Pros: Inexpensive, fast printing, easy to use, time-saver
Cons: You have to use relatively expensive proprietary labels, but otherwise there are no major cons.
The Bottom Line: If you print labels often and are looking for ways to save time/money, the Brother QL-500 is a good place to start. I wish I had done it sooner!
chungmike's Full Review: Brother P-Touch® QL-500 Label Printer
I own a business where we ship out customer orders everyday. We have to print shipping labels for each order. I tried to save money by using laser printer sheets, but it started taking too much time to set it up each time. I knew there were faster ways of printing labels, but I felt I couldn't justify the cost of a label printer and its proprietary labels.
I changed my mind with I saw this Brother QL-500 on sale. I thought I would give it a try, and I'm glad I did. Not only is it easy to create nice looking labels with graphics and fancy text, but also it's saving me time....and that's important in business. Yes, the cost per label is higher than laser sheet labels, but I feel it's worth the timesavings.
In the box are the printer with cables, CD software, and a starter label roll. The printer takes up a small space on my desk...about 6"x8" or so, and it plugs into a USB computer port. Installing the label roll is easy as lining up the first label and snapping in the dispenser. I've never used another label printer, but I know the Brother will be easy to switch label sizes if necessary. The software is sophisticated with many advanced feature that I haven't tried yet, but I just make a standard shipping label with the return and shipping addresses. I was able to easily add some clipart onto the label to make it look more festive and interesting. The print and graphics look very sharp because it’s printed at 300dpi. I also thought it was cool that the software already knew what kind of label I had in the printer. This is due to some switches on the label dispenser. You’re also able to instantly make labels within Word, Excel, and Outlook..
So far there are handful of label sizes to choose from. Available is the standard address label that’s 1.5”x3.5” on a 400 roll to the large shipping label that’s 2.43”x4.3” on a 300 roll…this is the one I use for my packages. There are also labels for CDs/DVDs, file folders, and even continuous length paper rolls (in white, clear, and yellow) to make banners! The variety of labels makes this machine so useful. The label quality is also very good. They’re more plastic than paper, so it’s weatherproof. The result are definitely professional looking labels.
The labels print very quickly….about 2-3 seconds for the large shipping label I’m using. The QL-500 has a manual cutter that’s a snap to use. The QL-550 model costs about $25 more and has an automatic cutter. So far I haven’t felt that I needed the automatic cutter, and I don’t think I will. It’s just one more thing that could possibly breakdown, and I was happy to save the money to buy labels instead.
I bought the QL-500 locally at OfficeMax, and they have labels there as well. They’re also available locally at OfficeDepot. I’m happy that I have many local places to buy the labels. They’re also available online at all major retailers.
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