Sometimes in business, there are times when overkill can end up costing the company more than the project is worth. Label printing, for instance, can end up costing lots of money if only a small amount of labels are required to get the job done.

Set up costs for a commercial printer is usually the biggest portion of the order. Printing labels is the cheaper part of the whole process. Days can be added to the process for proofing and changing the templates.

For smaller jobs that can be handled in the office there can also be wasted resources. When only a few labels are needed, it is not efficient to use a full sheet and throw the remainder away.

Thankfully, there are solutions to this dilemma. There are many companies that sell or lease small desktop label printers. The printers work with software that is easily installed, or perhaps the software currently installed on the computer.

The small printers work to produce labels for addresses, bar codes, and other simple labeling needs. They will print one up to as many as are needed.

There are several types of paper that the machines use to print the labels. Thermo paper, carbon paper, and carbonless are just a few of the options. Some of the printers use inkjet technology, while others rely on the ribbon printing. The best printers are able to handle a variety of sizes and styles.

Keeping your desk organized and free of clutter is a true advantage offered by small label printers. Some of the best printers include:

• Dymo LabelWriter 330 Turbo. Print labels up to
  
  
  2.3” wide. It takes just about every size. Connects via USB or Serial port. Compatible with both PC and Mac formats. One of the fastest label printers at 2 seconds per label.


• Zebra LP 2844 Thermal Printer. Great for shipping and receiving labels. Up to 4” wide labels. Parallel, USB, and Serial interfaces. 4” per second of printing speed. PC compatible.


• Seiko Smart Label Printer. Both USB and serial connections. 3 seconds per label printing. Built in database. Up to 2” wide labels in any type, color, or design.

The direct thermal printers are the leading edge in label printing technology. They eliminate messy printing and the need to replace ribbons.

If the desktop style printer is not the best option for your needs, there are also many styles of handheld printers that can do the trick. Brady, K-Sun, Dymo and Brother have many styles of the handheld to meet just about any size business’ needs. Like the desktop models, the handheld varieties handle many sizes and styles of labels and paper rolls.

Saving on the bottom line is the objective of any business. With small label printing solutions, your company will save money and resources, while getting the job done quickly and efficiently.

About the Author

Robb Ksiazek is an author and publisher for Checks-4U.com. He has researched and written about the little things that make a difference in the paper supply industry, from personal and business checks to envelopes and address labels. Turn the ordinary into extraordinary.