What is the Best Barcode Label Printer - Laser, Dot Matrix, Ink Jet Or Thermal?

There are many types of label printers available on the market, each unique in their printing mechanisms, functionality, portability, advantages, and disadvantages.

Laser printers work pretty much like photocopiers and can print high-quality text and images quickly. They work by projecting controlled streams of ions onto the surface of a print drum, resulting in a charged image. The charged image attracts toner particles, using pressure to transfer the image unto the paper. This is the type of printer often used for the printing of documents which contain barcodes because of its speed and high resolution image-printing.

Dot matrix printers used to be popular because they were readily-accessible and inexpensive. However, the ribbons used in dot matrix printers require a lot of maintenance and the printer is limited to the dot-size of the matrix and, therefore, cannot print small labels. When used in barcode printing, ink saturation also often causes bleeding and distorts the image of barcodes.

Another common printer found in most households is the ink-jet printer. It is mostly used due to its multi-functionality. Ink-jet printers print very slowly. The printer itself is not durable as it is sensitive to dust, dirt, vibrations, and other external factors.

A common disadvantage of all three printers - laser, dot matrix and ink jet - is the inability to print single, individual labels. These printers print by batch or by sheet which often leads to a waste of extra labels.

For individual label printing, thermal printers are often used. There are two types of thermal printers. One is the transfer thermal printer, which works like the ink-jet and dot matrix printer, only it uses heat to transfer the ink form the ribbon to the paper.

A more convenient type of printer is the direct thermal printer. It basically works by burning the heat-sensitive part of the thermo-paper, which creates the image on the label. The printer sends a current of electricity to the heating resistor on the thermal head. The thermal head then generates a specific pattern and the heat produced activates the layer of the paper which contains dyes that act as ink.

Aside from being able to print single labels, the thermal printers also hold other advantages over other types of printers. One of the most important thermal printer advantages is its compatibility with most high-quality point of sale software. The barcode labels produced from POS software allow for easier and more accurate inventory tracking.

Another advantage of the thermal printer is its ability to process a variety of data without compromising the speed of the printing. Also, thermal printers print with high resolution and density to create high-quality images and text.

Thermal printers can be easily operated. The printer itself may be somewhat more expensive than other types of printers, but the very low supply cost makes up for it. The printer doesn't use ink cartridges, toners, or ribbons; the only printing material that needs to be replenished is the special thermo-sensitive paper. In general, thermal printers are cost-efficient, reliable, and very convenient for any types of business venture.

One of the most popular thermal barcode label printers on the market is the Zebra Eltron 2844. If you'd like more information on this printer, please visit http://www.amberpos.com/point-of-sale-hardware/zebra-eltron-2844/.

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How to Choose a Printer For Your Bulk Label Needs

The thing with label printers is that they tend to get taken for granted. Buyers seldom think about quality when picking up a label printer. After all, labels will be used on envelopes that will eventually get thrown away. What's high-quality adhesive? Do adhesives even have quality? Such ideas may eventually end up saddling you with a label printer that will not only fail to live up to your expectations but end up being a piece of junk.

Choosing a label printer requires as much application as for buying a laser or inkjet printer. Speed and connectivity are surely of more importance that overall quality in the case of a label printer but you cannot completely rule out quality issues.

- Convenient to use and durable label printers are definitely more useful. Because of the bulk printing needs, you really don't need a delicate label printer sitting on your desk.

- Some manufacturer's offer label printers at dirt cheap rates. This is not so in the case of laser and color printers. But that doesn't mean you should simply pick a low-priced item. Label printers are easily rendered redundant due to a single malfunction. It is best that you try a well-known brand rather than a cheap one. Check for companies whose core area of manufacture is label printer. Several portals on the Internet allow you to compare many machines according to a host of attributes including price and quality but you can also read reviews put up on blogs and in forums to reach a decision about a label printer to suit your needs.

In the under-$40 range, Brother's hand-held and desk light label printers are great. The Brother P-Touch PT-1280 Thermal can give you laminated monochrome labels up to ½" wide at 180 dpi max res. That's pretty okay when it comes to addresses. The unit includes a 15-character display that's easy on the eye and has six formats in 9 type styles to choose from. The Brother P-Touch 1010 Thermal is a hand held that gives 180 dpi res and runs on six alkaline batteries. The Dymo Corporation RHINO PRO 1000 Industrial Label Printer is versatile, costs just over $50 and perfect for any labeling. You can label cables and wires or, faceplates and punch blocks with it. Even audio/video components and warehouse storage equipment along with machinery and garage shelves can be tagged very easily with this machine.

But an all-time favorite desktop label printer for most needs is the O'Neil LP3 Thermal that gives a 203 dpi max res in monocrome. A Serial LP3 portable printer, it is great for hand tags and in the retail industry. It gives very fast paper loading and almost twice the label capacity as most other printers in the category. Another very popular label printer is the Sato CL412e Thermal for unparalleled processing speed and large on-board memory for any kind of label output. The O'Neil machine costs about $780 approx and the Sato costs about $1,570 approx.

In the higher range of greater than $2,000 you can check out the Sato CL612e Thermal offering even better resolution at 305 dpi or the slightly cheaper Intermec Easy Coder PX6i Network Thermal offering 203 dpi. This printer is great for compliance labeling applications with variable data that needs immediate results. The PX series printer happens to be the first bar code label printers that integrate Intermec's Readiness Indicator (IRI) light for accepting visual cues too. In the cheaper range of less than $500, you can try the Zebra range of label printers that are just fine for an extended family use or small office use.

It is always a difficult task to choose color printers for bulk label needs. For this you have to visit several sites for the products. Your one visit to Pcruch.com could save you a lot of time for choosing the best label printers for you. There are printers from almost all the brands and types. Therefore you can easily search, compare and find the printer for your needs.

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