Do I need a thermal printer for reselling?
When a Thermal Printer Makes Sense
If you ship more than a few packages a day, a thermal printer can be a worthwhile investment. It prints on heat-sensitive labels without ink or toner, so you only pay for labels. It's faster and produces crisp barcodes that scan reliably. Entry-level models like Rollo or MUNBYN cost around $150-$200, while industrial ones cost more.
For low-volume resellers, a standard printer with 2-per-page label sheets or plain paper and clear tape works fine. Many shipping platforms let you print on half-sheet labels. Just ensure the barcode is clear and not covered by tape that causes glare.
Considerations Before Buying
Thermal printers require specific label sizes, usually 4x6 inches. You'll need to buy labels in bulk, which adds ongoing cost. Also, direct thermal prints can fade over time or with heat exposure, so they're not ideal for long-term storage labels.
If you use a standard printer, check that it can handle label sheets without jamming. Laser printers are generally better for labels than inkjet because ink can smudge. Ultimately, the choice depends on your shipping volume and budget.
- Low volume: regular printer with labels is fine.
- High volume: thermal printer saves time and ink.
- Thermal labels: 4x6, buy in bulk.
- Laser printers: better for label sheets than inkjet.
- Direct thermal prints can fade over time.
Common mistakes
- Thinking a thermal printer is mandatory to sell on Amazon or eBay; it's not.
- Buying a cheap thermal printer that doesn't support 4x6 labels or has poor resolution.
- Using inkjet printers for labels, which can smudge and waste ink.