Why choose Brother label tape?

There are a variety of non-genuine brand label tapes on the market, in addition to genuine Brother label tapes. Non-genuine tapes may cost less, and often claim compatibility with Brother label printers. For these reasons, it’s easy to see the appeal of non-genuine alternatives.

In independent tests commissioned by Brother, these third-party label tapes performed poorly when compared to Brother consumables. While Brother’s strong adhesive tapes met the Underwriters Laboratories UL-969 standards and their heat-shrink tube tape met UL-224 standards, this was not always the case for other brands. The test results were clear: any cost-savings that could be achieved by purchasing other brands are likely to prove to be a false economy.

Let’s take a closer look at what the tests showed…

Why choose Brother Genuine TZe Tape? Buyers Lab / Keypoint Intelligence lab testing March 2021 Download brochure

Don’t get caught in a jam

Because Brother label printers and Brother label tapes are designed to work together, there is a minimal risk of jams occurring with genuine label tapes. This, however, was not the case with the third-party label tapes. With a jam rate of 50%, the technicians conducting the test found there was a real risk of permanent damage to the Brother device being used in the tests (a Brother PT-D600 label printer)

At best, jams are time-consuming and frustrating. At worst, they can result in lengthy downtime and costly maintenance. Either way, they are best avoided by always selecting genuine Brother consumables.

Colour recognition

Colour is a vital aspect of label printing – especially when it comes to warning and safety labels. The colour recognition technology in Brother label printers helps ensure legibility and instant communication in all applications.

While Brother label printers can accurately recognise the colours of any and all genuine tapes, they struggle to correctly identify the colours of non-genuine label tapes due to quality control issues with these tapes. This is another key area in which non-genuine consumables were found to fall short.

Brother TZe tapes – tough enough to last

Engineered for use in demanding circumstances, Brother TZe label tapes incorporate a layer of super-clear polyethylene laminate to provide lasting protection. The laminate is applied over the thermal transfer ink and the entire label surface during the printing process.

This ensures the text on a Brother TZe label remains clearly legible despite long-term exposure to sunlight, or use in wet conditions. As with all Brother products, TZe tapes are subjected to an exhaustive battery of tests to ensure they can meet the needs of users, no matter how tough the conditions they operate in.

These tests include assessments of the tapes’ adhesive properties, resistance to water, oil and chemicals, and ability to withstand abrasion and temperature extremes. For example, TZe tapes have a demonstrated ability to withstand temperatures from -80°C to +150°C – a range that far exceeds most foreseeable circumstances.

Test results (which can be supplied on request) looked at the continued legibility of labels, and whether or not they had faded. Brother TZe tapes sailed through these rigorous assessments – something that cannot be said of non-genuine brand label tests.

Passing the dishwasher test

One of the independent tests commissioned by Brother involved using a piece of equipment that will be familiar to may readers of this blog: a dishwasher. The combination of heat and water makes the inside of a dishwasher on a cleaning cycle a very demanding environment for labels.

The technicians affixed Brother label tapes and non-genuine brand tapes to a wooden backing board and placed them in a dishwasher for multiple cycles. The Brother tapes were unaffected, while several competitor and non-genuine brand labels failed to remain affixed.

This test – which focused on water and heat resistance – again proved the superiority of Brother label tapes.

Invest in the best

To ensure optimum labelling results every time, always choose genuine Brother label tapes for your Brother label printer.

Durablility test data for Brother laminated TZe label Download brochure