In the past, whenever I thought about label makers I’d think about that episode on Seinfeld where Elaine gives Dr. Whatley a label maker for his birthday, only to find out that he re-gifted the label maker and gave it to Jerry as a gift. I’m sure fans of the show would recall that episode. This is what comes to mind when I think label maker.
When I was a young girl I recall label makers has those funky looking hand held devices that you had to punch out each letter one by one by squeezing it with your hand and rotating a wheel on top. Do you remember those? It looked similar to this one.
I remember my Mom had one like that. You had to rotate the wheel for the letter or symbol you wanted then squeeze the handle. Then rotate it again to the next letter and so forth. It was a tedious thing to do.
As a grown up I have oftn thought about getting a label maker. There are things around our home that I needed to be labeled. Take for example my kid’s laptops. They look identical in every way. That is under my son put stickers on his to identify his computer from my daughter’s. I wish I had a label maker back then so I could have neatly put their names on their computers rather then have to look at ripped off stickers.
Even on our bathroom closet there are a few things I need to mark some how. Like my mascara and eyeliner. They are the same as my daughter’s. She is SUPPOSE to keep hers in a make up bag but sometimes she doesn’t and it ends up mixed with mine. If they are not marked in some way we have to toss them out and buy new ones because you can risk sharing eye make up.
When I was asked if I wanted to try out a label maker I jumped at the chance because I can think about many things I would love to label.
I received a P-Touch Label Maker from Brother, specifically their PT 1290 model.
The Brother P-Touch PT 1290 label maker is one of their desk top models, perfect for home use, including a home office. You can watch a quick video about this particular model here, http://syndicate.sellpoint.net/Syndicate/AptViewer?play=5THE3V-141848&1=1&vsr_sku=null.
When the label maker arrived I was super excited to try it out. I’m glad it comes with tape because I would have been sad if I had to wait to try it out until I purchased tape.
The unit its self reminds me of a mini word processor. Do you remember those? They were a modern day version of a type writer. In a way I think that is what this unit really is, a mini word processor.
What made this Brother P-Touch stand out from the rest is because this model is part of the Simply Stylish product line and because it 15 Deco Mode patterns, frames and you can even print on more then one line. For me this unit had a lot of “bells and whistles” that really appealed to me and would suit my needs.
I was a bit concerned that I would need to be as smart as a “rocket scientist” to figure out how to use the label maker but it was rather easy thanks to the included instructions. With my very first label I made my name, framed, with hearts on both ends. How cool is this! Not bad for my first try.
I like that this model allows you to choose different fonts so that you are not stuck with the same one each time. I love to mix it up a bit so changing fonts is fun for me.
This model of the P Touch Label Maker has 15 Deco Mode patterns so that you can add really nice designs to your labels to dress them up a bit. Gone are the days of plain, simple block letter labels. Now you can print out a label done in a Bohemia font with swirly scroll designs around it. Or print out your name is the Helsinki font with a box frame around it. There is nothing plain, simple or boring about the cool designs you can make with this label maker. It really makes your labels stand out among the rest.
A really great feature is that you are able to print on two lines rather then one straigh line. Off hand I don’t have an example. I know I have a lable on my big hole punch that is two lines but that got packed away to make room for the holiday decorations on my desk.
The two lines helps you to personalize the label even more. You could print out “Bob Jones” on the top line and “Personal Belongings” on the bottom and use it to label a box or drawer at work. If you have a child in school you could use the label maker to make a two lined label that reads your child’s name on top and “Science Notebook” underneath. With other label makers you would have to print out two different labels, one for the top and one for the bottom.
A built in memory saves your last 9 lables to make it easier for you. That way you don’t have to re-type the information for the label over and over again. I like being able to turn it on and print out another label if I need one instantly.
The keyboard is really nice. The keys are large enough and even have a curve to them making them very comfortable to use.
The built in cutter is a great safety option. That way I can let my kids print out labels when they need them and not have to worry about them accidentally cutting their fingers when cutting off the tape. Just the press of the button found on the back of the unit instantly cuts the tape the to right size. You can also trim it down more if you like with scissors.
Now with my great P Touch label maker I am able to label everything and anything I want. Right now my mascara has “Mom” on it with a label made from a label maker and my eyeliner has a single “M” it that I cut down from a label I made (it’s too thin to use the whole label). My kids have also enjoyed labeling all their notebooks and folders for school. My husband used it to label the pockets in his CD holder. That way when he’s at work he’s able to find the right CD that he needs with no problem.
I never realized just how handy a lable maker is until I tried out the Brother P Touch 1290. This is one of those products that now that I have it I wonder why I waited so long to get one.
You can learn more about Brothers Label Makers, including the P Touch 1290, by visiting their official web site at www.Brother-USA.com. They offer other label makers in different price ranges and with different functions so you are sure to find a label maker that would suit your needs. Brother products are sold at many different retail locations.
Brother has generously offered to give a lucky reader the same P Touch 1290 Label Maker ($30 value). Thank you Brother!
To enter please visit the Brother web site, www.Brother-USA.com, look around then come back here and comment on another Brother product that you find interesting. Please be specific.
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This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on December 15, 2010 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entries using a random number generator. The winner will be contacted via e-mail and will have three days to reply with a name and mailing address (no PO Box) or a new winner will be chosen.
Other great giveaways are found on the right side bar under “Win It”.
Kimberly
*I received a free sample unit in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own. Brothers will be supplying the prize.
I like the 1034D
3-4 Lay-in Thread Serger with Lower Looper Threader from Brother.
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I like the PT-1400! that looks great!
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I find the mobile printers with USB connection interesting, especially the Small Format (A7) Mobile Printer with USB, Serial and IrDA Interfaces.
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I like their Brother QL-1060N Network Ready, 4” Professional Label Printer. So much easier than going to the post office. And this one can be used by multiple computers. That is awesome.
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I found the GT 541 garment printer interesting. Would be nice to have under the right circumstances
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