Our small-business coverage comes from the day-to-day tools and workflows used to run a handmade ecommerce business across Etsy and WooCommerce. When we call something firsthand, we mean we have actually used it in the workflow described. Product details and current availability can change, so retailer/manufacturer information should be checked before buying.
Quick verdict
We use the Brother P-touch Embellish PT-D215e to label product samples and supplies. It is compact, straightforward to type on, and the batteries seem to last a long time in our use. The biggest annoyances are the tape backing, which can be fiddly to peel, and the cutter path: we have found that manually cutting some labels with scissors can be less troublesome than always using the built-in cut button.
How we actually use it
For a small handmade-product workflow, not every label needs to be a 4×6 shipping label. We use this Brother for small identification labels—especially sample names and supply labels—where a compact adhesive strip is faster and neater than handwriting.
A real label strip from our sample-prep workflow.
The keyboard layout makes quick one-off labels easy. The screen gives enough feedback for short names, and it is small enough to keep with the rest of the packing or maker supplies rather than dedicating a full workstation to it.
The tape is the part you learn to work around
The compatible laminated tape works well once applied, but the backing can be a little difficult to peel. It is not a deal-breaker; it is simply the part of the workflow that feels less effortless than typing and printing the label.
We also do not automatically use the built-in cut button every time. In our experience, labels can occasionally bunch or jam around the exit/cutter area, so for some runs we prefer to let the label feed out and cut it cleanly with scissors.
See compatible 12 mm black-on-white tape →Battery life and day-to-day ownership
Battery life has been a non-issue for us. The batteries seem to last a long time, and replacing them is simple when needed. That matters for a tool like this because we use it intermittently: it may sit for a while and then get pulled out for a batch of samples or supply organization.
Our PT-D215e after real small-business use.
What we like—and what we would change
- Easy to type and print short labels
- Compact enough to keep with packing supplies
- Good battery life in our use
- Batteries and tape are easy to access
- Useful for samples and internal supply labels
- Tape backing can be finicky to peel
- The exit/cutter area can occasionally jam
- Scissors are sometimes the simpler way to cut a run of labels