How to Select the Right Industrial Printer to Enhance Productivity and Space Efficiency
VDC Research finds that increasing demand for industrial printers is propelled by automation in manufacturing, traceability regulations in the food and beverage sector, hybrid retail strategies, e-commerce-driven logistics growth, and a heightened safety emphasis in healthcare.
So, what is an industrial printer and how does it differ from a desktop printer? In this blog, we’ll help you understand the key challenges and insights you need to know when choosing an industrial printer. Driven by our decades of expertise, we’ll help you select the right printer to boost productivity.
Why Are Industrial Printers Needed?
Understanding the role and necessity of industrial printers is crucial before selecting the suitable model for your needs. Industrial printers are designed to meet the demands of high-intensity printing needs. They maintain performance and quality during continuous operation and boast a longer lifespan, making them the ideal choice for large-scale production environments, like manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, and similar industries.
Industrial and Desktop Printer Comparison
The main differences between industrial and desktop printers lie in their design purpose and performance capabilities.
Print Volume:
- Industrial printers are designed for large-volume printing, often utilising larger label rolls (up to an 8-inch O.D.) to meet one-shift demands.
- Desktop printers are better for lighter, diverse printing tasks, with the capability to quickly switch between different media types and sizes.
Durability:
- Industrial printers are built to be more robust, able to endure tougher working conditions and longer printing periods.
- Desktop printers, while suitable for less demanding environments, are designed with lighter duty cycles in mind.
Size:
- The size of industrial printers is larger, aligning with their capacity for high-volume print jobs, necessitating support for larger label rolls.
- Desktop printers are relatively compact, making them ideal for space-constrained environments like office desks or retail counters.
Selecting the appropriate printer is vital for enhancing efficiency and productivity in business operations. If you require continuous high-volume printing and are not in an office environment, the right printer can support larger media to minimise label roll replacement frequency and lessen printer damage risks. This choice significantly influences the smoothness of daily operations and reduces printer downtime for label roll replacement. Industrial printers are the better choice for their high-volume printing capability and durability.
With over 30 years of industry experience, we often find that customers prefer industrial printers, yet space limitations can prevent their use. Therefore, the size, including the need for adequate space for media replacement and printer maintenance, is often a decisive factor in whether an industrial printer is adopted. To address these challenges, TSC Auto ID has launched the new MB241 and ML241P Series Industrial Printers.