I should have bought the Seiko--I'm kicking myself for being cheap!
Written: Aug 02 '03 (Updated Aug 10 '03)
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Pros: Great software which integrated nicely into Word--one button printing!
Cons: TOO LOUD!! Didn't work out of the box and tech support is LD!
The Bottom Line: Dymo wins when it comes to software, but Seiko rules in the printing department!
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| briandalsmom's Full Review: Esselte LabelWriter 330 Printer |
I’ve used three different Seiko label printers (links to those reviews are at the bottom of this page) and all of them performed fabulously—my complaint was their terrible software interface. When it came time for me to buy a new printer (new job) I did some research and decided to save some money and go with the Dymo. Reviews on it were good (unless you owned a Mac, which I didn’t) so I purchased it. It installed beautifully on my Office XP machine and I was ready to print within about 5 minutes.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
Printer, labels, software, cables, power cord, manual, quick-start card
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
Directions for loading were easy—install the software, add the printer when told, power it up and you’re done. As soon as the software was loaded, I started examine it. It was extremely user-friendly and easy to navigate. I like the WYSIWYG interface and the ease of adding text. Unlike the Seiko, the Dymo had hundreds of fonts to choose from and great installed clipart. So far, so good.
FEATURES
Another great feature was an add-in free address checker—downloaded from their site it adds an icon to Word and the label software. After highlighting the address to be checked, a simple click on the appropriate icon checks the formatting of the address and then adds the zip 4 code. All this is tied to the USPS web site so you’re assured the address is as correct as possible.
I also love the ability to print directly from Word. Highlight the address in Word, click the LabelWriter button on the Word toolbar or choose Dymo LabelWriter from the Tools menu. After a few seconds, the LabelWriter dialog box will appear with the address you highlighted. Edit it if you like or send it directly to the printer. No need to open any other program, it’s all right there for you.
An extensive electronic help system is there should you need it as well as a website with hints and tips.
One of the best features is a built-in database which saves your labels--with a dropdown box you can access them instantly. You can also import your Outlook contacts directly into the database (although I would have preferred they integrated the software into Outlook as they did Word).
It come with more than 40 built-in label templates, all which can be customized and personalized and then saved for future use.
PRINTING QUALITY
Like any thermal printer this one doesn’t use ink. It uses heat sensitive paper and “burns” the image into it. Logos that are big and bulky print great, but finely detailed logos are sketchy looking. For basic letters it prints beautifully. The dpi is 300--good enough for a mailing label.
LABELS
Dymo has an amazing array of labels—they are made only for their machines and they’re just different enough that you won’t be able to use the generic roll labels out there. They come in every size and shape imaginable and in every price range. Common labels such as address labels are pennies per the label. More unusual and less-used labels can be up to 75 cents apiece. Labels can be purchased an most large office supply stores—I happened to purchase my at Office Depot along with the printer.
These labels are not permanent—how long they last depends on how they are used. Thermal labels are susceptible to fading if exposed to direct sunlight or fluorescent light for an extended period or if they are exposed to things like plastic ring binders. Since most of the labels I use are for mailing this isn’t a problem, but it’s good to know in advance that those I place on file folders will fade over time so if that is a concern I can use something else.
Don’t buy massive quantities as the shelf life of the labels is about 18 months. Store your unused labels in a cool dry place and keep them in their original black bag until needed.
A roll of 220 shipping labels (2.125"x4") averages $14.99.
CLEANING
This was something new to me. The printer came with a cleaning card. Since the auto feed wasn’t working, I checked the online support. It recommended using the card to un-stick the rollers. Opening the package, I was greeted with a strong whiff of rubbing alcohol. Made of thick paper like the old blotting papers, it is saturated with alcohol. You place it the spot where labels are normally loaded and run it through a few times. It cleared the head, but at $9.99 for six pads, it could get expensive.
SPECS
This is a big boy--Dimensions 4 7/8" w x 5 3/4"h x 7 1/4" d and weighs 1 1/4 pounds. Big by label printer standards. Print speed for this model is 16 labels per minute and print size is 2.44” wide by any length you wish to make.
WARRANTY
Parts and labor one year.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
VERY DISAPPOINTED HERE! When I wanted to find out if my machine was malfunctioning of if its terrible noises were normal I tried to contact technical support. I called the 800 number listed and found out quickly that the 800 number is only if you’re interested in buying something. If you need help, it’s a toll call. The only other way to obtain assistance without making a toll call is to e-mail support. Being the cheapie I am, and having a huge disgust for companies that don’t have toll-free help, I tried the e-mail route. Didn’t work. After three e-mails, I got nowhere so I finally relented on the 3rd day and called.
Telephone support was friendly and it only took a few minutes to get my information—so far so good. When I asked about the printers seemingly overwhelming noise she mentioned that the newer models were noisy. I printed a label and held the phone up so she could hear it. She declared it normal and I said good-bye.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Now that it’s confirmed that there’s nothing wrong with it I don’t know what to do. It’s cheaper, it’s got much better software, but I hate to use it because it disturbs the whole office! I can’t even use it while I’m on the telephone because it’s so loud.
If I’d have never owned a Seiko this probably would have been a great buy, but since I have, I know this one could be so much better. The thought of returning it is daunting—purchased by my company from Office Depot the hassle of getting receipts from Finance and returning it are almost enough to get me to keep it.
The 330 Turbo is the exact same machine but it prints faster--the price is too steep to justify the added expenditure and Tech Support said it was just as loud.
My recommendation is to go with the Seiko—if quiet operation is important to you.
http://www.epinions.com/content_106689957508 Seiko 240
http://www.epinions.com/content_106686746244 Seiko 200 ****MY CHOICE FOR THE BEST VALUE***
http://www.epinions.com/content_89389829764 Seiko 100
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 140.00
Operating System: Windows
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Epinions.com ID:
briandalsmom
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Member: Mom
Location: USA
Reviews written: 249
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