Label printer recomendations

[voicey]

I run a small specialist vehicle repair workshop but am finding that our stock levels are increasing as parts become rarer and I buy stuff in bulk for the future. A couple of years ago I implemented a stock control system together with location bins which has transformed the way parts are handled as they make their way through the workshop.

I really want to put a label on each part when it arrives with info like part number, supplier, date stocked in, etc. We won't need to print thousands of labels, say up to 50 a week. And they don't need to be massive.

But what I do need is a good user GUI for my staff to use. I'm happy to set up the template but entering the data for the label and getting it to print needs to be really straightforward.

Can anyone make any recommendations? Many thanks in advance...

[Peterpetrole]

The industry standard (many industries) is Zebra, but I have to say I don't find them easy or robust, they are expensive and their customer service is horrible.

[Harpoon]

I'd have a look at a model from Zebra. You can end up down a bit of a rabbit hole understanding if you want direct thermal or transfer thermal (essentially direct thermal = no ribbon, thermal transfer = ribbon) but have a chat with a specialist supplier who should be able to help. There's also a choice of labels depending if you want permanent or semi-permanent adhesive, perforations or none, tamper-proof etc and the actual material of the label for life span, temperature / liquid resistance etc. Again a specialist should help you pick

https://www.thebarcodewarehouse.co.uk/shop/zebra/l...

Zebra offer a free label designer for Windows, so might be worth downloading that prior to buying a printer and see how easy the design / edit / print process is:

https://www.zebra.com/gb/en/support-downloads/soft...

{Edit after reading the post above - it's a while since I worked them, so can't comment on current support. Other brands that have been around a while include Wasp, Epson and Brother}

Edited by Harpoon on Friday 21st November 15:46

[LordGrover]

Seagull Scientific BarTender is the standard I think. We've been using it for years - much prefer the very old versions but you can't buy it anymore.
The latest versions have all kinds of 'features' that we simply don't need or want, it confuses the users.

[nikaiyo2]

For 50 a week, just buy sheets of labels and set up a template on word, if you buy Avery labels you can download a custom add in that makes it really easy and just print on your office A4 printer.

Unless there is a reason you need high speed printing a zebra or similar is massive overkill.

Speaking on which, we apply an indelible label to some of products and it s massive pain in the ass and really costly, we are considering having an experiment with one of these, they look ideal for marking things on small scale.
https://uk.laserpecker.net/products/laserpecker-lp...

Edited by nikaiyo2 on Friday 21st November 15:57

[Gnits]

Zebra are v common so there are lots of models to choose from and they support all sorts of different media, not only labels but different printing media too.
Bartender is OK but can be a bit pernickity in the interface and where it is getting data from. If you can set it up and it meets your needs you'll be fine though.
The bit I would check carefully is the adhesive of the label - do the labels stick to the items you have?
If any old Staples sticky A4 sheet will stick then I'd definitely be trying the suggestion above and using a template in Word for the cheap and easy try out - least expence in terms of software and time to get something going.

Can recommend Barcodewarehouse, I have used them on several projects and they have been great.

[DSLiverpool]

For your volume a Dymo is fine, get it on Amazon and they’ll just replace it if any issues.

[Mr Pointy]

How long do you want your labels to last? Thermal labels fade over time so you might want to avoid those & use a transfer printer which uses an ink ribbon. The downside of those is it pretty much doubles the running costs.

[Cyberprog]

Zebra user here - I'd suggest the ZD230 - avoid the cheaper non ethernet models as you may find having it sat on the network out in the warehouse much better than in an office. They are pennies to run and very rugged.

I've got mine working with our ERP software and have also written my own app to handle them on the desktop (including things like grabbing a list of printers from an API and printing addresses etc. all from API sources).

[pigface1001]

I use a Brother Label Printer QL700.

Cheap and does the job well, never failed in all the years I have owned it.