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Mobile label printers offer portability and convenience in environments where efficiency is key. But how do you choose the right one for your needs? In this blog post, we’ll explain what a mobile label printer is, where they’re typically used, and the essential features to look for. We’ll also explore how these devices serve a range of industries, from retail to field services, and finally, we’ll present our top five picks for mobile label printers to help you make an informed decision for your business.
If you ever need to print a label, a barcode or a receipt at the point of need, such as in a restaurant or out in the field, you will want to use a mobile label printer. It is a portable, battery-powered device designed for on-the-go printing, that connects wirelessly to smartphones, tablets, or laptops, typically via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Despite their compact size, mobile label printers are highly efficient and offer fast printing speeds as well as high-quality output.
What does a mobile printer do?
Mobile printers are designed to produce documents, receipts, or labels via wireless connections such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. They are particularly useful for mobile workers who may need to print documents on-site. Beyond producing physical documents, these printers can often convert documents to other formats. Mobile label printers are especially useful for printing adhesive labels used in logistics, asset management, retail, and healthcare, where they are used for creating barcode labels, shipping stickers, and product tags.
Where are mobile label printers typically used?
Flexibility and portability are essential in environments such as retail stores, warehouses, and delivery services. Mobile label printers help retail staff quickly print price tags, shelf labels, or discount stickers. Warehouse workers use portable printers for labelling inventory which helps organise and accurately track stock and equipment, while delivery drivers rely on mobile printers to print shipping labels and receipts. Mobile label printers are also common in healthcare settings, where they assist in labelling specimens, patient wristbands, and medications.
Important things to know about mobile label printers
Not all mobile label printers are made equal, but rather they come tailored to various requirements. When selecting one for your business, consider the following aspects to make sure that your choice fits your needs perfectly:
Connectivity options: Most devices offer Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB or a combination of connections. Choose an option that will ensure uninterrupted operations.
Battery life: If you'll be using the printer for extended periods without access to charging, you will need a device with a powerful and long-lasting battery.
Label size: You will need different types of labels to print barcodes, shipping labels, or product tags, so make sure that the printer supports the label sizes and materials you plan to use.
Environment: If the printer will be used in challenging environments like warehouses or delivery routes, look for a durable rugged design.
Advantages of mobile printers in warehousing
Whether you care about efficiency or want to improve accuracy of your warehouse operations, adopting mobile printing could be a smart move. Mobile label printers allow workers to print labels directly at the point of application, reducing the time spent walking back and forth to a stationary printer. This will help speed up processes like inventory management and order fulfilment. Mobile printing also offers flexibility, allowing your team to adapt quickly to changes in workflow and minimise errors by enabling real-time labelling.
Advantages of mobile printers for field operations
Field service technicians can reduce the need for return trips to the office and increase productivity, if they have the ability to print invoices, receipts, labels, and service reports directly on-site. Issuance of instant accurate documentation through mobile printing will minimise the risk of paperwork getting lost or delayed. It also results in an improved customer satisfaction and trust, as clients can receive necessary documentation immediately. Learn more about keeping your field crew operational in this blog.
Advantages of mobile printers for transport operations
On-the-spot printing makes logistics processes more reliable by supporting better inventory management and real-time updates. The use of a mobile printer allows drivers and warehouse staff to print shipping labels, delivery receipts, and tracking documents directly from their vehicles or at various points along their routes.
Advantages of mobile printers in retail
Mobile printing in retail can enhance operational efficiency and customer experience. Thanks to the flexibility it provides, employees can print receipts, labels, or promotional materials directly from their mobile devices. This mobility allows staff to engage with customers anywhere in the store and speeds up transactions. Inventory management is also improved with a mobile label maker by enabling quick printing on the sales floor.
Advantages of mobile printers in hospitality industry
One of the key benefits of mobile printing in the hospitality industry is the ability to provide a more personalised guest experience. For example, hotel staff can print invoices, itineraries, or event tickets right on the spot, which results in a more convenient service delivery, whether at the front desk, in a conference room, or even poolside. This can significantly reduce wait times and allow staff to focus more on customer interaction rather than logistics. See this technology for hospitality blog for more information.
Benefits of mobile printers in healthcare
Prescription labels, wristbands, and other applications unique to the industry are printed using specialised healthcare printers. These devices allow healthcare staff to print from anywhere within or outside the building and address urgent tasks on the go. Mobile printers reduce the need for handwritten notes and lower the possibility of mistakes caused by illegible handwriting. Thanks to RFID authentication, NFC technology, or password-protected print jobs, they also help secure access to sensitive data.
Top five mobile label printers
Choosing the right mobile label printer can impact your operational efficiency. Our experts have selected the top five portable printers to help you choose the one that fits your needs best. All these devices stand out for their performance, high resolution printing of 203 dpi and robust durability with at least IP54 sealing. Whether you need a printer for retail, logistics, or field services, these models offer the reliability, flexibility, and toughness required for mobile printing in any industry.
Zebra ZQ630 Plus: Nearly 50 hours of impressive battery life
The Zebra ZQ630 Plus is a premium mobile label and receipt printer designed for demanding environments across various industries. With an exceptionally powerful battery, it can operate for over 49 hours on a single charge. The printer is ideal for applications such as: shelf-edge labels, replacement tags, mobile POS receipts, return labels, receiving, put-away, cycle counting, cross-docking, picking and much more.
Features:
Premium mobile label and receipt printing, up to 4 inches wide
Large colour display for easy operation
Advanced battery technology with a 6800 mAh capacity
Instant wake-up feature for quick activation
Reliable wireless and cable connections (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB, RS-232)
Easy to integrate, manage, set up, and secure
IP54-rated protection for durability in harsh environments
Zebra ZQ220 Plus: Lightweight design for easy mobile use
The compact Zebra ZQ220 Plus mobile printer has been designed to meet the diverse needs of various industries and government sectors. It is lightweight and can be operated with one hand, which makes it incredibly convenient for mobile workers. Some of ZQ220 Plus printer’s applications include mobile point of sale, line busting, shelf labels, Direct Store Delivery (DSD), proof of pickup/ delivery, passenger ticketing, parking enrolment and utility meter reading.
Features:
Supports multiple printing widths (2-inch and 3-inch) for receipts and labels
Convenient USB charging
Faster communication speeds with Bluetooth 5.0
Slim, lightweight design for ease of use
Durable IP54-rated protection for indoor and outdoor use
Integrated display for easy operation
Removable 2500 mAh Li-ion battery for extended usage
To find out more information and purchase yours, see our Zebra ZQ220 Plus page.
Zebra ZQ521: Tough and rugged for ultra-reliability
The exceptionally rugged Zebra ZQ521 has been engineered to withstand the toughest conditions. Its robust design includes an IP54 protection rating, which can be upgraded to IP65 with an optional case, and it meets the stringent MIL-STD 810G certification for drop and shock resistance. The ZQ521 has also been tumble-tested to endure 1300 tumbles from a height of 1 meter. It is perfect for field service, proof of pickup and delivery, route accounting, pallet labelling, energy and utility meter reading, parking violations, shelf-edge labels, drive-through receipt printing, concert venues and theme parks, and more.
Features:
Extremely robust mobile printer with IP54 protection (upgradeable to IP65)
Certified to MIL-STD 810G for drop and shock resistance, with 1300 tumble cycles
Reliable 4-inch printing for receipts and labels
Bluetooth 4.1, BLE, and WLAN 802.11ac for fast communication
Supports vertical and horizontal printing
Energy-efficient sleep mode with wake-on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and touch
3250 mAh battery for extended operation
Available also in an RFID version
Looking to find out more or buy? Head over to our Zebra ZQ521 page; or for the RFID model – to the Zebra ZQ521R page.
Honeywell LNX3: MFi certified for Apple users
The Honeywell LNX3 is a durable and versatile mobile label printer, engineered for reliable performance. Its MFi certification for iOS and Bluetooth, along with NFC, makes it easy to connect with a wide range of smart devices. The printer applications include shelf labels, mobile point of sale, line busting, professional services, utility meter reading, post and parcel, guest service labels and event ticketing.
Features:
Durable design with IP54 protection
Powered by a 2800 mAh hot-swap battery for uninterrupted usage
MFi certified for seamless iOS and Bluetooth connectivity
Convenient NFC for quick connection to smart devices
2.4-inch LED colour screen for clear display
Single-hand media loading door for easy operation
See our Honeywell LNX3 page for more information and to buy today.
Brother RJ-4230B: Linerless compatible for greener printing
While many mobile label printers offer a linerless option, the Brother RJ-4230B provides extra flexibility by supporting both linereded and linerless labels (with the addition of a linerless platen roller). The RJ-4230B is ideal for mobile printing of price tags, shelf labels, mobile POS, proof of delivery, utility meter reading, event ticketing, and more.
Features:
Supports 2-inch to 4-inch labels, receipts, tags, and more
Print speeds up to 5 inches per second
IP54-rated for dust and moisture protection with 6.88 ft drop protection
Bluetooth 4.2, USB 2.0, NFC, and MFi for easy connectivity
Optional accessories for enhanced mobility, including mounts and rechargeable Li-ion battery
Windows, Android, and Apple iOS compatibility
Linerless label printing compatible
Remote updates and configurations via the Mobile Deploy app
If this sounds like the right fit for you, visit our Brother RJ-4230B page.
Labels and receipt paper
Once you have selected your preferred mobile label printer, don’t forget to also stock up on labels and receipt paper. By having ample supplies on hand, you can streamline your operations and avoid costly downtime. For optimal performance and longevity of your printer, it's crucial to use high-quality, compatible supplies. These can easily be found on each product page. Alternatively, you can explore our range of labels, linerless labels, and receipt paper here.
We hope this blog post has helped you find the best mobile printer for your business, one that will transform your operations by boosting productivity and flexibility. Still unsure? Get in touch with our expert team to find a perfectly tailored solution.
