An OpenLabelMaker alternative that prints to the printer, not to a PDF
OpenLabelMaker is a handy browser designer, but it stops at a PDF or PNG you then have to print yourself, and it caps batch imports on the free plan. PaperReady sends the label straight to the printer and doesn't meter your imports.
OpenLabelMaker gets a lot right: it runs in the browser with no account, imports from Excel and Google Sheets, and generates barcodes and QR, and PaperReady matches all of that. The gap is what happens at print time. OpenLabelMaker exports a PDF or PNG sized for your label, then leaves you to open it and push it through the operating system's print dialog, where a 4x6 can still scale onto a letter page. And its free plan caps batch imports at five a month before asking for a Pro subscription. PaperReady closes both gaps. The free Print Bridge agent sends each label straight to the thermal printer at true size, with no PDF step and no print dialog, and batch printing carries no monthly import cap. You still design in the browser with no account, still import from Excel, still get barcodes and QR, but the label actually lands on the printer.
Prints to the printer, not a PDF
OpenLabelMaker exports a PDF or PNG you open and print yourself. PaperReady's agent sends the label straight to the thermal printer at true size, so nothing scales onto a letter page.
No monthly import cap
OpenLabelMaker's free plan allows five batch imports a month, then wants $5/mo. PaperReady's batch printing has no import meter.
True-size thermal and roll labels
Because it drives the printer directly, a 4x6 feeds edge to edge and continuous rolls just work, rather than depending on a PDF viewer's scaling.
Design in the browser, no account
This is common ground: both let you lay out a label in the browser with no sign-up. PaperReady only asks you to sign in when you save a design to reuse it.
Import from Excel, same as before
Map your spreadsheet columns to the label and print a run. Excel, CSV, and Google Sheets data all work, exactly like OpenLabelMaker.
Shopify orders print themselves
OpenLabelMaker's Shopify path is a manual CSV export you re-upload each time. PaperReady connects to the store and auto-prints each new order.
PaperReady vs OpenLabelMaker
| PaperReady | OpenLabelMaker | |
|---|---|---|
| How labels reach the printer | Direct to the printer via local agent | PDF or PNG export you print yourself |
| True-size 4x6 / roll | Yes, edge to edge | Depends on your PDF viewer's scaling |
| Batch imports | No monthly cap | 5/month free, then $5/mo |
| Account to design | Not required | Not required |
| Excel / Sheets import | Yes | Yes |
| Barcodes & QR | Yes | Yes |
| Shopify orders | Auto-print on new order | Manual CSV export each time |
Free on one computer · no account needed · installs in seconds