Niimbot B21 review: a simple label maker with an eye-catching retro design

Thermal printers needn't be boring, but is the Niimbot B21 style over substance?

Niimbot B21 review; a small green label printer on a wooden table with rolls of printing paper
(Image: © Future)

Our Verdict

The Niimbot B21 looks like no other label maker; its retro design will sit nicely on a table of a craft store or farmer's market. Behind the vintage look is a simple but effective thermal printer that can print on a mix of tape sizes and finishes but at 203dpi images can look pixelated. But if you're printing logos, product details and barcodes then the Niimbot B21 is ideal, and very fast.

For

  • Fun retro design
  • Large stick prints
  • Print from photos

Against

  • Images are a little scrappy
  • Some in-app purchases

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You can't ignore the style of the Niimbot B21 'Remembrance', which recalls the mid-century modern design of the 1950s. This is a swish little thermal label printer that is designed for craft stores, events and farmer's markets as much as those of us who love to slap a label on jars and boxes around the home.

The Niimbot B21 has a wider label width than some thermal printers and can print stickers between 20 – 50 mm, which makes this ideal for printing barcodes and product information. Niimbot has a range of sticker rolls that includes basic white blocks as well as clear vinyl and illustrated celebration themes for party packaging and store events.

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The Verdict
8

out of 10

Niimbot B21

The Niimbot B21 looks like no other label maker; its retro design will sit nicely on a table of a craft store or farmer's market. Behind the vintage look is a simple but effective thermal printer that can print on a mix of tape sizes and finishes but at 203dpi images can look pixelated. But if you're printing logos, product details and barcodes then the Niimbot B21 is ideal, and very fast.

Editor, Digital Arts & 3D

Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creative Bloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines. These titles included ImagineFX, 3D World and video game titles Play and Official PlayStation Magazine. Ian launched Xbox magazine X360 and edited PlayStation World. For Creative Bloq, Ian combines his experiences to bring the latest news on digital art, VFX and video games and tech, and in his spare time he doodles in Procreate, ArtRage, and Rebelle while finding time to play Xbox and PS5.

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