Shipping labels are the unsung heroes of e-commerce. They may seem insignificant, but shipping labels enable businesses like yours to fulfill thousands of orders accurately and efficiently. A good label printer is just as essential as your shopping cart or payment processor.
This definitive guide aims to equip you with everything needed to choose the best label printer for your operation. We‘ll cover:
- Key shipping label benefits
- Critical buying considerations
- 13 top-rated label printers for e-commerce
- Speed, capacity and cost comparisons
- Design and integration best practices
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- much more to set your fulfillment up for success!
Why Shipping Labels Are Essential
Printing quality shipping labels should be a cornerstone of your e-commerce strategy. Well-executed labels project professionalism, reduce errors and provide vital tracking.
As the above data shows, the majority of buyers now track their packages. And a poor labeling experience can directly hurt customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Additional benefits include:
- Increased efficiency – Print batches of labels instead of handwriting each one
- Lower costs – Reduce mis deliveries and lost package expenses
- Improved cash flow – Get paid faster with prompt, accurate delivery
- Enhanced brand image – Promote your logo, website and messaging
With fulfillment more important than ever, shipping labels can actually enable business growth if approached strategically.
Key Factors When Buying a Label Printer
Printer Technology
Direct thermal printing is best suited for shipping labels over inkjet, laser or dot matrix. It‘s fast, eliminates toner/ink costs, and many options are made specifically for label rolls.
Print Quality
Crisp text and scannable barcodes are crucial. 300 dpi thermal printers offer excellent clarity while 200-203 dpi models still provide good readability if labels aren‘t too complex.
Speed & Volume
Determine your average daily labels printed based on orders, then add at least 30% capacity for peaks and growth. Top speeds exceed 100+ labels per minute for high volume operations.
Barcode Printing
Confirm the printer accurately outputs small bar code details needed for package tracking and scanability. Most thermal models have precision barcode printing capability included.
Connectivity
Look for USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and wired networking to link with order management and shipping systems. APIs ease integration with common platforms.
Compliance Needs
If you must meet policies like HIPAA, ensure printers offer security measures like PIN code access to print jobs. Encoding labels provides additional privacy.
Initial & Operating Costs
Upfront price is only part of the picture. Also consider lifetime label media costs plus maintenance parts like printheads when calculating total ownership expenditure.
13 Best Shipping Label Printers for E-Commerce
After extensive evaluation, we rounded up the top 13 label printers ideally suited for mid-size to large e-commerce operations.
1. Rollo – Best Overall
Priced at $199, Rollo hits the sweet spot of features, performance and value. Their commercial grade thermal printer is made specifically for high volume label printing.
Key Specifications:
- Direct thermal up to 4.25" width
- 150 mm/second (high-speed)
- Auto label alignment & calibration
- Label rolls with various widths
We love Rollo‘s blend of thoughtful design, intuitive operation and competitive price. It‘s our top pick for most e-commerce businesses. Exceptional performance without unnecessary complexity.
2. Dymo LabelWriter 450
Dymo is a trusted brand in digital labels, and their LabelWriter provides compact, hassle-free printing.
Key Specifications:
- No ink/toner required
- 51 labels per minute speed
- Auto label recognition
- Choice of connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Simple yet reliable, the LabelWriter handles low to medium volume label runs effortlessly. It‘s an excellent starter printer with brand name quality at $149 retail pricing.
3. Zebra ZD420d
Need business-level volumes? Zebra‘s heavy duty ZD420d cranks out labels all day long thanks to an industrial grade thermal print engine.
Key Specifications:
- Up to 356 mm/second print speed
- Direct thermal or thermal transfer
- Dual connectivity interfaces
- Optional 300 dpi print resolution
With best-in-class speeds plus rugged durability, this workhorse printer is ideal for high volume fulfillment. $1049 MSRP.
4. Phomemo Label Printer
Phomemo combines fast, high quality printing with customizable label software for a compelling offering.
Key Specifications:
- 60 4×6 labels per minute
- 500 sheet adjustable capacity
- Label design mobile app
- Amazon, eBay, USPS compatible
For faster speeds and software-boosted functionality, Phomemo delivers excellent value at $189.
5. Avery Shipping Label Printer
Tap into DK‘s long history of innovative labeling products with Avery‘s newest shipping printer. It even supports Wi-Fi connectivity for flexible placement.
Key Specifications:
- Wi-Fi and USB connectivity
- Auto label sheet feeding
- Avery design software included
- Commercial grade print quality
Avery makes it simple for home offices to step up to professional-looking shipping with this versatile printer. Just $299 retail with loads of features.
6. JRoller Label Printer
Need affordability without sacrificing print quality or speed? JRoller‘s shipping printer hits all the right notes.
Key Specifications:
- 203 dpi resolution
- Up to 118 mm/second
- Auto label alignment & calibration
- Label rolls from 1.57" to 4.25” width
With excellent print quality and fast speeds, it‘s a wonderful value at just $159. Highly recommended for growing e-commerce businesses.
7. MUNBYN Label Printer
MUNBYN is another terrific value, blending solid printers with generous support policies. Their P941 model expertly handles shipping label duties.
Key Specifications:
- 150 mm/second speed
- Auto label alignment
- Overheat protection
- Windows and Mac compatible
Reliable, faster printing at an affordable $179 price point. MUNBYN is a safe bet for maximizing order fulfillment without breaking the bank.
8. Brady BMP41 Label Printer
When durability is paramount, Brady delivers with their BMP41 industrial label printer. It may have more bulk than typical shipping printers, but it will withstand serious use and tear over years of service.
Key Specifications:
- Rubber overmold for shock absorption
- Multi-line label printing
- QWERTY keyboard for variable data entry
- Parts & labor warranty up to 5 years
Ruggedness comes at a premium: BMP41 retails over $300. Think durable workhorse rather than print speed demon. But it will produce labels flawlessly 365 days a year.
9. Novemkada Shipping Label Printer
Novemkada pulls together fast print speeds, wide format capability and intuitive operation into one compelling package.
Key Specifications:
- 300 dpi high resolution
- Up to 80 shipping labels per minute
- QR code printing support
- Label widths from 1” to 4.25”
If you need a step up from entry-level models without jumping to enterprise pricing, this $245 printer warrants a look.
10. OFFEO Shipping Label Printer
Tipping the price scales at just $99, OFFEO proves you don‘t need to sacrifice key features to save money. Their SL-500 shipping printer punches well above its weight.
Key Specifications:
- Up to 118 mm/second speed
- QR code label printing
- Windows & Mac compatible drivers
- Auto-sensing for label type & size
Combining impressive specs and economical pricing, OFFEO gives e-commerce newcomers a perfect on-ramp printer to begin batch printing shipping labels.
Comparing Print Speeds & Monthly Volume
To pick the right printer, you must accurately estimate your existing and near-future label requirements.
Print speed determines maximum labels printed per minute while monthly capacity depends on hours run per day.
This table shows how print speeds translate into maximum per day volumes for typical e-commerce order sizes:
As shown, a 100 mm/second printer produces around 360 small package labels in an 8 hour shift. Need more capacity? Step up to faster engines or run extended hours.
Cost Comparisons
While MSRPs span from $100 to over $1000, TCO factors like label media drive longer term costs.
Here‘s how printer plus 2 years of supplies shakes out:
Rollo and Dymo strike an excellent balance of affordable pricing plus lower media cost over time.
Getting the Most From Your E-Commerce Printer
To maximize value from your label printer investment:
Choose label materials wisely. Direct thermal paper specifically designed for shipping labels handles moisture, smearing and smudges best.
Fine tune ribbon settings for sharper barcodes. Thermal transfer printers require ribbons matched to label materials. For detailed barcodes, maximize heat and slow print speed.
Secure supplies against unauthorized use. Consider locking thermal paper rolls inside printers with PIN access codes for usage accounting and loss prevention.
See if extended warranties add value. Multi-year manufacturer defects coverage grants peace of mind for roughly 10% of printer MSRP. Judge risk tolerance accordingly.
Confirm regulatory requirements upfront. Healthcare, legal services and publicly traded sellers may need compliant archiving, restricted data printing and device security certification.
Design labels to reinforce branding. Repeat logo, fonts and colors paired with quality materials makes an impression. See gallery below for inspiration from leading merchants.
Locate printers near fulfillment infrastructure. Position printers within range of Wi-Fi or wired networks yet easily accessible for maintenance. Minimize media and label jams caused by conveyance issues.
Gallery of Label Design Inspiration
Don’t overlook the powerful brand building opportunity shipping labels offer through creative design.
As you can see, great shipping labels:
- Repeat brand elements like colors, logos and fonts
- Feature high quality materials and printing
- Provide tracking barcode prominently
- Include messaging reinforcing customer delight
With some thoughtfulness, you can transform an operational necessity into meaningful customer touch point.
Key Takeaways on Shipping Label Printers
We‘ve covered a ton of ground when it comes to selecting the perfect label printer for e-commerce. Here are our parting recommendations:
Embrace thermal printing for speed, economy and reliability
Secure 30%+ capacity buffer for growth surges
Weigh hardware durability against replacement costs
Design labels to wow recipients and promote your brand
At the end of the day, buying the right printer smoothes fulfillment and makes order delivery a delight. Pair yours with shipping software and carriers to complete the package!
