Brother QL-820NWB Wi-Fi/ Bluetooth Label Maker [Review]

Brother launched the QL-800-series as a new addition to its professional label printer lineup, which includes the QL-820NWB. The QL-820NWB is the flagship model, which in many ways, is similar to its predecessor, the QL-720NW. This feature-rich label maker can be used as a standalone machine and works well with PCs, mobile, and tablets. Brother QL-820NWB can be connected via USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Wi- Fi.

QL-820NWB: Design & Overview

The QL-820NWB is a compact, light device that measures 5.7’’x5’’x9.2 and weighs 2.6 pounds. The Brother Printers model has various connectivity options, including USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi Direct. Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct connectivity enable you to design and print labels from PCs, smartphones, and tablets on your network.

The Brother model supports continuous label media up to 2.4 inches wide and die-cut and can print up to 3 feet long banners. A built-in cutter at the end of the paper path rapidly and efficiently cuts continuous paper labels. Its printing resolution ranges from 100 to 600 DPI. However, we noticed little quality difference on labels printed above 300 DPI on most labels, especially those containing only text. Although with higher resolutions, the printer produced better-looking graphics and pictures; the printer slowed down a bit with each resolution increase.

With the right paper installed, the QL-820NWB can print in all black, black, red, or red. Besides printing and designing labels connected to a computer and an AC power source, the QL-820NWB can also be used as a standalone label maker with the help of an optional 1750mAh 26Wh battery. A graphical monochrome LCD anchors the QL-820NWB seven-button control panel. It lets you create labels from templates stored on the printer’s in-built memory.

Templates designed in P-touch Editor can be downloaded and stored in the printer’s in- built memory. You can access, edit, and print those templates from there without connecting to a PC, mobile, or tablet. Besides assisting you with setting up and printing labels, the display lets you see the current label type, dimensions, date, and time. To print simple labels, using your computer or mobile device with Brother’s powerful and versatile software is advisable.

QL-820NWB: Setup and Installation

The only thing you need to get the printer up and running is to load one of the two starter label cartridges into the printer and thread the paper into the output slot. Once you switch on the printer, it will automatically detect the paper size and type, and you can see them on the control panel. Next, connect the printer to a PC using the USB cable to use it via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. If no disc is included in the package, head to Brother’s installation site to download and install the drivers and software.

The Brother application will discover the printer model number via USB and download and install the essential software. Along the way, the application lets you select your network connectivity method. In addition to the drivers, the software bundle includes the P-touch Update program and P-touch Editor 5.1 for Windows and Mac and P-touch Address Book 1.2 for Windows OS.

P-touch Editor is a versatile, feature-packed label layout program that is the primary label design and print software. It enables you to customize your labels with text, borders, barcodes, symbols, backdrops, clipart, and contacts from your database. It also allows you to add dates, time stamps, logos, images, and photographs. Unlock your creativity to create some elaborate labels. P-touch Address Book is a database program that stores mailing list data to generate mailing labels. If you want to create your integrated and automated label-printing apps, Brother also lets you do that.

The company offers software development kits for Windows, iOS, and Android. Brother also offers its iPrint&Label mobile app that can be connected to the QL- 820NWB. Although P-touch Editor is better than it, the app offers some great options for designing and laying out labels, which you can access from your smartphone or tablet. Once you get the hang of the app, you can generate several labels in just a few minutes. The app will be handy when the printer is running on the optional battery.

QL-820NWB: Print Speed and Label Quality

According to Brother, QL-820NWB can print up to 110 labels per minute; this does not cover cutting. However, the printing speed of QL-820NWB depends on what you're printing. The QL-820NWB printed three-line die-cut address labels at a speed of 102.2lpm without cutting, and it took around 20lpm when you let the printer do the cutting.

As the printer quality goes, the QL-820WNB does an excellent job. The small type came out readable and reasonably crisp. The larger type prints also turned out good with even edges. The graphics and logos looked good enough for most business-labeling applications.

FAQs

How to merge data onto labels?

A Microsoft Office add-on connects P-touch Editor to Excel or.csv files to merge data onto labels that swiftly allow you to print mailing labels. Another MS Office add-on allows you to click, highlight, and print from within Word, Excel, Outlook, or Word.

How much will it cost to print a single babel using the Brother QL-820NWB?

The amount you will spend per label depends on the label type. The die-cut 1.1x3.5- inch standard address labels come in a pack of 400-label rolls and will cost you about 3.9 cents per label.

What kind of connectivity options do you get with QL-820NWB?

The printer supports wired and wireless networking, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth. When combined with your PC or mobile device, this feature-packed labeling system can print professional-looking labels quickly and efficiently.

Source: Brother QL-820NWB