Just as every production facility is unique, so are its printing needs. While some manufacturing lines employ constant movement and, thus, need a continuous inkjet (CIJ) printer, other operations with intermittent packaging setups are far better off with a handheld thermal inkjet (TIJ) printer.
Designed for smaller businesses that don’t use conveyor belts, handheld printers are perfect for packing configurations that require machine mobility and ones that incorporate multiple users.
Even after determining that this style of printer is right for your business, you need to consider a few specific factors when choosing the proper make and model. So how can you be certain you’re getting a handheld printer designed to reliably produce high-contrast codes for years on end—instead of one constructed from cheap materials and prone to a multitude of difficulties and issues? This question is important because making the wrong choice equals regular maintenance, expensive repairs, or having to throw it away and start all over.
To ensure that you don’t end up purchasing one of these maintenance-budget-draining machines, we’ve outlined a few of today’s leading models as well as how they should perform within a production environment. In this breakdown, you’ll see how a slightly higher upfront cost can end up saving you major dollars down the line. But first, let’s look at the features you’ll want to be sure you’re getting in your printer.
Essential Features and Leading Handheld Printers
Certain considerations should be in mind when choosing a handheld printer for your business. Some of these features include:
-
Intuitive user interface
-
Easy-to-read display
-
Durability in relation to common workplace environmental factors (e.g., heat and humidity)
-
Battery life
-
Portability/ease of use
-
High-resolution printing
With these elements in mind, let’s take a look at one of today’s best handheld models and then contrast its qualities against what’s offered by the cheaper alternatives.