Best Barcode Label Printers for Small Businesses

Need reliable, efficient inventory management and labeling solutions for your small business? When it comes to printing barcode labels, you want the best printers available, and they are essential to any business and valuable tools that can streamline your operations, improve accuracy, and enhance the customer experience. This comprehensive guide will examine the top 4 barcode label printers explicitly designed for small businesses. These printers can help you get started or upgrade your current setup, no matter where you are in the process.

What is a Barcode Printer?

Before diving into the specifics, let’s clarify what a barcode printer is. A specialized tool called a “barcode printer” is made to print barcode labels directly onto different materials. These labels contain encoded information in a pattern of lines, typically used to represent product details, pricing, and other crucial data. A barcode printer has many different features and advantages, each tailored to meet the needs of a particular business.

The four most common types of barcode printers are thermal, inkjet, laser, and dot matrix. Though dot matrix, inkjet, and laser techniques can produce barcodes with moderate to fair print quality, they have high long-term maintenance costs, generate a lot of material waste, and are only moderately scanner-readable. Thermal printing—also referred to as direct thermal and thermal transfer—is used to create high-quality barcodes. Thermal printing is more cost-effective and good for the environment. The differences between the two thermal barcode label printing models are subtle but significant.

Direct thermal: The materials used to create these barcode labels have undergone chemical treatment; when heated by a thermal printhead, they turn black. It does not print in color because it does not use toner, ink, or ribbon. These labels could, over time, fade or lose their legibility depending on heat or light exposure. While not long-lasting, its lifespan is adequate for ordinary barcode applications like shipping labels and receipts.

Thermal transfer: This type of printer uses a ribbon heated to melt ink onto the label surface instead of direct thermal printing. Printing logos, graphics, text, and variations on an array of materials is possible, and these labels have good print quality and good scanner readability for extended periods (referred to as “near-permanent”). These labels can be applied for various uses, including inventory management, asset labeling, and product identification. 

In addition to print technology, size is a factor to consider in barcode printers. Desktop and industrial thermal printers fall into separate categories. As one might expect, desktop bar code label printers are the perfect size for keeping on your desk. They are available in two-inch and four-inch label widths. The top-tier four-inch label printer models have various network connectivity options, including internal Ethernet, USB, and parallel connectivity. For printing four-inch labels, two types of thermal transfer technology are available: direct thermal and thermal transfer. Labels used in manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and logistics are better suited for industrial printers since they are more demanding, used for high-performance print jobs, and more durable.

Top 4 Best Barcode Printers for Small Businesses

Let’s take a closer look at the four top-rated barcode label printers for small businesses:

Afinia L801 Commercial Barcode Label Printer

• Features: The Afinia L801 offers high-speed and high-resolution label printing, making it suitable for businesses requiring crisp and vibrant labels. It utilizes Memjet technology for exceptional color accuracy and detail. The machine prints full-color documents at speeds up to 60 feet per minute on continuous or die-cut paper ranging from 2 to 8.5 inches wide. Moreover, various paper, polyester, polypropylene, and vinyl label materials are compatible with the L801.
• Pros: Fast printing speed, excellent color quality, versatile label size options.
• Cons: The initial investment might be higher than some other options.

Primera LX910 Barcode Label Maker

• Features: The Primera LX910 is known for its compact design and professional-grade printing capabilities. A variety of label sizes and materials are supported, making it adaptable to different types of applications. Printed labels may contain images, graphics, text, illustrations, and even two-dimensional or high-resolution barcodes.
• Pros: Compact size, excellent compatibility, easy setup.
• Cons: Print speed might be slightly slower compared to some competitors.

Epson ColorWorks C7500 Gloss Inkjet Barcode Label Printer

• Features: The Epson ColorWorks C7500 is designed for high-volume label printing, focusing on durability and quality. Its PrecisionCore technology ensures consistent and accurate color reproduction.
• Pros: High-volume printing, durable labels, advanced color accuracy.
• Cons: Compared to other options, this is a relatively larger size.

Epson ColorWorks CW-C4000 Inkjet Barcode Label Printer (Matte)

• Features: The Epson CW-C4000 offers reliable and high-quality matte label printing. It is compact and offers a variety of connectivity options, so it is suitable for spaces with limited space. Featuring a resolution of up to 1200 dpi, it produces photo-quality, on-demand color labels.
• Pros: Compact form factor, matte label finish, and versatile connectivity.
• Cons: Print speed might be slower for complex labels.

What is a Barcode Printer Used For?

In many different sectors, including retail, manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare, barcode printers are indispensable. They are used to create labels for products, packages, inventory items, and more. By printing accurate and scannable barcode labels, businesses can streamline inventory management, point-of-sale transactions, and supply chain tracking processes.

How to Pick the Best Barcode Printer

It is essential to carefully consider the following factors when selecting the best bar code label maker for your company:

• Software: Ensure compatibility with your existing software systems for seamless integration.
• Connection: Select a printer with the connectivity options, such as USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi, that are most appropriate for your operations.
• Print Resolution: Higher resolution ensures precise and accurate barcode scanning. A printer’s print resolution is the number of dots it can print per inch (dpi). Three resolutions are most frequently used: 203 DPI, 300 DPI, and 600 DPI. Barcodes will be sharper and more precise with a higher DPI.
• Print Speed: Balance your need for speed with print quality requirements. Labels per minute (LPM) refer to how many labels the printer prints every minute in inches per second (IPS). A printer with a fast printing speed is required if you wish to print many barcodes, while slow barcode printers will work just fine for small enterprises.
• Barcode Types: Select a printer that supports the barcode symbols you plan to use. Verify that the printer can print the specific sort of barcode you require. The Code 39, the Code 128, and the QR code are some examples of barcodes.
• Label Size: Pick a printer that can print the required labels in the sizes you need.
• Label Material: Consider the type of material your labels will be printed on, such as paper, synthetic materials, or adhesive labels.

Advantages of Using a Barcode Printer

Using a barcode printer offers numerous benefits for small businesses:

• Improved Efficiency: Barcode labels expedite inventory management and checkout processes, reducing manual errors and saving time.
• Accurate Data: Barcodes that can be scanned ensure precise data entry and minimize human error.
• Enhanced Tracking: Products can be tracked throughout the supply chain with the help of barcode labels.
• Inventory Control: Easily track stock levels, reorder points, and manage inventory turnover.
• Cost Savings: Automated procedures decrease labor expenses and reduce operational inefficiencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much is a Barcode Printer? 

Barcode printer prices vary based on features, capabilities, and brands. The size of the barcode printer will also affect the price; for example, if it is a portable barcode printer, it will cost less than a nonportable one. Plan on spending between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars.

Can Barcodes Be Produced in Excel? 

Yes, using barcode fonts or third-party plugins, Excel can generate barcodes.

What Distinguishes a Barcode Printer From a Regular Printer? 

Unlike regular printers, Barcode printers are optimized for producing barcode labels with precise dimensions, high-quality printing, and scannable barcodes.

Can I Connect My Barcode Printer to a Network or Other Devices?

Many barcode printers support multiple connectivity options, allowing you to connect to various devices or a network.

How Do I Maintain a Barcode Printer? 

The best performance is ensured by routine cleaning and maintenance of printheads, rollers, and internal parts.

Can I Use a Barcode Printer to Print Other Labels Besides Barcodes? 

Yes, barcode printers can frequently print other labels, including shipping and product labels.

How Reliable Are Barcode Printers? 

Due to the fact that barcode printers can withstand continuous printing and heavy usage, they are regarded as reliable.

Where Can We Buy the Best Barcode Printers? 

TCS Digital Solutions offers a range of high-quality barcode printers suitable for small businesses. Visit our website for more information.

Conclusion

Investing in a suitable barcode label printer can significantly improve your small business’s operations, streamline processes, and enhance accuracy. Consider your specific needs, such as print volume, label size, and connectivity, when choosing the best barcode printer for your business. You’ll experience increased efficiency and better control over your inventory and labeling tasks with the right choice. We at TCS Digital Solutions offer a range of high-quality barcode printers, among other printing machines, to help you improve your small or large business’s efficiency.

Drew Strickland

Drew is the Chief Marketing Officer and E-commerce Director at TCS Digital Solutions, with over 20 years of experience in the printing industry. His extensive background in marketing within this sector has deepened his passion and knowledge. He offers valuable tips and reviews on the latest printing products and innovations, dedicated to helping businesses and individuals find the most efficient and high-quality solutions for their printing needs. For a closer look into his insights and experiences, you can connect with Drew on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.