Grocery store profit margins are notoriously lean, averaging around one to three percent. However, deli margins can reach upwards of 40 percent for some products. If you want to boost your store’s profitability, effective deli management is one of the best ways to do it.
One way to manage your deli more effectively? Deli labels.
Clean, clear, customized labels not only help your busy staff keep orders straight; they let your customers know what they're getting and tempt them to try new options.
Unfortunately, most budget printers won't cut it for handling high-volume food production conditions. You need a commercial-grade label printer to label the products in your grocery store deli.
This post covers three options for deli label printers. Then, we’ll discuss the factors you should compare when selecting the best deli label printer for your store.
What Belongs on Your Deli Labels?
Before we explore our list of the top label printers for grocery stores, let’s answer a critical question: Shat information belongs on your deli labels?
Related Read: Why Do I Need a Deli POS System?
Labels are critical for helping provide your customers with information and transparency about products sold from your deli. Some fields to consider including are:
- Product Name and Description: Provide the complete name describing the item, specifying variety or cut if applicable. Descriptive names allow customers to clearly identify products at a glance.
- Complete Ingredient List: Detail every single component used within the product formula, separating wet and dry ingredients into logical groupings. Call out common allergens like gluten and nuts. With complete ingredients and allergen notifications, customers with restrictions can safely shop your offerings confidently.
- Serving Size and Nutrition Facts: Specify serving sizes. This information provides context around the nutrition facts panel to understand intake quantities related to daily nutritional needs and restrictions.
- Country of Origin: Specify the country of origin for main components like turkey, cheese types, vegetables or grain ingredients. Customers will appreciate this information, and you can charge a premium for locally-sourced products and ingredients.
- Storage and Preparation: Include optimal storage instructions and preparation guidelines if items require cooking, heating, or serving suggestions. Providing usage best practices ensures ideal enjoyment of your deli creations.
- Weight, Quantity, and Pricing: Clearly denote weight in ounces or pounds plus item counts for consistent customer clarity. The corresponding price per pound or per item eliminates checkout confusion.
- Use-By/Expiration Dating: Print quality and safety date codes, differentiating between “sell-by” dates for staff versus “use-by” or “best before” dates for consumers to finish products by.
- Contact Information: List your store’s name, website, and physical address so customers can conveniently get in touch with questions.
Incorporating these elements creates comprehensive, transparent labels that build long-term deli consumer confidence while meeting regulatory requirements. With this information in mind, let’s examine our list of the top deli label printers you might explore for your grocery store.
1. Brother QL-1110NWB
Overview:
The Brother QL-1110NWB is a wide-format label printer that connects via Bluetooth, Ethernet, or wireless interfaces for flexible use. Printing up to 4-inch labels at speeds reaching 69 per minute, it handles high volumes suited for shipping departments and e-commerce sellers.
Key Features:
- Bluetooth, Ethernet, and WiFi connectivity
- Auto-crop function easily formats shipping and product labels
- Fast speed — up to 69 label prints per minute
- Works with common software platforms
- Uses direct thermal printing instead of ink/toner
Specifications and Hardware:
At 6.7 x 8.7 x 5.9 inches and weighing 3 pounds, this desktop label printer handles media up to 4 inches wide at speeds hitting 69 labels per minute at a 300x300 dpi maximum resolution.
Power and Software:
Certified ENERGY STAR compliant using standard 120V AC power, it works with all major operating systems (including Windows and Mac OS) while supporting CSV database connectivity for printing labels from Excel spreadsheets and other sources.
Warranty and Support:
Brother protects the QL-1110NWB label maker with a 2-year limited warranty and exchange service program.
2. DYMO LabelWriter 450
Product Overview:
The DYMO LabelWriter 450 simplifies label printing for envelopes, folders, name tags, and more using direct thermal technology. It also handles deli and point of sale labels.
Key Features:
- Fast print speeds up to 51 labels per minute
- Eliminates ink costs through direct thermal printing
- Easily prints labels from Outlook, Excel, Word, and Google Contacts
- Works optimally with DYMO label stock
- Versatile for shipping, organizing, and name badges
Specifications and Hardware:
Measuring 4.875 x 5.75 x 7.25 inches, this label printer works with DYMO Connect software for Windows and Mac. This printer is designed for LabelWriter label rolls.
Included Parts and Warranty:
The LabelWriter 450 ships with the printer unit, an address label starter roll, a power adapter with cable, a USB cable, and a quick start guide. DYMO protects it with a 2-year limited warranty.
3. Zebra Mobile Label Printer - ZQ32-A0W01R0-00
Product Overview:
The Zebra ZQ320 is a mobile label printer with the full product identification number of ZQ32-A0W01R0-00. This unit prints labels up to 1.89 inches wide via direct thermal technology. It connects wirelessly using 802.11ac WiFi or Bluetooth 4.1.
Key Features:
- Ideal for shelf-edge, staging, and warehouse labels
- Works with mobile point of sale, return labels, and packing labels
- No ink is needed; direct thermal printing
- Prints barcodes, text, and graphics
Specifications and Hardware:
The box contains the Zebra printer, belt clip, and battery. It has an adjustable width and an easy-to-read LCD screen with different media loading sizes. The Zebra ZQ320 prints labels up to 1.89 inches wide and supports horizontal and vertical printing modes.
Inclusions and Compatibility:
Equipped with simultaneous dual-band Bluetooth and WiFi, this printer enables cable-free use while an optional charger is sold separately.
Additional Information and Warranty:
As an additional recommended product, customizable 2 x 1 inch removable adhesive labels from LabelValue.com can be purchased for $12.43 to work with this mobile printer. No warranty information is listed for this printer.
Key Considerations for Selecting Deli Label Printers
When evaluating your options for a deli label printer, compare your options along the following parameters:
- Print Quality and Speed
- Label Customization and Variability
- Point of Sale Compatibility
- Durability and Reliability
- Support and Warranty
- Reviews and Recommendations
- Price
Manage Your Deli Labels the Easy Way
The three label printers listed in this post all offer strong options and features for grocery store delis. But finding the right labels and printers is really just step one. To truly take your deli operations to the next level, you need a label printer fully integrated within your point of sale system.
IT Retail is a fully customizable hardware and software system designed to tie your deli operations into your broader grocery store business. From tracking bulk deli meats and salads to prepared foods like sandwiches, salads, and meal kits, our POS has everything you need to simplify inventory, standardize labels across offerings, generate reports, promote specials, and more.
Do yourself a favor and schedule a demo with the IT Retail team today. Our experts will walk you through the software and hardware designed specificallyfor specialty markets, so that you can streamline your grocery store operations.