How to Select a Label Maker
Label makers are an easy way to become organized in both your professional environment and your personal space. They can be used to label products, shelves, containers, and other personal belongings. Most label makers are small enough to be hand-held and portable, but there are some larger models that must rest on a desktop. The most basic label makers contain a keyboard, enabling you to enter the text for your labels. However, there are more advanced label makers that work with your computer to create nearly any kind of label, including ID badges, banners, DVD labels, and mailing labels. Believe it or not, selecting the best label maker for your professional or personal needs requires knowing a few basic facts about the different types of machines out there on the market.
While you are browsing different models of label makers, consider the following:
- Do you need labels for a professional setting? Or your own personal space?
- Will you need to carry your label maker to different places?
- Does the manufacturer’s website sell label maker accessories?
Basic Key Features
If possible, you will want to select a label maker that runs on battery power and with an AC adapter. This feature is important if you plan to carry the label maker from location to location. Another central feature is the size of the label maker’s LCD. There are some label makers that can only display up to four characters on the LCD, making it difficult to create longer labels. With a bigger LCD you can better catch mistakes before printing the label. If speed is an issue, most label maker manufacturers will tell you how fast their models print. For example, one label maker may be able to print about 10 millimeters of labels per second. Another feature to keep an eye out for is an automatic label cutter.
Portable Label Makers
Handheld label makers should be easy to hold in one hand and operate with the other. Unless you need your label maker for a professional setting, you will probably want to purchase a small portable unit. While most handheld label makers come with basic features, there are models out there that will provide users with the flexibility and power to create more complex labels. Although portable label makers tend to be smaller, not all have undersized keyboards or LCD screens. You can find handheld label makers with ABCD keyboards that offer between a 4 to 30-character LCD.
Desktop Label Makers
If you’re seeking versatility in the types of labels you make, but can do without the benefits of portability, desktop label makers can provide a lot of different labeling options. These models of label makers will usually connect to your computer through a USB port and use special software to create nearly any kind of label you can imagine. Almost any kind of text style that is permitted by the text formatting software on your computer can be used to create unique labels for the office or your home.
