This is our official list of the best printers for stickers on the market today. Scroll further down for full details on each product.
5 Highest Reviewed Printers for Printing Stickers
The first thing the word “stickers” likely brings to mind is an elementary teacher’s award for a spelling test that colorfully indicates “Way to Go!”
However, the practical and artistic uses of adhesive-backed paper or vinyl are varied and new technologies can put customized stickers in hand in mere moments. Whatever the need – nametags, bumper stickers, full-color photographs to cover an ugly dorm wall, mailing labels, scrapbook materials, business warning signs, price tags – there is a specialized sticker printer to fill your needs.
Printing Stickers with a Standard Printer?
A standard ink jet or laser printer can print stickers, of course. But there are downsides to this approach. One big downside is the use of ink or toner. Colors in a CMYK color system, which most color printers use, require a mix of up to four colors.
That means printing color both uses a lot of ink, requiring frequent replacement of expensive ink cartridges, and the resulting color may never be a quality match, according to the blog at LD Products. Most stickers printers are thermal printers, which apply heat instead of ink on specially treated paper.
Aside from cost, another downside of a standard printer is that labels and stickers use thicker paper, which is more likely to jam, according to Techwalla, so they must be loaded one at a time. Also, because of the smooth texture of label pages and amount of ink that is used, care must be taken not to smear fresh ink jet prints.
Sending a sticker print job to a professional printer may make sense if exact colors are important so that Pantone color-matching can be used. However, the time and expense required must justify choosing this route.
Why Go with a Sticker Printer
Finding a custom printer specifically for the type of stickers needed is often a better solution. Sticker printers come in several varieties and vary widely in price. Below are five of the best printer for stickers (correct to printers) that can address different needs and avoid the downsides of printing stickers on a standard printer.
Whether you need a sticker printer that is portable or prints small photographs quickly or creates prints to last or even to make stickers out of ribbons and leaves, there is a good option available.
1.) Xyron XRN500EN 5 Inch Create-a-Sticker Machine
Rather than printing stickers, the Create-a-Sticker Machine turns paper or other flat materials (like ribbons) into stickers by applying a thin even layer of dry adhesive. With only the twist of a knob – no electricity, batteries or heat is needed – the material rolls through and is ready use immediately.
The adhesive is available in either permanent or repositionable, and you can easily switch back and forth for different projects. Works for papers or materials up to 5 inches wide and it is possible to do multiple narrow objects at one time. Starting price is around $20 with adhesive refills about $10.
PROS
- Makes stickers out of any printed or flat material, so not limited to available label materials
- Inexpensive option
- Permanent or repositionable adhesive options
- Up to 5 inches wide and unlimited length
CONS
- Will need to use another printer (plus ink) to create printed items like photographs or name tags
2.) ZINK Wi-Fi Enabled Wireless Printer with Arts and Crafts App
ZINK has created the printer to turn a smartphone or tablet into an upscale photo booth. Using photo apps available for iOS or Android, the user can do basic edits, and add frames, fonts and backgrounds, then wirelessly download to the printer.
The printer uses ZINK zRolls, available in five widths from 3/8 to 2 inches to print the full-color photos. Paper rolls are 19 feet 5 inches and each print can be up to 17 inches long. For larger pictures, the photograph can be printed in pieces and assembled.
The ZINK has a built-in hotspot to connect with a tablet or smartphone but printer is not compatible with laptops. Price of printer starts around $99.99 and refill rolls run $10-25 depending on width.
PROS
- Full-color photos in a variety of sizeso Every zRoll contains sticker paper
- Portable
- Built-in cutter
CONS
- Inability to print directly from a computer means that more advanced editing of photos may require multiple steps before printing
3.) Brother QL-700 High-speed Professional Label Printer
From a well-known printer brand, this high-speed label printer can serve a variety of needs. Using thermal technology, there is no ink to refill. A wide variety of pre-cut labels rolls are available from 0.5 to 2.4 inches wide. It is ideal for high-volume work, printing 93 labels per minute.
Continuous rolls are available that can be printed up to 36 inches long. Printer can also print postage and with the accompanying CD some art is available. It must be plugged into a computer as it does not allow networking (although once it is connected to a computer, other computers could network with that one). Starts around $49.99. Refill rolls vary in price.
PROS
- Fast
- Variety of label refill options means a variety of uses
- Inexpensive refills are available from Brother and other companies
CONS
- Black and white only, no color or grayscale
4.) Phomemo M02 Portable Pocket Printer
Phomemo M02 Portable Pocket Printer is a multi-function product that can be used to print small text, photos, and some cute frames. It can also be used to record the scenery of your adventures or any fascinating things you do. It is a mini-size printer of 3.3 by 3.2 by 1.6 inch which comes in a fashionable design.
It is powered by a 1000mAh battery which makes it easy to carry around and it operates by a wireless Bluetooth 4.0 connection. For the Android 4.0 system, it has to be connected with the Phomemo APP through Bluetooth while for IOS it has to be 8.0 or above.
The Phomemo app has diverse fonts, themes, and filter effects while every two weeks, it updates varieties of graphics and themes. Phomemo M02 Portable Pocket Printer is very effective to keep you on track in every aspect of your life at any time and everywhere. It is ideal for Christmas, Holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving Day and it can be offered as a memorable gift for your friends and family. Phomemo M02 Portable Pocket Printer comes with thermal printing technology which is correspondent to the black and white version of the photo printer.
PROS
- It is a pocket-size printer that can be carried around anywhere and anytime.
- It can print a variety of photos, text, and cartoons.
- Easy to use and operate.
CONS
- Some might prefer an smaller sized printer.
5.) Dodocool New Portable wireless thermal printer
Dodocool wireless thermal printer is a mini printer that comes in a size of 3.4 by 3.4 by 1.6 inches thereby making it portable and lightweight. You don’t have to spend excess money whenever you want to print your business cards, documents, text slogans, and pictures because you can simply purchase Dodocool wireless thermal printer which can be used anywhere and anytime.
One of the special features of the Dodocool wireless thermal printer is that it can be used with a mobile phone via Bluetooth connection. It is compatible with both Android and IOS devices. The relative APP can be downloaded on your device following the wireless portable printer user guide. Dodocool pocket printer is multi-functional which means it can be used for a variety of things such as printing photos, lists, records, web printing, AR photos, etc.
The APP enables you to style your photos through various fonts and themes. Dodocool wireless thermal printer has a long-lasting durable inbuilt lithium battery which has above 1000mA. Every Print out of Dodocool wireless printer is always clear and makes your content easy to read. This printer is very safe to use as it environmentally friendly because it emits low carbon while printing.
PROS
- It has low operating noise
- It does not require the use of ink cartridges
- It has a clear print resolution.
CONS
- It does not print color pictures.
Wrapping Up
Matching your needs with the best printer for stickers may not only save time and ink costs, but also earn another well-deserved “Way to Go!”