As enterprise technology specialists with three decades of experience developing and supporting various thermal printing solutions, we’ve learned that price is the only reason not to use OEM printer ribbons and labels. It’s true that—in many cases—the upfront price of third-party printer supplies is lower than the cost of OEM supplies.

But do you know what else we’ve learned? There’s a massive difference between price and cost.

Put simply, when it comes to printer supplies, what you save with third-party products today can cost you a lot more somewhere down the road.

As a long-time Zebra partner, we offer a full range of Zebra printers, from compact desktop and mobile label printers to rugged industrial printers that print thousands of labels a day. In our long partnership with Zebra, we have first-hand experience with the reliability of their printer supplies and know how well they perform under demanding conditions.

We’ve also seen how choosing third-party labels and ribbons can lead to unreliable performance, unexpected slow-downs and increased printer wear and tear. All of those things will lead to lost productivity, increased IT support labor and more spending on replacement printers—things that have a more significant impact on your bottom line than the upfront pennies you save.

So, based on our experience, here’s a list of five factors that make Zebra’s OEM ribbons and labels a better long-term investment.

Selection

With more than 300 label material and ribbon combinations, Zebra offers a right-fit solution for almost any application. Whether you need basic shipping labels or specialty labels designed to withstand long-term exposure to UV light, moisture or harsh chemicals, Zebra has the correct label. And, regarding RFID labels and tags, Zebra has partnerships with top inlay and tag IC brands and RFID manufacturing on two continents.

Reliable Performance

Zebra designs and manufactures some of the world’s leading thermal printers. They know receipt printing, labels and RFID tags inside and out. We’ve seen how their R&D team rigorously tests all material and ribbon combinations to ensure high print quality and durability, maximum printhead life and industry-leading scanning and read performance under all conditions. When reliable printer performance is essential to your business, you choose Zebra supplies.

Consistent Quality

One of the most significant factors separating Zebra ribbons and labels from third-party products is the consistent quality you see from order to order. Third-party products often require you to adjust printer settings when you receive a new batch of supplies. Zebra supplies are ISO 9001 certified and follow documented testing and a 23-point inspection process that produces incredible consistency and allows you to achieve high-quality output without changing settings.

Durability

From barcode scanners and industrial printers to handheld mobile computers and tablets, rugged durability is a hallmark of Zebra’s hardware portfolio. They know how important it is to engineer products that withstand the most demanding environments. It’s no surprise that they take the same approach to printer supplies. So, if you need labels or printer supplies that can withstand exposure to the elements and deliver in the most challenging industrial environments, you need Zebra.

Custom Solutions

Zebra offers hundreds of off-the-shelf SKUs that satisfy many applications, but they also provide the flexibility to customize solutions for highly specific applications. It could be a new combination of label substrate and adhesive, a custom size label for small parts or a custom solution for a unique healthcare application—whatever the challenge, Zebra gives you many more options than any third-party supplier.

Our position is simple: buying third-party printer supplies may save you a little up front, but Zebra supplies offer a much better long-term investment. Contact us today for help finding Zebra products