How do label printers work?

What it is

There are three common methods. Direct thermal heats coated labels, needs no ribbon and suits short-lived labels such as shipping. Thermal transfer melts ink from a ribbon onto the label and lasts longer. Color inkjet sprays ink for full-color labels on demand.

Printers also differ in resolution, measured in dots per inch, or dpi. Higher dpi prints small text and barcodes more sharply. Software sends each label in a printer language, such as ZPL for Zebra or TSPL for TSC printers, and the printer must understand that language.

Why it matters to a business

• Label life: the method decides whether a label stays readable for days or for years.
• Label size: the size in the software has to match the roll in the printer, or text is cut off.
• Scannable barcodes: a small barcode printed at too low a resolution will not scan.
• Calibration: a sensor finds the gap or black mark between labels. After a change of label stock the printer can lose its place, and print drifts off the label until it is recalibrated.

How this shows up in our work

We set up and support label printers at dispensaries, production sites and retail counters. Our product Tagestry prints Metrc-compliant labels on thermal label printers, and we connect web applications to printers through PrintNode or QZ Tray.

We put printers on a wired network with fixed addresses where possible, and we document the settings so a replacement can be set up the same way. For color work, see Epson label printers.

Learn more

• Label printer on WikipediaA general overview of label printer types, for readers who want the wider background.
• Thermal printing on WikipediaExplains direct thermal printing, useful if labels fade faster than expected.
• Thermal-transfer printing on WikipediaDescribes the ribbon method, helpful when choosing labels that must last.