Looking for the best printer for stickers and labels? You’ve come to the right place. Thanks to modern technology, you’re now able to print stickers from phone, laptop or desktop PC – providing you have the right software. Below, we’ll go through our top picks, depending on what sort of sticker you’re looking to print. Stickers come in various forms, the most popular being vinyl. Here’s the full list of sticker types:
This guide will focus on the more popular sticker types: Vinyl and Paper. The good news is that some new Inkjet models support printing on Vinyl, so you won’t need to get a custom printer to achieve this. Do not attempt trying to do this unless this is clearly stated, as the ink will not dry. We’ll make it clear below what sort of stickers are supported per printer. Package Labels
We made sure to consider a few things when picking the best printer for stickers. Print quality, printing speed and color accuracy were the key factors, but we also looked at lamination capabilities, wireless connectivity to, laptops, smartphone and tablet, and additional features e.g built in scanner. Our team has bags of experience with different sort of printers, and this guide leans on that as well as our own research to find the best deals for you. If you’re interested in printing more than just stickers, you may want to check out our best 3D printers in 2023 guide and our detailed look at the best printers for art prints. Let’s now dive into our recommendations.
Before kicking off, make sure you have all the equipment needed to be able to print. If you’re looking to print on Vinyl, then you’re going to need Vinyl sticker paper. If you’re just doing paper stickers, you may want to laminate them, so ensure you have plenty of laminating paper.
Here are some links to the best vinyl and sticker printer paper for the job:
When selecting what printer to go for, you’re going to need to choose between Inkjet and Laserjet models. Both have their own advantages, which we’ll go through now. Generally speaking, LaserJet printers run faster are best for people looking to print large batches. The downside, is that the quality will not be as good as if the same piece of content was printed on an Inkjet variant. With Inkjets, you sacrifice a bit of speed but can end up with a far more crisp and detailed result. However, they also use more ink, and require the cartridges to be changed often – this can prove pricy. Inkjet printers can also not print in white, so if you’re looking for white text, you’ll need to go with a LaserJet printer.
Opt for a LaserJet printer if you are:
Opt for an Inkjet printer if you are:
This inkjet printer supports paper sticker printing and is our favorite overall sticker printer. The Hp Envy 7955E boasts wireless connectivity and scans, copies and prints. Thanks to a super user-friendly design with a clear LCD screen, it’s a great printer for those new to printing stickers or just want a decent all-rounder for a home office. Stickers are super customizable via the HP Smart App and can produce any type of sticker in sizes from 4 x 6 inches up to 8 x 10 inches, so there’s plenty of versatility. As a wireless printer, it can print true-to-phone photos straight from your mobile device. High-quality stickers are easily produced – making this a great choice for small business owners, especially as fast printing speeds mean it is easy to print many at a time. This also comes in handy if you’re looking to print in batches.
Furthermore, HP are offering 6 months free ink subscription when you sign up to HP+, which also gives you a warranty extension and other functions. Alternatively, sign up to HP Instant Ink, which gives you subscription access to ink delivered so you never run out. This is certainly a plus as stickers can use a lot of ink very quickly, especially if you’re planning on printing a lot of them. Be warned, ink for this printer can get pricy – with prices ranging from $30 – more than $50 depending on what cartridge you go for.
Laser printers for stickers aren’t really an automatic choice. They lack the vibrancy available with inkjet options, although they are useful for more ‘official’ uses when printing stickers and labels. Let’s say they’re more office and organization focused than art and craft. The Brother HL-L3270CDW makes a good case for laser printers in this category though, offering flexible printing and admirable color depth in a printer that is both wireless pretty speedy, and not too pricey for a laser model.
However, the key consideration for this printer should be whether it ticks all or enough of the boxes for your needs. For less ‘fun’ or creative use the Brother HL-L3270CDW can provide high-output speed and quality printing, but if you’re a home user with limited space (and that space isn’t a home office) it may not be for you. Cardstock and envelopes are among the types of media this printer can print to, although the settings aren’t the most straightforward available and may need some unraveling.
On the plus side, once it’s set up to print via WiFi it’s 250 tray capacity and solid speed mean that productivity isn’t an issue. If ‘productivity’ isn’t a word you’d associate with your sticker printing, this may not be the one for you – and do take note that the TN-243 toners this printer needs are priced at around $50-60 each.
When it comes to recommending a beginner-level printer for artists and home crafters, one model that consistently stands out is the Brother MFC-J497DW. While its price may be budget-friendly, it boasts an impressive level of print quality.
The MFC-J497DW is a multi-function printer that excels in every aspect, including print quality, materials, construction, and versatility. It combines a high-resolution printer, scanner, and copier into one compact device, making it an excellent choice for both home and studio use. Furthermore, considering that a decent scanner alone can often cost more than this Brother printer, we think it offers really fantastic value.
Although it’s a little slow, the ink quality is high and offers great saturated colors. The printer’s high resolution adds a vibrant touch to your vinyl stickers, while its reliable rollers and mechanical parts guarantee precise handling of sticker paper. The printer will not jam or wear out, even with heavier printing volumes.
With its user-friendly LCD interface panel, wireless connectivity, compatibility with cloud services, and USB support, the MFC-J497DW offers convenience and flexibility. Its all-in-one design and overall superb quality make it an automatic recommendation for anyone seeking an inexpensive printer for various tasks. It particularly excels as a budget-friendly option for printing stickers on vinyl.
Finally, we have the Canon PIXMA PRO-200. This supports media sizes up to 13 x 19 inches, making it suitable for printing larger stickers or multiple smaller stickers on a single sheet. This flexibility is beneficial when working with different sticker sizes or layouts. It’s very durable and produces high-quality prints with long lasting colors. Plus, it’s super compact, making it perfect for home use or small offices.
The PRO-200 offers a maximum print resolution of 4800 x 2400 dpi, allowing for sharp and detailed sticker prints. This level of resolution is crucial for maintaining clarity in small text, fine lines, and intricate designs.
However, it’s pretty expensive, so not fantastic for those on a budget.
There are a number of things to consider when choosing a printer for making stickers.
Determine the size of stickers you plan to create and ensure the printer can handle that size. Additionally, consider the types of media the printer supports. Stickers can be printed on various materials such as glossy, matte, or vinyl, so make sure the printer is compatible with the media you intend to use. As we come on to later, do not use InkJet paper on a LaserJet printer. The two work using very different mechanisms and this can cause damage.
Consider the ink system the printer uses. Some printers have individual color cartridges, allowing you to replace only the specific color that runs out. This can be more cost-effective in the long run compared to printers with combined color cartridges.
Determine how you want to connect your printer. USB connectivity is common, but if you plan to print wirelessly or from multiple devices, consider printers with a Wi-Fi connection or Bluetooth connectivity.
This all depends, but generally, if you are looking to print a lot of stickers, fast, then we recommend opting for a LaserJet printer. The quality will not be as high as an Inkjet sticker, but unless they are very large this would not make much of a difference. While an InkJet printer is often a cheaper option initially, prices soon stack up as they use more ink than LaserJet printers, so take that into consideration. They do, however, produce higher-quality results.
This depends on what type of sticker you’re looking to print. Generally Inkjet printers will be fine to print paper stickers or labels, but we recommend also reading the manufacture’s instruction manual, which will detail what sort of paper is compatible with your printer.
For a great overall printer which also excels in stickers, go for the HP Envy 7855E. However, we’re big fans of all the printers on this list. The main thing to consider is the upfront cost and how many stickers, and how fast you’re looking to print. LaserJet options will be best for those looking to print en masse, but if you want the best-quality sticker or label, InkJet is the way to go, so long as you have budgeted for cartridges. This helps the HP version really stand out as our pick, as that six month supply of ink will go a long way, especially for those using the printer infrequently. If you’re still not quite sure what you’re looking for, or you want to see more recommendations, why not head over to our best all-in-one printer guide – where you can browse some other models that may be more appealing.
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