Let’s say you’re a small-scale business owner who needs to constantly send homemade packages of your goods to clients across the world.
Besides ensuring your ‘best printer for printing labels’ conform to the highest quality standards, making sure your packaging is perfect is also important.
This also means having high-quality, well-made labels.
The thing about labels is, while they aren’t that complex and need only to contain a couple of rows of simple text and numbers, making them is not always easy.
They can’t be printed on regular paper because it’s not durable enough, and the sizes of these labels tend to vary widely.
For this reason, getting a specialized label printer can be a good idea for this purpose.
This article will talk about the best printer for printing labels currently on the market.
Read on to learn more!
Our Favourite Best Printer for Printing Labels
Top 6 Best Printer for Printing Labels
1. Brother – VC-500W Color Label and Photo Printer
Simple build, quick printing process, and the fact that you can use the best printer for printing labels without any ink make this model such an excellent gadget for a person needing a personal printing device.
This model has Wi-Fi connectivity, so it’s easy to connect it to your computer via a wireless network.
Important Features
Label Editor App
That you can create cooky and creative labels from your mobile phone!
Inside this app, you will find pretty much all the necessary ingredients to truly express your creativity when it comes to label making.
Some of the features of this app would include specialized fonts, backgrounds, art, and many ready-made designs that you can import and use right away.
Wireless Connectivity
As we already hinted at in the introduction to this review, what makes this model so attractive for a modern-day label-printing audience, so to speak, would certainly be the fact that you can connect it via Wi-Fi.
This connectivity gives you the option to use a computer to make your dream label and then send the printing command to your label printer and watch it do its magic in seconds.
Also, you don’t even need a computer to do this.
If you have a mobile app, you can use the app to achieve the same effect, but the great thing about it is that you don’t even need to be close to the router itself to make this possible.
Ink-Less Operation
One of the features of this model that certainly make it an interesting device in terms of the printing technology it uses would be the way it doesn’t use ink for its printing tasks.
The reason behind this is that the necessary ink for these tasks is embedded in the special sort of paper used for this purpose.
So, when printing labels using this printer (and the special paper that goes with it), you won’t have to worry about messy ink refills ever again!
Pros:
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Special mobile app for easy editing and making of new labels
- Air print is enabled on this model
- Ink-less printing (the paper itself contains pigment)
- Tape size versatility
- 1-year limited warranty
Cons:
- This model will not work on a Mac computer
2. Rollo – Label Printer
Despite its simple cuboid shape, this Rollo label printer will nevertheless do an excellent job of printing high-quality labels whenever you need them.
A great thing about this model that is often overlooked as a useful characteristic of a label printer is that it can be used with any Mac operating system and Windows.
Important Features
High-Speed Printing
If you have a lot of labels to make and need to do this fairly quickly, this model can be the perfect solution, as its build allows for quick printing results.
When we say ‘quick,’ we mean 150 mm worth of label per second, which pretty much means one label a second if we’re talking about a regular-size label.
Of course, if you change the size and the shape of the label, you can also change the printing speed, depending on whether you’re downscaling or upscaling.
This quick printing feature could be a lifesaver for small-scale business owners, for example, who need to print many labels daily and do so quickly.
Compact Design
As we already said in the opening paragraph of this review, possibly the most immediately noticeable thing about this label printer is its small size and cuboid build.
This design makes this model easy to store and carry in a bag or a rucksack since this printer is fairly lightweight and small in terms of dimensions.
So, if you go on business trips often or need to carry a label printer with you for other reasons, this model can be an excellent option for your needs.
No Toner Required
Just as was the case with the model before this one, this Rollo label printer also doesn’t require any toner to work well.
This is because all the necessary toner to make printing possible is contained.
For this reason, you should never worry about running out of ink.
As long as you are stocked on the special paper needed to make this model run as it’s supposed to, you can rest assured that this little printer will continue printing your labels at speed.
Pros:
- Compact & portable cuboid design
- It doesn’t require any ink nor toner to work
- Features automatic label identification feature
- Can print one label per second (if the label is 150mm long)
- Works on both Windows and Max
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Quite expensive
3. DYMO – Label Writer 4XL Thermal Label Printer
Featuring a small build and a lot of customizable label templates you can choose from, this model from DYMO represents a solid and simple-to-use label maker for both folks working at home and somewhere else.
Other than the fact that using this label printer is a piece of cake, what’s also true is that this model can also print quite quickly, which can be an interesting characteristic for someone who needs to print a lot of labels and do so soon.
Important Features
Customizable Label-Making
In the case of label-making is more than just printing the recipient’s address on a small piece of specialized paper. This model might be a tool that would give you some room to express your creative side.
The thing is, this printer comes premade with 60 professional label templates so that you can choose the best one for your needs.
That’s not the end of the customization you can do with these labels, as the special Dymo software that comes with this model can help you achieve this purpose fairly easily.
Special Dymo Labels
When it comes to the sort of paper you can use with this printer, the folks at Dymo already came up with their labels that you can use for printing.
The labels that come out of this printer are always of high quality and make printing easy.
Another thing about this label paper worth mentioning is that it’s completely BPA-free, so anyone that handles it daily will not be exposed to the risk of contracting whatever it is that BPA can get you.
Thermal Printing Technology
Besides its excellent BPA-free and eco-friendly design, the label paper that comes with this model is also quite interesting in containing the ink or the pigment necessary for printing!
Essentially, you don’t need to use additional ink or toner with this printer since everything you need is already on the label.
This way, you can print however many labels you want or need to without ever needing to worry about running out of ink or needing to refill it.
Pros:
- Compact design, perfect for traveling and office
- It comes with 60 ready label templates
- Customization is possible using the special Dymo software
- Label paper made out of recyclable material
- Can print extra-wide labels
- You can use this model to print ready-made shipping labels from famous companies like Etsy, Amazon, eBay, and others.
Cons:
- Some models may not like the design of this unit
4. Brother – QL-800 High-Speed Professional Label Printer
If you’re looking for a quick, easy-to-use, compact label printer that you can use to quickly produce many labels for the products you need to ship, this model will do the job and pass the job of effectiveness with flying colors.
This model’s technology to print high-quality labels is thermal, the same as the models we already talked about above.
This means that this model requires no ink or toners, as all the ink it needs for printing is already contained in the label paper itself.
Important Features
High-Speed Printing
Depending on the sort of label that you want to print, this model can get you some pretty impressive printing speeds.
To be precise, if you’re printing standard address labels, this model can get you to several up to 93 labels per minute, which is more than 1.5 labels per second.
This can be a lifesaver if you run a business and quickly develop many labels.
So, instead of buying multiple label-makers, you can use this model to get excellent and speedy results in no time!
Customized Label Creation
Despite the vast majority of commercial labels looking pretty much the same, you don’t need to imitate the style of whatever label you know about simply.
You can make your labels look whichever way you so desire.
The only important thing to keep in mind is that your labels need to contain all the crucial pieces of info, as the folks who sort out the packages you send them to need to know where to send these boxes to.
For everything else, however, you can use the Brother’s iPrint&Label app (which is free) to get the best possible solution you need for this sort of situation.
Thermal Printing
No ink, no syringes to refill the toner tanks because you think you’ll save money that way, no more buying dodgy refilled toners with no clear manufacturer’s label.
Thanks to its thermal printing technology, this printer can create endless labels.
The ink for these labels is situated itself, so as long as you have the special printing paper for making these labels, you won’t have to worry about the ink.
Pros:
- High-speed printing (this model can make up to 93 standard-sized labels a minute)
- Can print black or red labels
- Thermal printing technology
- Features an automatic cutter
- Features a special Brother iPrint&Label app
Cons:
- Some users reported some issues when trying to use this thing with a Mac
5. MUNBYN – Label Printer
If you’re interested in getting a small cuboid that has ready labels coming out of it, this model from MUNBYN will give you just that – and a lot more, too.
Suppose you need to buy a label maker so you can create labels for sending goods from and to some of the most recognizable brands in the world. In that case, the great news about this model is that it supports and recognizes the labels of some of the most important global companies such as eBay, Etsy, Amazon, Shippo, Shopify, and many others.
Important Features
Thermal Printing Technology
In terms of the printing technology used for printing, this model is no exception for how it creates its labels.
Thanks to the special sort of paper used for printing purposes, you can rest assured that you will never have to worry about adding more ink into its ink tanks – because it doesn’t have any.
So, as long as you have enough paper, you will be able to print new labels to your heart’s content.
Compact Design
If you need to carry your label-printin’ with you, buying this model might be a good idea.
Since this MUNBYN label printer has a rather small build, carrying it around will be a piece of cake, no matter how much other stuff and gear you’re carrying with you.
If you’re a courier and you need to create some labels quickly, having this thing in your bag or some toolbox might be an excellent solution.
Overheating Protection
While label printers aren’t devices that can suffer many different damages, they can still get overheated under the right set of circumstances.
Namely, since this printer can print as many as 150mm/s worth of labels, if you leave it to work continuously, it will gradually get more and more hot.
So, to prevent problems related to overheating, the folks at MUNDYN made sure that this model comes with overheating protection, which will turn this thing off in case the temperature reaches a certain critical level.
Pros:
- Compact & portable design
- Quick printing (150mm/s)
- Simple, one-click setup
- Thermal printing technology
- Features overheating protection
- MUNBYN lifetime customer support
- Labels compatible with major global shipping corporations
Cons:
- Some users may not like the look of this device
6. MFLABEL – Label Printer
This model from MFLABEL offers you some pretty interesting features – a simple design, high-resolution printing, as well as a durable printing head for thermal printing.
In addition to thermal printing, as we’ve already outlined in the above paragraphs, this model runs without ink or toner, so you won’t have to buy additional supplies.
Important Features
High-Resolution Printing
High-resolution printing ensures that all labels, no matter their dimensions, will be easy to read from and that the numbers, letters, and images will all be of high quality and that they’ll look clear.
While the excellent quality of the symbols on the label is important for all label sizes, it’s especially important for smaller labels because some of their details can be difficult to figure out if the letters are too small.
Many Different Company Labels Supported
If you want to send something via one of the world’s most reliable and well-known shipping services, you are in for a treat – this model supports different formats of labels issued by these various companies.
For example, Amazon, Etsy, PayPal, and eBay all have different labels that this label printer can faithfully reproduce!
So, whenever you want to print something and need to put it on a label of one of these companies, you can rest assured that this model would be up to the task.
Thermal Printing
Last but not least, this label printer from MFLABEL also allows you to print without ever needing to worry about refilling toners or buying new ink cartridges.
All you need to print with this model to your heart’s content is the label paper you get special for this purpose, and you’re good to go.
Since the ink necessary to make an imprint itself is contained in the label paper, as long as you have enough paper, you will be able to produce as many labels as you want.
Pros:
- Excellent printing speed
- Can print barcodes
- Thermal printing technology (no ink and no toner needed)
- Viewable window
- It comes with an installation guide
- Compact design
Cons:
- This model is not compatible with Mac OS
Best Printer for Printing Labels Buyer’s Guide
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Label makers represent one of the simplest of all printers.
The smallest and simplest printers are the best for printing labels in size and build. This is mainly because the thermal technology does not need ink tanks or anything similar.
At the same time, even as small as they are, some label printer models do come with some pretty interesting features in terms of connectivity.
While the most typical form of connecting these devices to a computer would be USB cables, some models can be connected via Wi-Fi.
These ‘best printers for printing labels’ give you some interesting solutions to work with, as you don’t need any cables to set up a connection with the router and the computer so that you can print away.
Zero-Ink Technology
Virtually all models we presented to you today require no ink or toner to function and print.
The reason behind this we already explained on several spots in this article – the ink is contained itself rather than in the printer, so as long as you have enough rolls of printing label paper, you can print until you run out of it.
This design is also why many label makers are so small and compact.
Since there is no need to install toners, sprinklers, and other technology in these label makers (as they use thermal technology to run), they can be significantly downsized, especially if you compare them to regular-size printers.
Label Customization
Some label printers come with a ready set of templates that you can use to cut the time necessary for printing various labels – typically the most standard-looking ones.
Other than printing such labels, many models also allow you to customize labels and create new exciting designs.
This can be a great way to add a little bit of a personal touch to a series of labels you’re creating for your own business, for example.
Specialized Software
The way you can customize the labels we talked about amounts to the specialized software you can use for this purpose.
Some brands of label makers, such as Dymo and Brother, for example, make their special software, so you can use it to edit and further enhance your labels until you’re satisfied with their look.
The great thing about this feature is that it gives you a chance to create something unique that your customers will remember.
Even though labels on boxes may not come across as the best opportunity to advertise the product inside, a crafty business owner will find a way to make even the product and packaging labels of their brand memorable!
OS Compatibility
Since label printers are fairly simple contraptions, their software is not that advanced and can be best seen with operating system compatibility.
The thing is, while the vast majority of label printers are compatible with Windows, not all of them can work on Mac computers.
So, if you’re a Mac user or use both Windows and Mac, you might want to pay attention to what sort of compatibility the label maker you’re considering buying has.
How to Print Labels From Word?
Step 1
Microsoft Word is one of the programs that allows you to create customized labels that are printable immediately after.
To start creating a brand-new label, you first need to open a new Word document.
In the document, go to the Mailings tab.
Once the pop-up opens, you will see two additional tabs called Envelopes and Labels. To make a label, switch to the other tab called Labels.
Step 2
In this tab, you will see a box where you can enter the address where the box or other item the label will be stuck to needs to go.
If you want to print only one label (meaning, you won’t be printing any more labels of that kind any time soon), you need to tick the box that says Single label, and then choose the row and the column where this label will appear.
Leave that box unchecked if you want to make multiple labels with the same information.
Now, you can get into more detail about the appearance and various parameters of the label itself.
Step 3
Underneath the dialog box where you type in the text that will appear on the label, you can click on the Options button to further customize your label.
Once a new dialog opens, you will need to set the label’s dimensions.
The most common way of figuring out how large a label would be is by determining how many labels will fit on one A4 page.
For example, some options are 30 per page or ½ letter.
Choose what format and dimensions answer your needs in the best way, and then you can move on with your label making.
Step 4
After you’ve finished setting up all of your printing parameters, printing the actual label is just a matter of hitting the Print button in the lower-left corner of the dialog box.
If you’re printing multiple labels and want to customize some of them further, you can hit the New Document button, and a new dialog will appear where you can make additional adjustments.
On the other hand, if you’ve completed all of the adjustments you wanted, clicking print and then OK will complete the label creation process, and your new label will be printed!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Kind of Printer Do You Need to Print Labels?
When it comes to printing labels, you can do it with pretty much any printer.
Whether it’s inkjet, laser, or some other type, as long as it allows you to set the size of the document (that is, label) you want to print, it can be used for this purpose.
That said, if you want a printer designed for this purpose specifically, you may be better off just buying a label printer. These models also use special label tape, so you will easily make high-quality labels with one of these gadgets.
What Can Printers Print on Sticker Paper?
Printing stickers and various forms of thicker, specialized paper usually require a special sort of printer that won’t get jammed when you enter a sheet of thick paper inside it.
For this reason, the best printers for stickers are either inkjet printers with multiple cartridges or special label printers designed for thicker label paper anyway.
Can I Use Any Printer for Avery Labels?
Yes, you can.
That said, some types of printers perform better when making labels and, in general, print on thicker or special paper.
Typically, inkjet printers have an advantage over other printers when label printing is in question due to their putting paint on paper.
So, as far as Avery labels are in question, you can use any printer, but the results may vary.
How Do I Create Mailing Labels in Word?
As we explained above, printing labels from Word is a matter of opening a New Document, opening up the Mailing tab, and then customizing the look, the text, and the size and format of your label in more detail.
Once you’ve finished with all of these settings, all you need to do is press Print, and you will have the label you created in Word in real life in seconds.
How Do I Make My Printable Labels?
You can make your labels in a wide variety of ways.
There are quite a few label-making programs, including Canva, Adobe Spark Label Maker, Papilio Label Helper, and many others.
Of course, you can always make labels using a program such as Microsoft Word, so it’s up to you to choose what way suits your style and needs the best.
Conclusion
All in all, being able to make your labels in the comfort of your home is simply a matter of finding a piece of software you’re comfortable with, as well as arming yourself with the best printer for printing labels.
We hope that you managed to find the best printer for printing labels for your needs in the list above, and we wish you the best of luck with your label-making efforts.
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