Thermal Printer

[geoffb]

Hi
We have been given a load of parcelforce labels that use a thermal printer...

Can anyone help with which type to use .....

I have heard the name Zebra mentioned, but these seem to be quite pricey as I would be doing approx 50 labels a week on it.

I only need a small one, as I already have a laser printer

The labels are 100mm by 150mm

any suggestions gratefully received !

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I nearly always buy from Misco - if you call them with your requirements they are extremely helpful and will recommend good relevant products. Might be worth a try?

 

[Dymo King]

Hi,

Why not ask ParcelForce which label printer they recomend for use with their labels?

What are you using to print the labels (as this maybe more important than the labels themselves)? Is it special ParcelForce software? Or are you expected to use your own software? Whatever software you are using you need to check what label printers it supports, and that will give you a starting point.

If they're just standard thermal labels then the chances are they are for one of the industrial desktop printers such as Zebra, Toshiba TEC, Citizen etc which are all kind of in the same price bracket. You also need to find out if they're thermal transfer or direct thermal (important!) otherwise you could buy a printer and find the labels don't work.

For printing such a small amount of labels it would be more cost effective to buy one of the cheaper machines from Dymo or Brother - the labels are more expensive, but the machines are substantially cheaper.

But you almost certainly won't be able to use the labels you have with the Dymo/Brother machines as they are closed systems (they only print to certain sized labels from their own range) rather than open like the zebra ones (you can use pretty much any size from any manufacturer that makes suitable labels).

If you need any more help send us an email.

 

[geoffb]

We are using a laser printer, so each label needs printing and cutting and putting in a bag.

as i said the labels are 100mm wide by 150mm long, this is an image

I want something under £100 - happily buy refurbished, 2nd hand etc.

looked on ebay, and many label printers don't go to the correct width, but there are so many different makes, I don't know what to choose, thats why I am hoping that someone here uses these labels with a printer and can advise.

The labels are free from parcelforce, so it would make sense to use them

 

[Dymo King]

The labels are free from parcelforce, so it would make sense to use them

Well you say that. But if you have to buy a £400 printer to print on your free labels does that make sense when you can buy a Dymo/Brother for around £60 and then pay around £2.50/week for the 50 or so labels you are going to print?

But I'll leave someone else to answer your question about what type of printer to use for the free labels.

Also, don't parcelforce provide you with a free printer anyway? Most couriers provide customers with a printer and labels.

 

[geoffb]

I have just sent an email to my account manager about a free printer ....

 

[geoffb]

but they won't give me one - oh well

 

[toastking]

You need to be printing more to get the free printer from them, I would guess that you're not even close unfortunately.

For what its worth I've supplied Zebra printers in the past to my customers and they are generally recommended as good little machines.

 

[Chezchaz]

I don't know if this is relevant now but we supply a wide range of thermal printers.

We would be happy to give information if it helps.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Parcelforce labels dont have to be cut from a laser printer just select A5 for print size the barcode will still work