The Essential Guide to Mobile Printing for Warehouse Vehicle Operations

With the boom in e-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment, warehouses have become crucial and are growing in number. This growth has led to a surge in warehouse vehicles like forklifts, with the market projected to grow by 40% from 2023 to 2031.¹ These vehicles are vital for moving inventory on the premises. For operations that rely heavily on them, a mobile printer with a shoulder strap isn’t enough. Additional accessories are necessary to streamline the labeling process.

Effective barcode labeling is essential for tracking items, boxes, or pallets, especially in dynamic warehouse operations where inventory fluctuates frequently. There are two major labeling applications in a warehouse that require mobile printers. The first is labeling incoming items for accurate putaway. The second is relabeling items with illegible labels. Here we provide recommendations to choose the best combination of mobile printers and accessories for warehouse vehicle operations.

Achieving Operational Synergy with Vehicle Accessories

Mobile printers expedite tasks by printing labels at the point of demand and integrating with vehicles commonly used in warehouse operations. By integrating into warehouse vehicles, mobile printers and their accessories eliminate the need for operators to constantly carry printers or travel to stationary printing stations to pick up labels.

Various vehicles and tools such as forklifts, stackers, pallet jacks, and carts are used to move around the warehouse. The TSC Auto ID 3-inch Alpha-30L and 4-inch Alpha-40L mobile printers are ideal models for this. These ruggedized printers are designed for harsh environments and equipped with smart batteries that work with TSC Console or SOTI Connect for remote printer management. Most importantly, they come with a full line of accessories to assist with labeling tasks in various working conditions, especially for vehicles and tools on the move.

Taking the Burden Off Operators

Instead of operators carrying the printers for shifts, vehicles can be utilized to ease their burden. Fixating the printers becomes important, ensuring they are easily accessible and secure from drops. The Alpha-30L and Alpha-40L can be installed on vehicles using our vehicle adaptor that is compatible with third-party mounts such as RAM^® mounts. There is also a quick-release vehicle mount kit to easily detach the printer, allowing the operator to use it elsewhere or return it to the office at the end of the shift. The mobile printer can be attached and detached within seconds while securely fixated when in use, enhancing mobility and flexibility for diverse tasks.

Ensuring Uninterrupted Productivity

Printers need power to operate, and selecting the appropriate powering or charging accessory can boost efficiency and ensure uninterrupted productivity. TSC Auto ID offers a full line of accessories for charging different types of vehicles on the go. Our vehicle power adapters cater to both cigarette lighter sockets and direct connections to a power source, offering charging flexibility. The battery eliminator is ideal for printers that are always connected to a power source, where a battery is unnecessary. For printers used both on and off vehicles, you can conveniently charge them after a shift using either the docking cradle or the dedicated battery charger for removed batteries. This ensures your printers are fully operational for the next workday.

Label Printing Convenience

Both printers and media will need to be secured on the vehicles. For media with larger rolls or media that cannot be rolled, a place is needed to hold them on the move without interfering with printing tasks. The external fanfold media holder solves this challenge. Complete with a media tray, it ensures smooth feeding to the mobile printer while securely mounted to the vehicle. It is also compatible with the quick-release vehicle mount kit. This accessory can be mounted onto vehicles such as stackers, forklifts, or even carts depending on the application.

The Right Accessories Make a Difference

Choosing the right mobile printer accessories for your warehouse vehicle makes a huge difference. The Alpha-30L and Alpha-40L mobile printers are compatible with all these accessories to meet diverse printing needs. The ideal selection brings operational synergy, significantly benefiting businesses by streamlining workflow and maximizing efficiency.

Interested in trying our mobile printers and accessories for warehouse operations? Please visit our website or contact your local sales representative to find the perfect combination.

¹ “Warehouse Forklift Market”, Market Research Intellect, https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/product/global-warehouse-forklift-market/