Which linerless printer should I choose for shipping labels?

Zebra ZD, Brother TD, TSC, Sato: our top 10 4-inch linerless printers for printing parcel labels, selection criteria, and 100 mm linerless rolls suitable for shipping.

TSi Shop
 5 min read
Bobine d'étiquettes linerless 100 mm pour étiquettes de transport
Contents

Why switch to linerless for shipping labels?

L'shipping label is the most frequently printed format in a warehouse: one per parcel, sometimes two. With conventional labels, each one leaves behind silicone backing that goes in the bin. With linerless labels, the adhesive is applied directly to the back of the thermal paper and protected by a non-stick coating on the printed side: there's no backing to throw away.

For a shipping station, this makes a difference in three ways:

  • More labels per roll: without backing, a roll of the same diameter holds much more paper, so you need to change rolls less often.
  • A label that's the right length: the printer cuts after printing. A 100 x 150 mm carrier label, a longer picking slip or a small loading dock label can all be printed from the same roll.
  • Zero backing waste: no silicone backing strips left on the floor or jamming conveyors, plus a tangible benefit for your CSR report.

Criteria for choosing a printer

What to check before buying

Linerless version
Linerless printing requires a dedicated drive roller and cutter: you need a factory-configured linerless model or the manufacturer's kit; a standard printer isn't enough
Width
4 inches: the printer must support 100 mm-wide paper
Roll diameter
It determines capacity: small rolls for mobile printers, large rolls for fixed stations
Core
25, 40 or 76 mm, depending on the model
Volume
Desktop for up to a few hundred parcels per day, industrial for higher volumes, mobile for labeling at the loading dock or on the road
Resolution
203 dpi is enough for carrier barcodes; 300 dpi is best for small text and dense 2D codes

Top 10 linerless printers for shipping labels

1. Zebra ZD621d Linerless

Zebra's leading 4-inch desktop printer, factory-configured for linerless printing. Robust and fast, with an optional color display: the natural choice for a shipping station that runs all day.

2. Zebra ZD421d Linerless

The more compact and affordable model in the ZD range, also available factory-configured for linerless printing. Ideal for an e-commerce business or small warehouse looking for Zebra reliability without going all the way to the ZD621.

3. Brother TD-4550DNWBFC

L's 4-inch linerless desktop printer from Brother, with 300 dpi, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It supports linerless labels from 39 to 106 mm wide: 100 mm labels fit without a problem.

4. Brother TD-4420DNFC

The 203 dpi version of Brother's linerless range, with Ethernet. A good compromise for printing medium volumes of carrier labels.

5. TSC DA linerless range

TSC offers linerless versions in its 4-inch DA desktop range (DA210, DA220, DA310, DA320). An affordable alternative to the two leading brands, available to order in a linerless version.

6. Zebra ZT411 Linerless

For high-volume printing: Zebra's industrial printer is available in a linerless version. It supports large rolls and is designed for shipping lines that print several thousand labels a day.

7. Sato CL4NX Plus

A 4-inch industrial printer with a linerless mode: Sato lists linerless labels from 60 to 118 mm wide. A production machine designed for continuous operation.

8. Zebra ZQ630 Plus Linerless

Zebra’s 4-inch mobile Linerless printer. Worn on a belt, it prints labels at the foot of the pallet or at the loading dock, without having to go back and forth to a stationary workstation.

9. TSC Alpha-40L

TSC's 4-inch mobile printer, which supports linerless printing with the manufacturer's linerless kit. A flexible solution for warehouses equipping multiple pickers.

10. Brother RJ-4250WB

Brother's rugged 4-inch mobile printer, available in a linerless version with the Brother kit (RJ-4250WBL). Drop-resistant, it's suitable for both the loading dock and delivery routes.

Also available in a linerless version: the Honeywell PC45d and the Toshiba TEC B-FV4D, two 4-inch desktop printers.

Check the exact model number. The same product range often includes both standard and linerless versions. The full model number (on the nameplate or invoice) is what matters: send it to us and we'll confirm compatibility before you order.

100 mm linerless labels for shipping

Our 100 mm wide linerless rolls are made in France using direct thermal paper, for parcel labeling and logistics. They are available with permanent or reinforced adhesive, recommended for recycled cartons, dusty surfaces or parcels stored in cold conditions.

Available 100 mm sizes

100 x 50 mm, 25 mm core
14 m, small roll for mobile printers
100 x 66 mm, 25 mm core
30 m, mobile and compact printers
100 x 115 mm, 25 mm core
100 m, desktop printers, permanent or reinforced adhesive
100 x 126 mm, 40 mm core
110 to 120 m, desktop printers, permanent or reinforced adhesive
100 x 200 mm, 76 mm core
270 to 290 m, large rolls for industrial printers

The first number is the width, and the second is the roll's outer diameter. Choose the right size based on your printer's compartment: the maximum diameter and the core size it accepts. A 100 x 150 mm shipping label can be cut from any of these rolls, since the printer determines the length.

How do you find the right roll for your printer?

Find your model using our Printer compatibility tool: each product page indicates whether the printer is available in a linerless version and lists the compatible rolls. To try it out, order a sample: check the adhesion on your cartons and how it feeds through your machine before ordering a carton.

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