[RetailEdge Moderator]

The label printer we recommend for most retail applications is the Zebra LP2824 or TLP2824. Once again these are the biggest sellers and so we know the quirks of this printer pretty well. It prints on a number of different label sizes. These are referred to as desktop printers. If you are only printing less than about 500 labels a day this type of printer is probably sufficient. The larger printers will allow you to print more, faster and are designed with components that are designed to handle the large loads (metal gearing vs. plastics).

The difference between the TLP and the LP is the way that they print on the labels. The LP is direct thermal and prints on labels with a heat sensitive coating. So if you hold the labels on a light bulb they will turn black. The TLP is a thermal transfer printer. The label stock does not have a heat sensitive coating. The printer prints using a ribbon and applies (transfers) the ink off of the ribbon on to the label stock when printing. Here a few of the the advantages/disadvantages of each.

1. The thermal transfer (TLP) will print on both label stocks though and can function as a direct thermal printer as well.
2. The direct thermal (LP) printer is easier to use because you don't have to replace ribbons.
3. Direct thermal printers are less expensive.
4. We have seen incidences of fading with some direct thermal labels, depending on what they are placed on (oily items, some leather items, some plastic wraps)
5. Direct thermal stock will fade in the UV light and heat. Just like leaving a thermal receipt in your car will fade the receipt, these labels can do the same. However, the direct thermal jewelry tags have a UV shield on them to solve this problem. If you live in a hot location (like Las Vegas) and think you might be transferring goods in a hot truck for instance, then thermal transfer might be the right solution for you. FedEx uses direct thermal printers in their applications, so I don't think this as much of an issue for short term label use.
6. Thermal transfer is better when you might have chemical resistance needs with oils etc. like in a hardware store. There are a variety of inks from simple wax to resins that are more resistant.
7. Direct thermal stock will fade over time. So if you are using the printer to print labels that will be in place for a long period of time (like shelf labels), then you should consider using a thermal transfer printer. But the fading does not occur really quickly. We have seen label retain their clarity for years. But have also seen them fade within a few months.
8. Some people think that the thermal transfer labels provide "crisper" printing. However, the printing resolution on both these printers is 203DPI and the barcodes are easily read on each so I am not sure about the real difference here.

That being said we sell a lot more direct thermal printers than thermal transfer printers because of the convenience. And they work well for most standard retail applications.

Another reason why we like the zebras is because the label stock is more affordable and they have a lot of flexibility when it comes to custom label stock.