Label printers are an indispensable product for small and medium-sized e-tailers because they are the most convenient way to quickly print shipping labels, address labels, product labels and the like. But the range of label printers is vast, and the one you choose should also work with your chosen carrier so you can send labels directly from their software to the printer.
We put three different label printers to the test. How fast are they? How easy are they to manage? Who is each printer suitable for?
The test included these three models:
- Honeywell MP Compact 4 Mark III
- Sato WS408
- Zebra ZD421
What distinguishes the labellers in the test?
In this test, we put three different models to the test to see how they perform in general, and with PostNord Portal. The portal works with multiple printers. What is required is that it can handle the print width of the standard PostNord label, which is 105 millimetres, and that it has a resolution of 203 DPI.
Remember to buy matching label rolls when you buy your label printer - rolls rarely come with the purchase. In order for a roll of labels to fit in your printer, it must match the size of the core and not exceed the maximum outer diameter of the roll and the maximum width.
The labellers in this test are 4-inch thermal type printers. It is the most common printer for small to medium sized e-tailers with standard needs, i.e. those who need to print standard thermal labels for shipping documents and the like.
Sato and Zebra are two more portable printers with a more user-friendly design. But Honeywell does support fanfolds, and since round rollers are mounted on the outside of the fanfold, you also have a very good overview of how much is left - even if you're sitting a bit away from the printer.
All printers have good connectivity. However, Zebras give you a little more modern help along the way during installation, on the other hand Honeywell is the only printer that works straight out of the box without us having to download additional software.
An important parameter when buying a label printer is, of course, that it can print the size and quality of labels that your company needs. In the case of these three printers, they are relatively equivalent. However, the Zebra printer wins on this point, albeit marginally. It has the widest range of formats and is also the printer that is currently best integrated and documented in PostNord Portal.
How we tested the label printers
All label printers were connected to a test account in PostNord Portal. The service available for print testing was Skicka Direkt Business (ZPL), but we have also printed other labels of various sizes in PDF format. We received three new printers in unopened packaging, direct from the manufacturers. We have then installed them, used them in our daily work and carried out detailed tests on them. We have used thermo labels for the test.
We have measured parameters such as noise level, size, print speed and installation time. We've also noted other important factors, such as the steps involved in installation, the quality of the manual and other available instructions, the sources from which you can print, the ease of use of the printer, the ease of maintenance, and more. We have then developed a suitable target group for each printer. What types of e-tailers is the label printer suitable for? The small start-up company? The medium-sized well-established trader?
1. Honeywell MP Compact 4 Mark III - reliable label printer that handles fanfold labels
- Approximate price: 14 000 kr
- Size (WHD): 230x105x260 cm
- Weight: 3,5 kg
- Dimensions: Core: 40 mm, Width of label roll: 40-115 cm, Maximum thickness of roll: 115 mm
- Resolution: 203 DPI
- Measured print speed: PDF: 3.61 s
- Sound level: 60.2 dB when measured next to, 55.3 dB when measured 1.5 metres away
- Connectivity: USB, WiFI, Bluetooth, LAN
- Operating system: Mac OS, Windows
- Other: Fanfold support
Fanfold
Fanfold labels, also called 'labels on folded sheets' or 'fanfold folded labels', are an alternative to labels on rolls. Instead of being rolled, the strip is laid in a folded bundle, which can facilitate the printing of longer sticky labels for smaller printers.
Honeywell MP Compact 4 surprises us. When we unpack it from the box and feel how heavy it is, together with the angular and slightly unfashionable design, the impression tells us that it will probably be a complicated acquaintance. Imagine our surprise when this printer is actually the one that works best right out of the box. At least independently from the portal.
It takes just twelve minutes to install. We start by connecting the printer via USB cable to the computer, then we plug in the power cord and see what else is in the box. In the meantime, the drivers are installed automatically, and we don't need to download new drivers afterwards for it to start working like with the other tested printers.
It comes with a CD and an Ethernet cable in the box. Few computers have optical readers these days, so a USB stick or QR code would have been better. The Ethernet cable and its associated port, however, is a welcome addition because you don't have to fuss with wireless settings the first thing you do. However, it is tricky to get it to work with PostNord Portal. It does not appear automatically like the other printers in the test.
Installation of the label roll is relatively simple but also not without problems. There is a lock control on the side, and if you rotate it 90 degrees, the lock will open. It does not initially. As we try to figure out why, after a few minutes we hear a click, and sure enough, it has now popped up so that we can slide the end of the label reel in. This latch then works flawlessly for the rest of the test.
You hang the roll on the back of a steel pole. With the reel and end in place, lock the reel to the stick using a plastic bracket with a slider. Now the product is ready to use. The installation procedure is slightly more complicated than on label printers where the roll is installed between two arms inside the printer, but far from difficult.
This printer also supports fanfold, so for those who prefer that to roll, you have both options here.
One advantage of the design is that you can stack several printers on top of each other.
The choice for you who want a silent label printer with fanfold support
We continue the installation by locating the software for the Honeywell label printer. The software is not very user-friendly, it is difficult to get a good overview. But the settings you might want to adjust are there.
This is also the printer that's best at automatically resizing paper. Unfortunately, the printer does not come with a label roll, so you can't test the installation without buying the roll at the same time as the printer.
When it comes to print speed, it performs well. We also have no problems with error messages, paper jams or similar during the test period. Furthermore, this printer has by far the nicest sound profile. The sound has a softer and smoother level than the other printers tested, which sound more raucous during printing.
This printer is suitable for those who also want to be able to print fanfold labels, but if you don't have that need, it's too expensive considering factors such as integration with PostNord, ease of use and design.
Pros and cons:
- Very easy to get started with the basics
- No errors during the test period
- Nice sound profile
- Can be stacked
- Tricky to get started with PostNord Portal
- Difficult to connect wirelessly
- The procedure when filling a new roll can be a but tricky
2. Sato WS408 - flexible label maker for the budget conscious
- Approximate price: 5 000 kr
- Size (WHD): 184x166x226 cm
- Weight: 1,4 kg
- Dimensions: Core: 25.4 mm/38 mm, Width of label roll: 22.4-115 cm, Maximum thickness of roll: 127 mm
- Resolution: 203 DPI (8 dot)
- Measured print speed: PDF: 4.2 s Postnord portal: 5.5 s
- Sound level: 62.3 dB when measured next to, 52.9 dB when measured 1.5 metres away
- Connectivity: USB, WiFI, Bluetooth, LAN
- Operating system: Mac OS, Windows
- Other: -
The Sato WS408 is a sleek label printer with a modern look and clear, user-friendly design. You have a switch in the form of a button on the back. There you will also find an Ethernet port so you can connect it directly to the router. We appreciate this solution because it makes it easy for those who want to access it over the network but don't have the time to get to grips with the wireless configuration.
The printer has a transparent window on top, but the window is so dark that it is difficult to get a good overview of how much is left on the label roll. Another disadvantage is that the construction attracts a lot of dust and hair.
Something we appreciate is the big clear feed button on top. It can also be programmed, via the software, to repeat the printout. The printer has also been equipped with two LEDs on the top. These can be solid, slow flashing or fast flashing to cover a wide range of error messages and status reports.
The printer has a plastic clip attached to each arm on the inside, and these clips can be mounted one way or the other depending on the core size. You can therefore use it with both 25-millimetre and 38-millimetre cores. However, the same support is available on competing models without having to unscrew and rotate anything.
The printer comes pre-assembled for 38 millimeters. A minor remark here is that we think it should have been the other way around. Maintenance is otherwise smooth. You have clear sliders on the outside to open up the lid. The arms of the roll can then be easily pulled apart or brought together to secure the roll in place. However, the end of the reel must be threaded through a narrow opening, which reduces the impression a little.
Unfortunately, the printer does not come with a label roll, which is a shame because you want to test run the installation once it is complete.
Initially, we connect our printer via USB cable. The installation takes us just over 20 minutes, and most of that time is wasted looking up drivers on the company's website because the ones that install automatically don't work. As with most label printers, there is no support for WPS or an equivalent solution to automatically connect to a wireless network, you must fill in the necessary data yourself and be sufficiently tech-savvy to understand what data is being requested.
We got a pnp error message during the installation of the drivers, but at the same time it explained that we can update the ports later if needed. We never needed it and the connection worked fine anyway.
We also download the configuration software, the Sato WS Print Utility. This is a relatively user-friendly program for those who are familiar with the various capabilities of the printers. It is also easy to understand what different parameters do. If you consult the manual, you will have large pictures showing and explaining the commands you may be unsure of.
Problems creating labels - every second printout gives an error message
It is only when it comes to printing that problems arise. After the first printout, both LEDs on the printer body light up orange. We consult the sticker on the inside of the display that shows the different combinations and what they mean. The diodes indicate paper jams.
Let's try pressing the Feed button. The label roll ejects without problems but the diodes continue to light up. We open and check that the roll is securely in place, rolls smoothly and that there are no other problems. We close the hatch and the diodes still indicate paper jams. Let's try restarting the whole printer. Now we get the green light and the printing works. But as soon as the printing is done, it's the same problem when we try to print again. So after each print, we have to restart the whole printer to be able to print again.
We order a new printer and after downloading the latest drivers we have the same problem again.
The sound level is not very high when printing, but the sound profile is a bit shrill. If you only print a few times a day, it's no problem to have it in the same room as your work, but if you print a lot and often, it should be placed in a separate room to give you peace and quiet.
It takes just over 4 seconds to print a label via PDF, and 5.5 seconds when we print from PostNord Portal - on default settings. It's not the best in the test, but it's still good.
För- och nackdelar:
- Easy to use software
- Quite easy to refill with a new roll
- Clear manual
- Portable format
- Difficult to connect wirelessly
- Every second printout gives an error message
3. Zebra ZD421 - Best label printer for PostNord business customers
- Approximate price: 5 000 kr
- Size (WHD): 151x178x221 cm
- Weight: 1,35 kg
- Dimensions: Core: 12,7/25,4/38/40 mm, Width of label roll: 15-118 cm, Maximum thickness of roll: 127 mm
- Resolution: 203 DPI
- Measured print speed: PDF: 3.4 s Postnord portal: 5.1 s
- Noise level: 58.5 dB when measured next to, 59.1 dB when measured 1.5 metres away
- Connectivity: USB, WiFI, Bluetooth
- Operating system: Mac OS, Windows
- Other: Passive NFC
The Zebra ZD421 is a compact label printer that becomes very portable in your business thanks to its light weight and handy size. Despite its light weight, it stands firmly on the surface when you tear off the label. Furthermore, it has a transparent window that allows you to see the roll inside, so you have a good overview of when it's time to change.
The installation process is easy to follow, even for the uninitiated - mainly because PostNord Portal has a step-by-step manual with large pictures. You can also use the QR code on the inside of the product that leads to the manufacturer's website where you can find video guides, software and more. It took just over 20 minutes from the time we unpacked the printer until it was up and running.
We first test the printer via USB cable. Then we try to configure the settings so that it is connected to our wireless network instead. The wireless process is unnecessarily cumbersome. Instead of a one-click WPS solution or looking up available wireless networks yourself, you are asked to fill in a long list of information yourself. The tester in question has sufficient technical knowledge for this, but for you who run a small business and don't care about such technical details, this process quickly becomes annoying.
What is really good, however, is the support for NFC so that you can, among other things, quickly and easily connect to the printer via Bluetooth. You will see an icon for this on the top of the printer. Nearby you'll also find four buttons and five LED icons. The buttons are self-explanatory: on/off, pause, feed and cancel. However, some of the LED icons may need to be read to understand their exact meaning, but as long as the printer works, you won't have to worry about them anyway.
The printer has clearly color-coded sliders on the sides that you slide towards you to open the lid for changing rolls. The controls can be operated with both one-handed and two-handed grips.
Time to print shipping notes in the printer
Unfortunately, the printer does not come with a label roll in the box. If you already know about label printers, you probably already know what you need and can order them, otherwise the PostNord Portal will give you good guidance. But the main reason we note the lack of a roll is that you can't test-run your printer installation straight out of the box.
It is easy to install a new roll, possibly a little fiddly. You unlock your arms on the inside, move them to the side, hold the roll in place in the air and push your arms together again. The solution is user-friendly but there is room for improvement. The plastic arms are a bit threadbare and do not run 100 percent friction-free, so you have to fine-tune afterwards.
We appreciate that you can then just place the end of the label roll over the opening and close the lid, you don't have to thread it through anything. Furthermore, we like the fact that it works with such a wide range of different types of rolls, in terms of both core size, minimum width and maximum width. The maximum print width is 108 millimetres, so a 115 millimetre roll will fit.
Fastest label printing in the test
Printing has a smooth, time-efficient and user-friendly process. For PDF printing, it takes just over 3.5 seconds from the time we press print until the label is ready to tear off. It is the best in the test on this point. When we print directly from PostNord Portal, it takes 5 seconds, but on the other hand we avoid the two extra steps of saving a PDF and pressing print again.
On print two, the label initially tangled, resulting in unsightly creases around the edge, and the printer then continued to output several blank labels until we pressed pause. It didn't stop when we just pressed the X icon. We left it paused for a while and then pressed the pause button again, and everything worked as usual. Since then, we have done most of the printing without any problems.
The sound level is quite high but printing is fast. If you're a small e-commerce business, it won't bother you, but if you print a lot of labels and often, you'll probably want it in a separate room.
In summary, this is an excellent entry-level model. It's easy to get started with, easy to move around if you want, quite user-friendly and smooth.
Pros and cons:
- Quite easy to refill with a new roll
- Fast printing
- Portable format
- Many label options
- Works seamlessly with PostNord Portal
- NFC
- Difficult to connect wirelessly
- Happens on occasion that it hooks up
- Lacks LAN port in standard version
