory markings, price tickets or logistics labels.

Depending on the model, they can be desktop printers or mobile printers, work with management systems and download data from external sources. Their versatility makes them applicable to stores, wholesalers, courier companies, pharmacies, hotels and even production lines.

The range of printing devices is very rich, and each type has its own strengths and limitations. Choosing the right model depends on the conditions in which the labels will be used and what kind of print quality you expect.

Standard 200 dpi will suffice for simple barcodes and markings, but when thinking about high print quality and clear transfer of a design or logo, it is better to aim for 300 or even 600 dpi.

Print durability is another important element - not all technologies can cope with moisture, UV radiation or abrasion.

Technical parameters such as head resolution, print width, support for various consumables or the possibility of using accessories such as a dispenser or winder are other things to think about when choosing professional equipment.

Direct thermal printers (direct thermal)

These are some of the simplest and cheapest devices to operate. They work without ink and ribbons, because the print is created by heating a special thermal paper.

They work without ink and ribbons, because the print is created by heating a special thermal paper.

They are perfect for logistics or online sales.

Keep in mind that in this printing technology its durability is limited - after a few months the label can fade, and contact with high temperature or sunlight only accelerates this process.

Transfer (thermal transfer) printers

This is a solution for those who need prints resistant to moisture, abrasion or industrial conditions. They work thanks to a color ribbon that transfers pigment to the label under the influence of heat. This solution means that the print can last for up to several years.

Transfer thermal printers handle a variety of materials, not only paper, but also films or plastics. This is a good choice if you need to label food products, chemicals or items that will be exposed to harsh environmental conditions.

A great choice is, for example, the Bixolon XT540 Series industrial POS printer - 203/300/600 dpi versions. Check it out!

Inkjet printers

They focus primarily on quality and aesthetics. They can print labels in full color, which is a big advantage when creating marketing stickers, promotional materials or decorative labels for premium products, but at the cost of less resistance to water or smudging.

The inkjet printers are also capable of printing in full color.

Attachments usually offer very high resolution - even above 1200 dpi.

Laser printers

A type great for printing larger sheets of labels. They have the advantage of fast printing and relatively low cost on large print runs. Toner is more durable than ink from an inkjet printer, but still doesn't achieve the same resistance as thermal transfer printing. Resolution in laser printers is usually 600-1200 dpi, which allows for sharp images.

Choosing the right label printer depends on your work environment and what tasks you want the device to perform.

High-quality printer suitable for industrial environments or a simple desktop printer? What do you need for yourself?

Find out what your daily work is like.

1. If you run a small online store, you probably want everything to run quickly and smoothly. In that case, a simple desktop printer will be a hit. Such equipment does not take up a lot of space and features ease of use.
2. In shipping companies, wholesalers or large warehouses the needs are completely different - here it is performance, reliability and resistance to intensive use that count. The printer must work practically non-stop and withstand harsher conditions - dust, dust, changing temperatures or heavier loads. In such places, a solid industrial model is perfect, which is rugged and designed for long, intensive operation and will provide assistance when hundreds of packages need to be labeled in a short period of time.
3. Are you perhaps operating in gastronomy and need labels for food products that need to withstand moisture or low temperatures in the cold room? Then a modern thermal transfer printer for self-adhesive labels will be the best choice - the print will be permanent and will not smear even in harsh conditions.

Not sure what to choose? See our range of printers.

Contact us and together let's find the best solution for your business.

I will be happy to help you select equipment to meet your company's needs.

Michal Dluzewski

michal.dluzewski@antumo.com