Shipping labels print fastest and cheapest on a thermal label printer: no ink or toner, just labels. Every pick here costs under $500. Here are the 6 we recommend from our catalog, ranked for shipping labels under $500.
What to look for
- Direct thermal (no ink)
- 4×6" label width
- USB / Wi-Fi to your shipping software
- Works with UPS, FedEx, USPS, eBay, Amazon
Our picks
| Printer | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| HP Hewlett Packard 299V0AA Engage Pusb Thermal Printer | Label printer, black & white | see product |
| HP Epson TM-T88VII PUSB Thermal Printer | Label printer, black & white | see product |
| Brother pt-d210bk easy-to-use label maker | Label printer, black & white | see product |
| Brother PT-P710BT P-Touch Cube Plus: PC and Mobile Connectable Label Maker | Label printer, black & white | see product |
| Epson LQ-590II Dot Matrix Printer | Label printer, black & white | see product |
| Epson FX-890II Impact Printer | Label printer, black & white | see product |
1. HP Hewlett Packard 299V0AA
Why it fits: Label printer, black & white.
2. HP Epson TM-T88VII
Why it fits: in stock, ships in 1–3 days.
3. Brother pt-d210bk
Why it fits: in stock, ships in 1–3 days.
4. Brother PT-P710BT
Why it fits: in stock, ships in 1–3 days.
5. Epson LQ-590II
Why it fits: Label printer, black & white.
Still deciding?
Compare: laser vs inkjet · toner vs ink · cost per page. Buying several printers? Ask for a volume quote. More: all buying guides.
Related guides
Understanding the HP Hewlett Packard 299V0AA
What kind of printer this is
A label or thermal printer prints labels, receipts or tags, usually with heat instead of ink or toner. It is ideal for shipping labels, barcodes, receipts and organizing.
What the specs mean
- Black & white
- Prints black only, so you buy one cartridge and the cost per page is lower.
The real cost of a printer
The price tag is only the start. Over 3 years most printers cost more in labels than to buy. Before choosing, compare:
- Cost per page: cartridge price ÷ page yield.
- Recommended monthly volume: the pages per month it handles comfortably. The bigger duty cycle number is a maximum, not a target.
- Starter cartridges: many printers ship with setup cartridges that hold less than a full one. Plan your first order early.
Setting it up
- Unpack it and remove all orange tape and packing pieces, including inside the covers and paper tray.
- Install the label roll and load paper.
- Power on and follow the screen to pick your language.
- Install the driver or app from HP's website (HP Smart). Avoid driver CDs, which are often out of date.
- Print a test page, then register the printer to activate the warranty.
Who it's best for
- Online sellers printing shipping labels
- Offices and stores labeling files, shelves and products
Keep it running well
- Keep a spare cartridge on hand so a busy day never stops.
- Use good, dry paper and fan the stack before loading to avoid jams.
- Install firmware updates from HP for fixes and security.
- Faded pages, streaks or jams? Start with our troubleshooting guides.
Printer terms, explained
Laser vs inkjet
Laser printers use toner powder. They are fast, crisp on text, have a low cost per page and never dry out. Inkjets use liquid ink and are best for photos, at a lower purchase price. Full comparison
Mono vs color
Mono (black-and-white) printers use one cartridge and cost less per page. Color printers add cyan, magenta and yellow cartridges for charts, flyers and photos.
All-in-one (MFP)
A printer that also scans and copies, and sometimes faxes. MFP stands for multifunction printer.
ADF
Automatic document feeder: a tray on top that pulls a stack of pages through the scanner, so you don't scan page by page.
Duplex (auto 2-sided)
Prints on both sides of the paper automatically, which saves paper. On many model names, a "d" means duplex and a "w" means wireless.
PPM
Pages per minute on standard text pages. A team of 5–10 people is comfortable from about 30 ppm.
Duty cycle vs monthly volume
Duty cycle is the maximum a printer can survive in a month. The recommended monthly volume, usually much lower, is what it handles comfortably. Choose by the second number.
DPI
Dots per inch: print sharpness. 600 dpi is crisp for text, and 1200 dpi or more matters for fine graphics and photos.
Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet
Wi-Fi joins your network. Wi-Fi Direct lets a phone connect to the printer without a network. Ethernet (cable) is the most reliable choice for shared office printers.
Starter cartridges
Many new printers include setup cartridges with less toner or ink than a full replacement. Order your first full cartridge early.
Buying for several offices, or reselling? Get a volume quote or apply for wholesale pricing →
