What are DYMO label maker tapes? And how to choose correctly?

DYMO is a leading manufacturer not only of label makers and label printers. Their portfolio is, of course, broader and also includes consumables for their devices, such as paper labels or tapes for label makers, which we will focus on here. They have been on the market for over 60 years and have specialized in labelers throughout that time, so it is clear that they are among the market leaders. As we have already mentioned, they also specialize in consumables for their label makers and label printers, namely tapes, paper rolls, and labels. In our previous article, we explained Brother's tape product lines to you, but what about those from DYMO? How do the straps differ from this highly respected manufacturer? We will be happy to advise you on what to focus on when choosing...

DYMO Label Makers

DYMO label makers are suitable for common labeling of cables, wires, electrical switchboards, as well as for organizing various items in offices or households, such as binders, furniture, spice jars, or even a DIY enthusiast's tools.

You can choose between desktop or portable, with or without a keyboard, with or without a display, so there is definitely plenty to choose from. We have already prepared more information about label makers and label printers for you in the article “Dymo Label Makers and Label Printers”.

Names and types of tapes for DYMO label makers

DYMO D1 series

• D1 series product tapes are suitable for labeling binders, documents, and other items that may be located indoors and have a flat, smooth surface. These DYMO tapes adhere best to this type of surface. They are laminated and therefore highly resistant to water and UV radiation.
• Suitable for label makers in the following series:
  • LabelManager
  • MobileLabeler
  • LabelPoint
  • Rhino
  • LabelWriter DUO
• Available in five different widths: 6, 9, 12, 19, and 24 mm and one length of 7 m.
The width of the printed labels therefore depends on the given tape, and the length of the labels can be cut arbitrarily as needed.

DYMO Rhino Series

• Tapes with this name are created exclusively for DYMO Rhino label makers referred to as "industrial".
That means it can withstand even the harshest conditions, and the same is true for the Rhino series labels.
• Unlike D1 tapes, Rhino have more applications. They are manufactured in several variants depending on which surfaces they are suitable for, what kind of marking and what they are intended for, and what material they are made of.
• Vinyl tapes
  • Vinyl tapes are very flexible, strongly adhesive, and highly resistant to chemicals. They can be applied to flat surfaces, curved or textured surfaces, and even to cables and wires. Vinyl labels are highly resistant to water, oils, and some chemicals.
• Flexible tapes (nylon)
  • Do you need to label curved and textured surfaces? Then this type of straps will be ideal for you. They are highly resistant to tearing, which is an advantage if you need to pull, for example, a labeled cable through a narrow gap.
• Polyester tapes
  • In the production of these DYMO tapes, the strongest permanent adhesive of all was used, and they are characterized by high resistance to chemicals and solvents.
  • You can stick them to uneven surfaces, surfaces with a rough texture or finish, but of course also to flat and smooth surfaces.They are not suitable for marking cables and wires.
• Heat shrink tubing (polyolefin)
  • Heat shrink tubing is generally suitable for cable marking, and these from DYMO are no exception. The heat-shrink tubing is printed by the given label printer with text that you prepare in advance and then fix to the cable using hot air.
  • DYMO heat shrink tubes are made of polyolefin material, which is commonly used for their production, as it ensures high-quality fixation and protection against dust and moisture.
• All DYMO Rhino tapes are suitable for label makers with the same product name.

• They are manufactured in five different widths, just like the previous series: 6, 9, 12, 19 and 24 mm. The length already varies depending on the tape material. Vinyl strips are the longest, as they measure 5.5 meters. In contrast, nylon ones are manufactured with a length of 3.5 meters, and heat-shrink tubing even with a length of 1.5 meters.

DYMO LetraTag Series

• If you are not an electrician and do not need to label anything in demanding working conditions, then these tapes are exactly for you. They are suitable for households or smaller offices.
• There are 3 types of LetraTag tapes: paper, laminated, and additionally iron-on for textiles.
• Like the previous type, LetraTag tapes are used in label makers with the same product name.
• The width of these strips is only one, namely 12 mm, with a length of 4 m.

DYMO Omega Series

• DYMO Omega label makers, with which these tapes are compatible, use embossing printing. Any symbols can therefore be embossed into the strips in a 3D design. They are resistant to environmental influences and chemicals.
• DYMO Omega tapes are used rather for labeling smooth surfaces, on which they adhere excellently, such as spice jars or binders in households or small offices.
• These tapes are also manufactured in only one width, namely 9 mm, with a length of 3 m.

DYMO XTL Series

• Dymo XTL tapes and labels stand out above all for their amazing quality and durability. They are designed to withstand even the most demanding industrial conditions. They are resistant to moisture, chemicals, UV radiation, and other common environmental influences. It is no wonder that the XTL are this manufacturer's top-of-the-line series.
• Again, this product line is divided according to application and according to cut or uncut strips.
  • Vinyl tapes
  • Flexible tapes (nylon)
  • Laminated tapes
    • Pre-cut labels for marking wires and cables with a laminated protective layer protect the printed surface from chemicals, moisture, abrasion, and fading.
    • Also available in sheet label formats for bulk use.
  • Safety and pre-cut tapes
    • Special labels with colored headers, including labels preprinted with the words DANGER and NOTICE for custom printing of small-format safety signs.
  • Permanent tapes
    • These DYMO XTL tapes are suitable for labeling on flat surfaces, e.g. for labeling panels, blocks, front plates, shelves, and more.
  • Heat shrink tubing
    • For this tubing, you can choose between pre-cut and uncut options.
  • Pre-cut labels
    • Ideal for labeling flat surfaces, such as barcodes, front panel marking, shelves, and other items.
    • Pre-cut labels make it easier to print labels in batches, thereby increasing productivity.

• These tapes, sleeves, and labels are suitable for DYMO XTL 300 and DYMO XTL 500 label makers.

• The XTL series also stands out because it is manufactured in greater widths and lengths, ranging from the classic widths of 6, 9, 12, 16, 18, 24 mm up to 54. Their length varies depending on the material. Vinyl tapes are 7 m long, nylon tapes 5.5 m, permanent ones even 9.1 m, and uncut heat-shrink tubing 2.7 m.

• The lengths of the cut labels naturally vary more. For more specific information, you can review the datasheet for the XTL tape.

What else is important for choosing the right tape?

First of all, of course, it is important to find out which tape series is intended for your label maker and what it can print.

A very important parameter for choosing a tape is also how wide your label maker can print, so it is better to verify this information before making a selection (we have already explained the widths in which Dymo tapes are manufactured for each product line above).

The length of the printed labels can be adjusted individually by cutting them according to your needs, or pre-cut labels are also available.

The last parameter is, of course, the color of the given ribbon. Each tape is intended for printing labels with a specific print color on a specific background. There is truly plenty to choose from, as DYMO really does not skimp on the colors of its labels. It depends only on you how colorful labels you want or need to print.

Of course, you will find original tapes from official manufacturers here, but we also offer compatible DYMO tapes. They differ only in their lower price, but their quality is just as unique. We call them SMART labels, because they have a better price and their quality does not change despite that.

For example, with a compatible Dymo D1 45013 series tape, you can print a label with black print on a white background, or you can also find compat. among them. tape from the same series D1 45018 in the color variant black print on a yellow background. These two types of print colors and backgrounds are the most commonly used, but of course with us you will find ribbons ranging from these classic ones to more distinctive options. Among Dymo Rhino polyester tapes, you can even find ones with a metallic backing.

 

We hope that after reading this article, you will understand Dymo label maker tape labeling at least a little better. If you would like advice on this or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to answer all your questions.