Label printers

Direct Thermal & Thermal Transfer Label Printers

Our extensive range of label printers caters to both direct thermal and thermal transfer printing methods. No matter which type of thermal printer you need, we have you covered. Whether you're printing shipping labels, barcodes, or product tags, you’ll find the right label printer for your needs.

Explore desktop and mobile thermal label printers from trusted brands like Zebra, Honeywell and Kite which guarantee seamless integration into your existing warehouse set-up. With a diverse selection of printers available across different price ranges, we have options to suit every budget and requirement. 

Not sure which printer is right for your operation? Check out our label printers guide or get in touch with our label specialists today at envirolabel@kitepackaging.co.uk. Looking for thermal labels? Head over to our labels page. 

How Does Thermal Printing Work?

Thermal printing falls into two categories: direct thermal and thermal transfer. Choosing the right method depends on your application, budget, and how long the labels need to last.

Direct Thermal Printing

Direct thermal printers use heat-sensitive labels. A thermal printhead applies heat to the label, which darkens to create the image or text. This process doesn’t need ink, toner, or ribbon.

Because of this, direct thermal printing is cost-effective, fast, and easy to maintain. It's ideal for short-term applications like barcode labels, shipping labels, and receipts. You’ll often find these printers in retail, logistics, and healthcare settings.

However, direct thermal labels can fade over time, especially when exposed to heat, chemicals, or direct light. For that reason, this method is best for labels that will be used within six months.

We also supply linerless labels, which are compatible only with linerless printers. These labels are wound onto themselves and require a special printhead mechanism. Never use them in standard direct thermal printers, as this may damage the machine.

Thermal Transfer Printing

Thermal transfer label printers use a ribbon made from wax, resin, or a wax-resin blend. The ribbon passes between the printhead and the label, and heat is applied to transfer the image.

This method produces long-lasting, smudge-resistant labels. It’s ideal for situations where the print must remain readable for more than six months. This includes cold storage, outdoor use, and environments with chemical exposure.

You’ll often find thermal transfer printers used in manufacturing, asset tracking, product labels, and healthcare. They work well with plastic, paper, and synthetic labels, giving you flexibility in your printing.

What Are Linerless Labels?

Linerless labels are a sustainable alternative to traditional label rolls. Unlike standard formats, these labels do not have a paper backing. Instead, they are wound directly onto themselves using a silicone release coating.

This reduces material waste and improves efficiency, as you can fit more labels on each roll. Linerless label printers are fitted with a coated platen roller to handle these labels safely.

Label Printers at Kite Packaging

Zebra Printers

Zebra ZD220D – Direct Thermal, Desktop

A small printer for simple label and tag printing. Perfect for small teams. Easy to set up and use. 

• 203 dpi print quality for clear text and reliable barcodes 
• Prints up to 4 inches per second 
• Simple USB connectivity, LED indicator and single feed/pause button make operation and installation straightforward
• Clamshell design makes media and ribbon loading quick and reduces setup mistakes 
• Built-in memory to store fonts and graphics
• Use anywhere around the globe 

Zebra ZD230D – Direct Thermal, Desktop

Compact printer for receipts, tickets, tags and ID cards. Delivers consistent performance with minimal training and maintenance. Great for small teams. 

• 203 dpi printing for 1D and 2D barcodes 
• Prints up to 6 inches per second 
• Capacity to hold 300m long ribbons, saving time between changes 
• Flexible connectivity with USB as the standard; ethernet, wi-fi and Bluetooth also available
• Durable double wall construction 
• Clamshell design for easy media loading 
• LED and feed/pause for easy operation 
• Memory for storing fonts and graphics to reduce processing time for repeat jobs

Zebra ZD421D – Direct Thermal, Desktop

A reliable, high-performance printer for mid-volume business needs. Perfect for printing shipping labels, inventory tags, product identification, receipts and barcodes. 

• 203 dpi printing
• Prints up to 6 inches per second 
• Standard connectivity via USB; ethernet, serial and BT also available 
• Dual wall construction for lasting durability 
• Clamshell design allows quick, easy media loading 
• User-friendly interface with 5 LED icons and 3 buttons for operation 
• Zebra Print DNA enables seamless setup, management and security 

Zebra ZD220T – Thermal Transfer

Affordable, easy-to-manage printer for small teams. Suitable for routine labelling tasks, printing tickets, tags, ID cards and other moderate-volume label jobs.

• 20 dpi print resolution 
• Prints 4 inches per second 
• Max print width 4.09 inches 
• Standard connectivity via USB
• Dual wall construction and all-metal printhead offers durability 
• Zebra Print DNA allows for simple installation 
• Single LED status indicator and single button for feed/pause

Zebra ZD230T – Thermal Transfer

An everyday thermal transfer desktop printer suitable for retail outlets, shipping and fulfilment operations and light manufacturing lines. 

• 203 dpi resolution for sharp text and barcode output 
• Prints up to 6 inches per second 
• 300m ribbon capacity 
• 3 button operation with 5 LED status icons 
• Easy access to media with clamshell design 
• Flexible connectivity via USB, ethernet and serial 
• Movable media sensor lets you use any media from any manufacturer, ensuring any supplies you have on hand do not go to waste 

Zebra ZD421T – Thermal Transfer

Advanced desktop printer for industrial and enterprise environments. For when you need labels that withstand handling and environmental wear, more flexibility and integration smoothness. 

• Available in 203 dpi, 203 dpi & Wi-Fi, 300 dpi models 
• Prints up to 6 inches per second 
• Dual wall frame rugged casing 
• Connect via BT, Ethernet, USB and serial 
• Remote management, security updates and printer control 
• Flexibility with moveable sensors, support for die-cut, continuous, tags, fanfold, peel options 
• 3 button operation with 5 LED status icons

Zebra ZD621 – Linerless

A reliable printer for businesses that have moderate to high label printing needs. Perfect for shipping and fulfilment, retail, healthcare, light manufacturing and labelling at pack stations. 

• 203 dpi print resolution 
• Prints up to 8 inches per second 
• Connect by BT, Ethernet, USB and serial 
• Fanfold media feed slot
• Zebra Print Touch NFC feature enables quick pairing with compatible devices 
• Includes cutter and label taken sensor 

Zebra ZT231 – Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer

Industrial printer for high-volume label printing needs. Available in direct thermal and thermal transfer print varieties. 

• Available in 203 (direct thermal) and 300 (thermal transfer) dpi models 
• Prints up to 12 inches per second (203 dpi) and 8 inches per second (300 dpi)
• Connect via USB, Ethernet, RS232 and BT 
• 4.3 inch full-colour touchscreen display with intuitive menu for quick operation and settings
• Compact footprint fits anywhere 
• Bi-fold door reduces height needed to open printer for media loading  
• Three LED status lights 
• Prints up to 4-inch media
• Rugged hardware for industrial environments

Zebra ZT411 – Thermal Transfer, Linerless

Rugged industrial printer for demanding labelling needs. Available in thermal transfer and linerless printing varieties. For organisations that need high-quality label production at scale.

• 203 dpi print resolution 
• Prints up to 14 inches per second 
• Connect via USB, Ethernet, RS232 and BT 
• 4.3-inch touchscreen display with intuitive menu for quick operation and management
• Bi-fold media reduce operating space by 35% 
• Bi-coloured status LEDs for quick printer status 

Zebra ZQ630 – Direct Thermal, Linerless

Rugged mobile printer for on-the-move functionality. Available in direct thermal (ZQ630D) and linerless (ZQ630 Plus) printing varieties. Perfect for mobile teams needing reliable label printing away from a fixed desk. Ideal for couriers and last-mile delivery, field service, inventory/stock control, mobile point-of-sale and patch-up printing in warehouses or retail floors. 

• 203 dpi print resolution
• Maximum print width 4.2 inches 
• Connect via Wi-fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB and serial 
• PowerPrecision and 6600 mAh battery for full shift operation and wake to preserve productivity 
• Large colour display and easy-to-use interface 
• Rugged design survives multiple 1.83m (6 ft) drops to concrete
• IP54 rating for dust and water resistance 

Honeywell Printers

Honeywell PC42E-T– Thermal Transfer, Desktop

A compact printer built for reliable small to mid-volume, long-lasting label production. 

• Delivers 203dpi print quality for crisp text and barcodes 
• Prints up to 6 inches per second 
• ECO button engages economy mode, reducing waste, running costs and downtime 
• Flexible ribbon handling switches between 0.5 and 1-inch cores so one printer can handle multiple applications 
• Built-in ethernet and USB host enable easy network integration and connectivity
• 128MB onboard memory stores fonts and character sets locally, speeding up jobs and reducing host communication 
• Single feed button and LED status indicator quick operation 

Honeywell PC45 – Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer & Linerless Desktop

Versatile, enterprise-ready desktop printer for high-quality label printing in demanding environments. Direct thermal (PC45D), thermal transfer (PC45T), linerless (PC45), and 300 dpi printing models available.

• Small footprint with a large touchscreen makes set up and daily use quick and simple 
• Rugged design for harsh and busy work environments 
• Centralised management with Honeywell Printer Edge™ 
• Live monitoring and remote troubleshooting with Honeywell Operational Intelligence 
• Easy to connect and fits into existing workflows 
• Warns you when labels or ribbons low to reduce downtime
• Change sizes, barcodes or fonts on the printer without extra editing 

Honeywell PD45– Direct Thermal, Desktop

A commercial-grade printer with on-printer intelligence for smarter workflows. 

• Run apps and adjust settings without a host computer 
• All-metal frame for longevity in demanding environments 
• Large glass window to check status or printer and consumables at a glance 
• Side opening access for fast media and ribbon loading 
• Two sets of adjustable pressure bars and media guides ensure accurate feeding and cut down ribbon wrinkles and print defects
• Ergonomic, easy swap printhead supports direct thermal and thermal transfer printing
• Removable front sensor for cleaning and replacing rubber roller 

Honeywell PM45– Thermal Transfer, Industrial

Rugged printer designed for high-precision, high-volume label production with 24/7 remote visibility. 

• Available in 203 and 300 dpi 
• Track-and-trace ready, improving supply chain transparency
• Prints up to 14 inches per second 
• Change sizes, barcodes or fonts on the printer without extra editing 
• Remote monitoring and diagnostics with Honeywell Operational Intelligence
• Designed to reduce maintenance and keep production moving 
• WWAN connectivity for continuous data communication and real-time reporting from remote or dispersed sites 

Honeywell RP4F– Direct Thermal, Linerless

Tough and reliable mobile printer for on-the-go label and receipt printing with a long battery life. 

• Prints 1-inch to 4.1-inch labels and receipts, including heavy stick and hangtags
• Built to survive 2m drops, 1000 tumbles at 0.5m 
• IP54 rating for dust and moisture 
• Swap batteries in 20 second without losing power or connectivity 
• Bluetooth 5.0 classic and BLE dual radio included for reliable pairing outside WLAN range 
• Fast, easy media loading for fewer interruptions when switching label types
• Remotely monitor and manage devices 

Honeywell Accessories

• 4-slot battery charger 
• Mobile printer soft case 
• Mobile printer shoulder strap 
• Mobile printer belt clip 

Why Choose Kite for Your Label Printer?

At Kite Packaging, we work with companies retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing so we have a thorough understanding of printing and labelling needs across industries. Our printers meet high standards of durability, performance, and print quality.

With options from entry-level to advanced, we can help you pick a label printer that fits your workspace and workload, and label demand.

Looking for advice? Our specialists are here to help you choose the best printer for your label types, print volume, and working environment.