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Recommendation: 6x4 Label Thermal printer for postage?

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tsutton

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Mar 13, 2021
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As my business continue to grow, I am in the need of a decent 6x4 label thermal printer for Royal Mail postage labels so I can sped up my order packaging, reducing the amount of time I have to take out the scissors to cut off the label from a A4 paper just to have the label ready, putting it in a clear-view wallet and finally sticking it on parcels.

I like the ideas of print, peel off & stick and that's it. Time saving as well.

What do you recommend? My budget is around £100-£120 inc VAT. Bonus if it comes with 6x4 sticker labels.

Thanks.
 
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As I said on a similar thread a few days ago, the best printer is the zebra they recommend. I have had mine for 5 years and it has printed hundreds of thousands of labels and still going strong. It is a false economy to get anything else
 
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I did see your post, thanks. My business is still "new" and am still trying to reach out further but slowly, I still can't justify paying almost £300 for this.

Which is why I wanted to buy something cheaper to get me going until I can justify spending more money on this.
 
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Look, there are several ways to do this. Continue spending time with scissors and plain a4 paper. Pay for the expensive A4 label paper where you can peel off a label, or do it properly with a Zebra where you get free labels from the Royal Mail.

If you saw the other thread, why did you start this new one? Why do you think that the answer would be any different?

Do the math. How much of your time are you wasting doing the labels the “cheap” way? How many orders a day, so how much time a day are you wasting? How much is your time worth?
 
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Your reply seems a bit harsh, so let me explain why.

1) I started a new thread because I often see others saying "create/post your own topic!" when I post & ask questions in their topic I dived in.

2) The other post was focused on the Zebra printer and I am seeking for lower cost option to start myself off, which means mine and their questions are totally different hence posting a new topic, so again, I thought I was doing the right thing by starting a new topic. Am I wrong?

Sorry if you think I am doing something wrong but as far as I can see, what I did was correct as per to this forum's guidelines? :/
 
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Zebra is fine when it works. When it does not then the printing onto paper with labels works.

Buy by the 500 or 1000 until you grow enough then buy in bulk.

Wasting time with plain paper and scissors does not remain an option as your business grows. Really you need to figure out processes to do things while small that save time or money.

Choose a method and make it work.
Zebra works for kulture.

You want something cheaper? Then get the most expensive basic laser printer you can find by a good brand and use that. Hundred quid or so?
And use the right size labels for your needs.
 
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We've been running Zebra GK420D's for 6 years and they've never missed a beat.

All 3 picked up on Facebook marketplace for less than £100.

Shop around to get a good price, I wouldn't buy brand new for the first one.
 
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I purchased a used Brother ql-1050 for £40 or £50, its worked great for me.

Compatible labels rolls work out around 2p per postage label.

Obviously you take your chances when buying used.
 
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I have the Zebra one suggested by RM. If you have a RM business account, you could apply for a code to get a new printer at a decent discount - that should still be available - I got mine from their 'OnBoarding Team' about 5 years after I opened the account. The added bonus of that is RM then send you free thermal labels, cable ties for your bags etc.
 
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I have business account with RM but I have no account manager. Could it be that I am using Business Click & Drop?

However I have contacted them last week to enquire further and am waiting for their reply...
 
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I'm only small so I don't seem to have an account manager either, use Click & Drop and get billed through the E-Invoicing monthly. If I need something, I generally phone - first thing in the morning is much better than afternoon - and you will eventually get through to someone useful. The RM website is awful to use and rarely gives a straight answer and some of it only works if you use Chrome but the real people are generally helpful. You could be waiting a while for an email answer if you've sent it to a general address rather than a named person.
 
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chickenlady said:
I don't seem to have an account manager either, use Click & Drop and get billed through the E-Invoicing monthly.
Click to expand...

Oh that's interesting. I pay by PayPal every time I put together all labels and pay for it straightaway. There must be different Business C&C out there then!
 
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tsutton said:
Oh that's interesting. I pay by PayPal every time I put together all labels and pay for it straightaway. There must be different Business C&C out there then!
Click to expand...

We use click and drop.
Different rates, average weight - which can save money if selling a lot more lighter stuff than heavier stuff.
And postage gets charged monthly in arrears - overall there is a cost saving of quite a bit.
 
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If it is any help, before I got the Zebra, I just used the ordinary inkjet I had for the packing slips and a sheet of 4 x 4x6 labels. You can set that up in Click & Drop - its very straightforward - but it helps if you print then in multiples of 4. Of course, you have to pay for the labels and the ink...hence I now have the Zebra
 
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We now use Zebras (which are great). A couple of years ago we used a Zing Thermal Label printer which was fine, but didn't work easily with Macs which caused an issue. I think it was about £120
 
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Paid £165 delivered recently for a Brother QL1100. Seems to work well and I like the continuous rolls option as I can print many sizes with the same roll (so long as you don't mind square corners). I don't print a ton of labels though, so no idea what long term reliability is like. Came with a small quantity of 6x4 labels.
 
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I had a Zebra printer. Wasted £500 in printer cost and supplies and could never get it to work. Weeks on end with the company's own tech support who admitted Zebra has endless problems with Windows integration. I could never get it to work. And guess what? I could not get a refund nor be allowed to return it to replace it with something else. That seems to be the norm with 90% of Zebra printer sellers.
 
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We used to use a standard HP Laserjet with Avery labels, the Avery software adds the label sizes as paper sizes to the print screen so really easy, you can even get clone label stock from a lot of places with the same size codes. They work in inkjets as well

Address Labels, J8160, 25 sheets | J8160-25 | Avery

If it’s professional, outstanding print quality with vivid colours and razor sharp text then j8160 smudge free, QuickDRY™ address labels are the perfect partner for your inkjet printer
www.avery.co.uk www.avery.co.uk
 
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IanSuth said:
We used to use a standard HP Laserjet with Avery labels, the Avery software adds the label sizes as paper sizes to the print screen so really easy, you can even get clone label stock from a lot of places with the same size codes. They work in inkjets as well

Address Labels, J8160, 25 sheets | J8160-25 | Avery

If it’s professional, outstanding print quality with vivid colours and razor sharp text then j8160 smudge free, QuickDRY™ address labels are the perfect partner for your inkjet printer
www.avery.co.uk www.avery.co.uk
Click to expand...
Problem is if you only want to print one label. Next time you need to tell the software to use the next label, etc., ...

It's not a good idea to put Avery's through a laser printer multiple times.
 
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DontAsk said:
Problem is if you only want to print one label. Next time you need to tell the software to use the next label, etc., ...

It's not a good idea to put Avery's through a laser printer multiple times.
Click to expand...
fine in a laser jt, maybe not in an inkjet.

The old laser jet II we had did it from 1993 to well into the 2000's (i think 2008) rarely more than 7 or 8 labels a day and usually only 1 or 2. Hence not worth having a separate label printer, it was just part of it's job

And yes i know the OP was over a yr ago but someone will find this thread whilst looking
 
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A £100 DYMO will work just fine, as will Thermal Brother printers that take large labels. I see no need to spend £300-500 for a Zebra with software issues.
 
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LOND21 said:
Don't you think many other people will have the same questions and the answers may be useful to them?
Click to expand...
Of course, that is why I did not lock the thread. But some people don’t notice that the op is long gone.

As for software issues , once set up properly the zebra goes on fault free for tens of thousands of labels. Looked after properly with the stationary supplied for free by the Royal Mail, the total cost of ownership is less than most alternatives.
 
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LOND21 said:
I had a Zebra printer. Wasted £500 in printer cost and supplies and could never get it to work. Weeks on end with the company's own tech support who admitted Zebra has endless problems with Windows integration. I could never get it to work. And guess what? I could not get a refund nor be allowed to return it to replace it with something else. That seems to be the norm with 90% of Zebra printer sellers.
Click to expand...

Hi, I am sorry to hear of your troubles with the printer. We always lead with Zebra with our customers print requirements, but the perception of Zebra as a brand stems from your interactions with their partners, so I think unfortunately you didn't deal with a great one. Did you resolve your print issues in the end?
 
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Just bumping this thread to the top.....

Business pc's just gone from Windows 7.... and much outdated software too to Windows 10 but the Zebra printer Zebra LP-2844-Z now won't function or recognise.

Can't even seem to get drivers off the Zebra site or anything? Anyone have any ideas other than buying a newer printer?
 
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Martin Patfield said:
Just bumping this thread to the top.....

Business pc's just gone from Windows 7.... and much outdated software too to Windows 10 but the Zebra printer Zebra LP-2844-Z now won't function or recognise.

Can't even seem to get drivers off the Zebra site or anything? Anyone have any ideas other than buying a newer printer?
Click to expand...
Hi Martin

Although they are really old printers, and I would reccommend speaking to us to trade them in, I can see that model listed in the latest driver package compatible with Windows 10, so you should be able to install it. If you download ZebraSetupUtilities (the .exe file) from the printer web page, and then install - it should resolve the issue

https://www.zebra.com/gb/en/support-downloads/printers/desktop/lp-2844-z.html
 
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tsutton said:
As my business continue to grow, I am in the need of a decent 6x4 label thermal printer for Royal Mail postage labels so I can sped up my order packaging, reducing the amount of time I have to take out the scissors to cut off the label from a A4 paper just to have the label ready, putting it in a clear-view wallet and finally sticking it on parcels.

I like the ideas of print, peel off & stick and that's it. Time saving as well.

What do you recommend? My budget is around £100-£120 inc VAT. Bonus if it comes with 6x4 sticker labels.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Hi there, was reading through and was wondering if you found anything suitable? if so, what did you managed to find?
 
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Total Barcodes said:
Hi Martin

Although they are really old printers, and I would reccommend speaking to us to trade them in, I can see that model listed in the latest driver package compatible with Windows 10, so you should be able to install it. If you download ZebraSetupUtilities (the .exe file) from the printer web page, and then install - it should resolve the issue

https://www.zebra.com/gb/en/support-downloads/printers/desktop/lp-2844-z.html
Click to expand...
Do you know what I did do this the other day, but then it didn't work. Asked our IT guy to take a look. Obviously on the page it says it's discontinued and that's all he said to me. I said there must be a way to just download the drivers for it.

I've re-done it and taken some time. It's worked :). Not sure what I did differently to be fair but it prints so that's the main thing. It's not critical to the business but just handy to have as and when required.
 
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In case any one is looking for an alternative. We have been using the dymo for quite some time and never had a problem and even recommend it to our e-comm clients if and when they ask! Does the RM click drop labels and perfect for many other types (inc etsy) cant recommend this enough after using it personally for our own business: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dymo-LabelWriter-Printer-Prints-Connected/dp/B002YNVSN4/
 
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Martin Patfield said:
Do you know what I did do this the other day, but then it didn't work. Asked our IT guy to take a look. Obviously on the page it says it's discontinued and that's all he said to me. I said there must be a way to just download the drivers for it.

I've re-done it and taken some time. It's worked :). Not sure what I did differently to be fair but it prints so that's the main thing. It's not critical to the business but just handy to have as and when required.
Click to expand...

Hi Martin - I'm glad you got this sorted!
 
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Best NON zebra option i have found is RAPID PRINT from amazon. It is 203dpi and their support team is UK based and great advisors esp when it came to me requiring extra help with setup for customised label sizes

£130
Thermal Shipping Label Printer 4x6 |Royal Mail + All Couriers| Postage Barcode Address Sticker Maker Machine small Business 203DPi|200 FREE Labels incl-Desktop via USB for Mac + Windows RAPIDPRINT https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08H8XVNW9/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_PSXH0VZPVNHJV4M519XG

Later also discovered it was available directly from their site at
£120.
www.giventech.co.uk
 
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I bought my Zebra printer from EBay or Gumtree (I forget which) and sold it the same way when I closed my business.

I probably got back what I paid for it.
 
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tsutton said:
reducing the amount of time I have to take out the scissors to cut off the label from a A4 paper just to have the label ready
Click to expand...
Use paper with precut labels?
Use a template & stationary to print a packing list/delivery label?
 
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