Best Printers for Etsy Sellers by Use Case
Rollo X1038
Fast 4x6 shipping labels, no ink needed
~$200
DYMO LabelWriter 5XL
Official Etsy recommended, reliable
~$280
Epson EcoTank ET-2800
Color stickers, thank you cards, low ink cost
~$230
MUNBYN Bluetooth
Print from phone, craft fair friendly
~$130
Do You Need Multiple Printers?
Most successful Etsy sellers use TWO printers: a thermal printer for shipping labels (no ink costs, fast) and an inkjet for color stickers, thank you cards, and product inserts. This combo saves money in the long run.
Rollo X1038 Thermal Printer
The Workhorse for Shipping Labels
The Rollo X1038 is built specifically for high-volume Etsy sellers. It prints 4x6 shipping labels at blazing speeds with zero ink costs since thermal printers use heat to activate the label coating. Over time, this saves hundreds of dollars compared to inkjet shipping labels.
Setup is plug-and-play simple. The Rollo works directly with Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, eBay, USPS, UPS, and FedEx. Labels are held in an open tray that accommodates rolls or fanfold stacks. At 238mm per second, you'll print a label in about one second.
Cost Comparison
Thermal labels cost about $15-20 per 500 labels (3-4 cents each). Inkjet labels on a regular printer cost 10-20 cents each when you factor in ink. If you ship 100 orders/month, thermal saves $100+/year.
Pros
- No ink or toner ever needed
- Incredibly fast printing
- Works with all major platforms
- Accepts rolls and fanfold labels
- Compact desktop size
Cons
- Black and white only
- Requires special thermal labels
- Can't print stickers or cards
- Not portable (USB/power needed)
Best For:
Etsy sellers shipping 20+ orders per week who want fast, economical shipping labels. Essential for anyone doing high volume.
DYMO LabelWriter 5XL
The Etsy-Recommended Choice
DYMO is the only brand Etsy officially recommends, and the LabelWriter 5XL is their flagship 4x6 shipping label printer. It integrates seamlessly with Etsy's shipping label system and produces clear, scannable labels every time.
The 5XL includes DYMO's label design software with 60+ templates for custom labels beyond shipping. Create barcode labels, address labels, and branded product labels. The USB-C connection provides modern compatibility with newer computers.
Pros
- Etsy officially recommended
- 60+ label templates included
- USB-C modern connection
- Excellent software support
- Very reliable printing
Cons
- DYMO labels cost more
- No WiFi option
- Black and white only
- More expensive than competitors
Best For:
Sellers who want guaranteed Etsy compatibility, need custom label templates, and value brand reliability over lowest cost.
Epson EcoTank ET-2800
Color Stickers Without Breaking the Bank
If you sell stickers, print thank you cards, or include branded inserts in your packages, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 delivers color printing at a fraction of traditional ink costs. The supertank design holds enough ink for approximately 4,500 color pages before needing a refill.
Print on glossy sticker paper, matte cardstock, or regular paper with excellent color vibrancy. The dye-based ink produces saturated colors that look great on stickers and promotional materials. At about 1 cent per color page, you can print thousands of thank you cards without worry.
Sticker Printing Tips
Use waterproof sticker paper for items that might get wet. The ET-2800's dye ink can smear if exposed to water. For truly waterproof stickers, consider a Cricut with vinyl or a dedicated sticker printer like the Primera LX500.
Pros
- Incredibly low ink costs
- Full color printing
- Scan and copy included
- WiFi printing from phone
- Compact size
Cons
- Dye ink not waterproof
- Slower than thermal
- Max 8.5x14" paper
- Higher upfront cost
Best For:
Etsy sellers making stickers, thank you cards, branded inserts, and any color printing needs. Pairs perfectly with a thermal printer for labels.
MUNBYN Bluetooth Thermal Printer
Print From Your Phone Anywhere
The MUNBYN Bluetooth thermal printer brings wireless convenience to shipping labels. Print directly from your phone or tablet via Bluetooth, perfect for sellers who work from multiple locations or do craft fairs and markets.
Setup takes about one minute: download the MUNBYN app, pair via Bluetooth, and start printing. The printer works with Etsy, Shopify, USPS, and other platforms. Compact enough to take to craft shows or pop-up events.
Pros
- Bluetooth wireless printing
- Print from phone/tablet
- Very affordable
- Compact and portable
- Fast one-minute setup
Cons
- Slower than USB printers
- Bluetooth can be finicky
- Still needs power outlet
- Black and white only
Best For:
Sellers who want wireless convenience, work from different locations, or sell at craft fairs and need mobile label printing.
Etsy Printer Comparison
| Model | Type | Color | Connection | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rollo X1038 | Thermal | B&W | USB | Shipping Labels | $200 |
| DYMO 5XL | Thermal | B&W | USB-C | Shipping Labels | $280 |
| Epson ET-2800 | Inkjet | Color | WiFi/USB | Stickers/Cards | $230 |
| MUNBYN Bluetooth | Thermal | B&W | Bluetooth | Portable Labels | $130 |
Thermal vs Inkjet: What Etsy Sellers Need
Why Most Sellers Need Both
1 Thermal Printer
- ✓ Shipping labels (4x6)
- ✓ Product barcode labels
- ✓ Address labels
- ✓ Packing slips (if B&W okay)
- ✓ Zero ink costs
- ✗ No color capability
2 Inkjet Printer
- ✓ Color stickers
- ✓ Thank you cards
- ✓ Branded inserts
- ✓ Product photos
- ✓ Catalog pages
- ✗ Higher ink costs
The Recommended Combo for Etsy Sellers
Rollo X1038 + Epson ET-2800
Total: ~$430
Best overall value. Rollo handles all shipping labels at zero ink cost, ET-2800 prints color stickers and thank you cards at 1 cent per page.
Budget Alternative
MUNBYN + ET-2800: ~$360
MUNBYN is cheaper than Rollo with Bluetooth convenience. Same ET-2800 for color printing needs.
Etsy Printer Buying Guide
Questions to Ask Yourself
How many orders do you ship per week?
Under 10: Regular printer is fine. 10-50: Consider thermal. 50+: Thermal is essential.
Do you sell stickers or printed products?
If yes, you need an inkjet printer for color output. The Epson ET-2800 or ET-2850 are best for low ink costs.
Do you sell at craft fairs or markets?
Consider a Bluetooth thermal printer like MUNBYN for on-site label printing from your phone.
What's your budget?
$130: MUNBYN Bluetooth. $200: Rollo. $230: ET-2800 for color. $430: Rollo + ET-2800 combo.
Label Cost Breakdown
| Method | Cost/Label | 100 Labels | 1,000 Labels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular inkjet on paper | ~$0.15 | $15 | $150 |
| Inkjet on label sheets | ~$0.10 | $10 | $100 |
| Thermal labels | ~$0.04 | $4 | $40 |
Thermal saves $110 per 1,000 labels. A $200 thermal printer pays for itself in under 2,000 labels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What printer does Etsy recommend for shipping labels? ▼
Etsy officially recommends Zebra thermal printers for shipping labels. The Zebra ZD220 is popular among sellers. However, DYMO, Rollo, and MUNBYN thermal printers also work perfectly with Etsy and often cost less. Any 4x6 thermal label printer will work.
Do I need a thermal printer for Etsy? ▼
If you ship more than 10-20 orders per week, a thermal printer saves time and money. Thermal printers don't use ink, so ongoing costs are just the labels (about $15-20 per 500). For very low volume, printing labels on a regular printer is fine, but a thermal printer pays for itself quickly.
What printer should I use for Etsy stickers? ▼
For color stickers, use an inkjet printer like the Epson EcoTank ET-2800, which offers the lowest ink costs. Use waterproof sticker paper if your stickers might get wet. For small black and white labels, a thermal printer with 2" labels works great. For truly waterproof stickers, consider vinyl with a Cricut.
Can I use thermal labels with Etsy shipping? ▼
Yes! Etsy's shipping labels are designed to work with 4x6 thermal labels. When you print a shipping label from Etsy, select your thermal printer and 4x6 label size. The labels are already formatted correctly for thermal printers.
What's the cheapest way to print shipping labels? ▼
Thermal label printing is the cheapest at about 3-4 cents per label. Compare this to 10-15 cents using an inkjet printer (ink + paper). A $200 thermal printer pays for itself after roughly 2,000 labels. Buy generic thermal labels on Amazon for the best prices.
What size labels work with Etsy? ▼
Etsy shipping labels print at 4x6 inches, which is the standard shipping label size used by USPS, UPS, and FedEx. Any 4x6 thermal label will work. You can use rolls or fanfold stacks depending on your printer model.
Our Recommendation for Etsy Sellers
For most Etsy sellers, we recommend the Rollo X1038 for shipping labels and the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 for color stickers and thank you cards. This combo covers all your printing needs at the lowest operating cost.