Dymo Corporation
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1958 in Berkeley, California, United States |
| Founder | Rudolph Hurwich |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Handheld label printers, embossing tape label makers, thermal-transfer printing tapes, labeling equipment |
| Parent | Newell Brands |
Dymo Corporation is an American manufacturer specializing in handheld label printers, embossing tape label makers, thermal-transfer printing tapes, and various labeling equipment such as CD/DVD labelers and rugged medical devices. The company functions as a subsidiary under Newell Brands.
History
Established in 1958 by entrepreneur Rudolph Hurwich in Berkeley, California, Dymo originally concentrated on handheld tools utilizing embossing tape, a product developed by David Souza. Following 1990, the company broadened its offerings to include battery-operated printers.
In 1978, Esselte acquired Dymo. Later, in 1998, Esselte purchased CoStar Corporation, known for producing the LabelWriter thermal label printers. Eventually, CoStar was merged into Dymo, unifying the brands under the Dymo identity.
In 2005, Newell Rubbermaid (currently Newell Brands) acquired Dymo, strengthening its presence in the printing and labeling sector.
Dymo’s corporate approach centers on advancing labeling technology and growing its market presence through strategic acquisitions and diversification of its product lineup. The company’s headquarters remain in the United States while serving a worldwide customer base with products designed for both professional and consumer use.
Label sizes
Common label dimensions for the LabelWriter (400, 450) printer series are as follows:
| 5-digit label # | 7-digit label # | Common name | Width (inches) | Height (inches) | Labels per roll | Label color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30251 | Address | 31⁄2 | 11⁄8 | 130 | White | |
| 30252 | Address | 31⁄2 (~8.9 cm) | 11⁄8 (~2.8 cm) | 350 | White | |
| 30253 | Address | 31⁄2 | 11⁄8 | 700 | White (2 up) | |
| 30256 | Shipping | 4 | 25⁄16 | White | ||
| 30320 | Address | 31⁄2 | 11⁄8 | 130 | White | |
| 30330 | Return Address | 2 | 3⁄4 | 500 | White | |
| 30332 | 1 | 1 | White | |||
| 30333 | 1⁄2 | 1⁄2 | White (2 up) | |||
| 30334 | 21⁄4 | 11⁄4 | White | |||
| 30335 | 1⁄2 | 1⁄2 | White (4 up) | |||
| 30857 | 1760756 | Name Badge | 4 | 21⁄4 | 250 | White |
Criticism
Certain models like the LabelWriter 550 and the 5XL feature an RFID reader designed to recognize embedded RFID tags on authentic Dymo label rolls, enabling automatic identification of label types. This mechanism restricts usage exclusively to Dymo-branded labels, limiting compatibility with third-party alternatives. This digital rights management approach parallels restrictions found in inkjet and laser printer cartridges and has faced criticism for implementing a razor-and-blades business strategy that obliges customers to purchase proprietary label supplies, thereby affecting consumer choice and cost-effectiveness.