Free Premium Guide For Label Printers

1. What Is A Label Printer, And What Can It Do?

Label printers have been specially developed to allow endless and fast printing of individual labels on rolls and stickers. The speed and professional print image are crucial in an industrial environment. In addition to being installed in labeling machines for further processing adhesive labels, label printers also offer different advantages. They must be able to withstand harsh production environments and be resistant to chemicals as well as heat. Label printers are primarily used for printing barcode labels, shipping labels, name tags, ride and entry passes, name badges, and so on. They operate primarily on the basis of thermal transfer or thermal direct and are widely used in industries, logistics and retail. Additionally, label printers are also used by the private sector for the marking of wine bottles. Direct thermal printing is done with a heat sensitive label that does not require a ribbon. On the other hand, thermal transfer printing requires a ribbon, which may be wax, wax-resin, or resin, depending on the label's requirements. There is a clear distinction between desktop label printers, mobile label printer, and industrial label printer. The resolutions available are 203, 300, and 600 dpi, as well as a print speed of up to 350 mm/seq.

2. How Does A Label Printer Work?

The operation of the label printer is, in essence, dependent on the printing method used. Label printers are most commonly used for direct thermal printing or thermal transfer printing.

Direct Thermal Printing

The direct thermal printing of labels is employed for heat-sensitive labels. At the print head, partial exposure to heat causes a blackening of the thermo-sensitive surface.

Advantages

• High printing speeds
• Low printing costs

Disadvantages

• Not heat-resistant
• Not too long-lasting

Thermal Transfer Printing

Thermal transfer printing involves using an ink ribbon made from thermal material and suitable for heat treatment. As a result of the partial heat effect at the print head, the ribbon's color is applied to the label.

Advantages

• Durable and contour sharp prints
• Excellent durability
• Long life expectancy

Disadvantages

• Monochrome and gridded printing
• There are two separate consumables: paper and ribbon
• Thermal transfer printing is more costly than direct thermal printing

3. Does Label Printer Use Ink?

In short, thermal printing allows users to duplicate an image into a specific material, using heat. It is an important point to note that thermal label printers operate just like standard printers. The only difference is that a thermal label printer uses special media like label rolls that are reactive to heat rather than using ink. Thermal printing is available in two different types: direct thermal and thermal transfer printing.

4. What Are The Advantages Of Label Printers?

• Ideal for high-volume label printing
• Labels are processed rapidly
• Facilitating workflows
• Automated printing saves valuable time
• Labels can be designed professionally using label software
• No storage costs with pre-ordered labels - print labels when you require them

5. Where And How Are Label Printers Used?

The areas of application for label printers are very diverse, so it is difficult to generalize. They are used in industrial, commercial, logistics, and office settings. You can label folders and files, print shipping labels, print price labels, and simplify handling with them. On a general level, label printers are useful where you want to sell, ship, and label products.

6. What Are Important Criteria For Choosing The Right Label Printer?

First, ask yourself what print volume and print speed you want, what resolution you want to print, and what width you want. Mobile label printers are utilized for small print volumes, while desktop printers and industrial label printer systems are used for medium-large print volumes.

7. What Label Printer Manufacturers Exist?

• Honeywell
• Datamax by Honeywell
• Datamax O'Neil by Honeywell
• Intermec by Honeywell
• Carl Valentin
• TSC
• Afinia
• Avery Dennison
• Brother
• CAB
• Epson
• Godex
• NOVEXX
• Primera color printer
• Printronix
• SATO
• Toshiba Tec
• Zebra

WILUX PRINT is a company that is regarded as a Platinum Service Provider by Honeywell. WILUX provides the necessary personnel, facilities, and equipment to support the sale of Honeywell products to its customers as a Platinum Service Provider. Additionally, WILUX supplies adequate and competent technical resources to respond promptly to technical questions. Moreover, WILUX offers counsel regarding selection, integration, and use of the products and software programs. WILUX also configures the products at the customer's site, acting as the primary resource for customer support needs. Furthermore, WILUX is also a TSC Power Partner Gold for TSC products.

8. What Are The Costs After Purchasing A Label Printer?

It is important to recognize that the availability of a label printer plays a major role in the production process. This is why regular and preventive maintenance can improve reliability and quality assurance of work processes. Keeping repair costs low through regular and preventive maintenance by properly qualified personnel is a significant measure. In this manner, periodic maintenance allows early detection of signs of wear before major, foreseeable damage and unplanned production interruption occur.

As part of the maintenance contract for label printers, WILUX PRINT includes the following services:

• Cleaning
• Functional check
• Replacement of counter pressure roller
• Check label sensor and calibrate if necessary
• Ensure print quality and readjust when necessary
• Check sensors and readjust if necessary
• Maintenance contracts include cleaning materials and parts such as screws, washers, etc.

9. What Should Be Considered When Setting The Print Temperature?

The optimum firing temperature can be set on the label printer in the print properties area or with the software supplied. The appropriate burn temperature is dependent upon the material used and the transfer ribbon. If the label appears to stick to the ribbon, reduce the print temperature. An alternative option is to increase the print temperature if the print result does not perform well. The ideal blackening plays a major role in reading ability especially with barcodes.

10. How Does A Label Printer Put The Print Image On The Label?

Direct thermal and thermal transfer printers are differing in their functions. Direct thermal printing causes the heat-sensitive surface of the label to become blackened by partial heating of the print head, creating a printed image. With thermal transfer printing, however, an ink ribbon made of thermal material is heat-sensitive and fed between the paper and the print head. As a result of the partial heat effect at the print head, the color of the ribbon is applied to the label.

11. Do Label Printer Manufacturers Offer Customer Support?

Almost all label printer manufacturers provide customer support via phone, email or by means of a contact form. The most frequently asked questions are addressed through an FAQ blog. Below are links that provide support for each manufacturer of label printers.

• Honeywell / Datamax / Datamax O'Neil / Intermec
• Carl Valentin
• TSC
• Afinia
• Avery Dennison
• Brother
• CAB
• Epson
• Godex
• NOVEXX
• Primera
• Printronix
• SATO
• Toshiba Tec
• Zebra

Check suppliers service and support to avoid production downtime

WILUX PRINT has been providing labeling and marking services for more than 40 years. WILUX offers fast and high-quality service and support for label printers. Having certified Honeywell Platinum Service Provider and TSC Power Partner Gold, you will not find a better service anywhere else in Switzerland. Support by phone, remote assistance, technical advice, repairs, maintenance, on-call service, training, installation and commissioning - WILUX is the perfect solution.

12. Which Label Software Can I Use If I Don't Like The Label Printer Software?

Essentially, the distinction here is whether you want labels for professional use or are seeking a solution for personal use.

Professional Use

• Loftware NiceLabel
• Teklynx CODESOFT
• BarTender Seagull Scientific

Personal Use

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Canva

13. How To Clean A Label Printer?

Maintenance of your label printer will save you from costly production downtime, extend your printer's life, and ensure clear print results. Clean your label printer with an isopropyl alcohol cleaning kit consisting of an alcohol solution, cleaning pens, and cleaning wipes. This type of alcohol offers the advantage of being water-soluble, residue-free, and evaporating quickly. You can now easily clean your thermal printer by following the following tips:

1. Remove your thermal printer from the power to cool it down
2. Lift the print head and remove the ink ribbon and the label roll
3. Apply a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to the cleaning cloth and wipe the print head with light pressure
4. Take a little isopropyl alcohol on a cleaning pen and carefully clean the label sensor
5. Following this, let everything dry well

14. Can I Clean The Print Head Of A Thermal Printer On My Own?

To accomplish this, apply some isopropanol alcohol to a cleaning cloth and gently wipe the print head. Don't forget to disconnect the printer from its power supply in order for it to cool completely. Make sure that you take the label roll and ink ribbon off your printer. The print head is an important component, so you must maintain gentleness during cleaning.

15. Which Liquid To Clean The Print Head?

You can use isopropanol alcohol to clean your print head. It is water-soluble and residue-based and has the ability to evaporate quickly.

16. What Is A RFID Label Printer?

RFID stands for radio frequency identification, which refers to the identification of frequencies by radio, i.e. through electromagnetic waves. By doing so, data can be stored and read without contact. RFID solutions permit logistics processes to be conducted more efficiently and more quickly. RFID tags allow you to read multiple volumes of data simultaneously without visual contact with them. This will save time and money in the daily data capture process.

With RFID label printers, labels are printed with ink or thermal printers using a RFID encoder module. The information is sent to the RFID transponder on the other side simultaneously. This way, you can make sure that all the information belongs together. RFID label printers allow you to print labels at the same time as you read, check, and write them.

Advantages RFID Label Printer

• Automates the processing of data
• Reduces human effort and error
• RFID tags are read without line-of-sight or item-by-item scans
• A RFID reader can read multiple tags simultaneously
• Improved efficiency
• RFID tags within range can be detected and matched with your database
• Assets can be cross-referenced to assigned locations and recorded as present, missing, or relocated
• Using RFID tracking, you can combine active scanning and fixed readers
• Assets and employees can be tracked and accessed automatically, from supply chain management to facility security and emergency planning
• Scanners support RFID and barcoding

Disadvantages RFID Label Printer

• Metals and liquid materials are susceptible to affect signaling
• Often not as accurate as barcode scanners
• RFID readers are 10x more costly than barcode readers
• It is hard and time-consuming to implement

17. What Is A Desktop Label Printer?

The use of desktop label printers allows the printing of labels in standard formats in a more compact and efficient manner. Low initial costs and uncomplicated handling enable them to print barcode labels, receipts, identification labels, shipping labels, and so on. A desktop label printer typically has a roll of stock up to 100 mm (4 in) wide and is typically designed for light-to-medium-duty use.

18. What Is A Mobile Label Printer?

Unlike traditional printers, mobile label printers are battery-powered devices that can be used to print labels without a direct computer connection. For printing, data can either be loaded into the internal memory before use, or it can be received via mobile data transmission. Direct thermal technology is generally used to print, allowing additional ribbon space to be saved. Mobile label printers are available for two purposes: portable devices and label printer for vehicles. Mobile printers increase employee productivity and accuracy by enabling portable printing of barcode labels, receipts and RFID tags at the point of application.

19. What Do Industrial Label Printers Cost?

Generally, standard thermal desktop label printers with a resolution of 203 dpi are available from about CHF 450.

Industrial label printers that operate direct thermal and thermal transfer processes and offer resolutions as high as 600 dpi cost approximately CHF 5100.

20. Where Can I Buy Label Printers?

Label printers are available at almost every major electronics retailer. When purchasing a label printer, however, you should pay attention to the service and support of the supplier to avoid production downtime. Therefore, you should choose a company that specializes in labeling and marking and who has many years of experience. Ideally, they should be an official service provider of the manufacturer you consider in order to assure direct repairs to your label printer.

WILUX PRINT - More Than Just A Label Printer Supplier

We provide label printers with exceptional service and support from the very beginning. Our team is made up of professional technicians who can help with even the most challenging label printers in the industry. With over 40 years of experience in labeling and marking, we have set a solid foundation for a successful partnership. Additionally, WILUX PRINT is an official Platinum Service Provider of Honeywell Printers and also a Platinum Power Partner of TSC.

Contact our team today to get high quality advice or an offer for label printers at a fair price.

Have a question? Let us know by emailing us at mail@wilux.ch or calling our direct line at +41 55 253 24 24

Our sales and customer service team can assist you in selecting the right label printer for your needs.

Get in touch with us!