Best Label Printer for Brick & Mortar Store

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Topic summary

A brick-and-mortar retailer using Shopify POS is seeking label printer recommendations after experiencing issues with their Zebra ZSB printer. The main complaints include:

Current Problems:

  • Labels are too large for small retail items
  • Cannot fit all required information (price, product name, barcode, vendor SKU, and variants)
  • Expensive label cartridges with low capacity
  • Connectivity issues

Recommended Solutions:
Two thermal printers were suggested:

  1. DYMO LabelWriter 550 - Compact design, direct thermal printing (no ink/toner needed), supports various label sizes, integrates with Windows/Mac

  2. Brother QL-1110NWB - Multiple connectivity options (USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), supports wide range of label sizes

Both eliminate ongoing ink costs and offer flexible label sizing.

Follow-up Question:
Another user asked for thermal printer recommendations that work with non-proprietary labels, noting difficulties getting a Vevor printer to correctly print Shopify-generated price barcode labels. They’re seeking affordable alternatives that are compatible with generic labels.

Status: Discussion remains open with the follow-up question unanswered.

Summarized with AI on October 28. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

We recently switched over to shopify POS. We are a brick & mortar retail store. I purchased the Zebra ZSB label series printer but have not been happy with it or the labels that you can buy for it. They are too big and still do not contain the information we need. I would like our labels to have price, name of product, barcode, vendor sku and variant (like size or color). But our items are relatively small, so do not want huge labels. And the cartridges are very expensive for the amount of labels you get in them. We use ALOT of tickets/labels!

Does anyone have any suggestions about what printer to get? We were looking at dymo but just do not want to buy something else we won’t like or doesn’t function properly. We have had trouble with the connectivity of the zebra label printer we have.

Thank you!

1 Like
2

Hi @arosepink

I understand your frustration with the Zebra ZSB label printer, especially when dealing with small items that require detailed labels. Finding the right label printer that balances size, information capacity, and cost-effectiveness is crucial for your brick-and-mortar retail store using Shopify POS.

Recommended Label Printers:1. ### DYMO LabelWriter 550:

  • Compact and Efficient: This printer is known for its sleek design and high-resolution printing, making it suitable for small labels that can include price, product name, barcode, vendor SKU, and variants like size or color.
  • Cost-Effective Labels: The DYMO LabelWriter 550 uses direct thermal printing technology, eliminating the need for expensive ink or toner. Additionally, it supports various label sizes, allowing you to choose smaller labels that fit your products perfectly.
  • Compatibility: It integrates seamlessly with both Windows and Mac systems, and the free DYMO Label Software enables quick design and printing of labels.
    shopify.com1. ### Brother QL-1110NWB:
  • Versatile Connectivity: This printer offers multiple connectivity options, including USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, providing flexibility in various retail environments.
  • Wide Range of Label Sizes: The Brother QL-1110NWB supports a variety of label sizes, which is beneficial for printing smaller labels that don’t overwhelm your products.
  • High-Speed Printing: It’s capable of printing up to 69 standard address labels per minute, which is advantageous for high-volume labeling needs.
    shopify.com

Considerations:- Label Size: Both printers support various label sizes. For small items, you can select appropriately sized labels that accommodate all necessary information without being too large.

  • Cost of Labels: Direct thermal printers like the DYMO and Brother models mentioned above do not require ink or toner, which can lead to cost savings over time. However, it’s essential to consider the cost of label rolls and ensure they are within your budget.
  • Connectivity: If you’ve experienced connectivity issues with your current printer, opting for a model with multiple connectivity options, such as the Brother QL-1110NWB, might provide more reliable performance.

Personal Insight:

In my experience, investing in a printer that offers flexibility in label sizes and reliable connectivity can significantly improve your labeling process. It’s also beneficial to choose a printer compatible with your existing systems to ensure seamless integration.

If you need any other assistance, feel free to reply, and I will try my best to help.

Best regards,

Daisy

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Daisy, Can you suggest any thermal printers that will print labels that aren’t proprietary brand labels? I have a Vevor but can’t get it to print the price barcode labels correctly that Shopify generates. I’d like to find a cheaper themal label printer like Vevor that would work.