Digital Trends

Seiko SLP 450

October 31st, 2007 | by Jason Tomczak

Features and Design

Seiko's Smart Label Printer 450 is a compact thermal printing unit, specifically designed for printing Seiko labels. The printing process is quiet and fast. Depending on how you print (single run or high volume), the SLP 450 can spit out labels as quickly as 1 second each.

The SLP 450 is housed in a white and clear-blue plastic body not unlike some early models of the iMac. It has a neat, sleek design and a good solid feel. The SLP 450 itself measures 6.22" x 4.61" x 6.34", so it'll fit easily on any desk, shelf or cabinet, no matter how cramped.

The SLP 450 prints "high res" 300dpi labels in a wide, wide variety of sizes. It'll handle everything from tiny return address labels to larger shipping labels up to 2 1/4" tall by 6" wide. The SLP 450 will also print Seiko's custom business/appointment cards which measure 2 1/4" x 3 1/2".

You can add images to your printed labels - company logos, a funny picture, a holiday-themed image, whatever you want.

The Seiko SLP 450 Smart Printer

Setup and Use

Setting up the SLP 450 is easy, even if you've never seen a label printer before. Simply remove the SLP 450 from its packaging and set it on a desk or table. You'll notice that the SLP 450 does not need to be assembled. Just plug the power cord in to the back of the SLP 450 and into a wall outlet. Connect the SLP 450 to your computer's USB port and install the Mac or PC software. The SLP 450 will be listed as an available printer on your computer.

The next step involves adding labels to the SLP 450 so you can print. For this example, I set up my SLP 450 with the 1 1/8" x 3 1/2" address labels (SLP-2RL). Slip the label roll onto the spool/dowel and place it back on the SLP 450. This process is (unfortunately) very reminiscent of changing a toilet paper roll. If you think of it in those terms, swapping label rolls is terribly simple. With the label roll on the spool, fish the first label into the back of the SLP 450 (look for the guide notches molded into the white plastic body). As soon as the SLP 450 senses a new label is being inserted, it'll automatically feed the label into place.

One word of caution - if you're fishing a new label roll into the SLP 450, you may need to remove the first couple labels, as they most likely have tape or adhesive on them. The SLP 450 is a thermal printer and cannot print on tape or adhesive that may be stuck on a label.

When printing out numerous labels, the SLP 450 excels - not only in speed but in convenience. Labels are printed on a wax-papery strip, like a roll of stamps. You simply print, peel and stick. It's all very fast and easy.

Setting up labels in the software is as simple as typing your desired text in or instructing the software to pull your address book and selecting from a contact list. Depending on your operating system (Mac or Windows) the steps to import contacts for printing will vary, but it's easy and fast either way you go. The main steps are to select a label format (e.g. US Address), then click the "Advanced" button, then select your address book application. The Seiko software will display your contacts and contact categories. You select the contacts you want, and click OK. The software returns to the Advanced page with your contacts prepped and ready for printing. Modify fonts as desired, then hit print. Voila! Done.