The Basics: Label Makers

A label maker, also known as a label printer or a label writer, is a piece of machinery used to create labels for professional and personal use, such as for labeling products, shelves, containers and personal belongings. Most label makers are small enough to be held in your hand, but a few large models must rest on a desktop.

Label makers usually contain a keyboard, allowing you to enter text for your labels. Most label makers use tape to create the labels. Several models of label makers are handheld size, making them easy to transport.

How to Shop

If possible, you'll want to purchase a label maker that operates both on battery power and with an AC adapter, especially if you plan to carry the label maker from location to location.

Another key feature is the size of the label maker's LCD. Some small label makers can display only up to four characters on the LCD, which can make it difficult to create long labels.

If you plan to use the label maker often, you might want to purchase a larger (and more expensive) model that contains a larger keyboard. Typing on a cramped keyboard for any length of time can be uncomfortable.

Unless you need to create labels for a professional setting, you'll probably be better off purchasing a low-cost model because you won't need the bevy of add-on features included with the high-cost models.

With label makers, you will often need to purchase accessories, such as batteries, AC adapters, and tape cartridges. These are difficult to purchase locally because most stores can't afford to stock accessories for the dozens of models of label printers that are available. If you can't find the accessories you need, or if you don't want to waste time looking for them, check the manufacturers Web site. Nearly every label maker manufacturer will sell accessories for their label makers through the Web or by catalog, but you might pay a little more.