Small thermal printer for logistics labels. Which one to choose?
Every manufacturing company, regardless of what it ships, is required to apply a logistics label to the shipment. This means printing and applying the appropriate shipping label to the shipment. The decision about which logistics label printer to choose depends on how many labels and in what size you need. The type of your business activity is also the reason for choosing a desktop printer. This device, due to its ease of use and lack of accessories such as toner and ink, is willingly selected by stores and manufacturers who need labels on a daily basis in small and medium print runs.
From the following text:
- you will learn what the differences between the thermal printers we offer are and what you will gain by choosing a specific model
- you will decide whether a thermal printer can meet your requirements
- you will learn about Etisoft offer of shipping label printers.
Additionally, you can acquaint yourself with the program for self-design of logistics labels.
Logistics label printers, and the GS1 standard
GS1 logistic label are now the standard in logistics. They come in two sizes: 105×148 mm and 148×210 mm 150×210 mm. In logistics, the former is more frequently used.
GS1 logistics labels. And do you label your shipments correctly?
Here are 4-inch shipping label printers for printing GS1 logistics labels with a width of 105 mm that are compliant with the requirements:
- Citizen CL-S521 – desktop thermal printer
Citizen CL-S521 is a small-sized desktop shipping label printer, which makes thermal transfer printing possible. The resolution of this printer is 203 dpi. This completely enables you to print bar codes in a legible manner and read the information stored in the code, as well as other basic descriptions. This printer is user-friendly due to the ease of exchanging consumables. As an additional advantage, the printer can be retrofitted with an Ethernet network card module or Wi-Fi card.
| Emulation | EPLII, ZPLII, Datamax |
| Printing technology | Thermal |
| Resolution | 203 dpi |
| Maximum print width | 104 mm |
| Maximum print speed | 150 mm/s |
| Outer diameter of label roll | 200 mm |
| Maximum media width | 118 mm |
- TSC TE200 – excellent quality at a low price
TSC offers a very wide range of desktop printers. One of the most interesting is the TE200 series, specifically the TE210 model. When thinking about this printer, you need to consider at the purchase stage what method will be used to connect the printer to the computer. Will it be a USB port, Ethernet port, Wi-Fi or perhaps Bluetooth? This is crucial because the connections are integrated into the motherboard. This means that the printer cannot be retrofitted with these connections. Compared to most desktop printers, the TE210 printer has a rather large casing, which makes it possible to insert label rolls with a large diameter of up to 127 mm.
| Emulation | EPL, ZPL, DPL |
| Printing technology | Thermal/thermal transfer |
| Resolution | 203 dpi |
| Maximum print width | 108 mm |
| Maximum print speed | 152 mm/s |
| Outer diameter of label roll | 127 mm |
| Maximum media width | 112 mm |
- Zebra ZD421 – one of the smallest 4-inch desktop printers
Zebra ZD421 printer is the successor to the hugely successful GK42 and ZD420 series. It is a refreshed printer both in terms of design and newer software. Thanks to that, the ZD421 is even better and more efficient. It is better because it significantly increases print speeds. It is larger and more efficient, because it can print more per shift than the GK series. These are significant changes. This printer will perfectly handle the printing of GS1 logistics labels. Even large shipping warehouses will be able to operate smoothly with this printer. The printer can be further equipped with standard accessories such as a peeler, cutter or Wi-Fi card.
| Emulation | EPLII, ZPLII, XML, PDF Direct |
| Printing technology | Thermal/thermal transfer |
| Resolution | 203 dpi |
| Maximum print width | 104 mm |
| Maximum print speed | 152 mm/s |
| Outer diameter of label roll | 127 mm |
| Maximum media width | 108 mm |
- Zebra ZT111 semi-industrial printer for heavy-duty work
The latest printer, though semi-industrial, but just as suitable for operation in the logistics chain, is the Zebra ZT111. The printer comes in both thermal and thermal transfer versions. It has a metal casing which provides it with durability. The printer is larger than the previous models described, which should translate into stability and operation continuity. A larger casing makes it possible to insert label rolls with a diameter of up to 203 mm into the printer. This translates into fewer interruptions when inserting a new label roll. If need be, the printer can be additionally equipped with a peeler, cutter as well as a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module.
| Emulation | EPL, ZPL, EPLII, ZPLII |
| Printing technology | Thermal/thermal transfer |
| Resolution | 203 dpi |
| Maximum print width | 104 mm |
| Maximum print speed | 152 mm/s |
| Outer diameter of label roll | 203 mm |
| Maximum media width | 114 mm |
Printing logistics labels in PDF and ZPL files without secrets. Check it out!
If you find it difficult to select a printer for your logistics processes, contact us. We will suggest the best solution for your business!
And if you want to design labels, including logistics ones, learn about a program that does not need any graphic design skills or training. Find out as well which printers the etiLABEL program supports.
