lol, I was going to post to avoid that one! Agree the idea of a label printer and cell phone is a big improvement, and the cartridge system works well, but I found the software horrible. Thought I was back in the 90's. Maybe it's best one out there, but the software really underwhelmed, no way to set margins (so you keying spaces or the labels are bunched together, you can only enter a few labels before the field is full and you have print them (with a long lead in that wastes lots of tape, auto cut simply does not work so I'm with scissors..... and so on. It could have been great.
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Label maker - do you have a recommendation?
- Thread starter DavidR8
- Start date
lol, I was going to post to avoid that one! Agree the idea of a label printer and cell phone is a big improvement, and the cartridge system works well, but I found the software horrible. Thought I was back in the 90's. Maybe it's best one out there, but the software really underwhelmed, no way to set margins (so you keying spaces or the labels are bunched together, you can only enter a few labels before the field is full and you have print them (with a long lead in that wastes lots of tape, auto cut simply does not work so I'm with scissors..... and so on. It could have been great.
In all honesty I don't have a ton of run time & my applications were pretty boring. But from what little poking around the app I'm pretty sure I could define the tape length independent of left/center/right justification or select auto & it does it for you. I played with font size or even integrate your own images not much different than a word processer. I liked the preview was right there before you commit to print. But I'll have to pull it out again & run it through the paces. I forgot to mention there is also a phone app but I use the pc connection. Unfortunately not to many videos or screen grabs of the app itself but this gives an overview.
Brother P-touch CUBE Plus Label Maker App |Design&Print | Brother
Choose from home and office templates or design your own and print using the P-touch CUBE Plus Bluetooth® wireless technology label maker.
www.brother-usa.com
I watched the video. One of the main reasons I really hate filing is cuz stuff gets lost too easily. Out of sight - out of mind. But maybe a labeller would help. So I'm following this whole labelling thread with great interest.
A few questions for you Peter (and anyone else with a horse in this race),
The labels themselves look chinsy. Are they just like envelope labels?
How easily is it to apply a label?
How easy is it to remove a label?
Does the label adhesive harden over time?
Does the ink smear when it gets wet?
I think every one of us shares a love hate relationship with manufacturers labels and price tags. I absolutely hate price tags that won't come off. I like labels that stay put but can be peeled off and reapplied if needed. I love metallic labels that have class. I don't mind heating a label to remove it. I HATE Labels that disintegrate on removal, or that separate front to back as you peel them off, or that leave patches of adhesive behind. The litmus test is the label on a plastic pill bottle. Some are great and some suck.
I don't mind removing labels that require a slow pull to release the adhesive, but my wife hates them - they require patience that she doesn't have.
Is that true of all of these labellers?
The Ptouch labels I've used are like a thin plastic. The ones we have are extremely durable. We labelled some stainless measuring cups about 3 years ago and they have survived countless washings and have never come off.
The tape supply for Brother P-Touch comes in many color/adhesive configurations. Mine can print on tape up to 1" wide x whatever? length (TBD). I've only done household & shop items so far on clear & white TZe tape (e=environmental whatever that means). The adhesive seems like a good balance - sticks well enough but can be removed on typical hard shiny surfaces. It will pull a thin layer off say a file folder. Holds about the same as a good grade clear scotch tape. I guess for tougher duty environments there may be a better medium they offer or look to a different device. I had to remove some ID stickers from my RC model after a season (no oil residue, just heat & cold & flex cycles). There was no evidence of lift & letters looked sharp so reasonably UV proof? I would expect the adhesive would break down with lighter fluid or something like regular tape, but haven't tried yet.
www.brother.ca
amazon brother store
Shop for P-touch Label Makers and Tapes | Brother Canada
Brother P-touch label makers and tapes are perfect for all your labelling needs. Discover the wide offering of labelling solutions today!
amazon brother store
Brother Canada: Labels, Tapes & Ribbons
Worth it Every time! Choose Brother genuine printing, labelling, sewing, and cutting machine supplies to ensure optimal, uncompromising performance from your Brother machines.
www.amazon.ca
The DYMO tapes are also a plastic film with decent adhesive. I haven't had any difficulty removing them at all.
This has been an informative thread. BrentH and kstrauss may have been late to the party but I almost missed last call. As Susq said - this tool has been added to my urgently needed list.
Originally I was thinking of getting the Dyno Letra Tag200 (black Friday sale for $42 from list of $60 @ Staples). It would Bluetooth to my smartphone and avoid a redundant keyboard. But then I saw some negative comments (PeterT & Mcgyver) about the "no keyboard" models which then made the Dyno 160 or 280 look like a better option (they are in the $75 range).
These label printers are kinda like my computer printer in that the printer cartridges will end up being more costly than the printer, so at this point, $50 seems less important. But it is still a fairly big step up to the Dyno Rhino 5200 to get the heat shrink option. Then I noticed that Arbutus's tape printer is a Dyno Rhino 4200 (from a close look at his photo). The 4200 has most of the features of the Rhino 5200 including shrink-tape capability and is about $120 on Amazon and just $100 at Stables (both offer free shipping). These are base units without a case or extra tapes.
So now I just have to pull the trigger!!
Originally I was thinking of getting the Dyno Letra Tag200 (black Friday sale for $42 from list of $60 @ Staples). It would Bluetooth to my smartphone and avoid a redundant keyboard. But then I saw some negative comments (PeterT & Mcgyver) about the "no keyboard" models which then made the Dyno 160 or 280 look like a better option (they are in the $75 range).
These label printers are kinda like my computer printer in that the printer cartridges will end up being more costly than the printer, so at this point, $50 seems less important. But it is still a fairly big step up to the Dyno Rhino 5200 to get the heat shrink option. Then I noticed that Arbutus's tape printer is a Dyno Rhino 4200 (from a close look at his photo). The 4200 has most of the features of the Rhino 5200 including shrink-tape capability and is about $120 on Amazon and just $100 at Stables (both offer free shipping). These are base units without a case or extra tapes.
So now I just have to pull the trigger!!
Looks like you are doing my research for me.
I'll definitely pay more for a better printer. Shrink cable labelling is a must have for me.
To he honest, I want a smart phone app too. Mostly for cut and paste but also for layout and free form art. My drawers are seldom just one kind of tool - so labels have to be multitasking.
I won't tolerate a label that has to be scraped off or that falls off. They need a reasonably secure but still flexible adhesive that stays put but can be pulled off. Again, I'll pay a premium for that.
The other thing is ink. The ink must be dark enough, permanent enough, big enough, and with enough contrast for a one-eyed old man. I'm not gunna bend over to read a floor level label. If I can't read it standing up, it might as well not be there.
Wish I could get something with relief and style, but that prolly has to wait for a 3D Printer.
So many containers and things to label.......
Especially that one on the shop door - "That tool you want is in here".
Might get divorced shortly after I label some of the wife's stuff.......
I'm running a p-touch, I buy my tape off of alliexpress or amazon (brand-name WAY too expensive)
it does what I need it to do. At discounted tape prices I don't care about wastage.
keyboard is a little stiff. I has pizza-pop sauce on it.
it does what I need it to do. At discounted tape prices I don't care about wastage.
keyboard is a little stiff. I has pizza-pop sauce on it.
Can't do heat-shrink labels, but excels at relief and high-vis.
Double-sided carpet tape lasts forever and peels off clean.
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I have one of these and I love it:
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My only regret is not getting one that attaches to the PC and can take information from it to print. Otherwise this one has been more than adequate. This model is now discontinued but I think there is an upgraded one for maybe $70?
I’ve had a bit of time on my hands these last few days - and yea I looked at several videos and did some research. IMO - the Dymo edges out the Brother for top spot (both are very good). BUT, I have no first-hand knowledge/experience, just from what I read.
FYI: the 280 has connectivity, rechargeable batteries & it does bar codes but the 160 does not.
The 4200, 5200 and the top of the line 6000 all do heat shrink and have connectivity (4200, 5200, 6000 = good, better, best))
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I'm just curious if you get a label maker will your stuff have labels on it or will there just be a stack of labels piled up on a horizontal surface ?
In my experience, yes - all of the label printers in the last couple of decades have worked this way. they don't print, but discolor the letters or symbols onto the media