Pick for direct keyboard entry: DYMO RHINO 4200. Pick for a portable site kit: DYMO RHINO 5200. Pick for PC-prepared labels and 24mm tape: DYMO RHINO 6000+. Pick for embossed metal tags: DYMO M1011. Choose your industrial label maker around the finished label, the material and how you want to enter the text.
- Pick for QWERTY cable labeller entry: DYMO RHINO 4200, using compatible cartridges up to 19mm.
- Pick for a carry-case site kit: DYMO RHINO 5200, with battery pack and adaptor included.
- Pick for PC layouts and 24mm self-laminating tape: DYMO RHINO 6000+.
- Pick for a heat shrink label maker: match a RHINO printer with the correct tube diameter.
- Pick for embossed metal identification: DYMO M1011 with 12mm DYMO metal strip.
Why the material comes first
A cable wrap, a printed sleeve and an embossed metal tag are different outputs. A machine that prints a label does not automatically make that label suitable for every surface or installation.
Start with one real job. If you need to wrap an existing cable or conduit, RHINO flexible nylon tape is the curved-surface option in our range. If you need a sleeve, check heat shrink tube against the conductor's outside diameter. For a flat panel, look at permanent polyester; for a mechanically fixed metal tag, look at the M1011.
DymoOnline's tradie range covers handheld RHINO cartridge printers and the manual M1011 metal embosser. The distinction matters before you choose a machine or order replacement materials.
Compare the four machines by job
| Machine | Pick for… | Relevant features | Check before choosing |
|---|---|---|---|
| DYMO RHINO 4200 | Direct keyboard entry on site | QWERTY keyboard; 6mm to 19mm RHINO cartridges; cable-wrap and flag hot keys | No PC connection; case, battery pack and adaptor are not included |
| DYMO RHINO 5200 hard case kit | Travelling between cable, panel and breaker jobs | ABC keyboard; saves over 100 label formats; battery, adaptor and case included | No PC connection; maximum cartridge width is 19mm |
| DYMO RHINO 6000+ hard case kit | PC-prepared layouts and wider cable identification | USB connection with DYMO ID; 6mm to 24mm cartridges; stores up to 200 labels | Choose a compatible cartridge; 24mm capability does not mean every material comes in 24mm |
| DYMO M1011 kit | Embossed metal equipment and plant tags | Hand-operated; 12mm metal strip; hole punch and cable tie slot punch | Not a cartridge printer; metal tags need a fixing method |
The RHINO 4200 and 5200 share a 19mm maximum cartridge width. Moving to the 5200 kit changes the keyboard, label-format options and kit contents, not that width limit. The RHINO 6000+ adds 24mm support and PC connectivity.
The four machines in our range
1. DYMO RHINO 4200: pick for direct keyboard entry
The RHINO 4200 is a handheld industrial label maker with a QWERTY keyboard and a backlit display. Its hot keys format wire and cable wraps, cable flags, fixed-length labels and breaker labels. It also prints Code 39 and Code 128 barcodes.
Use it when you want to type an identifier beside the job without preparing a layout on a computer. It takes RHINO vinyl, flexible nylon, permanent polyester and heat shrink tube cartridges from 6mm to 19mm.
Useful features:
- QWERTY entry for text typed directly on the tool.
- Cable-wrap and flag formatting through hot keys.
- Favourites and Custom keys for settings you reuse.
Limitations:
- No PC connection.
- No 24mm self-laminating cartridge support.
- No hard case, battery pack or adaptor in the box; six AA cells are not included.
The starter cartridge is industrial vinyl. If your first job calls for flexible nylon or heat shrink, choose that consumable separately rather than assuming the starter material covers it.
Pick for electricians and installers who want QWERTY entry and cartridge widths up to 19mm.
2. DYMO RHINO 5200: pick for a portable site kit
The RHINO 5200 kit packages the tool in a hard case with a rechargeable lithium ion battery pack, AC adaptor and two white industrial vinyl cartridges. It uses an ABC keyboard and a backlit two-line display.
Its hot-key formats cover terminal blocks, patch panels, modules and circuit breakers as well as wire wraps and cable flags. It saves and recalls more than 100 label formats, so recurring work does not have to start with a fresh layout each time.
Useful features:
- Case, rechargeable pack and adaptor included in the kit.
- Saved formats for repeated identification jobs.
- Up to five printed lines on 19mm tape.
Limitations:
- Text is entered on the tool; there is no PC connection.
- The 24mm self-laminating cartridge does not fit.
- Included vinyl cartridges do not replace a job-specific nylon, polyester or heat shrink selection.
If your work alternates between panel labels and cable markers, the extra formatting options are the reason to consider this kit. Do not choose it expecting wider tape than the RHINO 4200 accepts.
Pick for mobile maintenance and installation work where a case, power accessories and reusable formats belong in the same kit.
3. DYMO RHINO 6000+: pick for PC layouts and 24mm tape
The RHINO 6000+ connects to a PC through USB and uses DYMO ID software for layouts and imported data. On the tool, an ABC keyboard and a label preview with zoom support direct entry and checking before printing.
It takes RHINO cartridges from 6mm to 24mm, including 24mm self-laminating vinyl. Its barcode options include Code 39, Code 128, PDF417 and QR, and it stores up to 200 labels.
Useful features:
- PC preparation for layouts and imported label information.
- 24mm support for compatible nylon, polyester and self-laminating cartridges.
- Preview and stored labels for repeated work.
Limitations:
- Cartridge compatibility still depends on the material and width.
- Wider labels need sufficient space on the item you are identifying.
- PC-based work needs a suitable DYMO ID setup; the 4200 and 5200 workflow is standalone instead.
The hard case kit includes a battery pack, mains adaptor, a 9mm vinyl cartridge and a 24mm flexible nylon cartridge. Self-laminating vinyl is a separate cartridge choice, not the same material as the included nylon.
Pick for data and panel work that needs PC-prepared labels or the 24mm self-laminating option.
4. DYMO M1011: pick for embossed metal tags
The M1011 presses characters into metal strip by hand. It takes 12mm aluminium and stainless steel strip and does not need batteries, software or a power adaptor.
Its kit includes standard and reverse-image character wheels, starter metal rolls and a hard case. A hole punch, cable tie slot punch and measuring gauge support the finishing and attachment of tags.
Useful features:
- Embossed characters rather than surface printing.
- Hand operation without a power supply.
- Built-in punches for tag attachment.
Limitations:
- RHINO printer cartridges do not fit.
- The strip is non-adhesive and needs mechanical fixing.
- Characters are entered individually rather than imported from a computer.
Decide how the tag will attach before choosing its wording and length. A tag secured through a punched hole is a different job from an adhesive cable wrap, even if both carry the same equipment number.
Pick for plant, pipework and equipment identification that calls for embossed metal tags.
Choose the consumable for your cable labeller
The machine sets the cartridge width you can use. The material determines whether you are sleeving a conductor, wrapping a cable, labelling a flat panel or fixing a metal tag.
| Consumable | Pick for… | Widths in our range | Fit within this shortlist |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHINO heat shrink tube | Printed conductor sleeves | 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 19mm | RHINO 4200, 5200 and 6000+ |
| RHINO flexible nylon | Cable, conduit and curved surfaces | 12mm, 19mm, 24mm | 12mm and 19mm: all three printers; 24mm: 6000+ |
| RHINO permanent polyester | Flat faceplates and panels | 9mm, 12mm, 19mm, 24mm | Up to 19mm: all three printers; 24mm: 6000+ |
| RHINO self-laminating vinyl 1734821 | Cable wraps with a clear protective tail | 24mm | RHINO 6000+ only |
| DYMO Metal Embossing Tape | Mechanically fixed metal tags | 12mm | M1011 only |
RHINO heat shrink tube: pick for printed conductor sleeves
RHINO heat shrink tube is printable polyolefin sleeving with a 3:1 shrink ratio. Each cartridge contains 1.5m and comes in black on white or black on yellow.
A heat shrink label maker prints the sleeve; a separate heat gun shrinks it after fitting. Choose the tube by the conductor's outside diameter, not by the writing size.
| Tube width | Conductor outside diameter |
|---|---|
| 6mm | 1.18mm to 2.33mm |
| 9mm | 1.73mm to 3.73mm |
| 12mm | 2.97mm to 5.13mm |
| 19mm | 4.64mm to 8.70mm |
Measure the conductor and check whether you can slide the sleeve into place. If an existing termination prevents that, a wrap-style label is a different application rather than a larger tube being an automatic solution.
RHINO flexible nylon: pick for curved cable and conduit
The flexible nylon range contains 3.5m per cartridge. Black on white is available in 12mm, 19mm and 24mm; black on yellow is available in 12mm and 19mm.
Choose nylon for cable, conduit and curved or textured surfaces. The 12mm and 19mm options fit the RHINO 4200, 5200 and 6000+; the 24mm option requires the 6000+ within this shortlist.
RHINO permanent polyester: pick for flat identification
RHINO permanent polyester tape is the flat-surface option for faceplates, panels, switchgear and asset plates. Each cartridge contains 5.5m.
Our range includes 9mm, 12mm, 19mm and 24mm widths, with clear and metallic options in 19mm. Use flexible nylon instead where the label must follow a tight cable curve. A larger printer does not change polyester into a cable-wrap material.
RHINO self-laminating vinyl: pick for protected cable wraps
RHINO 1734821 self-laminating vinyl tape has a white printed panel and a clear tail that wraps back over the text. The cartridge is 24mm wide and contains 5.5m.
It fits the RHINO 6000+ in this shortlist, not the RHINO 4200 or 5200. Choose it when the cable label needs the clear over-laminate described on the product page. Do not confuse it with ordinary vinyl or flexible nylon.
DYMO Metal Embossing Tape: pick for M1011 tags
DYMO Metal Embossing Tape comes in 12mm x 4.8m rolls: aluminium 301241 or stainless steel 301242. Both are non-adhesive strips for the M1011.
Fix the finished tag with a rivet, screw or wire through a punched hole. Neither metal loads into the RHINO 4200, 5200 or 6000+ cartridge bay.
How these picks are organised
These are picks by job, not a durability leaderboard or a claim of comparative field testing. The distinctions come from our product pages: keyboard entry, kit contents, saved formats, PC connection, cartridge width and marking method.
Start with the material. Then choose the machine that accepts it and fits your workflow. If 19mm cartridges cover your work, compare the RHINO 4200's QWERTY entry with the RHINO 5200's kit and saved formats. If you need 24mm self-laminating tape or PC preparation, choose the RHINO 6000+. Keep embossed metal work with the M1011.
FAQ
Which cable labeller should I pick for direct entry on site?
Pick the DYMO RHINO 4200 for QWERTY entry and compatible cartridges from 6mm to 19mm. Pick the RHINO 5200 kit when you want an ABC keyboard, saved formats, case, battery pack and adaptor.
Which RHINO can I use as a heat shrink label maker?
The RHINO 4200, 5200 and 6000+ accept the heat shrink tube sizes covered here. Match the sleeve to the conductor's outside diameter and use a separate heat gun after printing and fitting.
Will 24mm self-laminating tape fit a RHINO 4200 or 5200?
No. The RHINO 4200 and 5200 accept cartridges up to 19mm. Choose the RHINO 6000+ for the 24mm 1734821 self-laminating cartridge.
Should I pick flexible nylon or permanent polyester?
Pick flexible nylon for cable, conduit and curved surfaces. Pick permanent polyester for flat faceplates, panels and asset labels; check the chosen width against your machine.
Which industrial label maker connects to a PC?
The RHINO 6000+ connects through USB and uses DYMO ID software. The RHINO 4200 and 5200 are standalone tools with no PC connection.
Does the M1011 use the same tape as a RHINO printer?
No. The M1011 takes 12mm metal strip for manual embossing. RHINO printer cartridges and metal embossing strip are not interchangeable.
What comes with the RHINO 4200?
The RHINO 4200 comes with an industrial vinyl starter cartridge and guides. It does not include a hard case, battery pack, adaptor or the six AA cells.
Is DYMO Metal Embossing Tape self-adhesive?
No. Aluminium 301241 and stainless steel 301242 are non-adhesive 12mm x 4.8m strips for the M1011. Attach the finished tag with a rivet, screw or wire through a punched hole.
One last thing
Make one sample before labelling the whole installation. Check its wording, fit and readability where it will sit—not only on the tool's screen. For sleeves, check conductor diameter; for wraps, check the material; for metal tags, decide the fixing method before embossing.
