How to choose the right barcode printer?

The 5 most important questions when choosing a barcode printer

1. Where do you want to print?
2. How many labels do you want to print?
3. Is label printing critical?
4. How important is quality?
5. Is maintenance and ease of use important?

1. Where do you want to print?

If you print in an office environment, robustness is less important. But if you print in a warehouse, receiving goods or manufacturing environment, your printer must be as extreme as the environment.

2. How many labels do you print with your barcode printer?

If you want to print labels 24/7 in your production process, you need a label printer designed to print day in and day out.

3. Is label printing critical?

If it is not critical, it is quite possible to work without labels for a time. But when it does become critical, of course you don’t want to shut down your entire production if the printer doesn’t work.

4. How important is quality?

Quality is closely related to the size of the label and the amount of data to be placed on it. For example, if you work in the electronics industry, you need labels that are very small but still contain a lot of data. Then you look at the printer’s resolution (dpi). The type of label also matters, perhaps you need special labels suitable for food or resistant to chemicals.

5. Is maintenance and ease of use important?

If you want to work with a larger number of printers or printers in different locations, it is not always practical to physically go to each printer. Then it is better to choose a type of label printer that supports remote management.

Conclusion

If you answer yes to 3 of the 5 questions then you need an industrial printer. These printers are capable of high volume quality label printing in extreme environments. They are made of sturdy metal frames that can withstand rough handling and manufactured from high-quality parts. These label printers often last 5 to 7 years without problems. Therefore, the durability and reliability of these printers ensures a low cost of ownership measured over the life of the product (ROI). If you answer yes to 1 or 2 of the questions, then in most cases you will be able to work perfectly with a desktop label printer.