You can print barcode labels on an ordinary office printer and plain sticker sheets, and for a low volume that's genuinely fine — no need to buy dedicated hardware just to label fifty products a month. Once volume grows, though, a dedicated label printer starts paying for itself in time saved.
Direct thermal vs. thermal transfer
Direct thermal printers use heat-sensitive paper and need no ink or ribbon, which keeps running costs low — but the labels fade over months, especially with sun or heat exposure. Thermal transfer printers use a ribbon to print onto more durable label stock, holding up far longer, at a slightly higher per-label cost.
Which one fits your shelf life
If your labels only need to last a few weeks (fast-moving retail stock), direct thermal is usually the cheaper, simpler choice. If labels need to survive months in a warehouse, on equipment, or in outdoor conditions, thermal transfer is worth the extra cost.
Don't overbuy on print width
Most small shop labels fit comfortably on a 58mm or 80mm printer — the wider industrial printers are built for pallet or carton labels and are usually unnecessary unless you're shipping in bulk.
Check software compatibility before buying
Some cheaper printers only work with proprietary label software rather than accepting a standard image file. Confirm you can print a plain PNG or PDF barcode directly, so you're not locked into one specific label design tool down the line.