If you’re a novice online seller, it can be difficult to keep track of all the different factors that are involved in running an e-commerce business. You need to make decisions about how much inventory you’ll have on hand and what shipping carrier will service your customers best.
Not to mention figuring out whether or not printing labels is something that’s feasible for your printer at home given their capabilities. We’ve narrowed down some of the most important information into this article for those who don’t know where to start.
Here you will find the best printers to create your shipping labels for online orders.
What is a Thermal Printer?
One of the best ways to cut costs on shipping labels is by using a thermal printer. Thermal printers work differently than other types, as they don’t rely on ink or toner but instead use heat to transfer images onto the label paper – no need for wasteful cartridges!
The low cost per label means you can save money without compromising quality and printing speed.
Our Top Picks
1. Dymo 4XL Thermal Label Printer
This Dymo 4XL thermal label printer is both convenient and versatile. You can print labels directly from platforms such as Card Scan, MS Word, Excel, or Outlook with this device.
It’s ideal for printing labels, including address stamps, or creating folders/markers that are customizable to your business needs. The 300 dpi resolution enables you to produce high-quality images so whatever it is you’re labeling will pop.
If you’re looking for a printer that fits easily into your small office space, this compact machine is perfect. Despite being so tiny, it can print labels up to 4.16 inches wide and its printing speed will impress even the pickiest of users.
Pros
- Numerous options for label sizes
- Instruction manual is really useful
- Easy setup installation
- Quick efficient Printing
- Easy Peel Labels
- Space-Saving Size
Cons
- Rejects new rolls every now and then
- Customer support isn’t as supportive
- You have to restart it If the machine stops working
2. Rollo High-Speed Shipping Label Printer
The Rollo High-Speed printer is an investment worth making because of its convenience. For instance, with this printer, you never have to worry about running out of ink or toner and all the hassle that comes with refilling it frequently.
Particularly in businesses where there’s a high volume of labels being printed on a regular basis.
The portability feature will be invaluable for those who need to rearrange their workspace often without affecting performance at any point along the way.
Keeping in mind that it is an affordable printer, you can print no less than 238 labels a minute. The sturdy design means that the machine will be more durable and able to withstand accidents around the office.
So not only does this automatic identification feature help avoid errors while printing but also makes for faster labeling of packages
Pros
- Huge savings on effort and time
- Not restricted to a specific brand of labels
- User friendly
- Sturdy design
- Website has plenty of info and how-to’s
- Responsive customer support
- Quick speed printing of 150mm/sec
- The Rollo monitors the number of printed labels
Cons
- You’ll need a bit of workspace behind or below the label printer for the feed
- wastes one to detect and recalibrate after switching labels
3. Brother QL-1100 Thermal Label Printer
The WiFi printing on this Brother QL-1100, combined with the durable build and many features of this printer makes it perfect for people who work from their phone or tablet. It does have a bit of an intricate learning curve that can be tricky to figure out if you’re not dedicated to understanding how your device works.
This machine is perfect if you want to save a lot of money on ink. It’s difficult to set up on Mac and can only be used with Brother labels which need wifi connectivity for printing. However, it’ll still end up saving you lots.
Pros
- Fast print speeds
- Good print quality
- Excellent label design and printing software
Cons
- Brother branded label refills can get costly
4. Arkscan 2054A Shipping Label Printer
If you want an easy-to-use and diverse machine, then the Arkscan 2054A is perfect for your needs. With a speed of 50 labels per minute, this printer can handle all kinds of tasks with ease from shipping labels up to 4.25-inches in width or 90 inches long.
You’ll have access to several different designs as well such as hangers, tags, window clings and more so it’s much easier than going out looking for other printers that are not equipped with these features
Apart from the versatility and reliability of this machine, you will also find that it is compatible with most shipping services. This means that whatever your preference may be in terms of logistics and commerce sites, there’s a good chance Arkscan 2054A can manage all these for you at an outstanding quality level guaranteed.
Pros
- Prints easily and efficiently
- Supports a variety label stock
- Robust label-design software
- Wide range of applications and connectivity
- Compatible with most shipping software and e-commerce platforms
- Zebra label-printer emulation
Cons
- Not compatible with Mac OS
5. Zebra GK420d Thermal Desktop Printer
The Zebra GK420d printer offers unbeatable quality in printing and is easy to use. It can print different types of labels with ease thanks to a straightforward design that you’ll get the most out of without struggling.
A computer connected via USB or Ethernet cable will connect it directly into your device; then label designs are sent for printing when needed- up to 5 inches per minute.
You can get professional printing and design for your labels with the Zebra Utilities software. Or use the powerful Zebra Designer to create any kind of desired label designs that will print in different sizes, without worries about ink or toner thanks to a thermal-directed system.
Pros
- Low running costs
- Easy to connect
- Fast printing
- Compatible with multiple label types
Cons
- Lacks MAC OS support
The benefits of a Shipping Label Printer
If you’re tired of dealing with paper jams, smudges, and other hassles that come from using a regular printer to print out business labels, then it’s time for an upgrade. Labeling is made easy when you use the help of label printers which can create professional-looking bar codes along with addresses and logos in just seconds.
Here are a few benefits of using a shipping label printer:
Special Labels
The labels that are printed with a label printer are more durable, smear-resistant, and water-proof than other printers. They also have fade resistance which prevents the labels from fading when placed in challenging environments such as sun exposure or contact with harsh winds or even water.
Save Time & Energy
You can get rid of all that tedious work- the cutting, taping, handwriting when you use a printing label. You’ll be able to do it faster because there’s no more need for those extra steps.
Barcodes
E-commerce businesses need barcodes to help identify shipments and process orders. Printing them with other types of printers can be too time-consuming or difficult for scanners, but a thermal printer makes it easy.
Personalization
Shipping label printers offer the chance to personalize all your labels. Some models provide opportunities to configure names, addresses, and even barcodes.
Things to consider when looking for a Shipping Label Printer
Given the market’s complexity, it is important to know how to narrow your choices. This will ensure that you make a sensible purchase!
Here are some of the aspects you should consider as you shop for quality shipping label printers in today’s marketplace.
Type of printer
The best way to find the perfect printer for your needs is by first deciding on what type you need. There are two main types: inkjet printers and thermal model printers, each with its own pros and cons.
The former can print quickly- but it runs out of inks easily so constant recharging or refilling will be needed; while the latter doesn’t require any charging at all which means they’re less messy/expensive when compared to their counterpart’s maintenance requirements.
Software
The computer software that comes with most label printers has the sole purpose of providing templates and designs, plus many other customization options. The downside is sometimes these programs are not compatible with all machines or may be difficult for others to use.
A printer that can be customized is great for people who know how to set up and use their own custom settings. But if you’re less skilled in this area, we recommend going for one of the models that don’t require installing additional programs.
Label Paper Quality
When you’re looking for a printer, it is important to consider the type of paper that they use. If your label printing machine requires specific types of paper only and doesn’t support other brands or varieties, then this can be problematic.
Fortunately, most machines will allow any kind as long as you purchase papers from them exclusively which would provide optimal quality prints with no hassle at all.
Printing Speed
One of the most important aspects to consider when you are buying a label printer is its output. You want something that can get your work done quickly, but not too fast because the quality would suffer greatly in return. That’s why it’s so crucial to find a balance between speed and quality.
Setting Up
You can find the best shipping label printer for your business in minutes with a few simple considerations. The first thing to look at is whether it’s “plug and play,” meaning does it come ready-to-use? Most of them do, but some require you to download drivers/software or install from CD. If anything sounds too complicated, skip that one.
Maintenance
You will have to think about the type of maintenance your printer needs. For example, inkjet printers can be difficult to maintain as they need constant cleaning and ink/cartridge replacement.
But for thermal models, require little to no maintenance at all, other than replenishing label paper when necessary.
If you are in the market for a shipping label printer, it is best to invest in one that will last. A 10-year lifespan should be no problem for shipping label printers, but they still require regular maintenance to ensure their longevity.
Connectivity
If you’re an eBay or Etsy seller who does all of your work from the comfort of your phone, then finding a printer with a wide connectivity range is critical. Not only should it be able to connect via WiFi and Bluetooth but also have Windows compatibility in case there’s ever a need for printing on-site at one location and downloading remotely at another.
Customer Support and Warranty
Technology is a risk. You might invest in something that ends up being defective or difficult to use; however, you can take steps before making the investment by assessing customer support and product warranty information from reviews of other customers who have already made the purchase.
Final thoughts
Are you ready to get a new label printer for your business? If so, then don’t hesitate any more time and order one now.
Our favorite model is ROLLO Label Printer because it’s fast, has tons of customization options that others do not offer, and still relatively affordable.
But we recommend reading this list carefully so you can find what best matches your needs as they are all worth having, especially if you are running your own small business at home.