Brother P-Touch QL-500 Manual-Cut PC Label Printing System

by Brother

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12 x 10.2 x 7.8 inches ; 2.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002T470S
• Item model number: QL-500
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,453 in Office Products (See Top 100 in Office Products)
  • #17 in Office Products > Office Electronics > Other Office Equipment > Label Makers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 30, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Now the PC Label Printer you've always wanted is here! Introducing the easy-to-use Brother QL-500 Quick PC Label Printer that prints address and shipping labels, up to 2.4 inches wide, on easy-to-peel, die-cut paper and continuous length film labels. The Brother QL-500 also prints file folder, CD/DVD, and visitor badge labels for just pennies apiece. Plus, no wasted sheets to worry about because you can print one label, a few, or hundreds at a time!

The Brother QL-500 has the ability to print on rolls of continuous film, up to 3 feet long, which makes it perfect for custom signage or banners. Highlight your text; click and print directly from Microsoft Word, Excel, or Outlook applications; or use the included Brother label creation software to customize your labels with logos or graphics or to print from lists and databases.

There's never been an easier or faster way to make the labels you need!

Printer Features:

• Print up to 50 standard address labels per minute (3 inches per second speed)
• Virtually edge-to-edge printing on a 2.4-inch wide label
• Crisp 300 dpi razor sharp printing
• Easy to load drop-in supplies with auto sensor, lessens label waste
• Easy to peel labels
• Connect easily to PC via a USB port, version 1.1
• Sharp manual cutter for clean label cuts
• Thermal print technology eliminates toner, ink, and ribbon costs
• Compact size, only 5.7 by 7.7 by 6 inches

Software Features:

• Integrated Add-ins for popular Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook); no retyping necessary (see specifications for system requirements)
• Built-in general office and commercial templates for quick label creation
• Included P-touch editor software for custom layouts with barcodes, graphics, truetype fonts, and special formatting including frames and tables
• Database connectivity with .xls, .csv, .txt, and .mdb file types
• Prints in portrait or landscape mode; also prints text vertically for binder labeling
• Auto-size feature reduces or enlarges text to fit on a label
• Date and time stamping; auto-counter for serialization
• Zoom feature to preview labels and layouts before printing
• Prints a variety of barcodes: Code39, Code 128, Codabar, UPC A/E, EAN 8/13/128, Interleaved 2 of 5, Postnet, Laser Bar Code, ISBN2, ISBN5, PDF 417 QR Code, Data Matrix
• Auto Sensor quickly identifies label type for quick label formatting changes
• Repeat (multi-copy) printing
• P-touch library and history functions for quick access to frequently used labels and graphics

What's in the Box
P-Touch QL-500, DK 1201 starter roll of die-cut address labels, USB cable, Quick Start Guide, CD with software and user's guide

Product Description

Monochrome Thermal Transfer - 300 x 300 dpi - Mirror Printing, Rotate Printing, Vertical Printing - USB

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely competive label/banner printer, August 25, 2004

By 

Terri Bell "Terri Bell" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brother P-Touch QL-500 Manual-Cut PC Label Printing System (Office Product)

I recently purchased this machine for around $100. I have owned label writers in the past and this machine is performing even better than the much more expensive Dymo models. Some of the features that I find unique and usefull are the continueous tape option for banners and the speed at which this machine prints. It prints much faster than previous models I have owned. This label printer has been very easy to set up. The only thing is I might opt for the step up QL-550 next time because it has an auto cutter build in. But in defense of the QL-500, it's manual cutter is very easy to use too and has been a non issue.

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars small, simple, super-fast and good price, August 22, 2005

By 

A. Woodley "Patroness, Janeites, the Austen list" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brother P-Touch QL-500 Manual-Cut PC Label Printing System (Office Product)

This has proved to be an excellent buy - we use this all the time for our address labels, but also labelling everything we need around here from Jam, to bags to our business - and it runs so quickly and easily.

What do I really like about this - well it was quick and easy to set up - not just load the software on to the computer, but to fit the consumables in - it needs special spools to run - they slip in and out in a flash so if you are printing different sized labels you can refit them quickly

The size of the printer itself is great, it is light and compact which means it can be slipped into a corner when not in use, or quickly plugged in

I love the fact it doesn't use ink so no replacing ink cartridges or watching flashing lights etc.

It didn't take too long to find my way around the software, I was a bit annoyed at first you couldn't easily access a box for number of labels you want printed - but then you can't have every feature right there on the desktop - and there is already a great deal to cope with in terms of options.

We were printing simple labels with clip art within minutes and haven't stopped finding uses for it since (neat for backs of photos for instance)

It runs easily from Microsoft software which is also great - printing from letters etc is a breeze.

...and the speed! I couldn't believe how quick it was - it just shoots them out, cutting between labels as it goes

Overall I think this is a very versatile machine with great cross over for business and home use. It has all the elements I like - fast, efficient, easy-to-use, versatile and compact.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick, easy AND cheap!, June 28, 2005

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Brother P-Touch QL-500 Manual-Cut PC Label Printing System (Office Product)

If you've been holding off getting a label-printer due to price, this is the printer for you. Not only has Brother lowered the price point on the printer itself (with rebates it often dips below $50), but Brother's standard address label refills are reasonably priced - about 3-cents each.

Setup on Windows XP is simple, but the iconography in the quick-start instructions manual can be a little frustrating. The printed instructions for label printing are anemic; the on-line (PDF) manual is better. Printing simple address labels is sufficiently intuitive that it can be accomplished without ready the manual.

Finally, this printer is fast! The first time I printed a label I thought the printer was just spinning the roll - turns out it was printing! The only downside I've found so far is that the printer's footprint is larger than some of the more expensive competitors.