The iDPRT SP410 helps streamline shipping processes with affordable, speedy label prints. While it lacks in a few areas, home and small businesses can capitalize on its cost-saving benefits.

Key Features
  • Direct thermal printing
  • Automatic label detection
  • Can use both fanfold and roll labels
  • Supports multiple label sizes
  • Print resolution of 203 dpi (8 dot/mm)
Specifications
  • Brand: iDPRT
  • Dimensions: 220 mm x 120 mm x 108 mm
  • Weight: 3.94 lbs
  • Connectivity: USB
Pros
  • Quiet, quick printing (up to 6 ips print speed)
  • Easy-to-do maintenance
  • Supports a wide range of software and online platforms
  • Compact in size
  • Print head supports up to 160,000 labels
Cons
  • USB-A connection may require an adapter on some set-ups
  • Label holder must be purchased separately (required for roll labels)
  • Lack of connectivity options (no ethernet nor wireless support)
Buy This Product
iDPRT SP410 Thermal Label Printer

The iDPRT SP410 thermal label printer provides almost everything you want from a label printer without breaking your budget. This mini thermal printer prints fast and accurately without wasting any labels along the way. For those looking to streamline their shipping process, let's see what else the iDPRT SP410 offers.

Design and Connectivity

The iDPRT SP410 features a dark gray (almost black) matte finish allowing it to blend in comfortably with most other electronics. In contrast, muted baby blue highlights the side levers, feed button, and label guides.

SP410 USB label connection

While subtle, the color guides your eye to the more interactive parts of the thermal label printer. If you're new to printing your own shipping labels, it's a simple touch that doesn't prove distracting in the long run.

SP410 portability

The SP410's measurements of 220mm x 120mm x 108mm make this mini thermal printer easy to squeeze on any desk. For those looking to capitalize on a portable thermal printer, the under four pounds of weight makes it very travel-friendly if you have a bag with enough depth. During testing, I was able to fit in a small portable battery bag alongside a 500-count box of iDPRT's fanfold shipping labels.

In terms of system support, the iDPRT SP410 thermal label printer works with Windows, macOS, and Linux. To get the printer going and connected, it uses both a USB-A to USB-B printer cable and an AC power cord. So keep in mind if you don't have a USB-A port on your computer or laptop that you'll need an adapter to print with this device.

iDPRT SP410 Label Sizing and Compatibility

SP410 roll label holder

If you're looking for a thermal printer for shipping labels, the iDPRT SP410 has you covered. For those that aren't familiar, the standard shipping label size is 4" x 6" for most packages. As a further indication of its shipping label focus, iDPRT provides a small amount of 4" x 6" fanfold labels with the thermal label printer, and its label guides come prepositioned for 4"x 6" with a small test sheet resting inside of it.

With this said, the iDPRT SP410 isn't limited to the standard size. It features a print width range of 2 inches to 4.65 inches and a print length range of 1 inch to 11.81 inches. So as long as you have an appropriate label, you're able to print towards your packaging needs.

If you're using roll-type labels, an external label holder is required. As an alternative, you may wish to consider the iDPRT SP420 which can internally (and externally) house its roll labels. With that in mind, iDPRT's shipping label holder costs under twenty dollars and can be assembled and disassembled as needed.

In practice, iDPRT's shipping label holder allowed me to store my 500-count fanfold label stack in one place while also offering easy interchangeability with my 3" x 1" labels. To help hide the power and USB cables, the bottom of the holder is lifted to allow for easy cord tucking. So depending on your desk organization and how many labels you print in a day, it can prove a useful addition for a stationary set-up.

Using the iDPRT SP410 Thermal Label Printer

SP410 desk in use

Before printing, you'll need to tackle the process of installing the iDPRT SP410's drivers from iDPRT's website whether it be for Windows, macOS, or Linux. Furthermore, the SP410 also supports much older versions of Windows (Windows 2000, XP, Vista). Regardless of your system, both the included user guide and iDPRT's online user manual do a good job walking you through the initial set-up process.

In terms of label set-up, it's not hard to adjust the label guides from the back of the SP410. However, you can also open up the printer for a better view and more precise positioning. To open up the SP410, push forward on the two side levers then pull back on on the top cover to lock it in place.

When inserting your labels, both fanfold and roll labels need to be inserted in the rear entry slot just enough for the SP410 to automatically suck them up and adjust them for printing. To further simplify printing, the SP410 features a 15.5 cm rubber roller and a coated thermal print head to prevent paper jams and improve label adhesion.

SP410 serrated edge

From here, the printing process mostly boils down to making sure you select the correct print settings before initiating any multi-label prints. While printing, the feed button can be pressed to both pause printing and resume it in a pinch. Overall, the SP410 prints out your labels extremely quickly, and the only real slowdown comes from having to manually detach the labels via the serrated blade.

The iDPRT SP410 Prints More Than Shipping Labels

SP410 3x1 label example

While the iDPRT SP410 thermal label printer works across a variety of popular shipping and selling platforms, it's a disservice to consider it only for shipping labels. While the SP410 only prints in monochrome, the lack of ink, toner, and ribbons allows for creative uses such as custom illustrative labels without any real increase in cost.

So while it does a great job printing shipping labels for the likes of UPS, Etsy, Amazon, and eBay, don't forgo utilizing the SP410 for barcodes, QR codes, warning labels, and any custom design labels.

Label Software

SP410 label post tear

On the iDPRT website, the free downloadable iDPRT special edition of BarTender UltraLite no longer worked with the printer. Upon loading the program, the iDPRT SP410 is noted as unsupported and subsequentially gets removed from the printer list. While you can still begin a 30-day trial of BarTender's more advanced editions and utilize the iDPRT SP410, it's a detail I'd like to see rectified.

However, depending on your need for custom design presets, bar codes, or QR codes this may not affect you as much. There's also a variety of other label-making software as well as general use software like Photoshop. Overall, the iDPRT SP410 worked well no matter the platform, so I was never left without an option.

Maintenance and Repair of the iDPRT SP410 Thermal Label Printer

SP410 cleaning accessories

Over time, there's a need to clean the iDPRT SP410 to prevent label issues and prevent damage to the printer. Before beginning any cleaning, you'll want to make sure the printer is off, and the print head has had time to cool down. To clean the print head, iDPRT suggests the use of gloves and a thermal printer cleaning pen to prevent unnecessary contact and avoid any damage by static electricity.

When cleaning the paper roller and print path, you can clean any initial dust using a cotton swab or a lint-free dry cloth. Following this, you can use the cotton swab or dry cloth in conjunction with medical-grade IPA (99%) to clean any build-up. In both cleaning cases, you'll want to let the alcohol evaporate before closing the printer.

With mindful cleaning with the iDPRT SP410, you should avoid most major issues with the thermal printer. However, upon purchase, iDPRT does also allow you to extend your warranty by an additional six months if you register your purchase online.

Should You Buy the iDPRT SP410 Thermal Label Printer?

The iDPRT SP410 provides a largely effortless user-friendly experience for those after a cheap and portable thermal label printer. While it does lack some conveniences, its core design supports a wide range of systems for many businesses. If you're looking for an economical option, the iDPRT SP410 will handle all your shipping and packaging label needs.