We specialise in repairing and maintaining label makers, making us an authority on the subject. This means that one of the most common questions we’re asked is, “what is the best label maker?’
The answer we usually give is ‘it depends’. This is true, as different label makers will be best depending on what you need yours for. But as this isn’t much of an answer, today we’re going to talk in detail about what label makers you should look out for, so you can decide which is best for you.
But first, the basics.
What is a Label Maker?
A label maker (or label printer) is a machine that prints text and images onto adhesive materials, paper, card, or whichever material you want to use for your labels.
Most label printers are small, not much wider than the labels they print out. These are used from your desk for shipping labels, stickers, and more. Some are entirely independent machines that you type into using the built-in keyboard, making them mostly for text-based labels. Others connect to a PC, so you can create your labels digitally and then send them to your label maker for printing.
Bigger applications need bigger printers. In the manufacturing world, large label makers are used to print and apply labels to products. A fast-moving production line that creates thousands of products a day would be majorly delayed by standard label printers, so an industrial printer is the right tool for the job.
Why Use a Label Maker?
Label makers have a lot of uses for a wide variety of people and businesses. This includes:
- Shipping & Postage Labels
- Branding
- Organisation/Storage
- Manufacturing
- And more!
If you create any kind of product, you’ll need a label printer for shipping. Writing out addresses by hand is an arduous task that will look unprofessional and makes you more likely to make mistakes. Shipping labels can be created at the press of a button, and they’ll be spot on every time.
Branding is an underrated way to use a label printer. Stickers and decals are a great way to show off your brand; use them around your office, or hand them out at events to spread it even further. They can even be used alongside your shipping labels to add your logo to packages and letters.
When to Use a Label Maker
Your label maker might be a machine you don’t use very often. But when the time is right, you’ll be glad you have one. And if you’re looking for more excuses to use yours, consider how they can improve your workplace efficiency.
Almost all businesses need some form of storage. This can range from filing cabinets, to cupboards, to warehouses packed with products and equipment.
You can label every shelf, drawer, and box with quality labels. These can be small, with only text saying what needs to be on that shelf etc. or larger, more detailed ones that list the content of boxes, when they were stored, and even details like weight and fragility.
Because the labels you use are adhesive, you can remove and/or replace them at any time, or simply cover them up with a new label. This means that you can adapt your storage as the contents change, and your labelled areas won’t cause any awkwardness.
What Applications are Label Makers used for?
Those more domestic uses are great, but many companies use their label makers on a much larger scale.
As we mentioned earlier, the production of food and drink requires quality labels that can contain all the necessary information. This can include:
- Ingredients
- Dietary advice
- Allergens
- Cooking instructions
- Storage information
- Best before dates
This is even more important in the pharmaceutical industry, as there is a lot of information that is crucial to include, as well as dosages, side effects, and legal disclaimers.
In both these applications the labels need to show all the text clearly in only a small area. Quality label makers will guarantee clarity and ensure that the labels take a long time to fade, so consumers and users can see the relevant information for as long as it is needed.
Print quality is one of the most important things to think about when choosing the best label maker, but there are other factors too.
Which Label Maker is Best for you?
The best label maker for your business depends on your exact application. But there are some universal traits you’ll always want.
First, a reasonable price. Naturally you don’t want to burn too much of your budget on label printers, especially if you aren’t planning on using them all the time. However, you still want a quality product that will scale with your business as it grows.
In a similar vein, ease of use is important to keep in mind. For a factory or other high-pressure production environment, a specialist machine may be needed. These can be complicated and are often difficult to make the most out of. On a smaller scale, you want a machine that’s easy to understand and will fulfil all your needs from day one.
Last but certainly not least is reliability. Even label printers from leading brands, such as Zebra, DYMO, Brother, Toshiba can still develop faults that can halt production in an instant.
Don’t worry, that’s where we come in.
Label Maker Repair and Maintenance
We specialize in keeping your label printers working at their best. No matter which printer you use, the brand it’s from, or how old it is, we have a printer maintenance team ready and waiting to get you back up and running.
With decades of experience across our team, we understand the inner workings of all label makers and printers. Not only can we fix an issue you find, but we also have maintenance plans that keep your machines in the best condition possible.
After one of our regularly scheduled inspections, we’ll tell you about the overall condition of your machine, any issues we found, or anything that could cause a problem in the future. With a warehouse packed full of spare parts and peripherals, we’ll address any issues straight away, meaning minimal impact on your bottom line.