Whether you’re running a business or enjoy making one-of-a-kind stickers for your scrapbooks, getting a suitable printer can really elevate the look of your stickers.
If you’re searching for printers that specialize in sticker printing, there are quite a few things you will need to consider. Since there are a lot of options, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs.
What are the best printers for stickers? For the best image resolution, you should opt for a printer that has an efficient printing speed and high color accuracy. Other options such as pocket printers are highly convenient, and laser printers can print in large quantities.
If you want to learn more about the best printers for your stickers, let’s take this journey together and help you find a suitable option for your needs.
How To Choose The Best Printers For Stickers
With all the options on the market, it can be daunting to find the best printers for stickers. When it comes to selecting the right printer, there are a few features that you will need to consider.
Printing Technology
There are three main types of printers: laser printers, inkjet printers, and zink (zero ink printers). Each of these types can be suitable for printing stickers, but there are some pros and cons as well.
Compared to inkjet printers, laser printers are faster and are better suited for large print runs. However, their image quality is not as good as that of inkjet printers because laser printers use toner rather than ink. Toner can be expensive to replace, but it will also last longer than ink.
In comparison, inkjet printers use ink rather than toner, and the ink cartridges are cheaper than toner, but they do need to be replaced more often. The trade-off is that inkjet printers often produce more high-quality prints, so the quality of the printed stickers will be far superior.
There are some disadvantages to inkjet printers, of course. The first is that inkjet printers take longer to print a single sheet, so producing large batches will be quite inefficient.
Inkjet printers also cannot print on black paper because the colors simply won’t show up. If you want to print colors on a dark background, only laser printers will be able to do that.
Why does it matter to know what kind of printer that you are using? Because it will affect the kind of paper that you will need to use in your printer.
Laser printers, for example, are only compatible with laser-printer paper. This is because the toner used in laser printers is heat-activated, so an incompatible type of paper will melt when it goes through the high heat of the laser printer.
Smaller pocket printers often use zero ink technology, which means the printer itself doesn’t have any ink or toner. Instead, the printer uses thermal paper that is embedded with heat-sensitive dye, and the printer uses heat to activate these colors when you print.
Of course, a weakness of this technology is that you will need to get the specific type of paper that will work with this type of printer, which can get expensive, especially if you want to print a lot of stickers.
Cartridge Replacements
When you are buying a printer, you’re not only paying the one-time cost of the printer; you will also be paying for the recurring cost of the toner or ink cartridges that you will need to replace in the future.
Ink and toner can be very expensive, so it’s worthwhile to consider what kind of cartridge replacement options are available.
Some printers, for example, only work with brand-name replacement cartridges, which are often very expensive. You should see whether the printer you are considering can work with generic replacement cartridges as well, which can save you quite a bit of money.
Some printer brands offer free cartridge replacements or a subscription to periodic cartridge replacements. You can look for those options when you buy a printer, which will save you quite a lot as well.
Print Resolution
Print resolution is usually measured by DPI or dots per inch. The higher this number, the sharper and more high-quality the printed image will be.
A resolution of 1000 x 1000 DPI is usually the minimum required for colored stickers; however, if you are printing branding stickers or labels for packages, the print doesn’t need to be very high to produce sharp details.
Color Accuracy
How the printed colors look compared to the colors you see on the phone or computer screen is largely dependent on the paper as well as the file’s color settings.
If you want the colors to be vibrant and highly accurate, it’s best to opt for a printer that uses at least five ink cartridges (or four toner cartridges for laser printers), which can produce the most accurate colors for your stickers.
Paper & Print Sizes
Nowadays, you can get pocket printers that can print as small as 4″ by 6″ stickers or larger printers that can print A4 or A3 sizes.
It’s best to check the paper sizes that are suitable for the printer you are buying and how available they are to buy from your local store or online.
If there are several sizes available for print sizes, that can also affect how productive you can be with your printer, especially if you want to print in large quantities.
Connectivity
There are lots of ways that you can connect your printer to your laptop or phone to print.
Most office printers can connect to your laptop with a USB cord, while other modern printers (and especially pocket printers) can connect with your phone or laptop via WiFi, Bluetooth, or even through an app.
These connectivity options allow you to quickly and easily set up your printer to print without too many cords to figure out. If you enjoy convenience, definitely have a look at the connectivity options.
Printing Speed
The printing speed is usually indicated by the PPM number (pages per minute), and it’s a good indicator of how productive you can be with your print jobs. This is especially important if you are printing a large quantity since you don’t want to wait around forever for the print job to finish.
PPM can range from 5-100 pages per minute. For most home printers, you’ll get a speed of around 5-30 pages per minute.
Big laser printers usually have a more productive printer speed than inkjet printers or small pocket printers. Of course, that also means that these printers are usually more expensive and space-consuming.
If you have small, infrequent printing jobs, then you can consider a more affordable printer with a slower printing speed.
Keep in mind that the printing speed can be affected by the image quality. If you are printing a very high-quality image that has a lot of vibrant colors, the printing speed can be slower than the speed indicated by the manufacturer.
Other Features
Printers are not only designed for stickers; they can also print photos and artworks, as well as scan and copy. If you want to make the most of a printer for your home office, you can also take a look at some other features that it offers.
Best Printers For Stickers
Let’s take a look at some great options for sticker printers that are suitable for different types of needs.
1. HP Sprocket Portable 2×3″ Instant Photo Printer
Got a project that needs to get out into the world in about 2 minutes? Whether you’re on the go or ready to party, the HP Sprocket portable printer is a great option for convenience.
You can connect to the printer via Bluetooth and print photos and stickers directly from your smartphone’s camera roll, or use the free HP app to edit your photos with cool borders, captions, and stickers – then print them out instantly on adhesive-backed paper.
With its compact size, you can also take the Sprocket anywhere for spontaneous fun, unexpected moments, or simple sharing. A battery charge lasts 35 prints, and this pocket-sized printer can print using 2″ x 3″ adhesive-backed paper.
This printer uses zero-ink technology, so you will also need to get the suitable HP sticky back paper to work. However, that also means that you don’t have to replace expensive toner or ink.
The quality of the prints is still quite impressive compared to inkjet printers, and you’ll get water-resistant, smudge-proof stickers in just a few minutes.
2. Canon IVY Mini Photo Printer for Smartphones
The Canon Mini Photo Printer is a pocket-sized photo printer that combines a compact size and stylish design, perfect for those who are always on the go or want to get a quick job done.
It is easy to print stickers from almost any type of smartphone via Bluetooth, or you can use the included Canon mini print app to edit your photos before printing. The app allows for easy editing, so you can choose the perfect filters and text fonts to make every picture special.
The mini sticker printer brings stickers to life with its pocket-size design and prints using Canon zero-ink technology, which means you will need to get Zink paper to print.
The image resolution is quite impressive for this kind of printing technology, 314 x 400 DPI, and you can print on 2×3″ adhesive-backed paper to create beautiful, vibrant stickers that you can use to decorate your scrapbooks or cards.
3. KODAK Step Wireless Mobile Photo Mini Printer
The KODAK Step Mini Printer is another compact and portable way to print photos and stickers. It is compatible with any iPhone or Android device via Bluetooth or the free Kodak app, which also allows you to edit your photos before printing.
It works well with 2×3″ sticky-back ZINK paper and features instant printing with no ink cartridge because it prints using zero-ink technology. This saves you quite a bit of money because there’s no need to worry about replacing ink or toner cartridges.
You can print 25 photos per charge with a printing speed of about 1 page per minute. This printer fits in the palm of your hand for easy portability, making it the ideal accessory for any traveler or fan at your party who would like their stickers printed instantly.
4. Brother VC-500W Versatile Compact Color Label and Photo Printer
The Brother VC-500W can deliver label and sticker printing for small businesses thanks to its convenient features.
This features ZINK (Zero Ink) Technology to deliver rich, vibrant photos and labels without the need for cartridges or toner. You can connect to the printer using Wi-Fi or Wireless Connectivity options or use the free Color Label Editor app to edit, print, and organize your designs.
This printer is amazing for small businesses because it prints on a continuous 25mm roll to deliver a big print in a short time. This is perfect if you want to make labels for your product or add a personal touch to your products’ packaging.
5. Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-In-One Color Inkjet Printer
If you are looking for an inkjet printer that can deliver superior color quality to your stickers, then this would be a strong contender.
The Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless All-In-One Color Inkjet Printer brings convenient, wireless mobile printing to your home office or small business. This printer features mobile device printing capability and wireless connectivity options, which are quite easy to set up.
The printing speed is 5.7 prints per minute for color printing, and it offers a maximum print resolution of 4800 x 1200 DPI for fine quality prints that are suitable for small businesses and professional sticker makers.
This printer works with A4 adhesive-backed paper. In addition to printing, you can also take advantage of other features like copy and scan, which are great for your home office as well.
6. HP DeskJet 4155e All-in-One Wireless Color Printer
This multifunction printer is designed with your home office and small businesses in mind.
The HP DeskJet 4155e All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer is able to create lab-quality colored prints with a resolution of up to 4800 x 1200 DPI, perfect for producing high-quality stickers for your business.
From printing and copying to scanning and faxing, the HP DeskJet 4155e All-in-One does it all easily, thanks to the various connectivity options (USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi). All the controls are easily accessible via a touch screen.
The printer also lets you print pictures or documents wirelessly from your smartphone using the HP Smart app.
With the purchase of this printer, you will also get six free months of ink. In addition, HP offers an ink subscription which makes replacing ink more convenient.
7. Epson PictureMate PM-400 Wireless Compact Color Photo Printer
Save space on your counter with this compact printer that can print 4×6″ and 5×7″ paper and prints efficiently in as fast as 8 seconds per image.
You can directly from your computer, tablets, and smartphone using Wi-Fi or USB connectivity options. In addition, the Epson PictureMate PM-400 also houses a built-in memory card slot, which allows you to preview and edit photos directly using the 2.7″ color display on the printer.
This printer can produce high-quality (5760 x 1440 DPI) stickers that are smudge, scratch, and water-resistant, which is just what you need if you are selling stickers – your customers will get the best quality product!
Keep in mind that this printer only works with CMYK color mode, so make sure to adjust your file to CMYK before printing to get the most color-accurate result.
8. Epson EcoTank ET-2750 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer
The Epson EcoTank ET-2750 printer uses revolutionary ink bottles to deliver unbeatable performance and quality, making it ideal for high-resolution printing stickers. It produces stunning color prints at up to 5760 x 1440 optimized DPI.
This printer is very easy to operate thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity for printing from your tablets and smartphones. Whether you’re printing color documents, text documents, or stickers, the ET-2750 delivers fast print speeds and optimal ink usage.
However, the feature that sets this printer apart from the rest is its cartridge-free design, which allows you to refill the ink when you run low.
This way, you can save the planet by reducing the number of plastic ink cartridges you throw away and save up to 80 percent on ink with low-cost replacement bottles. If you are an eco-conscious consumer that also wants to save money on ink, this is a great option.
9. Brother HL-L3210 USB & Wireless Digital Color Laser Printer
If quick and efficient printing is what you need, then getting yourself a laser printer would be the best option.
The Brother HL-L3210 Color Laser Printer offers quick print speeds up to 19 pages per minute without having to sacrifice the printing quality – you would still get a 2400 x 600 DPI for your stickers.
This printer has a 250-sheet capacity adjustable paper tray to house all your A4 sticker papers. You can print from your laptop, tablet, or smartphone, thanks to the USB and Wi-Fi connectivity options.
Thanks to the user of toner, you can print on black paper to produce stunning results. Toner also takes longer to run out, so you don’t have to worry about replacing the cartridges very often.
10. Brother Premium L-3270CDW Series Compact Digital Color Laser Printer
The Brother Premium L-3270CDW laser printer offers high-quality, professional results for all your sticker products. Get up to 25 pages per minute with 2400 x 600 DPI resolution, which is highly efficient if you run a small business.
You can connect to the printer using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, USB, or App to print easily and conveniently from any device, from your computer to tablets and smartphones.
The large 2.7″ color touchscreen display provides easy navigation of all your settings, while a deep memory capacity ensures that you can complete tasks with less waiting time and fewer interruptions.
11. HP Color LaserJet
The HP Color LaserJet Printer is a professional quality color laser printer at the speed and quality you need. This printer has Wi-Fi Direct Connectivity, which allows you to print from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
This is a highly efficient printer that can get huge printing jobs done quickly with a printing speed of up to 28 pages per minute and has a 600×600 DPI resolution.
In addition to printing stickers, labels, and other common office printing tasks, this printer can also scan, copy and fax your documents.
This is a great all-in-one printer that can be an amazing addition to your home office, especially if you’re running a small business where efficiency is the key to success.
Tips To Print High-Quality Stickers
Even with the best printer, mistakes can still happen. If your stickers are not turning out the way you want them to, then you’ve come to the right spot. Here are some of our tips to help you produce high-quality stickers.
Chose The Right Paper For Your Printer
As we’ve mentioned above, each type of printing technology requires you to use the proper type of paper for the printer to work. With Zink technology, you’ll need to get Zink paper for the image to show up because the dye is embedded in the paper rather than the printer.
With a laser printer, you’ll need to get a laser-printer sticker paper because the toner is heat-activated. Other types of sticker paper can melt when it is fed through a laser printer.
You can print your stickers on adhesive-backed paper, pre-cut labels, or vinyl paper. Adhesive-backed paper and pre-cut labels are usually not waterproof, and you will need to laminate the stickers after printing to preserve the colors.
Vinyl papers are waterproof but will only work with inkjet paper because the vinyl can melt when it goes through the laser printer.
There are some waterproof paper options that are suitable for both inkjet and laser printers, but you should always make sure that it is suitable for the printer that you have.
Use The Right Color Setting
If the colors of your stickers are not looking like the stickers on your computer screen, you may be using the wrong color profile. This is because most design files use an RGB color profile, which makes the designs more suitable for digital screens, and the colors are more vibrant.
However, papers are not computer screens, so you will need to switch to CMYK (cyan, magenta yellow, and black) to get the true colors when your design is printed on a sheet of paper.
This is not a fool-proof process, of course. CMYK tends to wash out very light colors, so if you have a light yellow or baby pink, the printed stickers may look white rather than what you see on the screen.
To avoid this issue, you should always use a darker color in the design. This way, when the stickers are printed, the colors can show up well.
If you are printing directly from the printer brand’s app or from a memory card, then you don’t have to worry about this issue. Usually, the app or the printer will automatically adjust the file for you to get the best print quality possible.
Check The Print Quality
For most home printers, you can adjust the print quality to “high” rather than “standard” and even adjust to the right paper setting to make sure that the printer can produce the best quality stickers.
Of course, higher quality prints also consume more ink and will take longer to print, so if you’re running a small business, this is a trade-off that you will need to consider when printing.
Check The Ink/Toner Cartridges
If you’ve done all of these steps and your colors are still not turning out well, it may be the case that one (or a few) of your ink or toner cartridges are running low.
Since the primary colors in the cartridges are mixed together to create the shades you see on the paper, one cartridge running low can dull the entire print.
Before you print in a large batch, it’s worthwhile to check the ink or toner cartridges to make sure that you have enough for the print job.
If you’re not sure, you can do a test run to see if the image quality is good before going ahead with a big batch of stickers. This way, you can always make sure that you’ll get the quality you want from your printer.
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