The hospitality industry is one of the most fast-paced and industries in the current times. In order to manage and keep up with the high demand of services and stay at the top of your game, having a reliable industrial thermal label printer is essential. Thermal printers play a crucial role not just in the front-of-house, but also in the back-of-house operations. They ensure that the complete process from order processing to inventory management is streamlined, sparing you of petty hassles, this may include order tickets, guest receipts, inventory labeling, food safety labels, and more.
In this blog, we will explore the major brands offering thermal label printers by sales volume, discuss more about their market presence and product offerings, helping you to decide which one should you get for your business. Moving further, we will also talk about where you can buy wholesale label printers so that you can rest assured about the product quality and future support. So, let’s dive in.
Why Thermal Printing Is Essential in Hospitality
The hospitality industry demands utmost speed and precision, and in such an environment, thermal label printers become indispensable. Industrial thermal label printers hold an advantage over traditional printers; they are not messy and ink-free so reducing misprints, and can operate swiftly and quietly. This makes them perfect for the busy environments of restaurant kitchens, hotel check-in counters, and point-of-sale (POS) stations. Moreover, not relying on ink or toner significantly reduces the operation costs and eliminates the need for cartridge replacements. For such hospitality professionals who are seeking to improve efficiency and maintain seamless workflow, these printers offer a cost-effective solution.
Leading Thermal Label Printer Brands in Hospitality
While there are multiple industrial thermal label printers available in the market currently, certain brands have proved to be better amongst them and have captured a huge share of sales for themselves. But the question is, what is it exactly that has made people trust their products? This is what we will be answering in this section. So, let’s uncover the truth brand by brand.
Epson
One of the first brands that comes up to have achieved quite a share for itself in the market is Epson. The brand is known to offer reliable and energy-efficient printers. Most of their printers are known to offer faster printing speed and durability, along with the ability to cater to high-volume environments, which makes them ideal for use in restaurants and cafes. Two of the highly used printer models in the hospitality sector are the Epson TM-T88VII and the Epson TM-L90. While the TM-T88VII is widely used in many restaurants and cafes for its ability to print high-speed POS receipts, the TM-L90 can be used for printing linerless labels or order labels.
Star Micronics
This brand is well known for its versatile printers, that are compact and come with multiple connectivity options. These features make their printers suitable for POS systems and the hospitality sector. Two of the most popular printers offered by this brand are the Star TSP143III and the Star mC-Print3. TSP143III is widely known for its USB, Ethernet, and Bluetooth options, making it ideal for POS, while the mC-Print3 is ideal for dron-desk or retail counters, offering omnichannel integration and a sleek design.
BIXOLON
It is another brand that has earned quite a reputation in the market for its durable and high-speed printers that are suitable for high-volume environments, such as busy hotels and restaurants. Two of its highly bought printer models are the BIXOLON SRP-E300 and the BIXOLON SRP-350plusV. While the SRP-E300 is being widely used in tight hospitality counters, being a compact and affordable option, on the other hand, the SRP-350plusV is a model essentially used for high-speed printing in busy restaurants and bars.
Zebra Technologies
Zebra Technologies is a name that has become synonymous with logistics, such as barcodes and printers. While the brand has to offer a wide range of printers that are suitable for various applications, Zebra label printers are also suitable for the hospitality industry. Its compact printers offer easy media loading and optimal performance even in tight spaces and quick service areas. Two of its widely employed models in the hospitality industry are the Zebra ZD410 and the Zebra ZQ320. The ZD210, being sleek and small, has proved itself perfect for front-desk labeling and kitchen order labels, and the ZQ320 is a mobile receipt and label printer suitable for outdoor hospitality and pop-up kitchens.
Brother International Corporation
Another well-known brand known for its printing solutions, Brother is known to provide compact and efficient industrial thermal label printers, catering to the requirements of front-desk and kitchen environments. Their printers offer the following advantages:
- Flexible connectivity
- Ultra-fast printing
- Ideal for various hospitality applications
The Brother QL-820NWB and Brother RJ-4230B are two models currently being highly used in the hospitality industry. QL-820NWB is a versatile printer, great for kitchens and guest tagging, while RJ-4230B is a rugged mobile printer suitable for outdoor and fast-paced food service environments.
Comparison Table of Key Brands
Now that we have understood each brand and their key advantages, choosing between the Epson or Zebra label printer or any other brand might pose a serious dilemma. To help you out here, we have simplified the key differences between the brands below:
|
Brand |
Best For |
Connectivity |
Highlight Feature |
|
Epson |
High-volume cafes |
USB, Ethernet |
Energy Star rated, fast speed |
|
Star Micronics |
POS terminals |
Bluetooth, CloudPRNT |
Mobile integration |
|
BIXOLON |
Restaurants, hotels |
USB, Wi-Fi |
Fast print, compact build |
|
Zebra |
Back-office, labeling |
USB, Bluetooth |
Easy media loading |
|
Brother |
Front-desk kiosks |
USB, Wi-Fi |
High-resolution, small footprint |
Choosing the Right Printer for Your Business
Now, choosing the perfect brand or model will require you to look at certain key points that are specific to a given model and will need a minute inspection. Make sure that before you go on to bulk electronics for sale, you have clearly verified what are your needs and does the given printer cater to them. Following are a few aspects that you must ascertain:
- Environment: Kitchen (heat/dust) vs Front desk (clean, customer-facing)
- Print Volume: High-speed vs occasional printing
- Space: Compact and tight counters or open and dedicated space
- Integration Needs: POS system compatibility, wireless options, and more
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right industrial thermal label printer is crucial for optimizing operations in the hospitality industry. Brands like Epson, Star Micronics, BIXOLON, Zebra Technologies, and Brother International Corporation have established themselves as industry leaders, offering reliable and efficient printing solutions that is required by most business owners. By understanding your specific operational needs and considering the features of each model, you can make an informed decision that enhances productivity and accuracy in your hospitality operations.
Purchasing these printers is another important task; make sure that you are buying wholesale label printers from an authorised distributor like EpicRise Electronics. This will ensure that not only are you able to save more, but you can rest assured that your products are genuine and high-quality. EpicRise also provides shipping throughout the US and offers reliable customer service, so that you don’t have to worry about anything!
