Home Label Maker
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If so, a label maker is a perfect addition to your home or office. With some label makers, you can even whip up some fancy designs that’ll look like they’re professionally made. Since they both technically make and print labels, some use these terms interchangeably. However, a label maker is traditionally a relatively small and portable standalone gadget that allows you to type and print lettering all on the same device. Keep in mind that you can't backspace or delete, so you'll need to be very careful that you don't make spelling errors when you're working. However, this style of label maker is also extremely portable and good for anyone who's taking their product to different project sites.
Now, they did note that the tape works best on smooth surfaces, so keep that in mind when figuring out where to stick all your labels. However, you could try Bostrom's advice for working around tricky surfaces like a basket or cloth. "Grab a label clip, slip it over the side of the basket and add your label to the clip!" You'll also need to have six AA batteries on-hand. Overall, this pick would ultimately be great for personal projects or even a small business. If you are specifically looking for a desktop labeler, the Brother PC-Connectable Label Maker is our top choice.
Best for Small Businesses
Here are a few of the most important factors to consider when looking at label maker options. Also I like the fact that I can order small or large quantities of labels depending on my needs. I was very happy with the design & Print Online, it saved me lots of time over trying to get a template and putting everything together on my own.
It’s important that your label maker comes with a good display as you’d want to have a good idea of how your label looks before you go ahead and print it. While this isn’t too much of a problem for desktop label makers as you’ll be able to see your design on a computer, it’s a huge consideration for handheld label makers. Ensure that they come with LCD or graphic displays so you’ll be able to see your labels with ease.
Best Desktop
For continuous rolls, you can calculate a price per inch by dividing the cost by the number of inches. If you have a sense of how long your labels will be on average, you can also divide the result in inches by the average inches per label, to convert the number of inches into the number of labels. Today's label printers range from small desktop units for file-folder paper labels to industrial-grade ones for labeling cables with plastic strips. Here's how to pick the right labeler, along with our top lab-tested picks for different uses. The print resolution is also vital – especially if you’re using it for work and require a professional finish. If you want a higher print resolution, a desktop label maker might be more suited for the job.
Notably, this handheld and portable label maker boasts a large screen with two rows of text, six font sizes, six pre-loaded styles, and a built-in library with upwards of 220 clip art images and symbols, too. The cartridges are pricey, but we appreciate the crisp lettering of the thermal-printed tags. You can also connect it to a Mac or PC via Bluetooth to import your own fonts and graphics. Your experience is very customizable, as a result, and you have the flexibility to be creative with the labels you create for your space. Basic label makers give you only one font, though you can often customize its size and style. Other models come with multiple fonts, symbols, frames, and graphics.
Custom Labels
Negative reviews said that their label maker didn’t work right out of the box and that customer service didn’t help them solve this issue. We then got to work on making labels, typing out both short and long strings of characters to see how each keyboard felt. We paid close attention to the layout of the keys and how many useful function keys the printers had. If you stick labels on food storage containers, water bottles, or anything else that you’d put in the dishwasher, we recommend the Brother PT-D450 because its labels won’t wash off after one cycle. This model’s compact size and comfy keyboard make operating it with one hand easy. It also has a large and bright display, an intuitive interface, and a convenient rechargeable battery.
We recommend the DYMO Organizer Xpress Pro if you are looking for a model that is ready to go directly out of the package and doesn't even require batteries. This device comes with the tape preloaded, so you can start creating tags in a matter of seconds. Geared toward hobby and home use, the MakeID covers the basics for Bluetooth label makers.
No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free. The DYMO LabelManager 420P is ready to print as soon as you install a printer cartridge and turn it on. The Brother P-Touch Cube Plus interfaces with a phone app via Bluetooth or can be connected to a computer app with a USB cable. See individual product pages for all conditions & system requirements.
Some even offer a wide range of monochrome-color choices, including, say, white on dark green, or yellow on pink. The printer itself is a stylized box measuring 3 by 7.7 by 3.3 inches and designed to look good sitting on a desk. It can connect by either USB or Wi-Fi, which lets you print from a PC, a phone, or a tablet.
It lacks a keyboard and does not offer Bluetooth connectivity, so the only way to create a label is with Brother's desktop software. However, for those in the market for a super-fast desktop label maker, we think the QL-800 is the way to go. Maybe you need to label your storage containers in your garage, some mason jars to organize dried goods in your pantry, or print shipping labels for your small business. No matter the application, our review aims to help you find the right product for you. For other supplies for your home office, we've tested everything from the best wifi mesh systems, home printers and standing desk converters to the best paper shredders.
But these two distinct types of printers both come under the umbrella of label printers, and not all printers for plastic (and other non-paper) labels are handheld models. Most industrial-style printers support a diverse set of blank label tapes, or rolls, often with a choice of materials besides standard plastic. We primarily review consumer-grade and professional-grade small-business label printers that range in price from less than $100 to just more than $700. (Some of our favorites have been available for years.) The good news? For the most part, what's available is a collection of proven, solid performers.
The Brady BMP21-PLUS tape cartridge snaps right into place on the front of the device, which made the process of changing tape super simple. The Brother QL-800 need to be plugged into the wall as well as your computer in order to print labels. Some models are able to print any font that you have on your computer.
And many printers that use plastic and other non-paper stock are particularly versatile, capable of printing many different types of labels in a wide range of sizes. The application for which you plan to use your label maker will largely affect the dollar amount you'll need to spend. For tradespeople who need a label maker for industrial applications such as labeling wire panels and circuit boards, the Brady BMP21-PLUS is well worth the investment. Suppose you want a rechargeable handheld version with an integrated keyboard that also connects to a computer for creating shipping labels, barcodes, QR codes, and more.
Avery Design & Print
If you need only plastic labels, the speed of the Cube Plus gives it a potential edge over the LW-PX400, which you'll need to balance against Epson's lifetime warranty, versus just one year for the Cube Plus. But what will likely determine which is the right printer for you are the tapes each works with. The types for the Cube Plus include standard plastic , flexible ID , strong adhesive, fabric, ribbon, acid-free , and security tape (can't be removed and replaced without showing evidence of that). Compare this to the list for the LW-PX400, and you'll see that each printer offers some that the other lacks.
To tackle the task of comparing label makers, we chose our review editor Ross Patton. If you need a model that will print barcodes, QR codes, shipping labels, or imported files, the MakeID is not the one. This model is much more geared toward simple home or hobby use than industrial or professional use.
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