What are the tapes for DYMO label makers? And how to choose the right one?

DYMO is a leading manufacturer of not only label makers and label printers. Of course, their portfolio is also wider and includes consumables for their machines such as paper labels or label maker tapes, which we will be focusing on here. They have been on the market for over 60 years and have been specialising in label makers for all 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 and that is tapes and paper rolls and labels. In our last article we explained the Brother tape product lines, but what about the ones from DYMO? How are the tapes from this highly respected manufacturer different? We'll be happy to advise you on what to look for when choosing...

Dymo labelers

DYMO labelers are suitable for common labeling of cables, wires, electrical cabinets, but also for organizing various things in offices or homes, such as files, furniture, bins, or even DIY tools. You can choose between desktop or portable, with or without a keyboard, with or without a display, there's definitely plenty to choose from. 

Names and types of DYMO labeling tapes

DYMO D1 series

• The tapes of the D1 product line are suitable for marking binders, documents and other items that can be found indoors and have a flat, smooth surface. DYMO tapes adhere best on this type of surface. They are laminated, making them very water and UV resistant.
• Suitable for labelers of the following series:
  
  • LabelManager
  • MobileLabeler
  • LabelPoint
  • Rhino
  • LabelWriter DUO
• It is produced in five different widths, such as 6, 9, 12, 19 and 24 mm and one length of 7 m. The width of the printed labels depends on the tape and the length of the labels can be cut as needed.

DYMO Rhino series

• The tapes with this name are designed exclusively for the DYMO Rhino labelers called "industrial". This means they can withstand the toughest conditions, and the same goes for the Rhino series labels.
• Unlike D1 tapes, Rhino tapes have more applications. They are available in several variants depending on the surface they are suitable for, the marking they are intended for and the material they are made of.
• Vinyl tapes
  • Vinyl tapes are very flexible and highly adhesive. They can be applied to flat surfaces, curved or textured surfaces and even cables and wires. Vinyl labels are excellent at resisting water, oils and some chemicals.
• Flexible tapes (nylon)
  • Do you need to mark rounded and textured surfaces? Then this type of tape is ideal for you. They are very resistant to tearing, which is an advantage if you need to pull, for example, a marked cable through a tight gap.
• Polyester tapes
  • These DYMO tapes are made of the strongest permanent adhesive among all others and are highly resistant to chemicals and solvents.
  • You can apply 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.
• Smršťovací bužírky (polyolefinové)
  • Shrink-wraps are generally suitable for marking cables and these from DYMO are no exception. The shrink wrap is printed by the label maker with text that you prepare in advance and then hot air fix to the cable.
  • DYMO shrink tubes are made of polyolefin material, which is commonly used for their manufacture, as it guarantees quality fixation and protection against dust and moisture.
• All DYMO Rhino tapes are suitable for labelers with the same product name.
  

• It is available in five different widths as the previous series, in 6, 9, 12, 19 and 24 mm. The length varies according to the material of the tape. The vinyl tapes are the longest as they measure 5.5 meters. On the other hand, nylon tapes are produced with a 3.5 meter length and shrink wrap tapes even with a 1.5 meter length.

DYMO LetraTag series

• If you're not an expert in electrical work, nor do you need to mark anything in demanding working conditions, these tapes are for you. They are suitable for homes or smaller offices.
• There are 3 types of LetraTag tapes: paper, laminated and also iron-on for textiles.
• Like the previous type, LetraTag tapes are used in labelers with the same product name.
• The width of these tapes is only one, 12 mm with a length of 4 m.

DYMO Omega series

• The DYMO Omega labelers, that these tapes are compatible with, use embossing printing. Therefore, any symbols are embossed into the tapes in 3D. They are resistant to environmental influences and most chemicals.
• DYMO Omega tapes are used more for marking smooth surfaces to which they adhere perfectly, such as boxes or files in homes or smaller offices.
• These tapes are also produced in one width only, 9 mm with a length of 3 m.

DYMO XTL series

• Dymo XTL tapes and labels are especially impressive in quality and durability. They are designed to withstand the toughest industrial conditions. They are resistant to moisture, chemicals, UV rays and other common environmental influences. It's no wonder that XTL is the top of this product line.
• This product line is again divided according to application and according to cut or uncut strips.
  
  • Vinyl tapes
  • Flexible tapes (nylon)
  • Laminated tapes
    • Pre-cut wire and cable labels with laminated protective coating protect the printed surface from chemicals, moisture, abrasion and fading.
    • Also available in sheet label formats for mass use.
  • Safety and pre-cut tapes
    
    • Special labels with coloured headers including labels pre-printed with the words DANGER and NOTICE for custom printing of small format security signs.
  • Permanent tapes
    • These DYMO XTL tapes are suitable for marking on flat surfaces such as panels, blocks, headboards, shelves and more.
  • Shrink tubes
    • With these shrink tubes you can choose between cut and uncut.
  • Pre-cut labels
    • Ideal for labeling flat surfaces such as barcodes, marking front panels, shelves and other items.
    • Pre-cut labels make it easy to print labels in batches and increase productivity.

• These tapes, shrink tubes and labels fit DYMO XTL 300 and DYMO XTL 500 labelers.

• The XTL series is also distinguished by the fact that it is produced in larger widths and lengths, from the classic widths of 6, 9, 12, 16, 18, 24 mm up to 54. Their length varies according to the material. Vinyl tapes are 7 m long, nylon tapes 5.5 m, permanent tapes as long as 9.1 m and uncut shrink wrap 2.7 m.

• The lengths of the cut labels vary more, of course. For more specific information you can check the datasheet of XTL tapes.

What else is important for choosing the right tape?

Initially, of course, it's important to find out what tape serie is designed for your label maker and what it can print.

A very necessary parameter for choosing a tape is also how wide your labeler can print, so you'd better check this information before choosing (we've already explained what widths Dymo tapes come in for each product line above).

The length of the printed labels can be set individually by cutting according to your needs, or there are already pre-cut labels.

The last parameter is of course the colour of the tape. Each tape is designed for printing labels with a specific print colour on a specific tape colour. There really is a lot to choose from, as DYMO really doesn't skimp on tape colours. It's up to you how many color labels you want or need to print.

Of course, you will find original tapes from the official producers, but we also offer compatible DYMO tapes. These differ only in price, but their quality is just as unique. We call them SMART labels because they have a better price and their quality remains the same.

For example, with the compatible Dymo D1 45013 tape you can print a label with black printing on a white tape, or you can also find comp. tape Dymo D1 45018 in the colour variant black printing on a yellow tape. These two types of printing and background colours are the most used, but of course you can find from these classic to more distinctive tapes. With Dymo Rhino polyester tapes you will even find some that have a metallic backing.

 

We hope that after this article you are a bit more familiar with the marking of Dymo labeling tapes. If you would like any advice on this or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.