General advise on purchasing a label printer to use with PM8.
This topic refers specifically to Zebra label printers because that is the brand which we have used more than any other. This does not mean that we specifically endorse or discount any particular brand.
The printers referred to here are the desktop range. Large volume production may require one of the industrial label printers that are faster, have larger capacity and offer features such as re-rolling labels after they are printed.
Most label printers are available as Thermal transfer and as Direct thermal.
Thermal transfer uses a ribbon to transfer ink onto the label.
The labels therefore are not heat sensitive and will not discolour if left in a hot location.
The big downside of thermal transfer is the additional running cost of the ribbon and the need to keep spare ribbons on hand and to change the periodically.
Direct thermal uses a heat sensitive label.
The label will discolour if left in a very hot place (think the dashboard of your car).
They are slightly cheaper to run and much more convenient not requiring the ribbon.
Labels for doors and keys have a limited life - you do no need them to last for years.
Print technology
Our strong advise is to chooseDirect thermalas the print technology for your printer.
Label printers offer a range of connection methods:
In a business environment, wired is more robust.
Serial is an outdated technology.
Bluetooth is a technology more suitable for headsets and home devices.
Connection
Our strong advise is to chooseWired ethernetas the connection technology for your printer. Second choice would be USB, but only if the printer is used from just the one PC.
Label printers often are available in more than one resolution (dots per inch - DPI).
For example, some Zebra printers can be purchased as 200 DPI and 300 DPI
Print resolution
200 DPI print resolution is perfectly adequate - there is nothing to be gained by a higher resolution on a label.
That printer comes in 203 DPI and 300 DPI.
There is no need for the higher resolution
Choose 203DPI
Label printers usually have print width of 100mm of more. Some narrow label printers have only 50mm capability and to print a larger label must print the label rotated - which is slower and allows fewer labels per roll,
Print width
Choose a label printer that has a 100mm wide print capability.
When choosing your labels, consider 2 things.
Direct thermal labels (i.e. Heat sensitive). This is pretty much the normal.Don’t worry whether it is a support size in PM8. PM8 has the ability to design your own label layout. If you want to read about it, here is an article:
https://kb.whsoftware.com/PM8/Designing-labels
Here’s a link to the “Desktop” range or label printers:
https://www.zebra.com/ap/en/products/printers/desktop.html
We would suggest that the “400” series printers are most appropriate – this is what most people buy:
https://www.zebra.com/ap/en/products/printers/desktop/zd420-series-desktop-printers.html
The ZD420 models is the slightly older one, but if available is perfectly fine. The ZD421 is the newer model.
Here are the full specifications for the ZD421:
https://www.zebra.com/gb/en/products/spec-sheets/printers/desktop/zd421-series.html
Look for a Zebra ZD421 printer with Direct Thermal, Ethernet connection and 203 DPI resolution.
Be careful
When looking at a list of models at your reseller, be super carful – there are so many permutations that it is easy to make a wrong selection.