Australia’s courier, express, and package (CEP) industry is set to register a CAGR of 5.46% between 2019 and 2024. This could be spurred by the country’s surge of online shoppers and the subsequent proliferation of e-commerce stores to meet their demands.
Shipping is a crucial aspect of running an e-commerce store, allowing customers to get their products in good time. A seamless shipping process means optimum customer satisfaction and improved sales. This is especially true for businesses that handle international shipping
But before businesses can ship their products, they need to label them. A shipping label contains crucial information about the product being shipped. That’s why smart business owners invest in top-tier label printers to simplify the labelling process and streamline shipping activities.
However, picking the right one can be a huge challenge with so many label printers available today. If this sounds like your problem, we’re here to help. In today’s post, we’ll show you how you can choose the best shipping label printer for your business.
Look at the Printer’s Compatibility
There are two main types of label printers on the market, and they are:
Direct thermal label printers: They use heat to print labels and are ideal for short-term shipping needs.
Thermal transfer label printers: They use heat and ink to print labels and are ideal for long-term shipping needs.
Once you settle on the type of printer you need, the next step is to check its compatibility. Just because a printer prints labels, it doesn’t mean it’ll work with your devices. You want a printer compatible with your device and the shipping platform you use.
For instance, if you use USPS, you should get a printer that can print a USPS shipping label. If you need a Paypal shipping label, find a printer that can print that specific label.
Ask the lender whether the printer you have in mind is compatible with your primary shipping platform. If it’s not, look for one that is.
You can find a wide range of shipping supplies in our store here
Check the Printing Resolution
The printing resolution refers to the number of dots per inch (dpi) that the printer can print.
A higher dpi means that the shipping labels will be printed in high quality, with sharp images and text. On the other hand, a lower dpi means that the labels will be printed in low quality, with fuzzy images and text.
We recommend choosing a printer with at least 300 dpi for shipping labels. This will ensure that the label is high quality, making it easy to read. Plus, printing labels with superb quality will make the right impression on your customers.
Review the Printer’s Speed
Printing speed refers to the number of labels the printer can print per minute. A printer’s speed is measured in labels per minute, meaning a printer with a speed of 30 labels per minute can print 30 shipping labels in one minute.
Some printers can print as many as 1000 labels per minute. This is perfect for large businesses that ship hundreds to thousands of orders per day. If you run a small business, you might not need a printer with a high printing speed.
Instead, you might be better off with a printer with a lower printing speed but is more affordable. The choice ultimately depends on your shipping needs.
Check Out the Shipping Label Size
Ensure you get a printer that can handle the label size you need. It’s common for people to buy printers with the wrong label sizes. This means they’ll have labels that are either too big or too small.
Find a printer for your specific label size. For instance, if you’re shipping large and complex items, you’ll need large shipping labels that can fit all the necessary shipping information. In this case, you might need a printer that can print at least four inches wide labels.
On the other hand, you can use smaller shipping labels if you’re shipping small items. Bring it up with the vendor so that you can get the right printer for your label size.
Consider the Printer’s Connection Method
The printer’s connection method refers to how the printer connects to your computer and other devices. Printers connect to PCs and other devices in three ways, namely:
USB: A USB connection is a physical connection that uses a cable to connect the printer to your computer.
Ethernet: An Ethernet connection is a physical connection that uses a cable to connect the printer to your network.
Wireless: A wireless connection allows the printer to connect to your computer without cables. This is mostly through Bluetooth or Wifi.
The type of connectivity you need depends on how you want to use the printer. If you’re only going to use the printer in one location, then a USB or Ethernet connection will suffice.
However, a wireless connection would be ideal if you need to use the printer in multiple locations. That way, you can move the printer around without worrying about cables.
We would highly recommend printers that allow wireless connectivity. That’s because sometimes you might want to print labels from your phone. This won’t be easy if the printer doesn’t connect via Bluetooth or wifi.
Check out some our support center for more information on how to configure and optimise your shipping label printer
Look at the Print Colour
Most shipping labels are printed in black and white. However, some companies prefer their labels to have a bit of colour.
If you need to print in colour, you’ll need to choose a printer that can do so. Remember that colour printers are usually more expensive than black-and-white shipping label printers.
Choose the Right Shipping Label Printer for Your Needs
Choosing the right shipping label printer doesn’t have to be difficult. Keep these factors in mind, and choosing the perfect printer for your needs will be a cakewalk.
Don’t forget to check out online reviews of the printer before making your final choice.
Talk to us today, and let us help you streamline your shipping process for better sales.