What is the best label printer for a new business?

[PiscesPythoness]

I am wanting/needing to get a label printer for my shop that i am starting, but unsure of which one might be the best. I have looked into them and the DYMO LabelWriter 4XL looked like a good one but I am just needing a little more advice. 

[Gustav2]

This is not a direct answer , I have no experience of the mentioned printers.

I just ordered this one:  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002433914011.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.0.0.21ef1802JFmJWC 

Thhy have an even cheaper one that lookes like a rabbit... I guess these are for kids but if they can put words on a label I am happy.

I used my regular until now and got shocked how expensive label-printers are. Why are the?

[Elias · Accepted solution]

Greetings, @PiscesPythoness.

Thank you for reaching out and posting this question!

If you're using an Apple computer to print your shipping labels, then the DYMO LabelWriter 4XL is the one we'd recommend. However, if you're not using an Apple computer, then you can choose one from our list of supported label printers.  

On the other hand, if you'd like to print labels wirelessly using the Shopify app - then we'd recommend going with the Brother QL-1110ONWB label printer, which supports wireless connectivity. 

I'd love to know if this helps you choose the right label printer for your business. Let me know!

[KDavidson]

I am also just starting out on Shopify, and I have more questions. I can’t decide which thermal printer to buy. I am wanting to buy a thermal printer that can print both shipping labels and barcode labels. However, when I look on Shopify at which printers are supported by Shopify, it shows several printers that work for shipping labels, but different printers that work for barcode labels. I am also wanting to connect wirelessly through my iPad Pro. Is there a thermal printer that would work wirelessly with an iPad Pro to print BOTH shipping labels AND barcode labels. Thanks in advance for your help!!!!

[Elias]

Greetings, @KDavidson.

Thank you for joining the thread and posting this question!

I understand that you're looking for a thermal printer that can print both, shipping and barcode, labels wirelessly from your iPad Pro. However, due to the difference in label sizes and wireless printing capabilities, I didn't have any luck finding one that is suitable for both tasks.

If you're looking for a wireless thermal printer for Shopify shipping labels, then you can look at the Brother QL-1110NWB. Nevertheless, it's important to note that if you're using or planning to use a third-party app for shipping labels (incl. return labels), such as ShipStation or Shippo, then you need to use the DYMO LabelWriter 4XL or a standard desktop printer. 

• ShipStation - Can I Use the DYMO 450 to Print 4" x 6" Shipping Labels?
• Shippo - Printer and Label Size Best Practices

As for the supported DYMO and Zebra printers for barcode labels, you can choose between the DYMO LabelWriter Wireless Label Printer or Zebra Label Printer (Wireless) to use with your tablet.  

Since shipping labels can be printed using a standard desktop printer, then you may be able to consider just buying one thermal printer for the barcode labels. That being said, do you have a standard desktop printer? If so, does it support wireless printing with your iPad Pro?

[Elias]

Hey, @Thomas412.

It's great to hear that you're just starting out on Shopify and I'm happy to help with your questions!

If you're trying to determine which label printer to buy, then I'd recommend taking a look at the chart in my previous post. All of the printers on the the chart can be used for shipping labels and barcodes, so you simply need to check the availability of the printers for your region and compatibility for the devices that you're planning to use them with. 

Once you've decided on a printer, I'd love to hear more about your business share some resources to help you get started. Also, if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to let me know as well!

[Elias]

Greetings, @jrlto.

Thank you for joining the thread and bringing this to our attention.

It sounds like the printer was working previously as you mentioned that the problem is something you're encountering recently. However, as I don't have enough information, such as the type of printer that you're using, then I will need to gather a bit of context in order to help find a solution. Can you confirm if the printer was able to accurately generate and print labels before? Or, are you having problems setting up the printer for the first time?

Once I have more information, I'd be happy to point you in the right direction. On the other hand, if you prefer having someone from our teams to take a closer look at the issue, then we will need to authenticate you in order to access your account and resolve the issue. While we're unable to provide account-specific support via the Shopify Community, we'd be happy to further assist you through live chat, email, or callback. Please visit the Shopify Help Center and log into your account to create a support request. 

Once you've resolved this issue with our support team, I'd love to hear more about your business and share some resources to help you get started!

[Konsta]

Well I bought a DYMO wireless label printer last May (!) I still haven't managed to make it work properly! I cannot adjust the size of printing! I found it really complicated! I am using a mobile device wirelessly, I expected to print easily! But not!!!! So I left the printer aside at the end. I have an eshop with almost 3000 products inside and I really neaded that coding... have you got any advice?

[Elias]

Hey, @Konsta.

Thank you for joining the thread and sharing the additional context.

I understand that you're trying to use a DYMO wireless printer, and you haven't been able to get it working properly with your Shopify store. However, I've taken a look at our list of Shopify-supported shipping label printers, and I'm afraid there doesn't seem to be a supported wireless printer from DYMO. If you'd like to explore options for your DYMO wireless printer, then you can try using DYMO's software - LabelWriter. Should you require further assistance with this, then you can also get in touch with DYMO through the DYMO Help Center. 

That being said, while I'm aware that this may not the answer that you're expecting, I'd be happy to share some feedback with our development team in regards to having support for DYMO wireless printers. If Shopify moves forward with any new features or changes to the platform, then we'll be sure to announce them on the Shopify Changelog. 

If you have any other questions on this topic, then don't hesitate to let me know.

[BarryVG]

Elias,
I've read down through this thread & it reveals an ongoing "gap" in value (and committment) from Shopify. "We recommend this thermal printer, but what we won't tell you is that the POS/APPLE "iPad" can NOT print address labels directly onto ANY of the thermal printers we're suggesting/selling." Not even the wireless "address label" printer offerings. After all the years you've marketed your "iPad" POS systems, to not have paid to create a program/driver that allows you to print a (sale ... or multiple sales' address/es) FROM the "iPad" is shocking. I have yet to see a thread that offers a Shopify-based solution that fixes this huge "miss." The instructions do clearly say to use your APPLE, or other desktop/laptop to print address labels, but there is no clear warning that you CAN'T print from the iPad. If you can only afford either the owners in the shop, or ONE employee, to be able to multi-task you need efficient systems. Needing the "stand-alone" extra expense of needing a laptop/desktop to print the industry standard 4x6"in address labels can run another $700 to $2,000+++, depending on your requirements. Just not right.

You would be better served to say to customers (and not in small writing) ... that he/she will need a SEPARATE laptop/desktop computer (Mac, or Intel) to actually print thermal address labels (or inkjet). And say it UP FRONT. You have charged us HOW much in monthly software, APPS & payment capture interest over the few years we've now had Shopify? $30-50K+??? We have been loyal customers.

This doesn't include the improvement that you can print FROM an iPHONE. But the only wireless DYMO printer (which we mistakenly ordered) WILL NOT print the DYMO USB XL version's 4"x6" shipping labels!!! (DYMO 5XL) You're vague & incomplete details on compatibility & specs have cost us money & time we couldn't afford to lose. That includes time on the phone with alleged experts who keeps saying, "We weren't aware of that issue?" EACH printer you're selling should include in bold what it CAN'T do, which is just as vital to know. Please, please, please MAKE it happen to be able to wirelessly print FROM these APPLE iPads.

[Elias]

Hey, @BarryVG.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

It looks like there may be some confusions regarding this thread, as the original post was specifically asking about the DYMO LabelWriter 4XL and then other members from the community wanted to ask for a recommended wireless option (Brother QL Label Printer - 1110ONWB). However, if you're specifically looking for a label printer that works with iPads, then you can consider using the Brother QL Label Printer as well or any one of the Zebra Label Printers. Both of these brands of printers are listed as supported shipping label printers for iOS, and only the Zebra Label Printers is listed as supported for Android. 

That being said, I understand that you've purchased a wireless DYMO Label Printer that isn't supported on Shopify and it does not support the 4"x6" shipping labels. While I'd be happy to share your feedback with our development team about integrating more printer options, this isn't something that we'd have a timeline on. If Shopify moves forward with any new features or platform changes, then we'll be sure to announce them on the Shopify Changelog.

Let me know if you have any other questions.