Label printer questions

[relicpeddler]

Hello all,

I'm behind the time with label printing and still print on paper and cut and tape and have been thinking about buying a label printer but have questions. My main question is how do they work with bulk labels?  I normally print 5 to 10 labels at once and on Mondays it's 25 to 30 plus.  Does it print all at once or one at a time in order of the pick list?  Second question what printer should I buy?

[bashort]

You can print them all at once, in groups or  one at a time, just check the box next to the ones you want to print.

A thermal and laserjet printer are ebay seller essentials.

[chapeau-noir]

I have a Zebra, but there are other brands. I can't recommend a label printer enough, it is SO much easier. 

[duffy4444]

   With a thermal, you can print as few or as many as you want. Just keep an eye on how many labels on the roll you have loaded... Generally speaking, if the labels run out before you're done printing, once you load another roll correctly (!), they will usually pick up automatically where you left off.

    Save your paper, cellophane tape, and the life of your paper printer and ink by switching to a thermal printer. I use a Dymo LabelWriter 4XL for printing 4x6 labels, and an older Dymo LabelWriter 330 Turbo for the smaller and thinner labels... I would go back to a paper printer only with great kicking and screaming...

Cheers, Duffy

[inhawaii]

I use a ROLLO brand.

I'm very happy with it.

It has worked flawlessly for years.

[mamacassidy]

It's not just easier, it's so much cheaper over time.

I did the printer/ paper/ tape on method for a couple of years, but I was spending a ton of money on printer ink (and a little on tape).

I got a thermal printer and bought some labels in bulk, and now I've not had to purchase any additional printing supplies for over 2 years (and probably not for the next 2-3 years in the future).

[christworks]

A thermal printer should be any resellers first investment IMHO. It saves you so much time and money. 

Honestly, you do not need to spend much on one. The no-name ones for $60-$100 generally work very well. I have a COMER that I have been using for almost 3 years. I've had no issues with it. There are some inexpensive models that can do color printing as long as you have the right paper. I plan to upgrade to one of those soon so I can start printing my own stickers in color. Right now I use my Comer to print shipping labels and smaller labels for SKUs.

Edit: Mine does not have a Bluetooth feature - I want that for my next upgrade, so you may want to consider that if you want flexibility on where you can put it. 

[relicpeddler]

The printing paper labels don't cost me much I have a very good Brothers Laser jet printer and the toner cartridge last 6 to 8 months and papers cheap and 2 labels per page. I do how ever use a ton of tape I buy 50 roll bundles and use that up in about 6 months.  I guess with a label printer I will have to use my phone? I always print from a PC upstairs and this label printer will have to be down stairs in my basement  where I pack and ship and store all my listings.  

[hardrhymer76]

There are label printers that work over WiFi, just the same as any modern inkjet or laser jet printer. You'd just need to make sure it has that feature before you buy. 

For example, Rollo offers a WiFi-enabled label printer, but I chose to get their USB-only version because my PC is right next to where I ship.

[funfactorychannel]

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@relicpeddler wrote:

The printing paper labels don't cost me much I have a very good Brothers Laser jet printer and the toner cartridge last 6 to 8 months and papers cheap and 2 labels per page. I do how ever use a ton of tape I buy 50 roll bundles and use that up in about 6 months.  I guess with a label printer I will have to use my phone? I always print from a PC upstairs and this label printer will have to be down stairs in my basement  where I pack and ship and store all my listings.  

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You don't have to use phone. My Label Printer is connected to my PC. just look for the label printer with the right connector.

Paper has never been more expensive than ever. I used to buy a case of paper for 15 now these days its like 40 dollars.

Thermal saves me time just print and slap on box versus spending extra 2 minute to  cute and tape it up.

[chapeau-noir]

Both my laser and label printer is wi-fi, but you can just run it from your phone. 

[mam98031]

@relicpeddler 

I bought a used Zebra Thermal printer ZP450 off Ebay about 15 years ago and it is still going strong.  I like the Thermal printers because then I don't have to pay for expensive ink.  I get the rolls of labels I need off Ebay.  It really is an economical way to produce labels.  

The only thing I'd suggest is run a test label first before running 25+ labels so you make sure it is properly lined up.  I find that power outages can cause it to be slightly different.  Not sure what happens.  Typically not a big deal, but for me it changes a little.

[fern*wood]

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@relicpeddler wrote:

The printing paper labels don't cost me much I have a very good Brothers Laser jet printer and the toner cartridge last 6 to 8 months and papers cheap and 2 labels per page. I do how ever use a ton of tape I buy 50 roll bundles and use that up in about 6 months.  I guess with a label printer I will have to use my phone? I always print from a PC upstairs and this label printer will have to be down stairs in my basement  where I pack and ship and store all my listings.  

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Coincidentally I just changed my set up this weekend.  I've used a laser printer for years, but have always used sticky labels two to a sheet (no taping).  My packing room is not in the same room as my desktop/printer, though, and I probably log miles between the two rooms when I'm shipping.

We had purchased a Dymo 4xl label printer at a yard sale and just decided to put it in my packing room along side an old laptop, my husband always has several around. (don't ask).    This is working out great and we don't know why we didn't think to do it a long time ago. 

[bashort]

I use the zebra lp 2844 and they are awesome and cheap and never break I have 3 of them.

I just looked and you can get a used one for $40 - $100 with shipping. 

[pickapaper]

I'll just jump in here with a different comment as a couple of people have mentioned the price of printer ink cartridges.  I used to spend a small fortune on ink cartridges every year.  About four years ago, I bought one of the Canon Pixma wireless tank printers.  I use that printer every day, sometimes heavily, and in that almost four years, I have only bought one bottle of black ink for about $50.00.  (I don't do a lot of color printing).  I can't say enough good things about that printer.  Also, I always watch garage sales and estate sales for copy paper, sometimes can find it cheap.