Buyers Guide > Labelers > What to look for

Electronic labellers - what to look for.

Finding the right electronic labeller will depend on your requirements.
Use the questions below to identify exactly which model will suit your needs best.

1. Do you require laminated labels?
2. Do you require a QWERTY keyboard?
3. What width labels do you need?
4. Do you need a handheld, desktop or PC-connected model?
· Handheld electronic labellers:
· Desktop electronic labellers:
· PC-connectable electronic labellers:
5. Do you need barcodes?
6. Do you need PC and MAC compatibility?
7. How much variety do you need in print sizes, styles and fonts?
8. How many lines of printing are required?
9. Do you need battery, adaptor or dual connection?
10. Do you require a USB interface cable or Serial connection?
11. Do you require mirror and vertical printing?
12. Do you require an automatic or manual cutter?
13. Do you require a variety of tapes, such as fabric tape, iron-on transfer tape, etc?
14. Do you want to select an electronic labeller that offers affordable tapes?
15. Do you require a range of colours for your labelling needs?

1. Do you require laminated labels?
Laminated labels have an extra protective coating making them more durable and resistant to tearing, crumpling and fading. Only Brother P-touch labellers have a unique patent for lamination. This is available on all desktop models, PC-connectable models and the PT-1100 & PT-1180 in the handheld range.

Laminated labels are:

• Water resistant
• Non-toxic
• Abrasion resistant
• Dielectric strength resistant
• Heat and cold resistant
• Chemical resistant
• Fade resistant

As such, these labels are perfect for both internal and external use.

2. Do you require a QWERTY keyboard?
A QWERTY keyboard enables the user faster and effortless use. All P-touch models except the PT-55 (SMS keyboard) have a QWERTY keyboard, which makes using a P-touch as easy as using a conventional computer keyboard.

3. What width labels do you need?
Having a range of label widths available means a greater variety of uses, which range from labelling narrow items such as the spine of a CD case to larger items such as signs and notices.

Label widths available for the P-touch range are as follows:

• 6mm
• 9mm
• 12mm
• 18mm
• 24mm
• 36mm

Each electronic labeller has a different selection of sizes that it can print on (please check that the
P-touch electronic labeller is compatible with the label width you require).

4. Do you need a handheld, desktop or PC-connected model?
Electronic labellers are generally available in the three categories below. Selecting the right labeller depends on how much you plan to use it, the range of functions you need, the degree to which you require portability, and the type of tape and width of tape you need.

P-touch electronic labellers are available in 3 ranges:

• Handheld electronic labellers:
  These are affordable, easy to use and portable. They are ideal for light usage. See PT-55, PT-65, PT-1100 and PT-1180
• Desktop electronic labellers:
  These offer versatile usage, have a great range of functions and operate on batteries or an AC adaptor. Different models are available for light, medium and heavy usage. See PT-1750, PT-1900, and PT-530.
• PC-connectable electronic labellers:
  These come with software with pre-designed templates for unlimited applications. Different models are available for light to heavy usage. See PT-2300, PT-2420PC, PT-9200DX, PT-3600 and PT-9600

5. Do you need barcodes?
If you are in the retail industry or require barcodes in your work, having a barcode function in your labeller is indispensable. The PT-2300, PT-530, PT-2420PC, PT-9200DX, PT-3600 and PT-9600 all have barcode printing functions.

6. Do you need PC and MAC compatibility?
All P-touch PC-connectable electronic labellers are compatible with a PC and/or Mac environment, giving the user greater flexibility in any working environment.

7. How much variety do you need in print sizes, styles and fonts?
The majority of electronic labellers will have a standard variety of printing styles. P-touch labellers have a wide variety of sizes, styles and fonts to choose from. Features include characters and symbols, memory, frames, vertical and mirror printing, repeat printing, auto-numbering and auto-formats.

8. How many lines of printing are required?
An electronic labeller that can print multiple lines gives you the flexibility to use the labeller on a variety of items. All P-touch electronic labellers print on multiple lines, ranging from 2-8 lines on the handheld and desktop range, to any number of lines on PC-connectable models.

9. Do you need battery, adaptor or dual connection?
An electronic labeller should offer you a choice of battery and AC adaptor usage, if not both. All P-touch handheld and desktop models can use both batteries and an AC adaptor, with the exception of the PT-65, PT-55 and PT-1180 which functions on batteries only. PC-connectable models, on the other hand, function through an AC adaptor, and are ideal for any office environment.

10. Do you require a USB interface cable or Serial connection?
With PC-connectable electronic labellers, having a choice of connection to your PC gives you the advantage of selecting the connection that suits you. The PT-2420PC and PT-3600 both require a USB connection, whereas the PT-2300,
PT-9200DX and PT-9600 are compatible on both a USB and Serial connection.

11. Do you require mirror and vertical printing?
Not all electronic labellers have these two special functions. In the P-touch range, all models except the
PT-65 and PT-55 print both mirror and vertical printing, while the PT-65 & PT-55 has the function of vertical printing only.

12. Do you require an automatic or manual cutter?
Generally, automatic cutters are found in more advanced electronic labellers. All P-touch electronic labellers come with a built-in cutter, and the majority of the P-touch labellers (PT-1900, PT-2300, PT-530, PT-9200DX, PT-3600 and PT-9600) come with the added, automatic built-in cutter giving you cleaner and faster results.

13. Do you require a variety of tapes, such as fabric tape, iron-on transfer tape, etc?
The ability of an electronic labeller to print on a variety of mediums increases its usability. In addition to laminated tapes, all P-touch laminated models can use the following tapes (depending on the width of tape used):

Click here to download the Brother P-Touch Tape Matrix

14. Do you want to select an electronic labeller that offers affordable tapes?
Based on a cost-per-metre basis, Brother P-touch laminated tapes are the cheapest to use when compared to other similar models. With P-touch tapes you will have the added advantage of the tapes being laminated to give extra durability and professional results, which no other brand can offer.

15. Do you require a range of colours for your labelling needs?
Having a range of colours in the tape selection at your disposal increases the range of uses and your ability to be creative while you organise your environment. The P-touch range offers you a wide choice of colours, in fluorescent and character-design tapes. Select from a variety of colour combinations of both character colour and base colour.