Printing labels for your business can be an easy and speedy process or it can be a difficult one. It all depends on the label printer you decide to buy.
If used well, labels can improve the professionalism of your product packaging and can serve a variety of other uses as well. If you need to have labels made regularly, however, it’s important to have a high-quality label printer.
Fortunately, we’re here to guide you. In this label printer guide, we’ll tell you how to choose the right label printer for your business.
Decide Between Inkjet and Laser Printers
One of the key things to think about when choosing a label printer is whether you want an inkjet printer or a laser printer. Both of these types of printers work differently, so you should understand what each one is capable of.
Labels printed with inkjet printers will be high resolution and look great but they can also be damaged by UV rays and harsh weather.
Laser printers are incredibly fast and the cost per label is pretty low as well. However, the initial cost of buying a laser printer can be a bit pricier. Also, the quality of the printing may not be quite as good as inkjet printers.
You’ll want to consider your needs carefully before deciding which type of printer to buy.
Know the Size You Need
You should also consider the size of the label printer you want to buy. There are several options available.
Small, portable label printers are one option to consider and can easily be carried around with you. A desktop printer is a bit larger but is still small enough to easily fit on top of a desk.
While they can take up a lot of space, industrial label printers are another option and have great performance and durability. For maximum efficiency, you may also want to consider getting print and apply label applicators.
Also, be sure to consider the size of the labels that you’ll be printing. Label printers are available in different widths, although the most common option is 100mm wide. If you would like larger labels, you’ll need to look for a printer that will be capable of printing them.
Check Printer Resolution
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a label printer is printer resolution. This is measured in dots per inch (DPI) and relates to how sharp the label text appears.
A standard 203 DPI printer may be sufficient for basic label needs. However, it may not work well if you need to show more detail in your label and have a more professional presentation.
For better detail and sharpness, you may want to get a 300 DPI printer. For even more of a high-quality print, you may need to get a 600 DPI printer instead.
Consider Cost-Effectiveness
You should also consider the costs associated with getting a new label printer for your business.
First of all, you’ll need to consider the initial investment. The cost of the printer you buy will vary based on a lot of factors including the printer type, the printer size, the resolution, and more. You’ll want to weigh out the features carefully and ensure that you’re getting the right features while also staying within your budget.
You’ll also need to think about the cost of the labels and ink as well. The costs of using ink and printing labels will add up over time. You’ll want to do some research to find out what your printer’s cost-per-label will be.
Check Label Durability
You’ll also want to consider the durability and water resistance of any labels that you create. Labels can be susceptible to wear and tear while they are in transit and handled along the way.
If you expect that your products will be exposed to harsh conditions then it may be best to ensure that the printer you get will be able to print high quality and durable labels.
Be sure that you’re checking the water resistance, UV resistance, and abrasion resistance of a label printer and the labels you’ll create. Then, be sure to choose a label printer that will be suitable for your needs.
Look For Great Performance
Depending on how many labels you want to print and how often you’ll be printing them, you may need to consider the speed of your machine as well.
Label printers offer a range of speeds spanning from 4 inches per second to 14 inches per second, so you’ll want to find out what the printer you’re considering offers.
If you think that slower label printing speeds will slow down the productivity of your business, then you may want to get a label printer that offers fast performance. Typically, industrial printers will be the fastest options while portable and desktop printers will be considerably slower.
Consider RFID Label Printers
For some businesses, it may be necessary to print radio frequency identification (RFID) labels. If this is the case for your business, you’ll want to be sure that the printer you’re buying has RFID label printing capabilities.
As with all of the other types of label printers, there are a variety of options available. This includes printers with high-performance speeds and printers of varying sizes.
Be sure to consider all of the important factors when choosing a label printer while also ensuring that it has RFID label printing capabilities.
Finding the Best Label Printer For Your Needs
If you want to create high-quality labels for your business, be sure that you consider your options carefully when choosing a label printer.
A great label printer can be a very useful tool in your business and can be well worth the investment. Make sure that you consider the type of printer, its size, and the quality of the printer carefully when making your choice.
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