Thermal Printer for food labels

[Woodsmoke]

I'm looking for some recommendations guys?

As some of you may know, I've set up as a small business supplying venison (including sausage, burgers, etc) and would like to add a professional touch to my labelling by using a proper machine that can print self-adhesive labels to my own specifications. Not got a lot of money to spend, but anything up to a couple of hundred quid is probably realistic.

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[willie_gunn]

We discussed some different printers here: Food label printer - any recommendations please?

For products that you will be storing in a freezer you really need a thermal printer.

My Brother QL series label printer is still going strong, and once you get the label format set up it is very easy to use.

Here's a sample of how a label can look - the design is completely free form, and I have moved my design on since this early example so that now I also include ingredients (for sausages & burgers), additional dates, etc.



The method I use is to set the label up a template, with the various fields fed from a pre-populated spreadsheet. So once I have butchered an animal I set up in the spreadsheet a line for each label I need (dates, cut, ingredients, etc.) and then run the labels as a batch through the printer all in one go. It sounds more complicated than it is!

I bought my printer secondhand for under £100, and the labels are also cheap to buy. The P-Touch Editor software is free to download and - though a bit cranky - pretty powerful.

 

[Woodsmoke]

That's brilliant, than you! Just what I was after

 

[willie_gunn]

That's brilliant, than you! Just what I was after

You're welcome.

If you do end up going for the Brother (other printers are available!) and need any advice or assistance in getting it working, just drop me a PM.

I should have said that I have the P-Touch software and spreadsheet running on an old laptop that I keep in the larder specifically for my cull records and label printing. Brother do make versions of their printer that run off a smartphone or tablet, but I don't use those (I believe others might well be doing so though).

 

[Woodsmoke]

Just read that thread and your recommendation is good enough for me! Just ordered one It should be here in a few days, so I'm looking forward to adding a touch of professionalism to my packaging! Thank you again

 

[Essex stalker]

I use the Brother QL-820NWB9109, it works on blue tooth so you simply design your labels using the brother app on an ipad or similar and send them straight to the printer as you need them. App I use is called Brother "iPrint & Label"

Works really well for me

 

[willie_gunn]

I hope it lives up to my recommendation.

If a sample label template and spreadsheet would help, just ask.

 

[Woodsmoke]

I hope it lives up to my recommendation.

If a sample label template and spreadsheet would help, just ask.

Oh, yes please! Can I PM you my email address?

 

[willie_gunn]

I use the Brother QL-820NWB9109, it works on blue tooth so you simply design your labels using the brother app on an ipad or similar and send them straight to the printer as you need them. App I use is called Brother "iPrint & Label"

Works really well for me

That sounds pretty cool!

From the app do you have to set up each label individually to print, or can you set up a batch/merge type facility as well?

 

[Essex stalker]

I just designed a standard label with LOGO etc and saved it. I then modified it for the various species of deer / cuts etc etc. Every time you change it the App saves a copy so all I do is open the label I want, click print and tell it how many I want and away it goes.

I think the App was free so you could always download the app and play with it

 

[Essex stalker]

This is a picture from the iPad screen from my last batch

 

[willie_gunn]

This is a picture from the iPad screen from my last batch

That's very neat - well done.

 

[deerstalker.308]

This is a picture from the iPad screen from my last batch

Providence? Provenance?

 

[Essex stalker]

Providence? Provenance?

You are as bad as my wife, she picked me up on that the other day. You are both correct and hence it was changed a few days ago!, thanks anyway.
I'd like to say it was down to auto correct on the ipad but I cant I simply buggered up!

 

[bullet chucker]

You might alter to Grams also?

BC.

 

[Essex stalker]

You might alter to Grams also?

BC.

I was actually thinking about changing it to Pounds and Ounces!, but yes you are correct in that Oxford dictionary shows grams as the preferred spelling. When I've been out stalking in the early hours, then done a days work, then gone out stalking in the evening before going into the larder to butcher them, these finer points of the English language don't seem to be at fore front of my mind for some reason.
Its a good job I only give it to friends family and the local pub and none of them can spell either!

 

[Tim.243]

I was actually thinking about changing it to Pounds and Ounces!, but yes you are correct in that Oxford dictionary shows grams as the preferred spelling. When I've been out stalking in the early hours, then done a days work, then gone out stalking in the evening before going into the larder to butcher them, these finer points of the English language don't seem to be at fore front of my mind for some reason.
Its a good job I only give it to friends family and the local pub and none of them can spell either!

See SD put you forward for the Golden Gram Award
Gary....

 

[deerstalker.308]

You might alter to Grams also?

BC.

I purposefully didn’t mention that one, I was being gentle.

 

[Tim.243]

I purposefully didn’t mention that one, I was being gentle.

When was that app loaded ?

 

[Woodsmoke]

Well, I took @willie_gunn's advice and ordered the QL-700. Still only scratching the surface, but already it's impressed the hell out of me! Still to explore the potential of the files he very kindly sent me (thank you again!) but I'm really glad I bought this printer, and think it's going to serve me very well indeed!