Color label printers are one of the latest and most popular advancements in label printing. Today, businesses are using labels to advertise their brand name. Labels can contain photos, graphics, colorful text, illustrations and attractively placed barcodes.

Color label printers make logistics management easier as the labels can be color-coded or designed to suit a particular product. Each label can be coded with a different color by product, location, destination, size, sell-by-date, WIP, private label, mailing, data codes, order references, lot numbers and other categories. This makes product differentiation easier.

Color label printers not only make labels more attractive but also come with several options like: multiple print resolutions, compatibility with Windows or Mac software, ability to read different kinds of fonts, texts and even graphics, word-wrap and shrink-to-fit capabilities for printing any size and kind of font, color coding for different kinds of labels and more. They also have long-term memory storage, intelligent sensors, barcode printing ability, rich vibrant colors of around 600x600 dpi or more (as much as 4800 x 1200 dpi), flexible media sizes and types, ability to print on various kinds of materials like fabric, gloss, semi-gloss, clear and synthetic tags, flexible label widths ranging and web-enabled email support. They are durable, suitable for all kinds of environments, from an office desktop to an industrial location. They can print any number of labels from tens to several thousands per day. Other features include indicator lights, easy controls like pause, stop/cancel and feed, label design software and variable print speeds.

There are hundreds of color label printers available. The minimum requirements are Pentium® III computer or better, 128MB RAM, 500MB free hard drive space, USB 1.1/2.0 port, Windows XP/2000 operating system, 100-240VAC, and 50/60 Hz, 60 watts power. These however differ based on the model. The prices of color label printers may be as high as $2000 or more, depending on the features.