Get organised with the Ptouch Cube
This fast and handy portable label-printer will keep everything in its proper place
The portable label-printer Brother PTP300BT – its other name, Ptouch Cube, is easier to remember – is a lot of fun to use and easy to operate.
You can print out labels directly from your smartphone using the Brother “Design&Print” application, which is just as straightforward to use.
The Ptouch is a little guy – just 115x115x51mm and 380 grams without the tape and batteries. You’ll need six AAA batteries if you’re going to carry it around.
It’ll churn out 3.5, 6, 9 and 12mm labels at up to 20mm per second, so you’ll probably go a bit nuts at first slapping labels on everything you own. Folders, electronic cables, containers and gifts are obvious targets, the family dog maybe not so much.
The printer uses Brother TZe laminated tape, well known for its durability. It can withstand heat of up to 150 degrees Celsius and a minus-80 chill.
The Ptouch connects to your phone by Bluetooth, but you need to download and install the Design&Print app. The app will find and connect to the printer as soon as you turn it on.
You open the panel at the bottom of the machine and install a laminated-tape cartridge. There are several types available, but they’re easily swapped. They include White on Black, Black on Yellow, Black on Clear and Blue on White.
When using a specific type, you obviously need to choose the right text colour and background shade to match.
I tested the printer and found it pretty speedy, and neither especially quiet nor overly loud.
Once finished, you press the “tape cutter” button to trim out the printed label.
The app categorises print-ready templates and frames into six sections – Kitchen, Storage, Garage & Garden, Home Office, Occasions and Identifications.
The Ptouch has a suggested retail price of Bt1,990. The tape cartridges range from Bt460 to Bt870 depending on tape width.
KEY SPECS
- Printing engine: Direct thermal
- Print speed: 20mm/second
- Resolution: 180dpi
- Tape length: 8 metres
- Tape length setting: Auto / 25mm300mm
- Tape type: TZe laminated & nonlaminated
- Tape widths: 3.5, 6, 9, 12mm
- Tape cutter: Manual
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Operating System: IOS / Android
Batteries: Six AAA (not included)
- Size: 115x115x61mm
- Weight: 380g without tape and batteries
