Barcode Label Printers

A barcode printer allows you to easily print barcode labels or tags.  You can do it on the move with portable printers, or choose from our large range of barcode label printers for the office, warehouse or retail environment, including: industrial printers, desktop printers or receipt printers.

Need help choosing? Call us now on 0845 271 0250.

Browse our barcode label printers below:

Choosing a Barcode Label Printer:

Barcode label printers are computer peripherals designed for printing barcode labels or tags that can be attached to physical objects. Barcode printers are used in lots of different industries. Industrial barcode printers are used in large warehouses and manufacturing facilities - these have capacity for a lot of paper and operate at lightening speed - they're also robust and long lasting.  By contrast, desktop barcode printers are suitable for retail and office environments.  The most common uses of barcode printers are labelling cartons before shipment and labelling retail items with UPCs or EANs.

Direct thermal and thermal transfer barcode printing:

Generally you'll choose a barcode printer that uses one of two types of printing technologies. The first type is direct thermal printing - these printers use a printhead to generate heat, causing a chemical reaction in specifically designed paper that results in the paper turning black.

The second type of barcode printer is a thermal transfer printer.  Thermal transfer printers also use heat, but rather than reacting to the paper, the heat melts a waxy substance on a ribbon that runs over the label or tag material. Then, the heat transfers ink from the ribbon to the paper.

So which is the best option for you?  Of the two options, you'll find that direct thermal printers are generally less expensive, but the trade off is that they produce labels that can become illegible if exposed to heat, direct sunlight, or chemical vapours.  So thermal transfer printers are the better option if you have the budget.

Summary:

• Industrial barcode printers, ideal for: large warehouses, manufacturing facilities
• Desktop barocde printers, ideal for: retail and office environments
• Direct thermal printers: generally less expensive
• Thermal transfer printers: produce better labels

To get fast, friendly expert advice on choosing your barcode printer, get in touch with our friendly team on 0845 271 0250.