If you work in or own a warehouse, retail store, or shipping facility, you know the importance of keeping track of what comes in and goes out. The best thermal label printers will help you create barcodes and shipping labels on special sticky papers that can attach anywhere. As a matter of fact, the main advantage of this type of printer is that it does not need an ink cartridge or toner to operate. Instead, it is an electrothermal printer that uses heated pins to burn images onto several different types of heat-sensitive paper. The thermal printer has been around since 1965 and we still make use of the technology to this day. When you think about thermal printers, you may think about the small handheld label printer that you see. The ones with small keyboards and one line monochrome display. Those printers are still around today.
However, manufacturers now offer some excellent choices which use modern technology. In fact, there are many different types of thermal printers. You can choose from inexpensive consumer-grade models to professional-grade options. They are widely versatile and are used for printing receipts, barcodes, and labels of any kind. In that case, no matter your preference, you will find a thermal printer that can accomplish all that you need. We have compiled a list of the best thermal printers on the market today. We will break down the features and functions so as to give you a better understanding of what they have to offer.
Table of Contents
Comparison Of Best Thermal Label Printers – In 2020.
| Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Brady i7100 149050 printer |
| |
 | Arkscan 2054A |
| |
 | NETUM NT-LP110A |
| |
 | ROLLO Label Printer |
|
The 5 Best Thermal Label Printers Reviews In 2021.
Read our review of the top thermal label printers you can get today. Keep reading!
1. Brady I7100 149050 Printer – Heavy-duty Industrial Label Maker.
When looking for a heavy-duty industrial printer, choose the Brady 149050.The 149050 offers high-quality output at fast speed while printing large volumes. This ensures you get the job done as quickly as possible with high-accuracy. The high-speed processor produces ultra-sharp 300 dots per inch labels at speeds of 11.8 inches per second. Further, save time with the ‘peel’ option that automatically peels labels from the liner. Easily and quickly adjust the printer settings using the touch screen interface.
This printer accommodates the widest range of materials for printing with confidence every time. This includes difficult-to-print materials and even labels as small as 0.125 inches. Another key point is the ability to print thousands of labels in its lifetime with its solid cast frame and durable components.
This product comes with a 5-year warranty coupled with a printer kit. The kit includes 2 ribbon takeup cores, LabelMark 6 Label Creation Software, owners manual, power cord, product CD w/driver, config/settings manual, and a USB cable. Can print on a wide range of papers:
- Fast speeds
- Excellent prints
- Print large volumes
- Touchscreen
- A bit heavy
2. Arkscan 2054a – Multifunction Printer.
This multi-functional printer prints at a high resolution of 203 dpi at a rate of 5 seconds per inch. It caters to all your printing needs such as printing product labels, shipping labels, barcode labels, and many other labels. The printing capabilities allow for printing widths of 0. 75″ to 4. 25″ and lengths of 0. 4″ to 90″ You can print a 4×6″ shipping label in just 1.2 seconds. How fast is that?
Enjoy printing on any kind of thermal label paper that loads from the back of the printer. It comes with Bartender Ultralite Label Making Software that is windows based only. The software provides templates and the most frequently used label print features for text and graphics. In addition, the printer has an option that makes it compatible with Zebra LP2844. This, in turn, supports some software that only the Zebra printer can handle.
Connect via the USB or LAN option and get to printing. Setup is fairly simple but in the event of any issues, the amazing tech support has got your back. Call or email and someone is bound to respond and help you out even on weekends. They will go as far as remotely connecting to your computer and install the drivers and whatever else you need.
- Simple set up
- High speed
- Multifunction
- Direct thermal technology
- High resolution
- Larger than those in its class
- Difficult to configure with Mac
3. Netum Nt-lp110a – Small And Portable Thermal Printer.
For the person looking to get the best 4×6 thermal label printers. Netum specializes in the development and manufacturing of Barcode Scanning Equipments and Portable Printers.
This small and portable makes printing easy anywhere at any time. This unit automatically recognizes the size of your label and prints at a speed reaching 150mm/s. You are able to print labels with widths of 1.57″ to 4.1″. An adjuster assists in setting your label size so you get the perfect setting every time. Print on any 4″x6″ fanfold shipping labels and 4″x6″ rolling shipping labels. In order to use the rolling labels, you will have to buy the holder separately.
Never worry about your printer overheating, paper jamming, or sliding off the table. The big heat dissipation hole saves it overheating. On the other hand, the auto paper jam imported print head increases wear resistance. You will be able to print more than 50 km. Four non-skid mats are on the bottom so your printer stays put.
This NT-LP110A printer is compatible with windows and Mac OS for easy connection to your PC. Either connect via the USB port or make use of the Bluetooth option. The best wireless thermal label printer allows for printing from your smartphone or tablet.
Netum provides some 4×6” fanfold labels to get you an easy start. You can set up in one minute and start printing. By all means, get this label maker that offers a 3 Year Warranty.
- Anti-skid mats
- Overheating protection
- Automatically identify labels
- Small
- Portable
- Come with very little instructions
Buying Guide For The Best Thermal Label Printers.
With so many direct thermal label printers on the market, it can be hard to pick the right one. You do not want to make the wrong choice and get stuck with something that does not cater to your needs. For that reason, here are a few factors to consider before buying the best thermal label printers.
Print Resolution.
Ensure that the printer you are thinking of getting produces high-quality prints that are readable. Though you may not have exceptional print quality like a normal printer, these printers are sufficient for printing barcodes and shipping labels. That being said the more expensive the thermal printer, the higher the resolution.
Compatibility.
Most of these thermal printers have the standard USB connection for easy transfer of data from a computer. Most are compatible with Windows or Mac or both. Whereas some others offer wireless connections instead.
Warranty And Customer Support.
Investing in a quality thermal printer is a valuable investment so it is advisable to go with a brand that offers a warranty with their product. Likewise, customer support is equally important. This gives you peace of mind that you can call or email and receive help if you run into problems.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs).
What Is Thermal Printing?
Thermal printing uses thermal heat to transfer ink onto paper such as shipping labels and many other labels. They don’t need ink or toner like their counterparts. They depend on special thermal paper for creating images.
How Does Thermal Printer Work?
A thermal printer consists of 3 parts namely the thermal head, the platen, and the spring. Firstly, the platen feeds the paper into the machine. Secondly, the thermal head generates heat. Thirdly, the spring applies pressures to the head thereby creating an image.
Which Thermal Printer Is Right For Me?
Define your printing needs. For small volumes of labels per day, an entry-level thermal printer will do. Consequently, for larger volumes, you will need to invest in a commercial-grade thermal printer.
What Are The Steps To Clean A Thermal Printer Head?
Turn off the power to your printer and open it up. There should be a lever to release the print head, press it. This allows you to move the ribbon aside to make the print head visible. Moisten a lint-free rag with some isopropyl alcohol and wipe the print head. Use a small amount of pressure to remove any buildup of residue to be sure. Allow to dry, replace the ribbon, and gently press the print head back into place. Close it up and do a test print to see if the quality is better.
What Causes Blank Labels?
Most times it could be that you are not loading the labels properly. It may be upside down or facing the wrong way. Another point to note is that you need to make sure your label is compatible with the printer.
Conclusion
Ultimately we all want the best thermal label printers that meet our demands. The reviews and buying provide some insight and will be able to help you choose the best one for you. With this in mind, you may still be on the fence so we will suggest you get the NETUM NT-LP110A. Enjoy the benefit of printing wirelessly from your smart devices. It has some awesome protection features and comes with a 3-year warranty.
