AirTrack LP-1 Label Printer: 203 and 300 dpi Buying Guide

The AirTrack LP-1 label printer is a light industrial 4 inch thermal transfer printer, and in our listing it comes in three part numbers: one at 203 dpi and two at 300 dpi. It sits between a plastic desktop printer and a full size industrial frame, which makes it a common choice for a shipping bench, a stockroom or a small production area that has outgrown a desktop unit but does not need a 30 lb industrial machine.

This guide explains how the three LP-1 part numbers differ, what the SVC suffix does and does not tell you, how the printer fits into an existing ZPL or EPL setup, and what to check before you order one printer or several. If you only need the numbers, go straight to the LP-1 specs table or the full range table.

Products in our listing

All three LP-1 part numbers we list are shown below. Each card links to the full product page.

AirTrackLP-1-1217R1957-SVCAirTrack LP-1 4-Inch 203dpi Thermal Transfer Industrial Label PrinterIn stockView Details →

AirTrackLP-1-1217R1957-300DPIAirTrack LP-1 4.09-Inch 300dpi Thermal Transfer Industrial Label PrinterIn stockView Details →

AirTrackLP-1-1217R1957-300DPI-SVCAirTrack LP-1 4-Inch 300dpi Thermal Transfer Industrial Label PrinterIn stockView Details →

LP-1-1217R1957-SVC is new, and the two 300 dpi models are refurbished. Every unit carries the 30-Day Tech Seller USA warranty. Browse the full AirTrack printer range.

AirTrack LP-1 specs in our listing

The table summarizes the LP-1 part numbers we list, using the data on each product page. Where a value differs, the full range table gives the value for each part number.

What the AirTrack LP-1 label printer is for

AirTrack lists the LP-1 as a light industrial label printer. Every LP-1 in our listing weighs 20.3 lbs, which puts it well above a desktop printer and well below a full industrial frame. That middle ground is the point of the class: a light industrial printer takes larger media rolls and longer ribbons than a desktop unit, and is built for steady daily use, while still fitting on a bench or a cart.

AirTrack's published LP-1 datasheet lists an 8 inch outside diameter media roll capacity, label cores from 1 to 3 inches, and a 450 meter ribbon on a 1 inch core. In practice that means far fewer roll and ribbon changes than a desktop printer that takes a 5 inch roll and a short ribbon. If you are unsure which class fits your volume, our guide to industrial versus desktop label printers explains where each one belongs.

Who the LP-1 suits

The AirTrack LP-1 label printer fits operations that print a few hundred to a few thousand 4 inch class labels a day and want something sturdier than a desktop printer. Typical jobs include shipping and carrier labels at an ecommerce pack bench, product and shelf labels in a stockroom, inventory and location labels, and compliance labels in light manufacturing.

It is less suited to two extremes. A front counter with occasional printing will be better served by a compact desktop printer that takes less space. A high volume line that prints continuously across shifts, or that needs a 600 dpi option, belongs on a full industrial printer such as AirTrack's own IP-2A. For multi unit buyers, the LP-1 is a reasonable standard for a group of benches, because one part number keeps ribbons, labels and spares consistent across every station.

AirTrack LP-1 300 dpi or 203 dpi

Resolution is the main configuration choice in our LP-1 listing. LP-1-1217R1957-SVC is the 203 dpi model, and LP-1-1217R1957-300DPI and LP-1-1217R1957-300DPI-SVC are the 300 dpi models.

203 dpi is the standard for shipping labels, carrier labels and large linear barcodes. Bars are wide, text is large, and the faster speed helps on a busy bench. The 203 dpi LP-1 in our listing is listed at up to 8 ips.

300 dpi suits product labels with small text, ingredient or compliance panels, and compact 2D codes such as Data Matrix and QR, where 203 dpi starts to break up fine detail. Our listing does not give a print speed for the 300 dpi models. AirTrack's datasheet lists up to 7 ips at 300 dpi, so expect the 300 dpi models to be somewhat slower than the 203 dpi model.

Choose the lowest resolution that prints your smallest element cleanly, then print a sample of your real label at its real size and scan it with your own scanners before committing several units. Our 203 vs 300 vs 600 dpi guide covers the trade-off in more detail, and print darkness and speed tuning explains how to get crisp output once the printer is installed.

What the AirTrack LP-1 SVC suffix means

Two of our LP-1 part numbers end in SVC: LP-1-1217R1957-SVC and LP-1-1217R1957-300DPI-SVC. Our product data does not define the suffix. On AirTrack's own listings, SVC part numbers are described as including an AirSupport service plan, which is a manufacturer service offering.

That service plan is not part of our listing. We do not state that any AirTrack service plan applies to or transfers with a unit you buy from us. The warranty on every LP-1 we sell, SVC or not, is the 30-Day Tech Seller USA warranty, and manufacturer warranty or service coverage is not guaranteed. If a manufacturer plan matters to your purchase, confirm coverage with AirTrack for the specific serial number before you rely on it.

For buying purposes, treat SVC as part of the part number. Compare SVC and non SVC units on the hardware details that are listed: resolution, print width, interfaces, display and condition. In our listing, for example, LP-1-1217R1957-300DPI lists a color touchscreen and two USB Host ports, while LP-1-1217R1957-300DPI-SVC lists a 3 inch label core and no display entry.

Media, ribbon and print method

Every LP-1 in our listing is a thermal transfer printer. Thermal transfer uses a ribbon to bond ink onto the label, which makes the print resistant to heat, light and abrasion and suitable for labels that must last months or years. Direct thermal labels need no ribbon but fade over time, so they suit short life labels. If you are deciding which method your labels need, see our guide to direct thermal versus thermal transfer.

Match the ribbon to the label material and the label's working life: wax for paper labels in normal conditions, wax resin for coated paper and some synthetics, and resin for synthetic labels exposed to chemicals, heat or outdoor conditions. The ribbon also needs the right core and length for the printer. AirTrack lists a 450 meter ribbon on a 1 inch core for the LP-1, so order ribbons made for that format. Our label media and ribbon selection guide covers the pairing in detail.

AirTrack also lists dealer options for the LP-1 including a peel off kit, a guillotine cutter and a 5 inch internal rewinding kit. None of these options is listed on our LP-1 product pages, so do not assume a unit has one fitted. Our guide to printer media handling modes explains when peel, cut or rewind is worth adding.

Setup, command languages and connectivity

For AirTrack LP-1 ZPL support, AirTrack's published LP-1 datasheet lists AirTrack Firmware compatible with EPL, ZPL, ZPL II and DPL. That means label formats written for many existing Zebra and Datamax printers can often run on an LP-1 without being rewritten, which is a big help when an LP-1 replaces an older printer on an existing system. Emulation is not always identical to the original printer, so test your real formats, especially stored graphics, custom fonts and unusual commands, before switching a whole site. See our guide to printer command languages.

Every LP-1 in our listing has USB, serial and Ethernet. USB is simplest for a single workstation, serial helps with older equipment, and Ethernet lets several systems share the printer. For any networked printer, set a static address or a DHCP reservation so it keeps the same address after a power cut or a switch restart. Our guide to printer connectivity covers the options, and printer firmware and fleet configuration explains how to keep several units on the same settings.

When you install a Windows driver, pick the one that matches the resolution of your unit. A 203 dpi driver on a 300 dpi printer, or the reverse, scales the label incorrectly and is a common cause of labels that print the wrong size.

Buying a refurbished LP-1: what to check

Both 300 dpi LP-1 models in our listing are refurbished. Light industrial thermal printers refurbish well, and most of the wear sits in a few parts.

The printhead is the main consumable. A worn head leaves thin white lines through every label, and cleaning will not recover burnt elements. Small text and 2D codes at 300 dpi show head wear sooner than large shipping labels. See printhead failure diagnosis and replacement.

The platen roller drives the media past the head. Flat spots and adhesive build up cause tracking drift and patchy print, often mistaken for a head fault. Our thermal printer maintenance guide covers cleaning intervals.

Box contents are worth confirming: power cord, media spindle and any option you expect. Our refurbished hardware grading guide explains what our condition descriptions mean.

How the LP-1 compares with similar printers

The AirTrack LP-1 label printer competes with other compact industrial printers we cover, such as the Honeywell PD45S and the TSC TTP-345. All three are 4 inch class thermal transfer printers sized for a bench rather than a production line. The LP-1's main draw is the EPL, ZPL and DPL compatibility AirTrack lists, which helps a site that runs formats written for more than one brand, along with the color touchscreen listed on two of our part numbers.

If your site already runs one brand throughout and your team knows its tools and spares, staying with that brand keeps support simple. Compare the Honeywell PD45S guide and the TSC TTP-345 guide before deciding. Within the AirTrack range, the IP-2A is the full industrial step up and the DP-1 is the desktop option, both in our AirTrack range.

Full AirTrack LP-1 range in our listing

Every LP-1 part number we currently list is below. Select a part number to open its product page.

Ordering

Send us the part number you want or the printer you are replacing, your label width and material, the smallest text or code on the label, and roughly how many labels you print a day. We will confirm the right AirTrack LP-1 label printer configuration before you order. For several benches, tell us how many units you need and we will confirm them as one order. You can also browse the full printers range.

Common questions