Label printers and makers guide for shipping and industrial use

Various types of label printers and makers are available for different consumer and industrial needs, ranging from household labeling to mission-critical shipping and industrial applications.

For shipping purposes, printers typically handle 4-inch-wide labels, with 4-by-6-inch being the standard size. The Rollo Wireless Printer X1040 is noted as a top pick for shipping use cases. These devices generally print on paper rather than plastic to reduce costs.

General label makers serve a wider variety of functions, including printing barcodes, warnings, and product labels. Top recommendations for these applications include the Brother QL-800 for paper labels and the Epson LW-PX800 for industrial-style plastic labels. While most consumer models are limited to single-color printing on various colored stocks, some specialized models offer dual-color capabilities or inkless Zink technology.