Understanding Brother TZ vs TZe Label Tapes

Many users of Brother P-touch label printers wonder: what is the difference between TZ and TZe label tape? Practically, TZ and TZe, tapes are simply of the same high quality laminated tapes, but under a different, marketing name and packaging. Brother added the e in TZe as a marker of an environmentally better cassette. Brother says the TZe cassettes are made of an estimated 80 percent less plastic and at least 5 percent recycled material than older TZ cassettes. That is, the tape inside is the same yet new TZe series comes with green packaging. A TZe tape will work, in most applications (and with most printers), without any decrease in performance as compared to a TZ tape.

Besides, Brother makes it clear that TZe tapes can be interchanged with TZ tapes. The new format TZe is supported in all P-touch printers of the modern generation. It should be pointed out, though, that some of the newer Brother labelers (those stamped with a TZe logo) will work with only the TZe cassettes. A TZ cassette cannot be fitted in such models. On the other hand, all P-touch printers (including the older models) will gladly accept the new TZe tapes. Therefore, no compromise is made on the label performance when taking tapes such the Brother TZe-261 or TZe-661 making it not only with the same label performance as the older TZ-261 or TZ-661 tapes but also being a greener design.

Brother TZe-261/TZ-261: 36mm Black-on-White Tape

The Brother TZe-261 (also known as TZ-261) is a 1½-inch (36mm) wide mono black on white laminated tape. It is in 8-meter (26.2 ft) length. It acts as any other Brother laminated tape would in real use, durable and generally versatile. The product description emphasizes the fact that the laminated surface resists the spills of water, oil, and chemicals and avoids fading in the ultraviolet lights and abrasion marks. This is practically achieved by the fact that labels printed on TZe-261 do not pry off, smear and get faded easily even in a severe environment. This is why it is an outstanding option when it comes to indoor and outdoor labeling, both in the office, storage bins, and outdoor equipment.

Key features of the TZe-261/TZ-261 Include:

• Wide, Laminated Tape: It is 36mm (1.5″) wide, so makes large easy-to-read labels. Brilliant durability is provided by the six layers of laminated construction.
• Durability: According to its specifications, it is waterproof, sunlight-proof, chemicals-proof, heat-proof, and cold-proof, as per the specifications made by Brother. That is to say, you get labels that are faded-proof and durable in extended conditions keeping it legible.
• Standard Adhesive: TZe-261 applies regular acrylic adhesive, as can be applied on smooth surfaces. It sticks well but is easy to pull off. According to Brother, it has an advantage of not leaving any sticky substance behind when removing it, thus, without gunk you can relabel objects.
• Easy Application: The cassette has a backing made by Brother and is a “split” or “crack-and-peel” backing, and thus labels are easily peeled off the backing to apply easily.
• Environmentally Friendly Packaging: The TZe-261 cassette is built with less plastic and recycled content, reflecting the new eco-friendly design.
• Usage: TZe-261 is black-on-white color and is thus suitable to be used in general labelling. It is used in shelving labels, warehouse bins, equipment tags, cable identification, and others. It is resistant to water and abrasion, and as such, it can be used on both internal and external smooth surfaces, such as plastic and metal. The additional width will be able to cover the wide surfaces, hence suitable in labeling large boxes, file cabinets, or industrial products.
• Known As: TZe-261 can also be listed as under a number of codes by retailers and in Brother catalogs. It may be TZe-261, TZ-261, TZe-261G or TZ261. What is meant by each is black-on-white laminated tape. Actually, the documentation provided by Brother makes it clear that the earlier model TZ-261 has been renamed TZe-261 but the tape within is the same.

Brother TZe-661 (TZ-661): 36mm Black-on-Yellow Tape

The Brother TZe-661 (a.k.a. TZ-661) is a 1½-inch (36mm) wide black text on bright yellow laminated tape which is 1%-inch (36mm) wide. It is further 8m (26.2 ft) long. Material wise and durable probably the same sort of tape as the TZe-261 except that the high-contrast yellow ground tape makes it look like a security/caution label. This is what makes TZe-661 perfect to be used as a warning label, safety tag or in applications where visibility is the driving factor.

Key features of the TZe-661/TZ-661 include:

• High-Visibility Color: The yellow-on-black combination is convenient to read and is commonly a warning color. As an example, you can note unsafe equipment or places where there is storage with these bright labels to attract attention.
• Laminated Durability: Similar to other TZe tapes it is laminated to be tough. Brother precisely refers to TZe-661 as water, sunlight, chemical, heat, and cold resistant so that warning labels last in any place using them.
• Standard Adhesive: It uses the same standard adhesive (as the 261) that bonds well to smooth surfaces and peels off cleanly. Brother notes it handles indoor/outdoor conditions (including hot and cold) very well.
• Easy Application: During labeling, the cassette also possesses a peel-off aspect made of a split backing, the same way the white tape is used.
• Compatible with P-touch Printers: The tape is appropriate to be used with all Brother P-touch labelers that use 36mm tapes. Brother lists all the compatible models.
• Usage: The yellow color with a bright hue can be particularly applied in safety notices or Caution, Inventory control, and Security labels. Some suppliers refer to it as security tape since a pulled label will leave a pattern that is tamper-evident (however, Brother TZe-661 has nothing to do with the security (tamper) tape range, it simply looks distinctive). The standard application is the identification of power tools, labeling cables, labeling hardhats or whenever any kind of high visibility label is helpful. TZe-661 labels are also resistant to fading and do not suffer damage because of their laminated ruggedness.
• Known As: The TZe-661 tape is sold under such interchangeable listings as TZ-661, TZ661, TZE-661, and TZe-661G, etc. These all are used in the same Brother 36mm black-on-yellow laminated tape.

Comparing TZe-261 vs TZe-661 (TZ-261 vs TZ-661)

Both the TZe-261 (TZ-261) and TZe-661 (TZ-661) are Brother laminated P-touch tapes of the same width and length, but they differ in color and typical applications. The table below summarizes their main specs and uses:

The two tapes are both the laminated multi-layer construction to make them more durable hence water, abrasion and fading resistant. The two employ the same standard adhesive that is strong and which can be removed without leaving stubs. It is primarily a color change of the labels and a name change of the packaging (TZe-261 for white labels, TZe-661 for the yellow). Practically, whether you load your brother p touch printer with white tape or black, they are basically similar to each other with the exception that the used color would differ.

Advantages & Disadvantages

Using Brother’s TZ/TZe tapes offers several advantages:

• Exceptional Durability: These tapes are highly durable because of the laminated structure making the labels really last. They resist water, oil, chemicals, sunlight and temperature extremities. Briefly stated, the labels produced on TZe or TZ tapes can be read after years.
• Easy to Read: The 36mm width provides enough width to provide a comfortable legibility. The black on white TZe-261 is a high contrast and sharp background. Safety or warning signs are even more eye-catching in the use of the TZe-661 (yellow).
• Eco-Friendly (TZe): Live green, TZe cassettes are ecologically friendlier, should environment friendliness be an issue to you. They also incorporate much less plastic and have recycled contents. The e literally means environmental, and is a new (updated) design by Brother.
• Wide Compatibility: TZe tapes are compatible with most of the Brother P-touch label printers. They had no break at all with TZ tapes- “TZe tapes will work with all P-touch printers”. (In case you actually have an older machine with just TZ on the panel and no other, TZ cassette will be recognized; Tze is backward compatible except on very early machines.)
• Clean Removal: The adhesive is normal; it is firm, but removable. It is important to mention that according to Brother, these tapes “do not leave sticky residue behind”. It implies that it is possible to remove a label and replace it with a fresh one without having the surface clean.
• Versatile Use: Be it office or workshop, almost anything can be labeled using these tapes; bins, folders, pipes, cables, and even outdoor equipment. They are fantastic at organizing, inventorying or safety markings.

However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• Price: As compared to a plain unlaminated labels, genuine laminated tapes produced by the brother, particularly the wide tapes (ex. 36mm) are usually expensive. The labels could be very hardy, which may be a waste of resources should you only need them very temporarily. However, in the case of long term or professional labels, quality is worth the price.
• Printer Compatibility (TZ vs TZe): As mentioned, some of the newer Brother printers (printers which have TZe marking) will not be compatible with the older TZ labeled cassettes; in that case brother compatible label tape can be the perfect solution. This primarily affects Brother printers manufactured after 2011. So, when you come across a TZ-261 or TZ-661 tape, rest assured you know that it is the same product as the TZe-261/661 tape, but make sure your printer will accept it by purchasing a label labeled your printer.
• Machine-Specific: Such cassettes can only be used on Brother P-touch machines (such as PT-3600, PT-9800PCN, PT-E550W, PT-D800W, etc.). When switching to another brand (Dymo, Brady, etc.) they no longer fit.
• Speciality Needs: Brother has Extra Strength (S) tapes, which are recommended when required on surfaces that are highly irregular or when Standard TZe-261/661 are good all-round, rather than the strongest. Extra-strength versions are modelled as TZe-S261 or TZe-S661 (Note: These extra-strength versions are marked in the same identifier but have the suffix ‘E’ in Capital letters).

Choosing Between TZ-261 and TZe-661

In summary, there is no performance demerit to the new TZe tapes, they are just a better version of the older TZ range that belongs to Brother. If the application will require a standard black on white label, choose the TZe-261 (TZ-261). The TZe-661 (TZ-661), has high-visibility yellow labels in case you need them. Both will provide you identical laminated durability and clean printing.

You may find either the TZe or TZ code when replenishing the stocks. Keep in mind that the TZe and TZ codes are the same; they differ only in their packaging periods. Never forget to also check your label printer: newer ones have a TZe logo, and are happiest with TZe cassettes. Most people today will also be able to have a full compatibility with the purchase of TZe-261 and TZe-661 and enjoy the advantage of having their packaging being ecologically friendlier.

This guide will help you choose the correct sort of tape: pick the TZe-261/TZ-261 to use on a black-on-white labeling application or the TZe-661/TZ-661 when you want to put a highly visible warning in bright black-on-yellow lettering. Both are equally durable and will assist you in having a long-term professional look when it comes to the organization of your labels.