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This section provides an overview for barcode printers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 13 barcode printer manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked barcode printer companies as of April, 2026: 1.Wasp, 2.TOURMALINE ENTERPRISES, 3.FOBA.
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Categories Related to Barcode Printers
1987~1991: Engaged in research on wire covering materials at Polymer Materials Laboratory.
1991~1997: Worked as a patent Engineer at Koike International Patent Office.
1997~2005 Worked as an intellectual property member at GE Yokogawa Medical System, currently working as a writer.
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A barcode printer is a machine that prints barcodes, which are bar and number representations of various types of information, on a specific sheet of paper.
A bar code contains 13 numbers. The first two digits are the country code, the next seven digits are the manufacturer code, and the next three digits are the item code. The last digit is a code used for reading confirmation. This code is used to prevent errors.
Barcode printers are used to print barcodes, indicating product information on various products. Barcodes contain information such as lot numbers, product information, and prices of industrial products.
Because barcodes are used in many different situations, barcode printers have a very wide range of applications.
The principle of a barcode printer depends on its printing method. There are various types of barcode printer printing methods, which can be broadly classified into the following five types.
The impact method can be further classified into "drum impact method" and "wire dot impact method."
Drum Impact Method
The drum impact method is a conventionally used method. A barcode character, which forms a barcode pattern, is engraved on the outer circumference of the printing drum in advance, and the pattern is transferred by crimping the drum to a backing paper. However, this method is not widely used these days due to issues such as complicated maintenance.
Wire Dot Impact Method
The wire dot impact method uses the same principle as the impact printer used in ordinary OA printers to perform printing. Pressure is applied to the part of the ink ribbon of the printer that corresponds to the Barcode Printer's pattern, and the pattern is transferred to the backing paper. This method is still used today because of its low running cost.
In the thermal method, a heat element that represents the barcode pattern, called a "thermal head," is built into the print head, which is heated to print the barcode.
The thermal paper is placed in contact with the print head, and when an electric current is applied to the heat element only during barcode printing, the barcode pattern is printed on the thermal paper.
Since the thermal paper on the side to be printed directly changes color, the system does not require consumables such as ink ribbons, which are necessary for general printing methods, and thus can be operated at low cost. Currently, most barcodes in the food industry are printed using this method.
The thermal transfer method is similar to the thermal method. While the thermal method uses thermal paper, the thermal transfer method prints by inserting an ink ribbon between the thermal head and the backing paper.
When an electric current is applied to the thermal head, only the portion of the ink ribbon that corresponds to the pattern of the thermal head melts and adheres to the backing paper, resulting in printing. With this method, printing is possible not only on paper, but also on polyester, vinyl chloride, aluminum foil, etc.
The electrostatic method uses the same principle as that used in photocopiers (PPCs) for office automation equipment to print barcodes. An electrostatic print image is formed on the photosensitive drum in accordance with the barcode pattern, and toner adheres to this print image. This toner is then transferred to the backing paper.
The same principle as that of a photocopier in office automation equipment is used, enabling high-quality, high-density printing.
The inkjet method uses the principle of inkjet printers to print barcode printers. In other words, barcodes are expressed by controlling ink irradiated at high speed from the ink nozzles of the print head through the gap between the deflector plates to the desired printing location.
The inkjet method is inexpensive to run because ink is printed directly on paper or other substrates. Another feature of inkjet printers is that they can also print directly on plastics, metals, glass, etc. other than paper.
Barcode printers are also available in handy and portable types, such as thermal and inkjet printers.
These printers can read information from PCs, smartphones, tablets, etc., and print barcodes on the spot. Barcodes can be issued on the spot in warehouses and other locations, contributing to improved work efficiency and the prevention of human error.
Depending on the period of time for which barcodes are to be affixed, it is necessary to distinguish between thermal and thermal transfer systems. Thermal barcode readers use thermal paper. Therefore, if the barcode is attached for a long period, the thermal paper itself will be tarnished and the barcode will become difficult to read.
Therefore, a thermal transfer barcode printer is recommended if the barcode is to be affixed for a long period of time. Thermal transfer barcode printers print by thermal transfer of ink from the ink ribbon onto the backing paper, so the color will not burn even if the barcode is attached for a long period. If the barcode application period is not long, a thermal barcode printer is recommended because it does not require an ink ribbon and is low cost.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Zebra is committed to empowering teams with the mobility and insight to deliver at the cutting edge of excellence. More than just providing intelligent hardware, they offer solutions that give organizations complete visibility to make smart, nimble decisions about what action to take now and how to plan for tomorrow. With 52 years of innovation covering ten industries, such as retail, healthcare, and banking, Zebra takes pride in creating a culture of respect, collaboration, inclusion, and innovation that gives organizations a competitive edge. Using decades of innovation, they design scanners, mobile computers, tablets, and printers with features and form factors made for you.
Tourmaline Enterprises, established in 1997 in California, USA, is a manufacturer of industrial thermal inkjet coding, and various marking printers. The company specializes in manufacturing inkjet cartridges, and printers for numerous applications, including packaging and associated accessories. The products offered are Ram mount holster, rotary encoders, fiber optic thru beam sensor, thermal printers, and LED & UV Curable printer ink. The product benefits cover enhanced productivity, durability, optimal printing solutions, and the ability to print on both porous and non -porous surfaces. These printers and inks are used in packaging, cosmetics, the food & beverage industry, automotive marking, and product coding.
Wasp Barcode Technologies, Inc., founded in 1994, is an American multinational manufacturer with its global headquarters in Plano, Texas, specializing in inventory management and turnkey tracking solutions. The company's offerings include a suite of software and systems for asset tracking, inventory management, barcodes, package tracking, as well as time and attendance tracking. It also provides a range of hardware and supplies, including barcode scanners and printers, labels and printer supplies, and mobile computers. While serving notable clients like Intel Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Siemens AG, and Toyota Motor Corporation, the company still maintains a stronghold in the small and medium-sized business (SMB) market.
Isotech was founded in 182 and is headquartered in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Isotech is a manufacturer’s representative and distributor of proprietary mechanical and electromechanical products to the industrial, medical, and military OEM and in-plant markets. Some of Isotech’s products include linear slide assemblies & rail sets, shock/vibration mounts & pads, linear bushings & shafting, telescoping lifting columns, positioning stages, air bearings, gas springs/air cylinders, motorized positioning tables, laser marking cutting systems, foamed aluminum/metal/composites, stamped metal, noise control products, and belt driven actuators.
Ellsworth Adhesives was founded in 1974 and based in Germantown, Wisconsin. Ellsworth is a global distributor specializing in the supply of logistics of specialty chemicals and equipment. Industries that Ellsworth serves include battery, defense, general industry, medical, power, and transportation. Ellsworth provides services such as custom formulation, custom packaging, meter, mix, and dispensing equipment, as well as inventory solutions. Product categories include adhesives, conformal coatings, dispensing equipment supplies, encapsulates, sealants, and UV curing equipment.
FOBA Laser Marking + Engraving, established in 1969 in Selmsdorf, Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of laser marking and engraving systems. The company's product portfolio includes laser marking systems and engraving machines that offer precise, permanent, and quality marking solutions for various materials, including metals, plastics, and ceramics. FOBA's technology is broadly used in industries like automotive, medical devices, electronics, and packaging. Their solutions enable traceability, branding, and identification, enhancing product safety and authenticity. The company also aims to provide cutting-edge solutions that empower industries with efficient marking and engraving capabilities.
Handheld Group AB, established in 1997 and headquartered in Lidköping, Sweden, is a manufacturer of rugged mobile computers. The company produces rugged tablets, PDAs, and the maxgo suite, complemented by custom development options and accessories. Its products include Nautiz x9, Algiz 10xr, and Nautiz x2. Its Nautiz x9 is designed to withstand harsh environments, making it ideal for military, construction, and field service applications, while its Nautiz x2, with its increased power, is used in industrial manufacturing and logistics sectors. The company's Nautiz x6's small profile and significant impact make it a preferred choice for government and logistics applications.
Identco International is an ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949:2016, and ISO 14001:2015-certified manufacturer of labeling products established in 1986 and based in Ingleside, Illinois, USA. The company offers track-and-trace labeling for printed circuit boards (PCBs) or electronic components, SMT label feeders for supplying pick-and-place machines on a production line, and wear-resistant labels for power equipment or machine tools. The company’s products are commonly used in the consumer electronics, industrial manufacturing, and automotive manufacturing sectors.
AstroNova, Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of data visualization technology products for the industrial sector established in 1969 and based in West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA. The company primarily produces flight deck and cabin electronics monitors for the aerospace industry, and testing and measurement monitors for industrial facilities. It also offers digital color label printers from the brands TrojanLabel and Quicklabel. The company is ISO 9001 and AS9100-certified, and mainly serves clients in the aerospace, defense, and industrial packaging sectors.
Custom Sensors, Inc., an American company based in Auburn, New York, specializes as a manufacturer and supplier of barcode scanning products. The company's range of scanning products includes wireless barcode scanners, fixed-position barcode readers, and chip-level decoders. These products are used in various sectors, including retail—where the barcode readers facilitate inventory management and point-of-sale transactions—as well as in the food and beverage, logistics, and distribution industries. The company offers product catalogs, technical support, and a return policy for its equipment.
Ranking as of April 2026
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wasp |
18.3%
|
| 2 | TOURMALINE ENTERPRISES |
13.8%
|
| 3 | Zebra Technologies Corp. |
10.0%
|
| 4 | FOBA |
8.6%
|
| 5 | Isotech, Inc. |
7.6%
|
| 6 | AstroNova, Inc. |
6.6%
|
| 7 | Handheld Group AB |
6.6%
|
| 8 | Custom Sensors, Inc. |
5.5%
|
| 9 | KYOCERA Document Solutions America, Inc. |
5.5%
|
| 10 | IDENTCO International |
4.8%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the barcode printer page as of April 2026. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
5 | 62.5% |
|
Germany
|
1 | 12.5% |
|
Sweden
|
1 | 12.5% |
|
Japan
|
1 | 12.5% |
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