Printers

Learn more about

Search our catalog

Barcode label printers come with a wide range of options.  High performance printers are designed to meet the needs of extreme environments with high volume output.  Industrial printers are very reliable and can be purchased to print at a moderate volume.  Desktop label printers are ideal when space is limited, yet still produce a quality label or tag. Mobile printers are also available to interface directly with a handheld computer and print labels off-site.

Depending on your business, you may need labels pre-printed, or printed on demand. Pre-printed labels are generated in advance.  This means that no information can be added or removed from the barcode.  Typically, pre-printed labels are sequential and unique used to identify large quantities of materials.  Pre-printed labels are often used by warehouses and manufacturers.  The code ties back to detailed information controlled by your software package and handheld computer.

On-demand printing, on the other hand, means that barcode labels can not be printed ahead of time.  On-demand printing is often done on site as labels are needed.  The benefits of on-demand printing are numerous.  For example, you only need to print labels in the quantity needed, and each barcode can contain variable information such as location, serial number, date, or weight.

It is also necessary to purchase a software package with your printer in order to generate labels.  Your software may be a very simple application with the sole purpose of generating labels, or it may be more complex and interface with your network and handheld scanners or computers.

PTS software is built with an easy to use Windows environment.  A very simple drag and drop interface makes our software easy to learn.  In addition, we can work with your current numbering scheme to import/ export data into your new application. This will help you easily integrate a new system into your daily routine.

Your selection of printers should be based on your software, environment, volume, budget, barcode type and design.  PTS can help you decide what printer is best suited to your needs!

Direct Thermal

Direct thermal printers use a special heat-sensitive paper.  A heated print head forms the image onto your label stock. Characters, barcodes and graphics are almost always sharp and clear.

However, direct thermal labels may not last for long periods of time.  Exposure to harsh environments (wind exposure or ultraviolet light exposure) can damage your barcode label rendering it useless after a period of time.

Thermal Transfer

Thermal Transfer labels, on the other hand, transfer ink from a heated print head to the label with the use of a thermal transfer ribbon.  Heat from the print head transfers ink from the ribbon and physically applies it to your label.

This process of labeling results in longer lasting, permanent labels that fair better in harsh environments.  However, there is an on-going cost of purchasing ink ribbons with a Thermal Transfer printer.

Dots Per Inch (DPI)

DPI regulates the clarity of your barcode; the higher the dpi count, the sharper the image.  The standard is 203 dpi but printers can print 300, 400, and 600 dpi.

Print Width

Most standard printers will produce 4-inch wide labels.  Depending on your needs, print capabilities range from smaller than 2 inches up to 8 inches.