Types of Label Makers

…On the label, label, label

As we all know, a label can completely change how one views a product. Not to confuse the colloquial 'label' that typifies a fashionable trademark, such as the Polo pony and Lacoste alligator, the label at hand is the tag that tells us what something is or how much something costs.

Speaking to the importance of these labels, in recent years certain tags have been occasionally left on clothing to be worn as a part of the garment. We have come to understand that labels are integral to the marketing of an item, even if it is as simple as telling us what something is. Types of labels include:

Filing Labels: Informative labels which notify where something falls in a given filing system.

Inventory Tracking: For years this has meant using barcodes to track merchandise in transit from manufacturer to end-user.  This label type is widely used, by everyone from the delivery man to the grocery clerk.

An emerging technology is RFID which uses a radio signal that is picked up and then  retransmitted by an item so it can be tracked in a much more precise manner.

Stickers: Price tags, name tags, and bumper stickers are used to tell us a bit about someone or something and even provide security. From holograms to parking lot pass stickers, labels are used to simultaneously limit access and free the individual from a host of concerns.

Label production

Many labels use special procedures and inks to communicate information. Certain barcodes have magnetic ink that allows them to be easily read by machines. Label maker manufacturers are often highly specialized and carry names that are less familiar than other tech companies.

While names like Brother and Memorex are well-known, other brands like Dymo, Brady and Avery are less recognizable. However, with label makers, familiarity of the brand name may not be synonymous with the quality of their product. This in many ways has to do with the narrow focus of the firm.

What label is best for me?

If you have one dedicated employee who is often filing and performing organizational work, then a stand-alone labeler may be a cost efficient option. However, if you have only the occasional need for a label, consider using your existing printer and some label maker software, a practical choice for labeling everything from CDs and DVDs to mail and nametags.

More information on label makers