Label printers are used to print labels or adhesive stamps. Most label printers are capable of printing bar codes. Printing width, printing rate, resolution, colors, and interface are important performance specifications to consider. Printing or marking width is the width of the characters produced by the label printer. Printing rate is the linear rate at which ink jet printers and other marking equipment can perform. Printer resolution is the number of dots per square inch (dpi) a printer can output. Generally, label printers with a higher dpi have a higher resolution. Some label printers can output multiple colors. Others feature a serial, digital, network, or fieldbus interface. Maximum paper length, maximum paper width, and maximum paper thickness are additional considerations when selecting label printers. In terms of media handling, label printers can print on general-purpose paper, single sheets, fan-fold or continuous stock, webs or rolls, glass or ceramics, metals, plastics, semiconductors or electronics, textiles or composites, wood or corrugated paper, or irregular surfaces.

