Customer Reviews

Brother PC-Connectable Label Maker with Auto Cutter (PT-2430PC)

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(39)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I got this product to replace my current Brother P-Touch Labeler, because I wanted something that I could create laminated labels with, but also be able to make them a bit snazzier than my current labeler allows. This product fits the bill, and then some!

With this label maker, you can hook it up to any PC, and print laminated labels. Let me make this clear though---you have to have a computer to hook the labeler up to, or it will not work. Hooking up the label maker is very easy, you simply use the USB cord that comes in the box and hook it up to the USB port on your computer. Once hooked up, and powered on, a built in software called "P-Touch Editor Lite" automatically comes up. It is very user friendly, and allows you to create your labels from your computer, and print them without having to install any additional software. The great thing about this, is that with this label maker you have access to a wide range of fonts, clip arts, and editing that you do not have on a regular label maker. But, the best feature of using a computer to generate your labels, is that you get to see what the labels are actually going to look like BEFORE you print them! At last no more wasted TZ tape!

Now, if you want to take your label making up another level you can install the additional software from the CD-ROM that comes with the labeler. Installing this software is totally optional, and not necessary, but just provides some additional features that the built in software does not have. This is where things got a little tricky for me, and why I would give this product 4.5 stars if I could. Installing the software was not as easy as I expected it to be. But I am going to tell you what I did wrong so you won't make the same mistakes that I did!

The CD-ROM contains two applications that need to be installed--the editing software, and a driver for this editing software. After the editing software is installed, the CD-ROM will attempt to install the driver. This is where I got stuck--the driver would not install. But after browsing through the numerous pamphlets/manuals that come with this product I was able to figure out what I was doing wrong--but I wasted at least a half an hour trying to figure this out. Here is what you need to know: 1. Make sure you do not have the label maker plugged in to your computer or turned on--wait until the installation software asks you to do so. 2. Make sure that the "mode switch" on the bottom of the machine is turned to the "E" position.

As long as you follow those two bits of advice the driver will install properly, and you can be on your way to creating all kinds of labels. The reason I would take off half a star is because I wasted to much time trying to figure out what I was doing wrong--- there should be a label on the CD-ROM envelope that says "WHEN INSTALLING SOFTWARE SWITCH MODE TO 'E' & DO NOT PLUG IN/TURN ON MACHINE UNTIL ASKED". That would have saved me so much time!

With that being said, once I got the software installed (and as I mentioned earlier, the software is optional....it is just more advanced than the software that is already built into the labeler), I was very impressed. You can really do a lot with it--there are even two modes, "Express" and "Professional". There are just as many, and maybe even more, fonts as Microsoft Word, as well as many different symbols/clip arts/ frames that you can insert. You can also install add-ins for Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook that allow you to print your laminated labels from there. You can also insert photos that you have stored on your computer into the label! I especially love the ruler, which shows you precisely how long your label is going to be, so that you know how much tape you are using. There is also a neat feature called "Snap" which allows you to take screen clippings from your computer, and insert them into your label.

The label quality is excellent, and just what you would expect from Brother. As far as I can tell, this label maker accepts any type of labels that Brother makes (and they make A LOT of different kinds!)--even the 1" width labels. Fonts, and other symbols, etc, come out very clear. I inserted some photos and screen clippings to see how they would turn out, and they came out well---a bit grainy, but I was taking a large photo and fitting it onto a ½" label, so I did not expect that it would be the best quality. You can also have multiple lines of text, arrange the text direction, and do many other things with the installed software--you can even make barcodes! Other notable features--the product is actually more compact than I expected it to be from the picture, a clear window for viewing what type of tape that you have in the machine, accepts batteries AND has an AC adapter so you can plug it in ( a big plus!),is Energy Star rated, and seems to be made out of durable materials.

There is not much room for improvement with this labeler, but I would have a few minor suggestions for the manufacturer. First, I wish this product came with more than just one "sample" size TZ tape. It would be nice if there were more TZ tapes included and even possibly in various sizes or colors. Second, although this product is quite small, the portability of this product would be improved by adding a handle. Lastly---it would be nice if the labeler came with some type of pouch to store the label maker in, along with its AC adapter and USB Cord.

Otherwise though, great product for making quality, personalized, laminated labels! Definitely several steps up from what I had been using!

(Please check out my images of the actual output for text, JPEG, and screen capture.)

I've never owned a dedicated label maker before, but certainly have an appreciation for a good label. After running a few tests for an hour, here are my impressions of the PT-2430PC:


PROS

*Ease of use. No driver or software to install if you don't want to. A small self-contained program is executed when you plug in the device to the USB port. I did not bother to use whatever extra software might be on the CD.

*The text output is legible enough. While jagged edges are definitely visible, it's just a label maker and not a graphic design machine.

*Uses any True Type font installed on your computer, including whacky symbols!

*The quality of the labels are very good in regards to water resistance and peeling-and-re-sticking ability. I ran a printed label under a faucet for 15 seconds. There was absolutely no bleeding or damage to the base. The tape seems to be laminated and this gives it strength and durability. I was really surprised that the labels still stuck after I had thoroughly wet the adhesive (though I had to wipe off the water first). They also peeled off without leaving a residue and then easily re-adhered to the surface.

*Takes tapes of various width, up to 1-inch

*Works with AC or batteries (but it takes 6 AA!)

*In addition to text, you can print images and screen captures (but see the CONS section and the sample images I've posted)


CONS

*It is useless when untethered from a computer. A label will only print via a computer. It would have been great if there was a built in memory which could store a few labels which could be printed remotely. This is especially desirable since a good chunk of this thing is for holding 6 AA batteries.

*After a few minutes of inactivity, the self-contained software shuts off. You have to reset the label maker to execute the program again.

*It's a bit too big for portability. It's about the size of two stacked 3.5" hard drives. A lot of the extra space is due to the housing for the 6-AA batteries, which I plan to never use since it also works off an AC adapter. It would have been ideal if it could have been USB-powered.

*Every time a new label is printed, a 1-inch piece of unused tape is spat out. Considering that most labels I intend to make are 1-2 inches long, this is a very high proportion of waste.

*The labels, once the backing is peeled off, tend to curl and stick to themselves. It's really only a problem if the label is longer than 2 inches. It also unsticks from itself without much damage if you're careful.

*The ability to print images and screen capture is mostly novelty. The print resolution is so low that it looks very grainy like a super high ISO photo film.

*It seems rather expensive.

I've wanted a label maker forever, and when Amazon Vine offered this one for review, I was excited, but a little concerned that it had to be connected to a PC to work. I was afraid I would have trouble setting it up, but I plugged it in and within minutes I was printing labels. I couldn't believe how easy it was to use because sometimes I can be electronically challenged. After playing with it for a while, I installed the P-Touch editor software on the CD-rom that is included with the label maker. While the basic software was sufficient for my use, the P-Touch editor software was fun to make really creative labels and even upload small pictures that I used on some. The 180 DPI print quality doesn't make for detailed pictures, though.

Refills for the label maker come in a variety of colors and widths for various uses. The back is easy to peel off and the labels are laminated and high quality. The only complaint I have is that it wastes a bit of tape each time it prints, maybe about 3/4 of an inch that it just lops off and spits out.

It takes 6 AA batteries or you can use the A/C adaptor cord that comes with the label maker.

I'm very pleased with the unit and I've used it to organize my pantry shelves, and to label the fifty or so storage tubs in my attic. Next, I'm going to work on the kids' closets!

Update: I've frequently run my labeled containers through my dishwasher and while I expected them to come off, they haven't so far, and still look the same as the day I put them on.

This is great little machine. Many users have commented that the unit wastes an inch of tape with each print. This is true if you're printing only one label. However, if you are printing a bunch of labels, enable "Chain Printing" and only the first inch will be lost. The Brother website offers instructions on how to do this, and I've posted their text below.

I tried the method with a dozen different text labels and the process worked like a charm!

These are the notes from their website:

Due to the construction of the tape mechanism, the one inch (25mm) piece of tape that is produced prior to every label cannot be eliminated. However, when you print more than one label at a time and select Chain Printing, the subsequent labels can be printed without the excess tape.
To select Chain Printing:

1. Input the text for the label.
2. Click on the pull down arrow menu next to the Print icon and select Print Options.
3. Select Auto Cut and Chain Printing in the Print Options dialog box.
4. Click Print; the machine will feed and cut off the one inch blank tape and prints the label. The label will remain in the machine until you print another label.
5. Create another label and click Print. The machine will feed and cut off the first label you have created. The second label will remain in the machine until you print another label.
6. Continue creating and printing the next label. When you finish printing all the labels, press the Cut button on top of the machine. The machine will feed out and cut off the last label.

Great labeler! I was using as 1230-PC for a long while, and this is just like it but comes with an AC adapter (yay!) and yes, it cuts the labels for you. The 1230's "scissors not included" requirement was getting old, not mention having to boot up Windows just to print a label. All in all, the 2430 is proving to be a great unit so far.

For you fellow Mac folk: I found a driver for my Macbook Pro (running Lion), and it works fine. The packaging and included user guide only say Windows, but the Brother Japan site has a driver and the P-Touch Editor software (in English). You can't use the built-in software, but so what? Who carries around a labeler the size of a trade paperback, plugging it into random computers?

The Mac printer driver file can be downloaded at http://d.pr/erul or if that doesn't work use [...]
The P-Touch Editor for Mac can be downloaded at http://d.pr/EnaD or if that doesn't work use [...]

Good luck!

Forever we have wanted to put plant markers in our garden because we can never remember their names and when someone asks it's like, um, um, um, you know, one of those! Several years ago I bought a bunch of those brass plates you stick in the ground but have never used them. Then one day recently we saw someone else's labels in their garden and so I began researching label makers.

I already have all the plant botanical and common names cataloged so I just wanted to transfer those to labels and this PT-2430PC makes it easy. Plug it in to a USB port, wait a few moments for the computer to recognize it, click on the program, and then I copy the name from Excel and paste it in the label entry box. You could do the same right off plant websites.

From there you can do tons of stuff with fonts, sizes, colors, add pictures, etc etc and then save any label to easily make another one anytime from then on. I didn't load the CD that comes with the printer because it didn't look like it had anything on it I would use. I ordered the Brother, black on clear 1/2" weatherproof label tape and that stuff really sticks well and looks really professional! I put the common name on the top row and italicize the botanical name on the second row.

Yes, I read the same reviews you have about wasting a lot of tape with every label but I found a secret.... read the instruction manual that comes with the printer! It will tell you to right click the toolbar and there you will find a bunch more printing options. And one of those literally cuts the wasted tape to zero. Sure, I wasted a few labels until I got it all figured out how to make a label fit my markers perfectly with just the right size fonts but when I did, all the others went quick.

This weekend we went to some plant sales so now I get to use it again - yes!

PS One time the program did lock up. Don't know where the problem started or why but after unplugging the printer and shutting the program down and starting over, all was ok and nothing was lost.

I've used several different Brother label makers over the years and this one is my favorite. I bought a large one with a keypad and serial connect cable for my PC about 8 years ago. Today, none of my PCs have a serial port. I bought a USB to serial adapter and used it for several years, but it was always hit or miss on whether or not it was going to print. The keypad works fine, but it's not WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). It was always difficult trying to format the label the way I wanted without connecting it to a PC. And the AC adapter was ridiculously large (about half the size of the PT-2430PC). The PT-2430PC makes up for my old label maker's short comings. It connects with a USB cable. It always prints when I want to. It runs on 6 "AA" batteries and includes a smaller AC adapter if needed. The manual says to use alkaline batteries. I'm using Sanyo's eneloop rechargeable batteries and they work great. The PT-2430PC comes with software built into it called P-Touch Editor Lite. You can run the software without installing anything on your PC. I downloaded the full version of P-Touch Editor 5 from Brother's website for free and use it. It has many more features than the lite version.

The tapes are rather expensive. I used to get so mad at how much tape was wasted when printing. After examining the label maker, I can see why they designed it the way they did. Unlike other label makers, the P-Touch joins two tapes together with a thin layer of film in the middle for the text. The labels are high quality and very durable. Other label makers write the text on the outside of the label where it is exposed to potential damage. Unless you have the need to only make simple one line labels, I would skip the keypad and buy the PT-2430PC label maker. You'll be happy you did.

Raise your hand if you remember when label makers were the round dials that you had to turn to the correct letter and "squeeze" the handle to make the imprint on the red tape. My how times have changed. Today, the common label maker has found a home in many peoples homes and workplaces. With the P-Touch PT-2430PC PC-Connectable Label Printer Brother has created quite a product, but I'm not convinced this is something that most of us need.

First, let me say it's a great label maker -- Brother has a good reputation for quality. It has an attractive design (obviously based off the Apple color schemes), conserves energy very well, can print barcodes and bitmaps, and even has built-in software so you can literally "plug it in and go". The speed is very good, and can handle probably any labeling task you throw at it. So, for a pure label maker, its a solid "A".

Unfortunately, for most of us, it will be a paperweight on our desks. Unless you are constantly printing labels on a daily basis then its overkill. You'll find it does nothing more than just take up a valuable USB port. You will also find you are limited to 1" wide (or smaller) labels -- which just don't cut it for most needs nowadays.

Let me turn the tables again and say that if you work in an office, this may be ideal for you. If you constantly find yourself printing labels for file folders, or printing out barcodes for inventory purposes, this guy may be the workhorse you need. Since it comes with built-in software (you literally plug it in and the software runs on your Windows XP or Vista system without having to install anything) you can move it around and share it with colleagues without a problem. Plug and go!

Yet, for many of us -- again, it's like buying a Ferrari to drive 2 blocks to work each day. I'm a little confused by why they would allow it to run on batteries -- I wouldn't want to have to keep replacing 6 "AA" batteries every so often, though I suppose if you used it "in the field" it could come in handy.

Honestly, I would suggest if you have some serious labeling needs that you consider looking into the Brother P-Touch QL-500 Manual-Cut PC Label Printing System which is a much more versatile labeling printer. It can print larger labels at faster speeds and the per label cost is less over time (TZ tape is not cheap, and the QL-500 uses rolls of labels which tend to work out to be more cost effective).

To sum it up, there is nothing wrong with this nifty little label maker. However, I really don't see the market for it. For home and light users, the normal, lower-cost Brother labelmakers will work well. For those who need more versatility and abilities, the higher end Brother label printers (such as the QL-500) are a much better choice.

A solid label maker, but there just isn't any practical need for it in most cases.

The Brother PT-2430 PC label printer comes with a USB cord to connect right to your PC. You do not need to load the added software unless you are looking for some advanced features. A sample starter tape (1/2 inch (12mm) x 16 foot (5m) black on white laminated TZ starter tape) comes included.

This was really easy to set up and start using right away. You really just plug in and go. There are just a few settings on the machine itself. On the top it has: On/Off switch with LED light, cut button. On the back is the connector ports for the AC adapter, USB cable, and a small switch that lets you select the edit mode. Edit modes are EL (Edit Lite - default) or E (Edit Mode - can be used if you install the included software cd). I have Windows XP and had no problems using this with and without the installed software.

Right out of the box, it was able to print 1/2 inch black and white labels in many different fonts. It includes installed clip art and frames that can easily be inserted and you can even insert your own pictures (they do come out grainy though).

I will say a little about the installed software. It took me only 5 minutes to install. The instructions tell you to unplug the label maker while the cd is being installed. Then, the install wizard will walk you through installation and instructs you when to go ahead and plug in the label maker. As another reviewer mentioned, make sure to also flip the edit mode switch on the machine to E. Once in Edit mode, you can print different label styles (bar codes, vertical printing, etc). You still have the benefits you had with the EL function but there are added fonts, clip arts, many more frame styles, etc. You also have the option of loading Excel, Word or Outlook add ins that allow you to make labels right from those applications. I liked using the Word software a little better but maybe that's just because I'm more familiar with it.

You can purchase additional tapes in varying colors, widths, acid free, extra strength, extra narrow (for labeling the edges of cd cases), fabric tapes, etc... Replacement tapes start at around $12 on Amazon. The specialty tapes tend to cost a little more.

Overall, this is a great little label maker. I imagine this would be a nice solution for a small business owner. For personal use, it has way more features than I could ever need. I basically just wanted something to label my son's toy bins, clean up our office, and label the many storage boxes in our basement. I suppose with the acid free tape I could use it for scrapbooking, but the acid free tapes only come in black on clear or black on white, so it is limited in colors. It also has a nice christmas frame that could be used to make tags on christmas gifts - but the pre printed gift tags they sell at the store are cheaper and more colorful. So, I think I'm back to my boring old label making needs. It is still a pretty fancy label maker though, easy to use and fun.

Overall a great product. The only negative thing I have found is that before it prints any label it cuts off about 1/4" section of the tape for no apparent reason. If you print a lot of individual labels that waste a good bit of tape.

**Update: 9/9/11 - I've used this to make name labels for two different water bottles that I carry around a lot. I've run them each through the dishwasher a few times each and the labels did not peel off nor the lettering fade.

Also, I have two computers running Windows 7. One is a 32-bit system and the other is 64-bit. I bought it for use with the 32-bit system and the plug-and-play function works well. However, I could not get the plug-and-play to work at all with the 64-bit system. I did install the full software and it would only work intermittently. It would print one label then the label maker power light would flash, indicating an error. I could turn the label maker off and back on, print one more label, then get another error. Since I was only temporarily using it with the 64-bit system I didn't worry about troubleshooting, but just be aware that if you have a 64-bit system you might have issues.