Choose the DYMO LabelWriter 550 at $116.00 inc GST for folders and suspension files at one desk, or the LabelWriter 550 Turbo at $143.10 inc GST for shared printing over Ethernet. Match the printer to genuine LabelWriter rolls: 99017 labels suit narrow suspension-file tabs, while 99019 labels suit lever arch spines. This guide focuses on everyday filing, not archive-box systems.
- LabelWriter 550 suits one filing workstation and costs $116.00 inc GST.
- LabelWriter 550 Turbo adds Ethernet sharing and costs $143.10 inc GST.
- 99017 suspension file labels measure 12 x 50mm: 220 labels for $26.90 inc GST.
- 99019 lever arch labels measure 59 x 190mm: 110 labels for $34.10 inc GST.
Why the filing surface matters
A suspension-file tab has much less room than a lever arch spine. Choose the label shape before designing the text. A wider label does not help if it overhangs the tab or covers the folder opening.
Use the printed name to help someone retrieve the right folder. The printer handles the output; your naming rules determine whether that output is useful. Keep a short category, client name or file reference in the same position across the cabinet.
What makes a label printer suited to filing?
- Label dimensions: Match the roll to the suspension-file tab, folder face or binder spine.
- Printing access: Choose USB for one connected computer or Ethernet when several workstations need the printer.
- Batch printing: Consider whether you print occasional labels or prepare sets when reorganising a drawer.
- Readable wording: Leave space for the full file name rather than shrinking text to fit unnecessary detail.
- Matching consumables: Use genuine LabelWriter rolls, not D1 tape cassettes.
The LabelWriter 550 and 550 Turbo print at 300 dpi and accept labels up to 62mm wide. The Turbo changes printing speed and network access, not the filing-label sizes you can use.
Compare the two filing printers
| Printer | Suited to | Price inc GST | Connection and speed | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DYMO LabelWriter 550 | Folders and suspension files at one desk | $116.00 | USB; up to 62 labels per minute | No Ethernet connection |
| DYMO LabelWriter 550 Turbo | Shared filing stations and label batches | $143.10 | USB and Ethernet; up to 90 labels per minute | Same 62mm label-width limit as the 550 |
All prices in this guide are Australian dollars and include GST. Label rolls are separate purchases.
1. DYMO LabelWriter 550: suited to filing at one desk
The LabelWriter 550 is a direct thermal desktop printer connected by USB to one computer. It uses DYMO Connect for Desktop and prints without ink, toner or ribbon. Its Automatic Label Recognition reads the genuine roll's size, type and remaining label count.
For a person maintaining folders at a desk, its filing role is straightforward. Load 99017 suspension-file labels for narrow tabs, or use 99019 for lever arch spines. Both are genuine LabelWriter products that fit this model.
LabelWriter 550 advantages
- USB printing from your filing workstation.
- 300 dpi output for text and barcode layouts.
- No ink, toner or ribbon to replace.
- Accepts both suspension-file and lever arch label formats discussed here.
LabelWriter 550 limitations
- No Ethernet port for network sharing.
- It does not print the 104 x 159mm wide-format label.
- It requires genuine DYMO LabelWriter rolls; D1 cassettes do not fit.
Price: $116.00 inc GST.
Suited to: You maintain folders and suspension files from one computer and want a repeatable label layout.
Verdict: Choose the LabelWriter 550 for one filing desk. The Turbo is a different choice when team access or faster batch printing matters.
2. DYMO LabelWriter 550 Turbo: suited to a shared filing station
The LabelWriter 550 Turbo adds Ethernet alongside USB and prints up to 90 labels per minute. It uses the same label sizes as the 550, with the same 300 dpi resolution and 62mm maximum label width.
Choose it when several staff need to print labels from their workstations. A shared printer still needs one naming system: give everyone the same file-name format and label template so folders return to the right position.
LabelWriter 550 Turbo advantages
- Ethernet lets several computers share the printer.
- USB remains available for a local connection.
- Higher stated printing speed for prepared batches.
- Uses the same 99017 and 99019 filing rolls as the 550.
LabelWriter 550 Turbo limitations
- It does not offer a wider label format than the 550.
- The stated printing rate is not a promise about the time needed to finish the whole filing task.
- Shared access does not prevent duplicate names or inconsistent templates.
Price: $143.10 inc GST.
Suited to: Your team uses a shared filing station or regularly prints sets of folder labels.
Verdict: Choose the LabelWriter 550 Turbo for shared access, not because suspension-file tabs need a larger printer.
Choose matching labels for tabs and spines
DYMO 99017: suspension-file tabs
DYMO 99017 LabelWriter Suspension File Labels measure 12 x 50mm, with 220 labels on one roll for $26.90 inc GST. They are genuine direct thermal paper labels with permanent adhesive, also identified as S0722460.
The narrow shape is intended for suspension-file tabs. It fits the LabelWriter 550 and 550 Turbo, as well as the 5XL. Printer compatibility does not make it a full-length binder label: use this format for the narrow reading area, not an entire lever arch spine.
Put the name people search for first. If a file reference is needed, keep it short and consistent. Make a sample in the actual tab before printing the full drawer's labels.
DYMO 99019: lever arch spines
DYMO 99019 LabelWriter Lever Arch File Labels measure 59 x 190mm, with 110 labels on one roll for $34.10 inc GST. They are genuine direct thermal paper labels with permanent adhesive, also identified as S0722480.
They fit the LabelWriter 550, 550 Turbo and 5XL. The full-length shape suits an A4 lever arch spine and leaves more room than a suspension-file tab. Use a clear folder title and the same reference used in your filing list.
Choose 99017 for narrow suspension-file tabs and 99019 for lever arch spines. Neither is a D1 cassette; both are rolls for LabelWriter printers.
Filing printer and matching rolls
The following products cover a shared filing station and its two main label formats. Choose the roll for the surface you are labelling, rather than ordering both sizes automatically.
LabelWriter 5XL: a separate wide-format job
The DYMO LabelWriter 5XL costs $314.00 inc GST and prints wide-format 104 x 159mm labels over USB or Ethernet. It is not necessary just to print folder and suspension-file labels. For archive boxes, use the separate published guide to professional archive box labelling systems, rather than treating box labelling as another filing-tab layout.
Build a folder label that helps you find the record
Choose the retrieval field
Start with what someone knows when looking for the file: a client name, project reference or document category. Place that field first. Do not change the order from folder to folder.
A project-based cabinet can lead with the project code and follow with a short name. An alphabetical cabinet needs an agreed spelling and sorting rule. Avoid abbreviations that only the person printing the label understands.
Use one template for each surface
Keep a short template for suspension-file tabs and a separate layout for lever arch spines. They have different amounts of space, even when they identify the same record.
For a tab, prioritise the main file name. For a spine, place the title and file reference in a consistent order. More space does not mean every administrative detail belongs on the visible label.
Make a sample in the cabinet
Print your longest file name first. Place the label in its intended position and read it with the drawer or folder arranged as it will be used.
Keep text clear of the tab's edges and the folder opening. If the longest title is difficult to read, change the layout before printing the batch. Do not solve it by giving every file a different font size.
Keep sensitive details in the record
Use a neutral title or reference where the contents are sensitive. The visible label should help authorised staff locate the record without copying its contents onto the outside of the folder.
Apply your organisation's rules about what can be displayed. A printed filing label is a retrieval aid, not a substitute for records handling or retention decisions.
Maintain names when files move
Use the same folder identifier in the filing list and on the physical label. When a folder changes location, update its location without inventing a new identity for it.
When the folder's purpose changes, update its name and filing-list entry together. A neatly printed label is still unhelpful when it points to an outdated description.
How these picks are organised
These are picks by filing workflow, based on the product pages' connections, print resolution, speed and matching label formats. They are not claims of comparative field testing or archival permanence.
The LabelWriter 550 covers one workstation; the Turbo adds Ethernet access and faster printing. The narrow 99017 roll and full-length 99019 roll solve different filing surfaces without requiring a wide-format printer.
Which printer should you choose for folders?
Start with the LabelWriter 550 at $116.00 inc GST for a single desk. Choose the LabelWriter 550 Turbo at $143.10 inc GST when network sharing is useful. Add 99017 labels at $26.90 inc GST for suspension-file tabs, or 99019 labels at $34.10 inc GST for lever arch spines.
DymoOnline offers free shipping on orders over $149.99 inc GST. Choose the printer and roll for your filing job, not a larger machine simply because your documents will eventually leave the cabinet.
FAQ
Which LabelWriter suits folders at one desk?
The LabelWriter 550 suits USB printing from one filing workstation and costs $116.00 inc GST. It accepts the 99017 suspension-file and 99019 lever arch labels discussed here.
Which LabelWriter can a filing team share over Ethernet?
The LabelWriter 550 Turbo adds Ethernet alongside USB and costs $143.10 inc GST. It prints the same filing-label sizes as the 550.
Which labels suit suspension-file tabs?
DYMO 99017 labels measure 12 x 50mm and cost $26.90 inc GST for one roll of 220. They fit the LabelWriter 550, 550 Turbo and 5XL.
Which labels suit lever arch spines?
DYMO 99019 labels measure 59 x 190mm and cost $34.10 inc GST for one roll of 110. They fit the LabelWriter 550, 550 Turbo and 5XL.
Do these printers need ink or toner?
No. The LabelWriter printers use direct thermal labels without ink, toner or ribbon. Use genuine DYMO LabelWriter rolls for these models.
Can a D1 cassette go in a LabelWriter?
No. D1 tape cassettes are not LabelWriter rolls and do not fit these printers. The filing consumables here are 99017 and 99019 roll labels.
What should I print on a folder label?
Print the field people use to retrieve the file first, such as its client name, project code or category. Keep the same naming order across the cabinet and use a separate layout for tabs and spines.
One last thing
Print the longest folder name before printing the whole set. If it remains readable in the real tab or spine position, you have a useful starting template. A sample catches layout problems before they are repeated throughout the cabinet.
