Monday 19 November 2012

Tape printer...in my opinion..





Yes, it looks works and behaves like the Dymo hand held tape system.  It's by Artemio (distributed in the UK by several wholesalers, so widely available).  It takes the regular 9mm width tapes and as you can see, they come in a nice selection of colours.  The cassettes for upper and lower cases are really easy to change, and someone has thoughtfully put a smiley face on the lower case cassette which is quite fun.  There is also proper, full punctuation available, although the Question Mark is not repeated on both cassettes which I found a bit odd.  Not odd enough to stop me liking it though. The letters are changed by turning the central blue knob to 'dial' the required letter. This took me a minute to to get used to; on my other tape printer, you just turn the outside edge of the wheel, the 'knob function' feels very 21st century! There is no other intrinsic difference, the pressure required on the trigger seems the same - not as hard to squeeze as a reluctant punch for example,  - you aren't left feeling that you've had a good clenching pelvic floor workout or anything so drastic!   The tapes are clearly an industry standard, and like all tapes of their nature, they need encouragement to actually stick to anything that isn't paper. Because Artemio is a craft specific brand, the tapes will be readily available and come in some great colours, including flourescents, which are fun.  The device comes with one reel of tape and the other tapes come in pre-determined selection packs of colours...primary (as shown) pastels and others.  It costs about £15, and the packets of 5 rolls of tape are about £8.  Significantly better prices than the market leader.  And no significant differences, in my opinion.  This puts it on the Christmas pressie list I think, because it's probably not something that you'll use every day, but it's something that would be really nice to have. Especially if like me, you scrapbook as well as make cards.


Look, proof that I use it...and that I wear zebra striped clothing....(bottom left of card front ...reflection)


I haven't been paid to do this review, the product is mine, I got it from Kraft Crazy in Amesbury ( 01980 625584) where Shopkeeper Gal makes me stay up to date. 

29 comments:

Julie said...

Julia ..Thanks for the info on this product. I have thought that I might get something similar now this seems a good product I might pop it on my Christmas list!
Julie(paperpathway) X

Auntie Em said...

I like your card and the tape looks so cute on it. (I thought the stripes were part of the papers design!) lol

Redanne said...

Thanks for that Julia, very interesting indeed. The refills for my current model make it too expensive but these seem quite reasonable, so many colours too. A very useful review. Hugs, Anne x

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

Cute card! I love my Dymo and use it in on paper crafting just like you. I like the ability to switch to a lowercase cartridge with the Artemoi, as well as the updated character choices and price.

Anonymous said...

I think I could put one of those to good use!

Helen said...

I had to really squint to see any stripes and so I will be sending you my optician's bill... lol! This sounds a great little product and now I want one, but am job hunting (for real!!) and nothing else has changed... say no more!

JoZart Designs said...

I think that will end up on my list too. I have a label printer which is a few years old and the replacement reels are exorbitant so I do need an alternative.
Thanks for the honest review...love jo x

Unknown said...

My parents had one of those I used to love playing with it.

Eliza said...

I still have my original Dymo Labler and dont use it much, it will do for the little jobs when I think of them. Thanks for the review, it is always interesting how others view things.

Eliza

Lisa-Jane said...

I love the star papers / embossed effects there. Its a great card and that tape makes a wonderful twist.

Craftychris said...

Thank you for a fab review, I like the look of this machine - its on my wish list! xx

Belinda Basson said...

I love your review and will go on line to look for the refills in all their rainbow glory! I can't seem to find any here for my Dymo and I might just get the toy too...mine is only upper case...I like your Christmas prezzie idea ( to me from me)

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

An updated version of the old Dymo, a product I used to use a lot until I ran low on tape. Gotta admit I LOVE that card.

Laura said...

I don't suppose you know if the tape refills fit in a dymo..?

KatzElbows said...

Great review. Thanks for the info. The question mark has me sold, even if I have to switch cassettes to use it.

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said...

So cool I love this!!! I have a Dymo that I love but this is much more FUN!

Tamika said...

Thanks for the review because I really need a new one and I would like multiple colors of tape to choose from, how I'll get that version I dunno but thanks!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the info.

Cardarian said...

Love your "crafty reviews" - I think you have convinced me to put this on my letter to Santa...I have been wanting a label printer for a long time and I think this will be the one!!! The only problem is where to buy it...Oh yes Santa will have to deal with that!
Lots of hugs,
Cardarian

BJ said...

Thanks for this Julia, typically I have recently bought a Junior Dymo but the fact that the tapes will probably fit it, is good to know. I like using Vellum in mine, have you tried that yet? BJ

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I read that as "where the shop keeper gal makes me stay up late" and though DANG! I hate being kept up past my bedtime... even for crafting stuff. This seems like a very cool tool. I inherited an ancient dymo tool, back when they were made of metal. It has changeable cartridges too, but not to lower case but to script. There were some others there too but they all looked the same to me. It has trouble loading the tape to start (probably why it had been abandoned in the trash can, oh no did I just admit to picking from the trash?) but once you get it in there. I'll bet this one is so much better because you know, newer! And a smiley face!!! I need one of those. Now I have tape printer envy.

Ann B said...

Thanks for the review Julia. I'm another with the old type but don't use it because of cost. Did you know there is a Font available that does 'Dymo tape 'writing' so that you can change the colour on your computer and print out. Can't remember where I got it from so that's a big help (not) - one of those free sites.

Ann B

Neet said...

Sounds good and worth investigating. I wanted one last year in America but didn't get it that did fancy script - well at least I felt sure I had read about it somewhere.
Might just have to go for yours - good price!
Hugs, Neet xx

Unknown said...

Well I'm not convinced this is better than my Dymo, I don't mean the hand held bizzos but the desk model which also takes different types of labels, eg paper, plastic etc and having to change cassettes just to get say...one capital letter then have to change back to lower case would drive me insane!
Sorry, I seem to be the only one being negative here lol.
Cheers,
Elaine

Sandi McLean said...

Your post made me start looking for the machine I had...hmm I didn't like it at all, can't recall the name and maybe I gave it away! But in the hunt I found my bow easy!!
Thanks!

RosA said...

Funny you should be talking about label makers. I just started using mine the other day. It doesn't get much use. Not sure why I keep forgetting about it, as I kind of like it. And I do have a very, very, very old one too and there is virtually no difference between them.

Unknown said...

I missed this post - t'was in my inbox...

conjoured images of doing pelvic floor exercises while spelling out someone's name on the tape thingy is probably not the best thought I've had this morning... good review though!

Animal prints... well, you will use mirri. You don't get away with anything when you use mirri and try and photograph it! lol.

Remembering the original Dymo tape thingy - I don't recon I'd be able to do those now - I remember using one many moons ago when, to get a good impression, you almost had to position the 'trigger' and close a door on it lol...

Hugs
Paula x x x

misteejay said...

One of my local craft retailers is stocking this and I've been looking at it...may have a closer look now.

Love the card.

Toni xx

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