Application area
Logistics
In logistics a shipping label travels with the parcel all the way: from the online shop's packing table to the customer's door, and sometimes back again. The AWB has to be ready within seconds of the order being closed, and the barcode must read at every handover. A printer that jams labels at peak hour stops the whole dispatch.
Typical tasks
- AWBs and courier labels at the online shop's packing table
- Shipping labels for parcels in sorting and fulfilment centres
- Return labels, packed with the parcel or printed when the customer asks
- Mobile printing: the courier prints a label or receipt at the customer's door
- Relabelling damaged parcels or parcels with unreadable labels
- Labels for sacks, containers and consolidated transport units
What to look for
Direct thermal for AWBs. A courier label lives a few days, so direct thermal is the usual choice: no ribbon, fewer consumables and simpler upkeep. Thermal transfer pays off when the label has to withstand cold, moisture or abrasion for longer.
Format and width. The label format is set by the courier service. Check that the model's print width covers this format; it depends on the model and is confirmed in the specification.
Online shop. For low or medium volumes a desktop printer next to the packing table is enough. Check the format in which the shop or courier platform generates the label (PDF, image or the ZPL printer language) and whether the printer accepts it without manual conversion. More in the article on the label printer for AWBs.
Sorting and high volume. In sorting centres and for large dispatches the printer runs all shift. Here choose an industrial printer with large rolls and a metal housing, and keep a spare printer for seasonal peaks.
Couriers and mobile printing. A courier with a mobile terminal can print a label or receipt via Bluetooth on a belt-worn printer. Terminals are at terminale-mobile.md, and the scenarios are described in the article on mobile printing.
Returns. For online shops, returns are a separate flow: the return label must link the parcel to the original order so that it is received quickly. If your own warehouse runs a WMS, see wms.md.
Lines for logistics
| Task | Zebra | TSC | CAB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packing table, online shop | ZD220, ZD421 | TE, TC | EOS |
| Sorting and fulfilment, high volume | ZT231, ZT411 | MB, MH | SQUIX |
| Couriers, mobile printing | ZQ | Alpha | — |
| Automatic parcel labelling | print engines, on request | print engines, on request | Hermes |
The list is indicative; we confirm exact configurations in the quotation, and prices are given on request. See the selection guide, the Zebra, TSC and CAB lines, or request a consultation.
Logistics
Not sure which one to choose?
Describe which labels you print and where: store, warehouse, production or logistics. We will help you choose the printer and consumables and prepare the quote.