Printer for wide applications

Printing labels quickly and efficiently – with no waste – is an ideal solution for any business. Applications can range from labelling parcels and packages in the stores, to labelling the racks in the stores themselves. And if the printer can cope with continuous media too, cutting to length, it opens up possibilities for identification labels, safety signs and on a smaller scale, even visitor badges. The QL-1050, just launched by Brother, has this capability. It is a direct thermal printer, able to do ‘standard’ 4” wide labels, at a rate of 69 labels per minute – the equivalent of 110mm/s. This label size opens up the possibilities to include not just parcel labelling but barcodes as well. Once linked to a PC, mac or scanner, the labels can be easily generated. Examples of other applications could include linking to a weighing device, printing weight labels from a standard format. Wastage is not just an environmental concern, it is clearly a cost issue too. With the labels using a marker on the back, they are quickly lined up in the printer. And the consumables are supplied on a bracket to make loading/unloading easy, and avoiding jams. The printer also occupies a very small footprint, ideal for a desk or workstation in a warehouse or on the factory floor. If used for parcel printing, it is estimated that the printer is suited for up to 200 parcels per day. It comes supplied with all software required to set up, and supporting 39 barcode protocols. Mike Kelly, general manager of the identification division of Brother UK says that the QL-1050 is “very affordable” at just £229 plus VAT, and describing the label options he adds: “using continuous media means that it becomes even more cost effective.”