Buying guide
Direct thermal
vs inkjet.
The right choice depends on what you print, how often you ship, and your actual consumable costs.
Do you actually need a thermal printer?
Start with the friction in your current setup. If printing, cutting and taping labels interrupts packing every day, a dedicated label printer may simplify the process. At very low volume, your existing printer may be enough.
Direct thermal vs inkjet
Direct thermal printers use heat-sensitive label stock, so there is no ink cartridge. Inkjet printers place ink onto paper or labels. Compare your real consumable costs and label durability requirements, including exposure to heat and sunlight.
What does a shipping label printer actually cost to run?
Separate the upfront purchase from recurring label cost, wasted labels, maintenance and your time. Use the calculator below with costs from your own supplies. Check current printer prices and shipping costs at the merchant.
Before you decide
A practical decision checklist
- Count the labels you actually print in a typical month.
- Price the consumables you would use with each option.
- Check whether you also need colour invoices or other documents.
- Verify your label size, device and carrier workflow.
- Test barcode readability and media durability.
Running costs
What could thermal
save you?
Editable example assumptions, not measured costs. Include ink or toner and paper in your current rate.
Excludes hardware, tax, electricity, labour and maintenance.
Estimated monthly savings
63,25 €759,00 € per year
- Labels per month
- 550
- Current printing
- 82,50 €
- Thermal printing
- 19,25 €
Not sure yet?
Four questions.
One shortlist.
Tell us where you sell, how much you ship and what you print from. We match it against the researched catalog.
Start the printer finder- Q1Where do you sell?
- Q2Labels per day?
- Q3Your device?
- Q4What matters most?