Label cables/power bricks to match them up with the devices they belong to
Label drawers that store various types of cables/other objects
Label file folders
The solution: a labeler!
But they really suck!
Lousy little rubbery keyboards
Tiny, faint, barely visible display
Very limited selection of fonts, no capability for images, etc.
Enter the Epson LabelWorks LW-600P App-enabled, Portable Label Printer!
Description
6x5x2 inches
Fairly heavy (about 1.5 lbs, but that’s with batteries in it)
Large door on the side of the machine where you load the tape cartridges
Windows on both the side and front of the device, let you see what kind of cartridge you have loaded
Connections on the rear for power and USB
No keyboard or display – that’s because it’s app enabled!
Features
Can print on labels between from 1’4″ wide to 1″ wide
Can print over USB from Windows and Macs
Can print from mobile devices over Bluetooth
App supports text, graphics, and barcodes (both 2D and 3D)
Single line or multiline text, variable font and font size, and can add a border
Pros
Wide variety of label types are available
Standard stick-on labels
Extra strong adhesive labels
Cable wrap labels
Different colors (including clear)
Printer knows what size of label is inserted (so you can’t print on the wrong size)
Printer can be powered either by AC or battery
App supports many different label types (plain old text, graphics, barcodes, etc.)
App comes with a lot of standard labels (warning/safety labels, etc.)
A lot of customizability in the app
Use images from their clip art library, or use your own
The conversion to B&W for your own images is very customizable
Excellent build quality (even though it’s made of plastic, it’s very tough plastic and it feels solid)
Cons
Cartridges can’t be hot-swapped (means you have to turn it off/on, and then reconnect the Bluetooth)
The app can get a bit wonky
Not iPhone 6/6+ optimized (I’m sure they’re working on it)
Sometimes gets into a mode where all the menu choices disappear
Somewhat clunky and weirdly organized UI
Sometimes doesn’t detect the printer – only happened to me once, and fixing it was as simple as force-quitting and relaunching the app
Price
At $100 it is a bit steep compared to most dedicated labelers ($10-30) but compared to higher end systems ($50-70) it is competitively priced considering the customizability and features
Label cassettes are a bit pricy (around $25 a pop) but they do last a long time
Summary
A great, solidly built and versatile labeler that makes really nice looking labels
The app is a bit wonky but it works reasonably well in general, and I’m sure the glitches will be fixed
This thing has other uses too
Luggage tags, “if this item is lost, contact me” tags, conference badges, etc.
Labels with barcodes!
Product labels (i.e. if you are a small time retail store)
QR codes that advertise your website or whatever, that you can stick on flyers, promotional materials, etc.
Check it out at the link in the show notes
Also be sure and check out otakunopodcast.com if you are at all curious about anime, manga, Japan, culture, food, travel, etc.
2 thoughts on “Epson LabelWorks LW-600P App-enabled, Portable Label Printer by Donald Burr”
George from Tulsa
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December 14, 2014
Followed up Donald’s review with a visit to Amazon, interested in what kind of tapes are available.
Algorithmic Hilarity ensued. Hoping you “get” the accidental humor in following quote:
“Buy Used and Save: Buy a Used “Epson LabelWorks Standard Tape Cartridge (Black on…” and save 30% off the $17.99 list price. Buy with confidence as the condition of this item and its timely delivery are guaranteed under the “Amazon A-to-z Guarantee”
George from Tulsa
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December 14, 2014
Checked further. Amazon’s “used” link offers damaged packages, not empty spools. Too bad it’s not (as) funny as I thought.
Followed up Donald’s review with a visit to Amazon, interested in what kind of tapes are available.
Algorithmic Hilarity ensued. Hoping you “get” the accidental humor in following quote:
“Buy Used and Save: Buy a Used “Epson LabelWorks Standard Tape Cartridge (Black on…” and save 30% off the $17.99 list price. Buy with confidence as the condition of this item and its timely delivery are guaranteed under the “Amazon A-to-z Guarantee”
Checked further. Amazon’s “used” link offers damaged packages, not empty spools. Too bad it’s not (as) funny as I thought.