In today’s world of e-commerce, labels are highly indispensable for shipping. Every package that steps out of the despatch centre/ warehouse is to be made sure that it reaches the right delivery point at the right time. Timely delivery and delivery at the right place are the cruces of a sound shipping business. At the onset, this might sound very simple but the cost that you need to bear in the event of failure will be irreparable. This is where label printers do the magic!

Benefits of label printers in the shipping business:

The right logistics label solutions can have a great effect not just on inventory control & management but also on your shipping workflows. Right from the initial receipt to final disposition barcode labels render easier tracking. Industrial label printers are highly useful in warehouses and factories in locating the right parts/components quickly and efficiently. That’s not all!

Let us find out how label printers are integral to the shipping business. The following are the important ways, how label printers are beneficial to the shipping industry’s realm:

• Facilitating Navigation
• Better Brand image
• Faster Container Identification
• Better inventory management
• Cost-effective
• Durable labelling
• Improved Tracking

1.Facilitating Navigation:

In a warehouse environment, label printers can help in creating large-scale floor labels that indicate the names of various items stored. This will significantly increase the speed with which your employees can pick the components/products from the shelf and get them ready for shipping. One way which can prove to be handy in distribution centres or warehouses is to create customised logistics label solutions. Nowadays POS machine manufacturers have come up with robust solutions like portable label printers that facilitate easy navigation and mobility.

2.Better Brand image:

One easy yet powerful way to promote your company‘s brand visibility is by using customized labelling. In this way, your shipping and logistics labels can perform double duty as marketing tools too. A wider audience and more potential customers reach is made possible at every stop along the way from the origin to the destination. One pro-tip is that thermal transfer label printers are more suitable as they print long-lasting images with excellent clear-edged definitions, ensuring that your brand image is not tainted by poor quality labels.

3. Faster Container Identification:

Customized labels for pallets and containers within your facility can accelerate the process of identifying the right products during pick and scan activities. Through proper barcode labels, one can reduce the retrieval time among the employees and speed up the whole shipping process and thereby delivery. Shorter retrieval times mean faster service, improved productivity and thereby better business. Not to miss out, an organised set-up is bound to improve business efficiency and reduce errors or losses.

4. Better inventory management:

Proper stock-taking before and after dispatch is crucial for the shipping business. Real-time updates about the stock available, stock labelled, stock repackaged, stock shipped, stock docked, the stock delivered and the like are inevitable.  By using contemporary solutions like RP 76 IV that support QR code printing, more data can be stored and scanned on the go. The warehouse manager needs to just have a 2D wireless barcode scanner to keep himself up to date. It would not be an exaggeration to say that proper inventory control is a holy grail offered by label printers.

5. Cost-effective:

The scale of business and the volume of investment is very high in the case of the shipping industry. Now and then people try to come out with cost-efficient solutions. High-speed label printers like RP 85 A is the brainchild of one such thought. These label printers are default/optional Serial, Parallel, USB & Ethernet interfaced. Moreover, they have a good memory of 8MB RAM and Flash 4MB with a printing speed of 150mm/sec. This variant is undoubtedly a milestone by label printing machine manufacturers that can ensure the right usage of your corporate financial resources.

6. Durable Labelling:

Both shipping and logistics sectors need to toy with environmental conditions like temperature, weather, climate and the like. Both the products and the labels should be capable of withstanding the harsh conditions posed by transportation. Label printers like RP 76 – IV support both direct thermal and thermal transfer printing. Thus, they are suitable for both indoor and outdoor usage. By using thermal transfer label printers, you can print durable labels that can support years together. Your cargo will be delivered with quality labels that remain intact of any damage or destruction due to rugged handling, abrasion, rainfall or chemicals.

7. Improved Tracking:

Nowadays many businesses cater to both B2B and B2C. For instance, auto parts companies will supply spares and components both upward and downward the supply chain. (i.e.) as OEMs to big automobile companies and as end suppliers to auto repair shops. In such a dual mode of business operation, QR code labels by the 2D label printers will come handy in delivering sufficient information that will help in monitoring the sales of various products, along with streamlining. You will be able to track the changing trend in stock, sales and thereby the scale of your business by a simple scan of each barcode. 

Thus, the plethora of benefits that one can reap with the right label printer is never-ending. 

A snapshot of the technical innovations today:

The regime of label printing is undergoing a lot of technical innovations like:

– Linerless label printing

– Bad print head dot auto-detection

– Outward ribbon rolling

– Auto-correction of labels

– Windows, Android, Linux, and iOS driver support etc

Make a good buy:

Here is a checklist for you to keep in mind while buying a label printer:

Here is a checklist for you to keep in mind while buying a label printer:

• Size of the labels: Make sure that your label printer matches the size of the labels that you need. 
• Resolution & print speed: Higher the resolution, the higher will be the quality of the barcode / QR code and the readability of your shipping labels. According to your business scale, choose between a regular standard label printer or a higher-end industrial label printer. 
• Connection between printer & software:  i.e., as discussed earlier, USB, or via serial port (RS-232), parallel port or ethernet. Some models use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which render mobility. 
• Availability of drivers: For example, not all printers include official drivers for Mac by default. If official driver support is unavailable for your label printer, you need to install a separate label printer software (program). 

You might like to check out:

• Thermal receipt printer driver download
• RUGTEK RP 326 printer driver download
• RUGTEK RP 80 printer driver
• POS printer driver

Choosing the best label printer that can match the needs of your business can create a great difference in a whole lot of logistics and delivery. Make a smart choice to create a valuable end-to-end shipping ecosystem.