The 17 Best Shipping Label Printers: Our Top Picks In 2024

1. Brother P-touch Label Maker - Best For Overall

2. Brother P-touch Plus PT-P710BT - Best For Versatility

3. DYMO 1755120 LabelWriter - Best Thermal Label Printer

4. Brother P-Touch, PTH110 - Best For Budget

5. Brother VC-500W Color Label - Best Color Printer

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These are some popular types of shipping label printers. Although they are all used for printing the product’ labels, these devices feature some different characteristics and suit some specific needs. 

Thermal Transfer Label Printers

This technique provides high-quality and long-lasting images using ribbons made of wax or resin-based ink. Thermal transfer printers can endure scorching weather or extreme conditions such as chemical and light exposure. 

They feature a  wide range of printing materials, including polyester, paper, and plastic, with the most durable one being polyester. 

This printing technique can enhance the quality of outdoor applications, permanent identification, and the specimens in the laboratory.

Direct Thermal Printers

The method of this printer technique is to directly apply the heat to the material. Direct thermal printers are simpler than thermal transfer printers. Still, they require blackens - a sensitive material that becomes reactive to the applied heat.

Because of the heat response, this is not the ideal option for long-term requests. It gradually fades and makes it hard to read and scan. Any impaction, heat, and water exposure can quickly diminish the quality of applications. 

Portable Label Printer

As their names suggest, the portable label printers feature great portability and flexibility in the usage process. You can use a mobile printer to make copies using the data stored in other digital devices via USB connection or Bluetooth. 

With the development in technology, these devices gradually give higher performance. They can print hundreds of papers and send data within seconds.

Their flexibility, high paper loading speed, and the ability to operate wirelessly give users more comfort. Therefore, this category is prevalent in various industries, such as transportation and healthcare. 

Desktop Printer

Another ideal shipping label printer is the desktop printer which is popularly used in homes and businesses for its simplicity. The desktop printers are connected to a computer. 

For this reason, you can easily send a digital file, and the printed pages are ready in a few seconds. These printers are usually used in limited space. They are big enough to fit on a desk or table.

In general, these printing devices come with efficient performance,  providing high-quality images and documents that meet multiple printing demands. 

Industrial Label Printer

The main purpose of industrial label printers is to print barcodes on labels and products. Their advantage lies in the ability to operate for a significant period of time, making them an ideal option for the printing industry. 

In addition, industrial label printers come with high endurance, large size, and helpful function.

These devices can provide detailed paintings at high speeds using an elaborate amount of pink. They can print a large number of images or documents but still keep the images clear and sharp.

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As I have covered some basic types of shipping label printers, the next step is to figure out which is the most suitable device for you. Here are some critical things to consider when looking for a high-quality label printer. 

Size

There are currently three primary sizes of printers. They are:

• Portable Printers: These are very small and compact devices that users can carry around easily. You can print the labels anywhere and stick them without the need to move the products around.

• Desktop Printer: This category is optimal for users with limited space. Most desktop printers are made of plastic, so they feature less durability. In addition, these devices run out of thermal ribbons more quickly. 

• Industrial Label Printer: This is the most high-end category in the market with the largest sizes and many useful features. They are made of metal, which can operate and print the labels for a significantly longer time. 

If you need to move around a lot and prefer a compact device, portable printers are the ideal option. Also, portable and desktop printers are significantly cheaper than large and heavy industrial products. 

However, the trade-off is less durability and a shorter lifespan. Also, if you feel lazy to refill the ribbons, industrial devices are the best category to consider. 

Durability

The durability of a printer depends on how much work it performs daily. If you don’t need to print much (less than 100 papers per day), then a regular desktop printer is sufficient for your needs. 

However, the larger workload requires higher capacity. For the businesses that have to print thousands of labels per day, industrial shipping label printers are a more reliable option. 

Connectivity

Prioritize the printers with USB connection and wireless connecting methods like Bluetooth or Wifi, for example. These features will give you more flexibility in the usage process. 

You can print anywhere as long as the Ethernet is set up without using the annoying connecting cables, which can get damaged or break down. In addition, these printers can send you online notifications when the ink has run out. 

Print Width and Label Size

The regular labels’ width printed by regular printers is 100 mm. However, you will need to use larger or smaller devices to produce different paper sizes. There are some small printers, such as the Logia Thermal that can print labels 4 inches wide. 

However, remember that the larger devices are generally more expensive, so opt for the one that suits your needs.  

Performance

The common speed of printers ranges between 4 to 14 inches of label per second. If you don’t print a lot of labels per day or in a short time period, then speed is not a significant factor to consider. 

In production, thousands of products need to be labeled, and you need high-speed shipping label printers. Usually, the faster ones also come with higher capacity and higher prices. 

Label Life

The label life of a printer depends on the way it is printed. Direct thermal devices will produce labels with a shorter lifespan, and they are more prone to high heat or extreme weather conditions. 

To prolong the lifespan of the labels, you should use the printers with the ribbon mechanism. This feature can make your labels immune to water and high heat or scratches. 

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I hope that the list of these label printers and the buying tips can help you find the ideal product for your business. If I had to pick one device, it would be the Brother P-touch Label Maker.

At a very affordable price, this small printing device can produce hundreds of labels per day at a high-speed printing capacity. It is very lightweight and convenient to use. 

In addition, the design of this printer is very modern and eye-catching, combined with a versatile keyboard on the body. For these reasons, the Brother P-touch label maker is a great product you should not miss. 

Thank you for reading!

Can You Use A Regular Printer To Print Shipping Labels?

A regular printer can print the shipping labels, so you don’t necessarily have to purchase a shipping label printer. However, the special printers designed specifically for this task can produce more detailed and beautiful labels. 

Does It Matter What Size You Print A Shipping Label?

The size of the shipping label is important so you can clearly see its details. It needs to be large enough to include all essential information for the carrier to send and scan. 

Can You Handwrite Shipping Labels?

Yes, you can. But ensure that the shipping labels you write are eligible. However, they still need the carrier barcode, which can not be created by handwriting.

Writing labels is very time-consuming compared to using printing machines.