Barcode printers – how to choose the right one?

For the efficient functioning of a modern logistics system, proper labeling of goods is essential. A large group of retail products and virtually all master cartons (boxes, pallets) are marked using self-adhesive labels containing a barcode. Specialized printers known as label printers or barcode printers are used to print such labels.
There are many models of printers available on the market. Choosing the right printer mainly depends on the number of labels you intend to print and the environment in which the device will operate.

When deciding to make a purchase, users often attach great importance to the maximum print speed, assuming that the higher it is, the better the printer. Meanwhile, in practice, printing above 6 inches (15 cm/sec) is rarely done – firstly, because it is rarely needed, and secondly, because higher speed often means poorer print quality and a higher risk of premature printhead wear.

A valuable feature of a printer, however, is the print speed of a new label, i.e., the time between printing two labels with variable content – the shorter the time, the better. A leading manufacturer of devices with very good parameters in this regard is the American company Datamax.

If you need to print a small number of labels (1000-1500 pcs. per day), it is worth choosing a Datamax printer from the E-class series. The printer is perfectly suited for small production plants, warehouses, offices, stores, and service points. The plastic housing makes the printer resemble a standard office printer, and it is very lightweight. However, in terms of functionality, it meets the requirements set for professional devices, such as: adjustable print speed up to 10 cm/sec, thermal and thermal transfer printing, and two communication ports. It is an ideal solution for users who need a reliable thermal transfer printer for light workloads at a relatively low price.

For users with higher requirements, M-class printers are intended. The Datamax M-4206 printer is one of the newest models available on the market. It is designed for printing medium to large quantities of labels (several to a dozen thousand labels per day). The innovation of the solution lies, among other things, in the use of a load-bearing structure made of a single aluminum casting – this significantly extends the durability and lifespan of the printer. True to current standards, the printer is equipped with 3 communication ports: RS, Centronics, and USB. The maximum print speed is 15 cm/sec.