How To Select The Right Label Printer

By Intermec, Inc.

There are numerous factors for selecting the right label printing solution to meet specific needs. Printing frequency, print quality, bar coding requirements, ease of use, and of course total cost of ownership (TCO) all come into play.

Many offices, retail stores, hospitals, labs, factories and other facilities have inefficient, overly expensive labeling processes because their needs changed over time but their printers did not. Inkjet and laser document printers simply aren't cost effective for many labeling scenarios because of TCO and quality drawbacks that develop when they are regularly used to print adhesive labels. Purpose-built thermal label printers are more cost effective, even at modest label printing volumes. They provide the added benefits of greater convenience, many more media options, more consistent print quality, and superior performance for bar code printing.

This white paper provides a brief overview of laser, inkjet and thermal technologies as they relate to label printing, explains the usage scenarios when each type of printer is most appropriate, and highlights hidden cost and performance considerations for each print technology. The paper also provides data and guidance to help you determine which printer type is most cost-effective for your labeling operations, and explains the cost, convenience and quality benefits that thermal printers provide.