How to choose a label printer for your print on demand business
Choosing a label printer is essential for your print on demand business. There are various printers to choose from and each printer has a particular property. Choose a printer that matches your product. Certain label printers are suitable for a particular product. There are certain parameters for choosing a label printer and they are below:
Size
This kind of printer is suitable for you if you have a limited space. It is less durable and comprises of plastic. You can use it to refill thermal ribbons and labels, more than the way you use an industrial printer. They are less expensive and simpler to use.
Industrial label printers
It can go on printing, it is fast and metal-based. This printer does not require changing labels or ribbons. It takes more space and costs more. It is durable and can print round the clock.
Label portable printer
Choosing this kind of printer depends on what you are printing. This kind of printer is the type you can carry on your shoulder. It is a model for printing sample label or shelf edge labelling where you can stick and print labels. This kind of printer is suitable for a higher temperature.
Durability
Durability is another factor to consider when choosing a label printer. If your environment is clean and you print with low volumes, we recommend a desktop printer.
- Choose an industrial printer if you are printing with a higher number.
There are industry size printers with plastics.
Connectivity
How does your printer connect with other units like: applicator port or applicator interface, Parallel and Near field Communication (NFC), Memory cards, WiFi, Bluetooth and Ethernet.
All of the printers have USB connection. Various printers have various options and have Ethernet and Bluetooth standards. You may have a limited choice if you are choosing a printer that have Applicator Interface or Parallel Interface. Choosing Ethernet as a printing option means you can print with a network from different colours. A network connection lets you manage a printer fleet with a network connection. You can get warnings with email if the printer runs out of labels or ink. Configure the printer remotely.
Performance
This is another reason to consider in choosing a label printer for your print on demand business. The printing speed varies between 4 inches for each second and 14 inches for each second. Use a faster printer if your printers are for printing faster labels. Smaller desktop printers are not faster than the larger ones.
Label choice
There are 2 kinds of labels to choose from, thermal transfer tags/labels and heat sensitive thermal labels. Thermal labels that are direct are not good for high thermal conditions.
Direct thermal labels do not need a thermal ribbon. This reduces the cost of the printer a little.
- Choose a thermal transfer printer for printing scratch resistant or durable labels. You may print tags or water-proof plastic labels and this is without a thermal ribbon. You can use such printers on labels or coated paper.
RFID label printers
Choose this if you want to inscribe data and labels. RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. RFID printing is a speciality on its own.
Resolution of printers
Printers with a higher DPI have more sharpness and the unit of measurement is Dots Per Inch. You can choose from 300 DPI printer or 203 printers. Choose that of 300 dpi if you are printing with a smaller label. You can choose a 600 dpi for smaller barcodes and 203 dpi for lesser appearance and presentation.
These tips above will help you effectively choose a label printer for your print on demand business.