Label printer

<h2 id="mechanisms">Mechanisms</h2>

<p>Label printers use a wide range of label materials, including paper and synthetic <a href="/facts/Polymer/eF32E50K">polymer</a> ("plastic") materials.  Several types of print mechanisms are also used, including <a href="/facts/Laser_printer/fJ2GrUBj">laser</a> and impact, but <a href="/facts/Thermal_printer/Lc0I2XGJ">thermal printer</a> mechanisms are perhaps the most common.
</p><p>There are two common types of thermal printer.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a>
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<ul><li><a href="/facts/Thermal_printing/Lc0I2XGJ">Direct thermal</a> printers use heat sensitive paper (similar to thermal <a href="/facts/Fax/EBvf1cHA">fax</a> paper).  Direct thermal labels tend to fade over time (typically 6 to 12 months); if exposed to heat, direct sunlight or chemical vapors, the life is shortened.  Therefore, direct thermal labels are primarily used for short duration applications, such as shipping labels.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Thermal_transfer_printing/M8CgFY2h">thermal transfer</a> printers use heat to transfer ink from ribbon onto the label for a permanent print. Some thermal transfer printers are also capable of direct thermal printing. Using a <a href="/facts/PVC/9VkegJvr">PVC</a> vinyl can increase the longevity of the label life as seen in pipe markers and industrial safety labels found in much of the market place today.</li></ul>
<p>There are three grades of ribbon for use with thermal transfer printers. Wax is the most popular with some smudge resistance, and is suitable for matte and semi-gloss paper labels. Wax/resin is smudge resistant, suitable for semi-gloss paper and some synthetic labels. Resin alone is scratch and chemical resistant, suitable for coated synthetic labels.
</p><p>When printing on continuous label stock, there is a tendency for the print location to shift slightly from label to label. To ensure registration of the print area with the target media, many label printers use a sensor that detects a gap, notch, line or perforation between labels.  This allows the printer to adjust the intake of label stock so that the print aligns correctly with the media.
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<h2 id="types">Types</h2>

<p>Label printer capabilities vary between home, corporate and industrial-oriented models.
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Desktop label printers
These are usually designed for light to medium-duty use with a roll of stock up to 100 mm (4 in) wide.  They are quiet and inexpensive. Commercial label printers can typically hold a larger roll of stock up to 200 mm (8 in) wide and are geared for medium-volume printing.
Industrial label printers
These are designed for heavy-duty, continuous operation in warehouses, distribution centers and factories. Additionally, industrial portable label printers are designed for heavy-duty operation on location. They are usually handheld and come with an industrial hard case. Examples of applications are labeling for electrical installations, construction sites, and production floors where there are no computers.
<a href="/facts/RFID/4CnmIV2b">RFID</a> readers
These are specialized label printers that print and encode at the same time on RFID transponders (tags) enclosed in paper or printable synthetic materials.  RFID tags need to have printed information for backwards compatibility with <a href="/facts/Barcode/Mkh4cCTp">barcode</a> systems, so human users can identify the tag.
<a href="/facts/Label_printer_applicator/ffoS4HkS">Label printer applicators</a>
These are designed to automate the labeling process.  These systems are common in manufacturing and warehousing facilities that require cases and pallets to be labeled for shipping.
Labelling software
This runs on a general-purpose <a href="/facts/Personal_computer/koaYfNce">personal computer</a>, and is designed to create and/or format labels for printing.  The software can use native OS <a href="/facts/Printer_driver/SSA9Lrre">printer drivers</a>, or embed drivers in the software, bypassing the OS print subsystem.  It may work with dedicated label printers as described in this article, or use sheet- or continuous-fed labels in a general-purpose computer printer.
Personal label printers or label makers
These are handheld or small desktop devices.  They are intended for home office and small business use. The cost of these printers is generally very low, making them popular with low volume users; but they print on special tapes, often <a href="/facts/Thermal_printer/Lc0I2XGJ">thermal</a>, which are usually expensive as is the case of Seiko Smart label.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> In the past, mechanical systems which worked by embossing a colored plastic tape, called <a href="/facts/Embossing_tape/vGaGUWs1">embossing tape</a>, were common.  A hammer in the shape of the letter caused a letter-shaped extrusion on the opposite side of the tape.  The raised plastic would discolor, providing visual contrast. Today, this type has been almost completely displaced by electronic thermal transfer devices with built-in keyboard and display, and an integrated cartridge containing the label material (and print ribbon, if used).
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>

<ul><li><a href="/facts/Barcode_printer/gYLftkTV">Barcode printer</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Barcode/Mkh4cCTp">Barcode</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Computer_printer/PnDF2QuF">Computer printer</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Embossing_tape/vGaGUWs1">Embossing tape</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/SureThing/aLY3yPgH">SureThing</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li> Media related to label printers at Wikimedia Commons</li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>InfoWorld. InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. July 1991. p. 61. ISSN 0199-6649. Retrieved 2022-11-28. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=gFAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA61" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=gFAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA61</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:2"><p>Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office: Patents. U.S. Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office. 2000. p. 1-PA255. Retrieved 2022-11-28. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=dO7zu9VU0l8C&pg=RA1-PA255" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=dO7zu9VU0l8C&pg=RA1-PA255</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:3"><p>InfoWorld. InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. 22 January 1990. p. 78. ISSN 0199-6649. Retrieved 2022-11-28. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=ezAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA78" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=ezAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA78</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
</ol>

Label printer open-in-new

Label printer