The Best Thermal Shipping Label Printers to Buy

In a single weekend, billions of packages are delivered, and the international shipping community must deal with this growing production and consumption market. The business would be in disarray if there were no way of tracking each parcel. This is where shipping labels come into play.

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They guarantee that every item reaches its intended destination and play an essential role in the supply chain network. They must serve different functions: they must be solid, durable, and, most importantly, accurate. However, each shipping label is reliant on printers and the quality of its production. Despite its importance, it is never the only thought that immediately springs to mind.

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As a result, we'll look at the best thermal shipping label printers to buy in this post. Although this is not an extensive list, these best picks are assured to supply you with high-quality label prints regularly.

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What are Shipping Labels?

Shipping labels are used to mark and monitor items that are being transported from one place to another. The key reason they are often used to distinguish a parcel from the millions of other look-alike packages handled by shippers every day. The company uses it to inform the recipient and sender of the progress or position of the package.

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Internal administrators often use it to guarantee that it is compiled and forwarded at the appropriate time. Finally, specific shipping labels have information about the contents or identification of the items being transported. This is frequently a legal obligation imposed by customs to discourage goods theft or smuggling. They provide various information depending on the countries of origin and destination, the shipping agency, and legal specifications.

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Related article: Why Custom Packaging Is Vital for Your Ecommerce Brand

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How to Choose the Right Thermal Shipping Label Printer for Your Business

When it comes to print labels for shipping, thermal label printers are the ideal technology choice. Thermal printers print crisply and clearly in monochrome on technical, heat-sensitive paper, creating sharp prints that stand up to wear and tear. However, when selecting the right printer for your business needs, you should consider a few factors.

Print Speed

 Depending on the volume of print jobs you will be doing, the printer's print speed is essential. A slower print speed can cause delays in your workflow, while a faster print speed can help keep operations running smoothly. 

Label Size

 Make sure the printer can print labels in desired size ranges. Different print speeds are available for different label sizes, and it's essential to ensure that the printer can print whatever label size you require.

Connectivity Options 

 Thermal printers usually have several connectivity options, such as Bluetooth, USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi. Consider which connection types are needed for your business before purchasing a thermal printer so that you can ensure compatibility with your devices.

Durability 

Thermal printing technology is known for its durability and can print labels that hold up to wear and tear. However, it's essential to consider how often you'll use the printer and what environment it will be in before making a purchase.

Cost 

Ultimately, the cost of the printer needs to fit into your budget. Prices vary based on quality, print speed, size capabilities, connectivity options, and other features, so compare brands and models to find the best value.

The Benefits of Using a Thermal Shipping Label Printer 

Accuracy

First, thermal shipping label printers are incredibly accurate and efficient. Unlike traditional inkjet or laser printing technologies, these printers use direct thermal transfer technology to create precise images without using ink or toner. The prints are sharp and clear, ensuring your packages are labeled easily. Additionally, the printed labels can also resist water and fading due to exposure to sunlight so that they will remain legible throughout their travels.

Require very little maintenance.

Thermal shipping label printers require very little maintenance compared to other printing technologies. With this type of printer, there's no need for costly replacements such as cartridges or ribbons – all you have to do is plug them in! The printheads used with these types of printers don't require any cleaning either – it's essentially just an installation process before you're ready to print high-quality labels quickly and easily.

Durability

Thermal shipping labels are durable enough for all kinds of environments, including extreme temperatures and high humidity levels, making them ideal for outdoor use at loading docks or other areas where environmental conditions may be unpredictable from time to time. Furthermore, most models don't need external power sources because they come equipped with internal batteries, so you can take them anywhere without having access to electricity - great if your office is only sometimes close by when you need it! Finally, the software associated with many professional-grade thermal label printers allows users to customize their documents in numerous ways, such as variable data printing methods, enabling users to include customer information on each label which helps streamline International shipments exponentially!

Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Thermal Shipping Label Printer

Using a thermal shipping label printer can be an invaluable tool for streamlining your business's shipping process. Using a thermal printer, you can create detailed and accurate labels in no time. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your thermal shipping label printer:

1. Make Sure Your Labels Are Clear

Using clear labels helps ensure that information printed on the labels is legible and easily read, which avoids confusion when processing packages and reduces errors significantly. Choose glossy or semi-glossy label material for maximum clarity and visibility.

2. Use The Right Ribbon For Your Thermal Printer

Make sure you use the correct ribbon for your system model type—each Thermal Shipping Label Printer may require different kinds of ribbons depending on what materials are being printed onto it—to avoid any types of smudges or blurs appearing on your labels after printing them out!

3. Buy Premium Quality Papers & Media

When buying paper stock (or other media) to feed into your Thermal Shipping Label Printer, make sure that they are compatible with your machine's specifications - generally speaking, it's best to go with premium quality papers as they tend to have higher durability ratings that will last longer without fading or tearing apart over time! This also helps reduce costs associated with replacing worn-out paper stocks frequently due to lower-quality grades being used instead.

4. Keep It Cleaned & Maintained Regularly

Like any other piece of machinery, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential for keeping a Thermal Shipping Label Printer running smoothly — take the time each week (or month) to thoroughly wipe down both its exterior surfaces as well as inside parts such as moving components like rollers/carriers, etc., so dirt/dust buildup doesn't cause unnecessary wear and tear which could lead problems in future operations! Additionally, ensure print heads don't become clogged up due to excessive ink usage by performing regular charge cleaning routines from within its menu settings every few weeks, too - this helps maintain good print quality throughout its lifetime usage duration!

3 of The Best Thermal Shipping Label Printers for eCommerce Businesses

Depending on your budget and the number of labels you need to print, thousands of shipping label printers are selected on the market. The following are among the best thermal label printers commercially available.

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Rollo Thermal Label Heavy Duty Printer

Rollo is the young competitor in town, eager to make a name for itself. This portable superpower not only costs less, but it also embraces fan fold marks! You can start printing right away by inserting a box of 4"x6" labels into your Rollo.

The Brother QL-810W

The Brother QL-810W is a laser printer. We love the Brother QL-810W thermal label printer for whatever you're shipping. Although the QL-810W can only print shipping labels up to 27 inches in length, it is by far the most flexible choice available. In reality, it's such a good choice that the possible disadvantage of having to print customs forms on a different printer overshadows it.

The nice part about the QL-810W is that it is not only reasonably priced, but it also arrives with the most features. It can print up to 110 high-quality address labels per minute and connects to your device wirelessly via the internet or a USB cable. The Brother QL-810W is, in our view, is the best thermal label printer available on the marketplace today and well worth the $129.99 price tag!

Zebra Zd420 Direct Thermal Printer

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The Zebra ZD420 is a heavy-duty printer. It is a little more expensive, but it can be fine-tuned to print precisely to your specifications. It is also a little more efficient and activates print jobs faster. The Zebra ZD420 could be the best thermal label printer for you if you need anything that can withstand the stress of printing labels all day. The ZD420 also supports wireless and Bluetooth networking.

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Next article: How to Get Free Shipping Supplies from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL