Label printers, as the name suggests, print labels, are mainly used in the industrial and service sector. If you're running such a business, you may wonder which one is better - a label or a barcode printer. Both are used for different business settings. And even though they seem similar, there are many differences. A label printer prints on cardstock and is much larger and heavier than the barcode counterpart. Here's what you need to know.
What's a Label Printer?
Label printers are electronic devices that print on cardstock and can be found in companies of all sectors and sizes (mainly in the industrial and service sectors). These printers are used in various range of applications such as logistics, retail, warehousing and healthcare. These printers are designed for intuitive operation and high reliability.
How do Label Printers Work?
Before I explain how a label printer works, it's important to make a distinction between the two types of mechanisms used for printing onto labels - direct thermal and thermal transfer. Direct thermal operates on heat-sensitive paper to print onto labels and doesn't use any ribbon. These labels can generally only be printed in black unless you use special pre-printed paper; they have a maximum shelf life of one year. These are the most popularly used in the food industry where fresh produce is quickly transported and stored away from heat and sunlight (the labels can fade over time).
A thermal transfer uses a carbon ribbon and heats to move ink from the ribbon to the label for permanent printing. The ribbon can be in any colour so the print is not limited to black only. In general, these labels are stronger and less light sensitive and are used in circumstances where longevity is necessary (barcodes, outdoor labels and shelf marking labels). The thermal printhead is made of many small heating pins which represent a pixel.
Then you need to load wax or resin-based ink into the printer in the form of a ribbon. This ribbon is then pulled through the printer between the paper and the printhead. The computer sends signals to these printhead pins to either heat or cool them which then melts the ink onto the blank label surface to produce the required image.
Types of Label Printers
There are many different label printers that vary in their offerings depending on what you'll use them for. Different types include desktop label printers (for small to medium-label printing needs), commercial label printers (for medium-volume label printing) and industrial label printers (for heavy-duty continuous operation). Different industrial label printers include portable printers you can use on-site such as in the construction, engineering and mining sectors.
Label vs. Barcode Printers
Type of Use
The most important difference between both is the intention of use. Label printers are used for printing tags, labels and other small documents, while barcodes are used for barcode printing.
Print Technology
Print technology refers to the process used to produce the print. The type of used print technology will greatly impact the quality and cost of ownership. Label printers are thermal printers that use either direct thermal or thermal transfer technology. In general, both printing technologies are available in the same printer model. Barcode printers can also be thermal printers but in general, use direct thermal printing technology. These printers that use thermal transfer printing are more expensive.
Print Speed
Print speed refers to how fast a printer can print. The printing speed changes depending on the chosen print resolution, printer brand, and model. In general, label printers print things much faster, compared to the printing speed of barcode printers.
Printing Resolution
Label printers have the ability to print at different resolutions ranging between 203 dpi (dots per inch) to 600 dpi. You can choose the printing resolution based on your application requirements: higher resolutions result in sharper images but will require a longer time to print. Barcode printers, in general offer only 203 dpi print resolution; you'll rarely find a barcode printer with 300 dpi or higher print resolution unless there are graphics or other complex elements to the design.
Features
Label printers are packed with features that offer more significant flexibility and convenience. Some of the features that are available only in label printers include the following:
• Touch screen display
• Operational buttons
• Built-in processor with RAM and flash memory
• Several connectivity ports
• Printer option and accessories support
These features allow you to use label printers without the requirement of a host device. Barcode printers don't have such features and rely on a host device for processing information. The host device can be anything from a computer, smartphone, or tablet (it must be connected to the printer via wired or wireless connectivity).
Size and Weight
Finally, let's not forget size and weight. Label printers have a big footprint and are quite heavy (8 to 10 kg). In general, they're industrial printers built and use durable materials like aluminium and metal to endure tough industrial environments. Barcode printers, on the other hand, are much smaller and lighter compared to label printers. They are mobile or desktop printers that you can lift and carry away easily.
