Zebra have been one of the biggest names in printing for decades now. Since their humble beginnings in 1969, they’ve become a household name, and one of the first brands that businesses think of when they need a new printer.
We’ve worked with Zebra products for many years now, supplying their machines as well as spare parts for Zebra label printers, and servicing and repairing our clients’ machines too. So we decided to share some of that knowledge and talk about the best industrial label printers on the market.
But before we discuss individual machines, let’s first go over their uses as a whole.
Zebra Industrial Printers for Businesses
So who needs an industrial printer? The answer to this question depends on what your business does, as some companies use them even if they’re uncommon in their sector.
Industrial label printers, as the name suggests, print professional-standard labels at a high rate, and the labels themselves can be customised to suit your needs and branding.
The most common use for these machines is shipping labels. If your business involves logistics, and you need to ship products and other items across the country or internationally, you need reliable labels printed quickly. Most office printers can’t create shipping labels with adhesive backing. Paper labels are harder to use, easier to damage in transit, and overall look less professional.
If your company produces products of any kind, it’s almost certain that they’ll need labels. This can be general information about the product, ingredients and dietary details, or dosages and warnings on medicine packaging. All of this information is incredibly important to include, so you need a labelling machine you can rely on.
Choosing the Right Zebra Printer for your Business
Some people hear the word ‘industrial’ and think that these machines are only for huge businesses or factories. But there are plenty of industrial label printers that are compact, ideal for smaller companies who might only need a few batches of labels per week.
These machines bridge the gap between office label printers and the advanced printers you’ll find on a factory floor or in a large warehouse. They offer all the versatility of a bigger machine without taking up too much space or being too complicated to make the most of.
The latter is a factor that is often overlooked, industrial machines can be trickier to use at first, which is frustrating if you just need some labels. However, once you’ve familiarised yourself with all the printer can do, you’ll realise the versatility they offer, and that the quality is unmatched.
Another factor is scalability. When looking for a printer, many business owners ignore this, choosing a cheap, basic option that suits their existing needs. This works well at first and gets you the prints you want. However, as your business grows, the demands you’ll put on your printer will increase fast, and it’ll soon be unable to keep up. When this is the case, you’ll have to purchase a new industrial printer and get it set up, which results in downtime that will affect your output.
We recommend choosing a machine that will handle your future high demands and provide all you need for the present.
Why Choose Zebra Industrial Printers?
Zebra isn’t a leading brand by accident. Decades of R&D mean that their current range of industrial label printers are well-suited to any business.
Their entry-level models are better than some of the best from other brands. For example, their ZT100 Series Printers are affordable but reliable, making them the perfect entry point for a small business. Their fast print speed makes them more scalable than other machines of a similar size or price, so it’s a worthwhile investment even if your company is growing fast.
Before you pick a printer, you should always establish what materials you’ll be printing onto. If direct thermal printing is all that is necessary, you don’t need a machine that can also handle thermal transfer rolls. In their ZT400 Series, both options are available, so you can find a machine that fits your needs exactly and won’t have to adjust your work around the printer’s capabilities. This series also contains both 4-inch and 6-inch printing capacities, another factor you need to keep in mind before you settle on one machine.
The Zebra ZT600 Series Printers are some of the best in the world, with unmatched print speeds and high print resolutions. If quality is paramount, you need a machine that suits your high standards. Every label should represent your brand well, with the quality that you and your customers expect. The ZT600 machines are incredibly advanced, giving you more control over what you print. If you want customised labels that add a splash of branding, look no further.
No matter which machine you choose, Zebra’s focus on reliability will guarantee that it lasts for a long time. They pride themselves on the robustness of their industrial printers, machines that can handle the toughest conditions without sacrificing quality of prints. If you’re putting a lot of pressure on your printers, make sure it’s from a manufacturer that won’t let you down.
Zebra Industrial Printer Servicing and Maintenance
Zebra industrial printers are tough; there’s no denying that. However, like any machine, they don’t last forever. When you rely on your printer you want to maximise its lifespan and ensure that you don’t see a reduction in quality over time.
That’s where we come in. Label Line’s engineers are experienced with all Zebra machines, regardless of size, age, or intended purpose. With our regular servicing agreements, we’ll inspect your Zebra printers at a time scheduled well in advance, checking to see if there are any faults, and give the machine a thorough clean as well.
If there is anything that could cause a fault or drop in performance, we’ll work with you to organise the right repairs. We have a warehouse packed with spare parts for Zebra printers, so can get you back up and running faster than our rivals.
If you have any questions about the services we provide, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.