We are often asked what printer to use for printing NetStamps and shipping labels with Stamps.com. The good news is that Stamps.com can print to inkjet printers, laser printers, and thermal printers, giving you many printing options. However, it may be a bit of a challenge to know what printer is best for your needs.
In this article, we will look at the different types of printers that Stamps.com supports, why you might choose one type of printer over another, and list specific thermal printers supported by Stamps.com.
There are two main categories of printers that Stamps.com supports.
Inkjet and laser printers are the most commonly used printers in homes and offices. Chances are, you already have one that you use to print to standard 8.5" x 11" sheets of paper. Here are a few reasons you might decide to print using a standard printer.
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If you use your currently installed laser or inkjet printer, you won't have to purchase any new equipment. (Nearly any inkjet or laser printer that you can print a test page to can be used.)
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You are not printing a huge number of labels. So, speed and the cost of ink or toner is not a concern.
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You plan to print on plain paper, label sheets, NetStamps sheets or label and a packing slip on the same 8.5" x 11" label sheet.
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You want to print in color on your packing slips, like in the case of a color logo.
Thermal printers use heat to print labels that are typically on rolls. This is the type of printer most often used when printing large numbers of shipping labels. Here are a few reasons why you might choose to use a thermal printer.
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You are printing a large number of NetStamps or shipping labels. So, speed and the cost of ink or toner is a concern.
Thermal printers print much faster than laser or inkjet printers, which can save a lot of time when printing labels in high volumes. They are also more cost-effective since they print with heat and don't require expensive ink or toner.
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Thermal printers are typically more durable and tend to jam less than inkjet or laser printers.
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Labels won't smear like inkjet labels can when the ink is wet.
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Thermal printers are much smaller and take up less space.
Recommended Thermal Printers
Here is a list of thermal printers commonly used with Stamps.com:
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Dymo LabelWriter 450, 450 Turbo, 450 DUO
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Smart Label Printer SLP 620, SLP 650, SLP 650SE