If you run a business in Singapore that deals with inventory, products, or shipments, you know how important it is to have a reliable barcode printer and scanner. A barcode printer and scanner can help you track, label, and accurately manage your items. But with so many available options, how do you choose the best one for your needs?
Worry not because this blog post will guide you through choosing the best barcode printer and scanner for your Singapore office. We will discuss the benefits of using this equipment, its types, and the features to look out for.
Benefits of Using a Barcode Printer and Scanner
A barcode printer and scanner can offer you many advantages for your business, such as:
Saving time and money
You can automate the process of labelling and scanning your items, reducing the need for manual input and human errors with a barcode printer and scanner. This can save you time and money on labour, materials, and inventory management.
Improving accuracy and efficiency
Do you want to ensure that your items are correctly identified and tracked throughout the supply chain? A barcode printer and scanner can improve your accuracy and efficiency in inventory control, order fulfilment, quality assurance, and customer service.
Enhancing security and compliance
A barcode printer and scanner can help you comply with the regulations and standards of your industry. This can enhance your security and compliance regarding product safety, traceability, and accountability.
Types of Barcode Printers in Singapore
Different types of barcode printers suit various purposes and environments. Here are some of the most common ones for barcode printers in Singapore:
Thermal Barcode Printers
Thermal barcode printers use heat to transfer ink or wax onto labels or tags. They are fast, quiet, and durable but require special thermal paper or ribbon to print.
Two subtypes of thermal barcode printers are direct thermal and thermal transfer.
Direct thermal printers use heat-sensitive paper that darkens when exposed to heat. They are cheaper and easier to use, but they produce labels that fade over time or when exposed to heat or sunlight.
Thermal transfer printers use a ribbon that melts onto the paper when heated. They are more expensive and complex to use. However, they produce labels that are more durable and resistant to heat, sunlight, chemicals, or abrasion.
Inkjet Barcode Printers
Inkjet barcode printers use ink cartridges to spray ink onto labels or tags. They are versatile, high- quality, and colourful but require regular maintenance and cleaning to prevent clogging or smudging. They also consume more ink and paper than thermal printers.
Laser Barcode Printers
Laser barcode printers use laser beams to etch images onto labels or tags. They are precise, fast, and high-resolution but require expensive toner cartridges and printing paper. They also generate more heat and noise than thermal printers.
Dot Matrix Barcode Printers
Dot matrix barcode printers use pins to strike an ink ribbon onto labels or tags. They are cheap, simple, and reliable, but they produce low-quality labels that are noisy, slow, and prone to smearing.

Types of Barcode Printers in Singapore
Similar to barcode scanners, you can also find many types of barcode printers. Barcode scanners in Singapore can also be classified into different types based on technology, design, or functionality.
Laser Barcode Scanners
Laser barcode scanners use a laser beam to read the reflectance of the bars and spaces on a barcode. They are accurate, fast, and long-range but can only read one-dimensional (1D) barcodes with vertical lines.
Image-Based Barcode Scanners
Image-based barcode scanners use a camera to capture an image of the barcode and decode it using software. They are versatile, high-quality, and capable of reading two-dimensional (2D) barcodes that consist of squares or dots. However, they require more processing power and memory than laser scanners.
Pen-type Barcode Scanners
Pen-type barcode scanners use a light source and a photodiode to measure the voltage changes as the tip of the pen moves across the barcode. They are cheap, simple and portable, but they require direct contact with the barcode and a steady hand to scan.
Features to Look for in a Barcode Printer and Scanner
When choosing a barcode printer and scanner for your Singapore office, consider the features listed below.
Print resolution
Print resolution refers to the quality of the printed image that is measured in dots per inch (DPI). The image will look sharper and clearer if the DPI is high.
That is why you should choose a print resolution that matches your barcode type and size. It is especially important if you use small or dense barcodes, you may need a higher print resolution than large or sparse barcodes.
Print Speed
This feature refers to how fast the printer can produce labels or tags measured in inches per second (IPS). The faster the printer. That is why if you want a fast barcode printer, choose one that has a high IPS.
It would help to choose a print speed that matches your printing volume and frequency. For example, if you print a lot of labels or tags in a short time, you may need a faster print speed than if you print a few labels or tags occasionally.
Print Width
Print width refers to the maximum width of the label or tag that the printer can produce measured in inches. The wider the print width, the more information you can fit on the label or tag.
Getting a print width that matches your label or tag size and shape is ideal. So, if you use rectangular or square labels or tags, you may need a wider print width than circular or oval labels or tags.
Scan Range
Scan range refers to the distance between the scanner and the barcode that the scanner can read measured in inches. The longer the scan range, the more flexible and convenient the scanner.
Opt for a scan range that matches your scanning environment and preference. If your establishment requires scanning barcodes from a distance or at different angles, you may need a longer scan range than if you scan barcodes up close.
Scan Rate
Scan rate refers to how fast the scanner can read barcodes measured in scans per second (SPS). The higher the SPS, the faster the scanner. Be sure to have a scan rate matching your scanning volume and speed.
Considering you scan a lot of barcodes in a short time, you may need a faster scan rate than if you scan a few barcodes occasionally.
Connectivity
Connectivity refers to how the label printer and barcode scanner communicate with your computer or network. Different connectivity options include USB, serial, parallel, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or RFID.
Choosing a connectivity option that matches your compatibility and convenience would be best. For instance, if you want to print or scan wirelessly or remotely, you may need a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or RFID option than if you’re going to print or scan locally or directly.

Upgrade Your Office Efficiency Today with The Barcode Store!
Ready to enhance the efficiency of your Singapore office with top-notch barcode printers and scanners? Look no further than The Barcode Store, your trusted partner for all your barcode equipment needs. Don’t miss the opportunity to streamline your operations and boost productivity. Contact us at 6288 2112 or via WhatsApp at 8010 3404 today!