Yes, we love labeling. And you also want to start. But should you invest in a Phomemo Printer or a Brother Label Maker?
Over the years, we’ve featured lots of labeling tips and hacks here on Between Carpools (see our labeling roundup below!).
It’s one of the little things in life that makes a home run smoother and gives us equanimity. It helps our families know where to find things, where things go, and give a sense of order.
And while recently, we’ve been enjoying using the Phomemo printer, we admit that the Brother is still useful in many cases (see lots of those tips and posts below)!
Both printers offer labels of different colors as well as clear labels options.
If you’re someone that’s really into organizing, you probably want to own both.
Why We Like the Brother
–The Brother is best for your long term labels, like those on pantry canisters, bottles of condiments, storage shelves, etc. They’re washable and easy to wipe down, and will last as each item is cleaned again and again.
–You don’t need a smartphone. The typewriter is on the device itself.
–Because the tape is on a roll that’s cut at the end, there’s no length limit.
Cons:
–It’s annoying to peel off the backing of the Brother labels.
–While there’s different widths of label tape, all labels are long and thin.
–There’s less layout flexibility than there is with the Phomemo.
Why We Like the Phomeno
–We like Phomemo best for when we’re stocking our freezers. You can print your entire cooking list and use the labels as your to-do list, peeling away as you add each item to the freezer. They stay well-affixed to any types of items in the freezer (they won’t stick to items that have already been frozen, so be sure to label before freezing).
–You can print multiple quantities of one label very quickly.
–They stick more nicely to both aluminum pans and disposable plastic containers. Yet, they will still peel off nicely and easily.
–You can add more information in different sizes of text on each label. The layouts are more flexible. (i.e. if it’s a storage bin, you can list the items stored in the bin).
–There are so many shapes and sizes of labels!
Cons:
–Phomemo labels turn black in the oven. A good tip is print two of the items of which you’re rewarming so that you can relabel and refreeze leftovers.
–The Phomemo labels are designed on an app and print via Bluetooth, so it does need a smartphone (it connects via Bluetooth to the labelmaker). It does not, however, need WiFi or phone service, so once you have the app downloaded, an internet connection is not needed except for app updates.
–Because they use thermal printing, Phomemo labels will fade over time. If you’re using them to label outdoor equipment, they’ll fade in the sun and will need to be replaced. Also beware of fading if you’re using them to label small but valuable items, such as digital cameras, MP3 players, and the like. It’s fine short-term, but a new label will need to be added every so often.