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General Vintage Technology Discussions For general discussions about vintage radio and other vintage electronics etc. |
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19th Mar 2023, 2:22 pm | #1 |
Nonode
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Walsall, UK.
Posts: 2,873
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Label Printer with True Type font Support?
Can anyone recommend a labelling machine kit with easy–to–use software and True Type Font support so I can make UNO Stencil Labels for our Component Drawers at home?
Chris Williams
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19th Mar 2023, 4:55 pm | #2 |
Heptode
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 693
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Re: Label Printer with True Type font Support?
We have a pile of hand-held labelling machines at work, with built-in keyboards. Some not QWERTY, which really slows me down! Usually throw the first print attempt away as it looks nothing like you hoped for!
Best thing we did was buy a Brother P-Touch P700, it's a desk-top printer that plugs into your computer's USB. Simple software (Brother P-touch Editor) for MAC or PC that can be downloaded from Brother and it appears to me that all my regular computer fonts are listed - does that make it True-Type? It appears you can insert graphics from clip-art or external files, but I've only ever printed text. Accurate previews and no guessing. As usual, the label cartridges are pricey. Regards, SR |
19th Mar 2023, 5:16 pm | #3 |
Pentode
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Crewkerne, Somerset, UK.
Posts: 114
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Re: Label Printer with True Type font Support?
Like Stuart R, I have been using a Brother P-Touch labelling machine for a while, and while it is not really suitable for 'Front Panel' quality labelling it is certainly excellent for component drawers, lever arch file spine labels, and many other applications.
I have a very simple machine, the P-Touch 1230PC which was a find 'In the middle at Lidl' a few years ago and at that time it was about £25.00. The software that is available allows for very simple labelling tasks, [P-Touch Lite], but if the full blown P-Touch Editor software is used, many true type fonts are available together with other facilities such as two-line or vertical text, plus simple 'emoji' type images and a library of standard applications such as CD jewel case labelling. Updated versions of machines with comparable features appear to be widely available at not much more than I paid. It is worth researching the details of different machines before you buy. At the lower end of the market some machines will only take the narrowest tape width, but the better machines can accommodate tape cartridges for the 6mm, 9mm and 12mm widths. Hope this helps Jim M0GJD |
19th Mar 2023, 5:19 pm | #4 |
Hexode
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 483
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Re: Label Printer with True Type font Support?
I use an old Brother PT-2420PC and according to the sales info. it does enable you to use TrueType fonts with the Ptouch Editing software.
https://docs.rs-online.com/5249/0900766b801507d1.pdf I use 3rd party label cartridges from Amazon with no problems that are significantly cheaper than the OEM ones. |
19th Mar 2023, 11:33 pm | #5 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Portland, Dorset, UK.
Posts: 874
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Re: Label Printer with True Type font Support?
Brother P-Touch D700 user here, nice machine, can be used without a PC and can print on up to 24mm labels so will do their printable heat shrink. Auto cuts the tape so great for doing multiple copies or running from a mail merge.
As others have said the compatible tape is fine and a lot cheaper than the genuine stuff. Text will not be laser quality as the resolution is relatively low, but in reality it's not an issue. If you need something cheaper go for one of the PC only machines, interestingly for basic label making no installation is required if the machine is set to editor lite mode, it just appears as an external storage drive and the basic software is in the machine and runs directly from it with no installation. |