Label Printers
Label printers are a core part of our offering. We partner with the leading brands to bring you an unrivalled selection, with products that are well suited to both business and personal labelling. Explore a diverse range of options to choose from here, whether you’re looking for mid-range or high-performance.
Whatever your label printing requirements – portable, desktop, or industrial – you’ll find the ideal model, along with colour and linerless printers in a variety of sizes. Browse our collection and discover the right label printer for you.
Label Printer - Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between direct thermal and thermal transfer printing?
If your not sure what you need, contact us for expert advice.
Can I print colour labels?
Standard direct thermal (DT) label printers only print in black and white, as they rely on heat rather than ink and thermal transfer (TT) printers rely on the colour of the ribbon - which is often black.
However, there are colour ink-based label printers that allow full-colour printing for branding, logos, and product packaging - Such as the Epson Colorworks Range. If colour is essential, look for dedicated colour label printers designed for high-quality, full-colour output.
Are label printers environmentally friendly?
Label printers can be environmentally friendly, especially when paired with the right supplies. Direct thermal models avoid ink cartridges and toners, reducing waste. Many manufacturers now produce eco-friendly label rolls, including recyclable, biodegradable, and FSC-certified paper labels.
A major eco-friendly advancement in the industry is the introduction of linerless label printers. Traditional labels are supplied on rolls with a backing liner that must be discarded after use. Linerless labels, on the other hand, are produced without a backing liner, meaning there’s no waste material left behind. This not only reduces environmental impact but also allows more labels per roll, cutting down on packaging and transport emissions. However to use linerless labels you must have a compatible linerless label printer.
Can I use third-party labels, or do I need the brand’s own?
Many label printers are compatible with third-party labels and ribbons, which can be a more cost-effective option. However, some brands design their printers to work best with their own labels.
The Barcode Warehouse branded labels and ribbons work with all major branded printers - just ensure they match the correct size, material, and adhesive type for your printer.
If your unsure about what samples
Do label printers need ink?
Most label printers do not rely on traditional ink or toner. Instead, they use thermal printing technology. In direct thermal printing, heat is applied directly to specially coated label paper to create the print. In thermal transfer printing, a ribbon is used to transfer the image onto the label, producing more durable results.
Ribbons are consumed when you print and therefore need replacing when they run out.
However, some colour label printers do use ink, as they are based on inkjet technology to produce full-colour labels for branding and packaging.
What is the difference between Desktop, Industrial, Mobile and High-Performance Label Printers?
Label printers come in different types, each designed for specific environments and workloads:
Desktop Label Printers – Compact and easy to use, desktop label printers are designed for light to medium printing volumes. They’re ideal for offices, retail counters, and small businesses that need shipping labels, barcode labels, or product tags.
Industrial Label Printers – Built for high-volume and heavy-duty printing, industrial label printers are larger, faster, and more durable. They are commonly used in warehousing, manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare, where thousands of labels may be required each day.
Mobile Label Printers – Lightweight and portable, mobile label printers are battery-powered and connect via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. They are perfect for on-the-go printing, such as field service, retail floor labelling, or logistics where staff need to print labels directly at the point of application.
High-Performance Label Printers – These high-volume label printers are engineered for the most demanding environments. Suitable for 24/7 operation, they offer exceptional print speeds, reliability, and outstanding print quality. High-performance models are often used used in logistics centres, manufacturing plants, ticketing operations, and large-scale retail or distribution hubs.
