Brother VC-500W Versatile Compact Color Label and Photo Printer with Wireless Networking

When we first heard about this--and saw the footprint, I felt like I was missing something, as between the comparatively small size (somewhere between the size of Big Mac & Double Big Mac) and lack of complicated control panel, this isn’t what comes to mind when you think “full color, photo quality printer”. Now that we’ve spent the better part of today putting this through its paces, it’s all clear--and very cool. First, this is one of those ZINK photo printers so it prints photo quality without toner or ink. Unlike other color printers, with Zink all the “color” is in the paper--not sure what that means or how it works, but I dont know how a 747 stays up in the air either and that doesnt stop me from getting on a plane. Anyway, in terms of easy both using it and getting it to work & play well with wifi etc, this reminded me a lot my Brother PC labeler, except; This prints full color, photo quality labels from my phone as well --which is great for on site tweaks as it means I dont have to boot up my laptop This prints those photo labels up to just about a foot and a half long (and depending which tape you use up to 2” wide)--which comes in handy as we create experiential POS for retail and trade show exhibits--and as of 3 months ago, the on-premise ‘presence’ for certain liquor brands--all “highly rectangular” stuff (shelf talkers, table tents, booth signage) that needs lots of rounds of testing & (on location) fine tuning-- that always needs to look like the final finished printed piece. Until now we’ve been spending a small fortune on getting this done -- and that’s without the rush charges--This not only fits in my laptop messenger bag It even prints those ZINK labels pre-scored so peeling off the adhesive back is easy and doesnt take its toll on your nails, teeth...or the label. The PC interface also has pretty much the same options as our existing P-touch so multiple prints and all those other handy features are there. If you’re looking to print 8x10 or 5x7 or 3x5 prints--- stick with your whatever, though if you’re like us, and need a photo quality (aka “professional” quality) full color printer, between the VC500W’s Zink-based, print quality, the compact size, and the same hassle-free easiness as our P-touch labeler, this is our new MVP Most Valuable Printer.

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I have made too many stickers to count. This is a great product! I mainly use it to make gift tags for our cheer squad. I get on average 75 (2x2) stickers per roll. The color quality is great and the software is dummy proof. It’s easy to find a free image online and customize in the software as well as using the preloaded clip art.

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I have many experiences with ZINK from many years back. No matter what it was a stunning achievement. Hoping in time that it would get better. It is better but not perfect yet. This is an affordable color label printer. The resolution is very high in my opinion. The typeface is smooth not jagged edged. The colors are nice and pleasing. It is not a replacement for a photo printer. I am using it on my iPhone XS with no problems. I would have preferred a Bluetooth 5.0 connection rather than WIFI as one has to switch to the Brother WIFI while using. One can set it up on a PC as well - have not tried yet. There are other color label printers out there but they are commercial use and are super expensive. ZINK sell this exact same printer under their name for several years now. I am hoping that Brother will help this product mature and get better with improved drivers and software. I think this a big deal for brother have this product. It makes it mainstream! Thank you both Brother and ZINK !!!

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There’s times you need photo quality color printing that’s not related to documents or anything 8.5x11...say labels, displays, case & counter cards and so on. That’s what the VC500W is all about. It uses the same ZINK instant color printing as Polaroid, Kodak, HP & others so we’re not worried about results, or going broke on ink & toner as ZINK has the color “built into” the paper, so all you need is the unit and a ZINK paper cartridge. While this isn’t our first Brother labeler it IS the one we were waiting for as it lets us print labels up to a foot & a half long. Label width depends on which tape you buy, but with options up to 2”, I’ll be fine as we plan on using it to “Field Test” label designs for our BBQ sauces. Set- up was also simple as it uses pretty much the same interface as Brother’s P-touch printers. It’s small, so it’s easy to carry to accounts and let’s us address design changes “on the spot” no muss no fuss.

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Tech support great. I return unit when it would not print 2” but would print 1”, Received new unit set it up prints 1” great still will not print 2”... bought two new 2”, Still no print. If you only want to print 1” Great little machine,however the 2” cartridge is defective and will not work. You have been warned! Buyer Beware.

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I do a lot of full color packaging prototypes for pharmaceutical and consumer electronics products and have been looking for a solution that would let me produce full-color output that could just wrap around 3 or 4 sides of a box or bottle without dealing with creases and cut marks the way I do when using a color laser or inkjet printer. ZINK is photo-quality printing so the results look “real” and everything is “in the paper” so I don’t have to worry about special toner or ink, As long as the 3 or 4 sides are 18 inches or less I’m fine because the maximum label length is 18 inches (memo to the folks at Brother- longer label options would be nice, especially if it’s a software upgrade). Speaking of software, I was happy to discover how easy setup was… this isn’t Brother’s first rodeo and setup both for my MacBook and iPhone was fairly straight-forward. Overall, a useful addition to my studio.

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I had such hopeful expectations of this label being the answer to my needs. Its not. And it is not versatile. It could only be called versatile because the labels can be applied to multiple tasks. The printer and system itself is the opposite of versatile. Awkwardness at every turn. Needed tech support just to get started. Trying to make a somewhat versatile label? Impossible. You must do straight forward labels only. If you want your print to run sideways. Nope. You cant even turn you text box how you want it. Do you want to add multiple texts, yes but its awkward and a chore to do. Do you want to add text to a shape box, no you cant. Why even have it as an option?? Do you want your actual label background to be color, well no color option for that, though can change your text color, but not background. How is this a color printer? Difficulty at every turn. It just seems like this printer is still in the "working out things stage" and THEY should be paying US! $149? Noooooooo. $20 ok, but with major begrudging. They should pay us! One star because of a great idea. One star because I dont like to give one star reviews. Returning? Yes.

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bad color on the labels and streaks. it prints out extra paper. contacted amazon they are good with service they replaced the defective item.

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DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT! With that said let me explain why. First of all this product requires you to use their mobile app. Problem is, THEY NEVER UPDATE THEIR CRAP APP, SO IT MAKES THIS PRODUCT USELESS. Why you say? Because the mobile app FREEZES, and CLOSES every 5 seconds. On top of that, im not the only one with the issue, they have 1 star rating on both apple and android app stores. THEY DO NOT GIVE A DAM ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS. THEY WILL KEEP SELLING THESE PRINTERS EVEN THOUGH THEY NEVER UPDATE THEIR STUPID APP THAT IS REQUIRED TO USE THIS STUPID PRODUCT. AND ON TOP OF THAT WHEN IT DOES PRINT, ITS CRAP QUALITY!!!!

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As I said in the heading. The device instructions were extremely confusing. I tried countless attempts to get it to work in my Windows 10 system, which is very easy to install printers.. I have another version of the brother and it works very well QL720NW I have sent it back. Not interested Bob Larson

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