Recommended Thermal Transfer Printers - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Thewafflication
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2021, 02:32:55 pm
content: I am re-organizing my parts storage at my home lab. I am looking to invest in a thermal transfer printer. I want to keep my budget under $1000 and I would prefer a networked printer. The primary OS on my PC is GNU/Linux, so I will be using CUPS drivers.I was considering something similar to this:https://www.thermalprinteroutlet.com/product/zebra-z4m-industrial-commercial-thermal-label-printer/My biggest worry is finding ribbons in the future.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 14, 2021, 03:10:07 pm
content: You are a student, about to spend $450 to make some labels for your parts collection?You are lucky to have that cash to spare on something so frivolous, but I think there are better ways to spend it.Normal printer and avery labels?

author: Thewafflication
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2021, 03:20:08 pm
content: I am a non traditional student. I have a full time job... I don't often spend money on things that I dont need. I don't spend much money in general.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2021, 09:57:14 pm
content: Have you tried something like a Brother PTP700? Using the laminated ptouch TZE tape cartridges. That is enough for most hobbyist uses.I think ribbons are generic enough that any resin one will work, you just have to get one that fits the core diameter and width. Unless the printer locks it down via RFID, etc.Zebra Z4M can be had for ~$100 on Ebay, so its reasonable. Just big and heavy.Then add another ~$40-70 for ribbon and then $50-100 for labels, depending on size.If you are OK with paper labels there are other options, but I would never use paper labels for permanent labeling.

author: jmw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2021, 01:52:17 am
content: That is an enormous printer for industrial use. I have a smaller direct-thermal Zebra printer for shipping labels. Good luck with CUPS setup ... I could not get it to print crisply and just consider it a Windows-only device.If you want text-only labels for parts organization, look at Epson LabelWorks. They have compact hand held printers and the ribbon is integrated in the tape cartridge.

author: highpower
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2021, 01:36:39 am
content: I just purchased an Epson LW-PX900 (hand held) printer that can print graphics as well as text on tape up to 1-1/2" wide (36mm). It has a decent library of symbols for multiple industries built in to the printer and even more in their Label-Editor software (free download - no license required). For Windows only I'm afraid. It will print self laminating cable wraps, heat shrink tube, die-cut labels as well as general plain labels. Does everything I need as a hobbyist.

author: todd_fuller
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2021, 02:41:37 am
content: So I went down a similar path a couple years ago. I wanted a thermal printer for shipping labels + ribbons to do more than my handheld Dymo. Seemed that for the price of older industrial machine, you get a lot more bang for the buck than handhelds.I ended up with an Intermec (now Honeywell) PM43. Some of the reasons I chose this over other $200-$300 range used printers are:- ethernet standard, wifi optional (need to check listings carefully)- large color touch screen- programmable (yes, you can write C# apps for it. I haven't though.)- Web interface with user uploadable templates - using an EASY language- Supports ZPL + bunch of other languages including some easy to program languages that support variables, so making programs in Python/Perl to talk to it are easy.- CUPS driver- both direct thermal and thermal transfer - just order those free UPS labels and print.- available with a label rewinder (I have it and since I'm not in the biz, not sure how it works except that I think it rolls up the liner from the label so you just have a bare label sticking out ready to use.)- default, internal support for barcodes, QRCodes, etc, everything is computed onboard, you don't need any special software- onboard RTC (all of them have this, you just add a coin cell to enable)- Many on eBay have RFID writing built in. If you want to go crazy with your labels.ZPL example to print your name on a label:^XA^FO50,50^ADN,36,20^FDxxxxxxxxxxx^FS^XZFingerprint:PRPOS 36,20PRTXT "Name: XXXXXXXXXX"PRFEEDI have a bunch of custom label files that I use. On the Mac (and similarly Linux), you just pipe the text file to the printer and it prints. I just bought a wide ribbon so I have my choice of label widths. There are lots of surplus ribbons/labels all over eBay so you can pickup a whole roll of labels for a reasonable price. I have plain paper labels, polyester removable labels that go through the dishwasher fine, heat shrink.