5 Questions to Ask When Replacing Your Thermal Printer

Finding a thermal printer to replace your existing fleet can be stressful and time-consuming. Thermal printers are business critical, so when it is time to replace them it is important to ask the right questions to ensure your business can keep moving forward with minimal downtime. As the saying goes, time is money. Whether you’re staying with the same brand or deciding to venture out, here are five important questions to consider before purchasing your next printer.

1. Does the replacement printer support the printer language of your old printer? 

When it's time to replace your thermal printers, ensuring the new printers support major barcode label printer languages is a major consideration. Purchasing a new printer that can drop into your existing infrastructure without having to change your application is critical. Ensuring the new printer will “speak your language” will help you avoid downtime and costly resources to get up and running. Our enterprise line of printers speaks most major printer languages. Even if you aren’t replacing one of our printers, by using a compatible printer, the integration into your application will be seamless.

2. Will the new printer cause any downtime for your business?

We know that every minute counts for your business. A replacement printer that offers plug-and-play options like support for major barcode label printer language and an easy-to-use operational interface will help keep your enterprise moving with minimal disruptions. Make sure to ask your vendor about transitioning the new printers into your organization and what effect it will have on your operation. 

3. Does the replacement printer have the functions and features you need for your operation?

You are making a long-term investment in a new thermal printer. Whether you are considering a mobile printer, desktop printer, or industrial printer, be sure the replacement printer has the options your business needs. Once you have confirmed the new printer has the basic functions and features of your old printer, you may consider any available customizations or upgrades that can help enhance your operation like RFID encoding or barcode verification. This is a perfect time to upgrade your thermal printer technology and improve operational efficiencies. Our award-winning T6000e is ideal for combining both technologies. It offers high-speed, high-quality RFID encoding on regular and on-metal labels. In addition,  our ODV-2D barcode inspection technology allows you to print, validate, verify, overstrike, and reprint labels in a single pass.

4. Does the replacement printer support the media you need to print?

Versatility is crucial for a replacement printer. Your enterprise is constantly growing and expanding, be sure your printer can grow with you. Selecting a replacement printer that offers a wide variety of options for print media will help you meet basic requirements and give you the ability to scale as needed. Choosing a replacement printer with compatible genuine supplies will help increase both the quality of your print and the longevity of your thermal printer investment.

5. What type of support will your vendor provide to help get you up and running with your new printer?

The only thing better than a great thermal printer is amazing customer support to go with it. Not all vendors are created equal. It is important that you work with a vendor that provides top-of-the-line technical support to guide you every step of the way. From selection to installation to continued support, choosing the right vendor will help make your printer replacement as smooth and seamless as possible.

We know replacing your fleet of printers is a mission-critical task. Let us help you find the right fit for your business and provide a smooth transition into your environment. Contact your local sales representative today or get started here.