Price Guns and Labelling: A Retailer's Complete Guide
A price gun is a handheld tool that prints and applies a price label in a single squeeze, the fastest way to price shelves and stock by hand. The choices are simple: 1-line vs 2-line guns (price only, or price plus a date or code), the right labels for your gun (size, colour, permanent or peelable), and whether you also need tag guns for clothing or a barcode printer for scannable labels. This guide walks through each so you buy a system that fits your shop.
What is a price gun and how does it work?
A price gun is a handheld labeller loaded with a roll of self-adhesive labels. You set the price on the dials or number bands, squeeze the trigger to print a label, and it feeds onto a roller at the front of the gun. Press the gun against the product and the label sticks. It prices shelves and stock far faster, and more neatly, than writing prices by hand.
The mechanism and how to load one are covered in how do price guns work (and how to load one).
1-line vs 2-line price guns
A 1-line price gun prints a single line, usually the price, and is all most shops need. A 2-line gun prints two lines, so you can add a date, a product code, or a was-and-now price for promotions. Choose 2-line if you date-mark stock or run offers regularly; otherwise a 1-line gun is simpler, cheaper and quicker to set.
The full comparison is in 1-line vs 2-line price guns: which do you need.
Price gun labels: sizes, colours and compatibility
Price gun labels must match your gun's make and model, the size in particular, such as 26 x 12mm or 22 x 12mm, or the wrong label will not feed. Then choose the colour (white, or fluorescent for offers) and the adhesive: permanent for fixed pricing, or peelable for stock you will reprice. Buying labels to suit the gun you own is the single most common thing to get right.
Sizes, colours and which fit which gun are in price gun labels: sizes, colours and which fit your gun, and loading them in how to change and load price gun labels. Shop them on price gun labels.
Tag guns and fasteners
A tag gun attaches swing tickets and labels to clothing and textiles by firing a small plastic fastener through the fabric, far faster than threading by hand. Standard fasteners suit most garments, fine fasteners are for delicate fabrics, and the needle matches the gun. It is the standard tool for ticketing clothing and soft goods in any retailer that sells them.
The fastener types are explained in tag guns and fasteners: standard, fine and fabric explained. Shop them on tag guns and fasteners, with strung pricing tags for the tickets.
Barcode label printers: when you need one instead
A price gun prints a price, not a barcode. When you need scannable barcodes, product names or variable data, a thermal barcode label printer (Zebra, Dymo or Brother) is the tool. These print labels from your till or back-office system for stock control and scanning at the till. Which printer suits which job is compared in barcode label printers compared: Zebra, Dymo and Brother.
Price gun or barcode printer: which for your shop?
Use a price gun for fast, simple price labels on shelves and stock, cheap, quick and no power needed. Use a barcode printer when you need scannable barcodes or printed product data for stock control and till scanning. They are not rivals: many shops keep a price gun for shelf-edge pricing and a barcode printer for product labels, choosing per job rather than one over the other.
Price and label your stock
Price guns, the right labels, tag guns and fasteners, and barcode printers, at trade prices with fast Irish delivery.
Where to buy price guns and labels in Ireland
Shop4Rolls supplies price guns, labels and tagging tools to shops and retailers across Ireland, 1-line and 2-line guns, matching labels in every size and colour, tag guns, fasteners and barcode printers, at wholesale prices with free delivery on qualifying orders. Browse price guns, price gun labels and tag guns and fasteners, or the full price guns and labels range. For shelf-edge tickets and signage, see the shop display and signage guide.
Frequently asked questions
How does a price gun work?
A price gun is a handheld labeller loaded with a roll of self-adhesive labels. You set the price on the dials or bands, squeeze the trigger to print a label, and the label feeds onto a roller at the front. You then press the gun against the product to apply it. It prices shelves and stock far faster than writing by hand.
What is the difference between a 1-line and 2-line price gun?
A 1-line price gun prints a single line, usually just the price, and is all most shops need. A 2-line gun prints two lines, so you can add a date, product code, or a was-and-now price for promotions. Choose 2-line if you date-mark stock or run offers; otherwise 1-line is simpler and cheaper.
What labels fit my price gun?
Price gun labels must match your gun's make and model, mainly the label size, such as 26 x 12mm or 22 x 12mm. The wrong size will not feed correctly. Beyond size, you choose the colour (white or fluorescent for offers) and the adhesive: permanent for fixed pricing, or peelable for stock you will reprice. Always check your gun model before ordering.
Can you remove price gun labels?
It depends on the adhesive. Permanent labels are meant to stay put and will tear or leave residue if removed, fine for fixed pricing. Peelable (removable) labels lift off cleanly, which suits stock you reprice or items where a clean surface matters. Choose the adhesive at purchase, as you cannot really turn a permanent label into a peelable one.
What is a tag gun used for?
A tag gun attaches swing tickets and labels to clothing and textiles by firing a small plastic fastener through the fabric, much faster than threading by hand. Standard fasteners suit most garments, fine fasteners are for delicate fabrics, and fabric or tagging needles match the gun. It is the standard tool for ticketing clothing and soft goods in retail.
Do I need a price gun or a barcode printer?
Use a price gun for fast, simple price labels on shelves and stock, as it is cheap, quick and needs no power. Use a barcode label printer such as Zebra, Dymo or Brother when you need scannable barcodes, product names, or variable data printed at the till or back office. Many shops use both: a price gun for shelf pricing and a printer for barcoded labels.