If you ship parcels, label shelves, tag cables or print name badges, you have probably wasted time on sticky notes, handwritten labels or a standard office printer that jams on sheets of labels. A dedicated label printer fixes that. It prints one label at a time, in seconds, with no ink or toner to replace.
The catch is that label printers are not all the same. Some print wide address labels and shipping labels, others print narrow tape for cables and patch panels, and they connect in very different ways. Pick the wrong type and you will end up with labels that are too small, too slow to print or awkward to share across a team.
This guide explains how label printers work, which specs matter, how to size one to your job, and where our pick, the Brother QL-820NWB, fits. We compare it with four alternatives we stock so you can match the printer to what you actually print.
What is a label printer and why does it matter?
A label printer is a small, dedicated printer that prints onto a roll or cassette of labels instead of A4 sheets. Most office models use direct thermal printing, where heat darkens special paper, so there is no ink, toner or ribbon to buy. Others, like the tape labellers in Brother's P-touch range, print onto laminated tape cassettes that are tough enough for cables, equipment and workshop use.
Why does it matter? Labels that are clean, consistent and quick to print save time on every parcel, every file and every cable you identify. A well-labelled server cupboard or stockroom is also much easier for the next person to understand, which cuts mistakes.
Two main families
- Wide-format label printers (Brother QL series): take rolls up to 62 mm wide. Best for address labels, shipping labels, barcodes, name badges and shelf labels.
- Tape labellers (Brother P-touch series): print on narrow laminated tape, from a few millimetres up to 24 mm or more depending on the model. Best for cables, patch panels, equipment, folders and tools.
Key specs explained
Here are the real specs of our pick, the Brother QL-820NWB, and why each one matters in practice.
| Spec | QL-820NWB | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Print speed | Up to 110 labels per minute | Brother describes it as its fastest label printer. Useful if you print batches of address labels at the end of the day. |
| Maximum label width | Up to 62 mm | Covers standard address labels and many shipping and shelf labels. |
| Colours | Black and red printing (requires DK-22251 roll) | Red text makes warnings, fragile notices and special messages stand out. |
| Resolution | Up to 300 x 600 dpi | Sharper text and barcodes that scan reliably. |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi with AirPrint, wired Ethernet and Bluetooth | Lets a whole team share one printer, and lets you print from phones and tablets. |
| Display | Large graphic LCD, can work without a PC | Quick edits and simple labels without opening software. |
| Consumables | Drop-in rolls, no ink or toner | Easy loading and no cartridge costs, only label rolls. |
| Power options | Optional Li-ion battery pack for mobile use | Lets you print away from a power point. |
| Size and weight | 298 x 184 x 230 mm (length x width x height), 2.6 kg | Fits a packing bench or desk, but check your space first. |
| Software | Software development kits available | Handy if your business wants to print labels from its own system. |
How to choose a label printer
Work through this checklist before you buy.
- Decide what you will print. Parcels, barcodes and name badges point to a wide-format QL printer. Cables, patch panels, tools and folders point to a tape labeller.
- Check the label width you need. Measure your biggest label. A QL printer handles up to 62 mm. Tape labellers use narrow tape, so check the maximum tape width on the model.
- Estimate your volume. A handful of labels a day suits almost any model. If you print dozens or hundreds in a batch, speed and network sharing matter more.
- Pick the connection. USB suits one computer. Wi-Fi or Ethernet suits a shared printer. Bluetooth and AirPrint suit phones and tablets.
- Think about colour. Black and red printing needs a printer that supports it and the matching roll. If you only need black, you do not need to pay for it.
- Check the running cost. There is no ink, but you buy label rolls or tape. Make sure the roll you need is easy to get and priced sensibly.
- Check the software. Make sure the printer works with your computer or phone before you buy.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying a tape labeller when you really need to print shipping labels, or the other way around.
- Forgetting that black and red printing needs a specific roll (DK-22251 for the QL-820NWB).
- Choosing a USB-only model, then wanting to share it across several desks.
- Not ordering a spare roll, so printing stops halfway through a busy day.
Our pick: Brother QL-820NWB
The Brother QL-820NWB is our pick for small businesses and busy home offices that print labels regularly. It is currently $349.99.
What it does well
- Fast printing, up to 110 labels per minute.
- The widest range of connections in this guide: USB, Wi-Fi with AirPrint, wired Ethernet and Bluetooth.
- A large graphic LCD so you can work without a PC for simple labels.
- Black and red printing for labels that need to stand out.
- No ink or toner, with drop-in rolls that are easy to load.
Limits and who should not buy it
- It is a wide-format label printer, so it is not the right tool for narrow cable and equipment tape. A P-touch tape labeller suits that better.
- If you print only a few labels a week from one computer, it has more connectivity than you need and a cheaper model will do.
- Red and black printing needs the DK-22251 roll, which is sold separately. You can find it here: Brother DK-22251 paper roll ($54.99).
- The battery pack for mobile use is an optional extra.
Alternatives in our range
If the QL-820NWB is more than you need, or you print something different, these are the closest options we stock.
| Product | Key difference | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother QL-820NWB | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth and USB; up to 110 labels per minute; LCD | $349.99 | Shared use in a busy office or packing area |
| Brother QL-810W | Wi-Fi wireless, up to 62 mm, black and red printing | $249.99 | Wireless printing without the wired network option |
| Brother QL-800 | PC and Mac label printer, up to 62 mm, black and red printing | $149.99 | One computer, a lower budget |
| Brother PT-D610BT | Tape labeller with colour display, PC and Bluetooth, 3.5 to 24 mm TZe tape | $189.99 | Folders, shelves and general office labelling |
| Brother PT-E310BTVP | Industrial handheld labeller with carry case, rechargeable Li-ion battery and 3 year warranty | $299.99 | Tradespeople, IT and on-site cable labelling |
In short: choose the QL-820NWB for shared, high-volume use, the QL-810W if you want wireless on a smaller budget, the QL-800 for a single computer, and one of the P-touch models if you label cables, equipment or folders rather than parcels.
Setup and usage tips
- Put it where people can reach it. If you use Wi-Fi or Ethernet, place the printer near the packing bench or the team that prints most labels.
- Use the right roll. For black and red printing, load the DK-22251 roll. Other rolls print in black only.
- Keep a spare roll. Running out mid-batch is the most common reason printing stops.
- Test before a big batch. Print one label first to check alignment, size and barcode scanning.
- Keep it clean. A dusty print head can cause faded lines. Brother makes cleaning sheets for this range.
- Save templates. If you print the same address, shelf or product labels often, save a template in the label software so every label looks the same.
- Store rolls away from heat and sun. Direct thermal paper darkens with heat, so keep spare rolls somewhere cool.
Who is it for?
- Small online sellers who print address and shipping labels every day.
- Offices that want one shared label printer for filing, mail and visitor badges.
- Warehouses and stockrooms that label shelves and bins.
- Businesses that print barcodes and want sharp, scannable output.
- Teams that want to print from phones, tablets and PCs on the same network.
FAQ
Do label printers need ink or toner?
The Brother QL series uses direct thermal printing, so no ink or toner is needed. You only buy label rolls.
Can I print in two colours?
Yes, on the QL-820NWB, QL-810W and QL-800, with the DK-22251 roll, which prints black and red.
Can I print from my phone?
The QL-820NWB supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi with AirPrint, so you can print from compatible mobile devices.
Can several people share one label printer?
Yes. The QL-820NWB has wired Ethernet and Wi-Fi, so a team can share it over the network.
What is the difference between a QL printer and a P-touch labeller?
QL printers print wide labels up to 62 mm for addresses and parcels. P-touch labellers print on narrower laminated tape for cables, equipment and folders.
Does the QL-820NWB work without a computer?
It has a large graphic LCD and can work without a PC for simple labels.
Can I use it away from a power point?
There is an optional Li-ion battery pack for mobile use, sold separately.
Ready to choose?
See the Brother QL-820NWB, browse the full Printing & Supplies collection, or read more in our printing and supplies guides. If you are not sure which label printer suits your job, get in touch and we will help you choose. All orders ship from Australian warehouses within Australia.