Brother P-Touch PT-18R Rechargeable Labeling System

by Brother

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2 x 5.9 x 4.8 inches ; 1.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0002SCGHA
• Item model number: PT-18R
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,145 in Office Products (See Top 100 in Office Products)
  • #32 in Office Products > Office Electronics > Other Office Equipment > Label Makers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 28, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The get up and go rechargeable desktop labeler with handheld convenience.

Serving as an office group's single labeling machine, any user can simply remove this machine from the sleek charger base and take it to their labeling site, wherever it might be -- at an office desk or in the field. Or simply use this labeler while connected to a workgroup PC, in a common work area to create professional looking labels. This single machine can be used by asset managers needing to label companies assets wherever they are in the office, or by an administrative assistant who needs to create labels for a file folder, presentation or a visitor name badge. Simply place the labeler back on the cradle to recharge the battery and make it available for the next user.

This model features easy-swap tape cassettes, one key operation via an easy to use keyboard, bar code templates, and the ability to connect via a USB to a PC for more detailed labeling. This machines easy view graphic display and print preview capability allows users to create and preview label layouts before printing.

Rechargeable Battery

• Remove from cradle for on-site labeling
• Replace to recharge and be ready for next user

PC-Ready

• Connect to PC for special labeling products
• Also, a full-function stand-alone labeler

High Visibility LCD

• Label preview
• See your work before printing
• Graphical, 15 character by 2-line display

Quick Easy Label Creation

• Easy one-key access for templates and symbols
• Automatic tape cutter

What's in the Box
One TZ 1/2" black/white starter, USB cable, software, user's guide, rechargeable battery, charger unit, AC adapter (AD-60)

Product Description

Thermal Transfer - 180 x 180 dpi - Mirror Printing, Text Insert, Rotate Printing, Database Printing, Auto Templates, Snapper Function, Date/Time Stamp, Text Framing, Label Length Setting - USB

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Compact handy labeler, January 23, 2008

By 

Strohmian (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Brother P-Touch PT-18R Rechargeable Labeling System (Office Product)

I've owned a Brother PC- only labeler for a few years now, but I ended up not using it much after the initial play period. The problem is, if you have to sit down and fire up your PC and the software (no matter how intuitive and sexy), it's just easier to use a pen, or nothing at all for that matter! After I read that David Allen, the author of Getting Things Done, concurred, I looked again for a more "ready when you are" tool. I highly recommend that you check out Brother's website; they have a nifty comparison feature that you can customize per model and feature and produce a PDF at the end - great for your final decision process. For me, size and an auto cutter were the main features I was looking for, and that eventually lead me to this device, the little-reviewed 18R.

This particular unit is 2-3 times smaller in volume than all its brothers (non-intended pun here), thanks to its rechargeable battery. I was resisting this rechargeable business at first, because it implies frequent use (like a cell phone or laptop), but I warmed up to it. The price difference isn't that great (~$20 compared to a slightly lesser unit, the price of 8 good rechargeable AAs actually), plus it turned out that the little beast can go up to six months of occasional use without recharging, which is very impressive in my book. The NiMh cell is custom and labeled "Brother 18R"; hopefully there will be replacements in a couple of years when it finally gives out. I especially like the fact that this unit stores extremely well in addition to it being small: unlike the desktop models which sit flat on your desk and awkwardly occupy a lot of space no matter where you place them, this one actually goes into your library like a book, or upright into a corner of your desk drawer or file folder.

The auto cutter lives up to its name, so much better than manual. It cuts off the tape lead so you don't have to keep scissors around (you may find that funny, but re-cutting labels was standard procedure with my other labeler!). My favorite is the "chain mode". Here, you essentially delay your latest print in favor of a more efficient use of tape material. For example, if you enter "January", "February" and "March" and hit Print every time, the "March" label remains in the unit until you print something else or change your mind and hit the "scissors" button. This should address most people's issues with the wasted tape; it's as good as it gets with this system.

The device is very easy to use: while you type your text, it tells you how long your label is going to be. If you select borders, etc. the graphical display shows you the styles, and if you desire you can hit the preview button to get a WYSIWYG representation before printing. There are also a few "layouts" available, for example fixed-length (for your file folders), or two-line printing with different font sizes on each line (I find these particularly useful to label my Nalgene bottles with the content plus my name underneath). Unfortunately, the chain print mode (see above) doesn't work with those handy layouts; it always cuts off about 1/2" of empty tape. But I can live with it.

My minor gripe with this device is the low-contrast, non-backlit display (hey, since I'm running on rechargeables, I could justify the energy needs of a backlight). Also, the latch that closes the cassette department doesn't seem solid to me: a tiny plastic thing, similar to the one that broke on my other labeler. While I'm whining, I'd also like 360 dpi resolution for that really industrial look, but those printers are currently much more expensive (or PC- only, which to me is now useless).

Still, this is the most useful, feature- rich, and compact labeler that I've ever used, so 4 stars are deserved. Hope it helped in your quest to label those sock drawers :)

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice unit, January 14, 2007

By 

James M. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Brother P-Touch PT-18R Rechargeable Labeling System (Office Product)

This unit is great! It's small, rechargeable, connects to the computer, has many useful formatting modes when you are using it away from the computer, and has an auto-cut function. It also has a chain printing mode that wastes very little tape. This mode selection is remembered until you change it again, no fiddling with settings each time.

The only (minor) complaint is that the charging dock does not have a USB port, so you have to manually plug it into your computer when you set it on the charger. And it's a little pricey, but if you use any P-Touch unit more than occasionally, then the cost of the tape will quickly overwhelm the differences in price between this unit and less expensive ones. And this one is nicer.

54 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have had a breakthough in organization since getting the PTouch, August 1, 2005

By 

accordionplayer (Northern, Virginia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Brother P-Touch PT-18R Rechargeable Labeling System (Office Product)

This system fits nicely in the hands. It holds a charge a long time. I owned another brother product. The batteries did not last long. I purchased the AC adapter which was about the same price as the Labeler. Then I was limited by the cord

This cord-free version with long battery life is great. And means that I can take the labeler to whereever the project is. It automatically cuts so there is an even border on each side of the label. I purchased this because it has the ability to connect to a PC via USB port, though I have not used that feature yet.

It seemed like I went through the tape that came with the system quickly. It may have been shorter (like a sample) I am on my second cartridge and it seems to be lasting a long time.

My only comment is that I think the borders on each side are long--forcing you to use more tape than necessary. But this seems to be how they all work, so I still rate it 5 stars.