Brother has refreshed its compact labelling lineup, which now include linerless labelling capabilities for the first time and are aimed at customers in a broad range of sectors.
With demand for label printing increasing across a variety of sectors – and customer demands changing too, with more emphasis on sustainability – manufacturers are responding and launching or refreshing their printer ranges.
One such company is Brother UK, which has upgraded its range of compact, desktop label printers to help users improve efficiency, sustainability and compliance.
The new TD-2D range, which replaces the TD-2 series of devices, comprises 11 new two-inch thermal label printers, and includes models with the ability to print on linerless labels for the first time.
Two new models in the range are linerless compatible, the TD-2320DFC and TD-2350DFC. By removing the non-recyclable backing paper typically used to deliver the labels, businesses can reduce waste and improve productivity, saving time by going straight from print to application.
TD-2D devices aren’t one-size-fits-all and can be easily customised, giving partners the opportunity to shape bespoke models for customers’ needs – something that is increasingly desired by customers. Available accessories include an auto cutter for variable label lengths from continuous printing, as well as a peeler to simplify label backing removal and streamline operations. A battery pack and carry handle is also available to support on-the-go operations.
No need for external connection
Ease of use was a priority for Brother, and this can be seen in how users can create and print labels from a 3.5” colour touch screen and keyboard, eliminating the need to connect to laptops and external tablets.
This feature is available for the TD-2D DSA models, offering customers a standalone solution and the option to create shortcuts to frequently printed labels. It should be especially useful for those working in hospitality and catering businesses, where it can help improve efficiencies with quick categorisation and easier selection, while maintaining compliance.
Range of sectors
But Brother’s compact desktop range is also aimed at customers across the food, healthcare and retail sectors.
For instance, all devices are compatible with optional IEC 60601 compliant AC adaptors, which meet the safety and performance requirements for the medical field. The TD-2D range can be used in the healthcare sector to create chart and sample labels, as well as dosage and quantity notes.
The range has also been upgraded to meet the changing needs of the food industry, with businesses facing greater regulation and legislation, including Natasha’s Law, to ensure nutrition and allergen information is clearer to customers. The entire TD-2D range can be used in busy kitchen environments where users need to print labels in the middle of food preparation and clean quickly at the end of a service.
The TD-2D range’s compact design also makes devices ideal to use on crowded retail desktops and counters, without sacrificing valuable workspace. Productivity and efficiency are also increased by enabling busy workers to print a wide range of labels on the shop floor by using standalone TD-2Ds alongside a trolley or mobile workstation.
Improving efficiency and sustainability
“For businesses across healthcare, retail, hospitality and catering, compliance is essential,” says Simon Brennan, senior business manager – Specialist Printing Solutions at Brother UK. “But managers and infrastructure leads will be looking at where they can improve efficiency and sustainability at the same time. The upgraded TD-2D range offers resellers the opportunity to provide customers with labelling solutions that cater to this demand, as well as their individual needs.
“The new range delivers on the full suite of features customers expect from our TD-2s. We’ve also seen increasing demand for linerless labelling and our upgraded range taps into this, to help businesses seeking to enhance productivity, make sustainability gains, reduce waste and improve health and safety.
All models have also been upgraded to the USB type-C, and the TD-2350D, TD-2350DSA and TD-2350DFC are WiFi and Bluetooth compatible. The upgraded range prints at 6ips with resolution of up to 300dpi and is compatible with a variety of printer command languages including ZPL 2, EPL 2 and DPL emulations for seamless integration into new and existing solutions. Simon Brennan concludes:
“All devices can also be used with our free P-Touch editor software to create and edit templates, and our expert team is on hand to support partners and their customers to create custom labels tailored to unique needs. Continuously investing in, and advancing, our specialist labelling print technology demonstrates how we live for the label.”