Which label printer is best for your business?

Choosing the right label printer saves time, prevents frustration, and lowers costs. The range is wide: from simple Dymo models for occasional use to robust Zebra printers that handle thousands of labels per day. Below we highlight the main differences and choices.

Daily volume & speed

Up to 100 labels per day: Dymo LabelWriter and Brother QL series are suitable for small offices or webshops printing occasionally. Compact and affordable, but less suited for heavy use.
100–1,000 labels per day: Zebra ZD421 or ZD621 desktop printers provide more speed, stable feeding, and optional network connections. Ideal for growing webshops and warehouses.
1,000+ labels per day: industrial models such as Zebra ZT220/ZT231 or Honeywell PM45 are designed for continuous use. Faster, durable metal housing, and built for years of intensive work.

Print width & label formats

The width of the printer determines which labels you can use. For shipping labels (100×150 mm) you always need a 4-inch printer. Do not choose a 2–3 inch entry-level model if shipping labels are your main use case. For smaller warehouse or price labels up to 62 mm wide, a narrow desktop printer (e.g. Brother QL-800 or Zebra ZD411) is sufficient.

Brands & differences

Dymo: easy to use, low purchase price, but limited in speed and width (max. ~60 mm). Suitable for light use.
Brother: flexible models with many label options and good software support. Strong choice for offices and light logistics.
Zebra: the industry standard in logistics and warehousing. From compact desktop models to heavy-duty industrial printers. Reliable, scalable, and widely used.
Bixolon & Honeywell: alternatives that are often more affordable, but comparable in performance to Zebra. Interesting for cost-conscious companies.

Connections & software

Windows/Mac: all brands offer drivers and a basic Label Editor.
ERP/WMS integration: Zebra and Honeywell support ZPL/EPL and network options (LAN/Wi-Fi), perfect for webshop or warehouse software integration.
Cloud & API: Zebra Link-OS enables remote management and cloud integrations.

Quick guide

Use case	Recommendation
Webshop with 50 parcels/day	4" desktop printer (Zebra ZD421D or Brother 1100C)
Warehouse with stock labels	4" desktop or industrial (ZD621 / ZT231)
Office or narrow labels	Dymo LabelWriter 450 or Brother QL-800
Continuous use 1,000+/day	Zebra ZT series or Honeywell PM45

Important warning Our compatible labels are not compatible with the Dymo LabelWriter 5 series (e.g. 550 and 5XL). These printers only accept original Dymo labels with RFID chip.

Common mistakes

Choosing a printer that’s too narrow: a 2-inch model won’t fit shipping labels (100×150 mm). For parcels, 4-inch is required.
Overloading entry-level models: Dymo and Brother are not designed for hundreds of labels per day. This causes jams, wear, and unnecessary costs.
Skipping network connectivity: when multiple users print, a USB-only printer is impractical. A LAN or Wi-Fi model prevents delays and cable clutter.
Looking only at purchase price: cheaper printers may have higher label costs or shorter lifespans. Always calculate long-term costs.

Not sure which printer fits your needs? Contact us and we’ll advise you free of charge within one working day.