Niimbot B21 label printer gives off some classy vintage vibes

Portable printers are the rage these days with photography enthusiasts and organization diehards. You can print photos quickly to send out to friends or stick labels and stickers on items for design identification. These small printers are marked with technology or computers in a variety of designs. However, they also have appealing colors that appeal to younger customers. That’s what sets this label printer apart, looking more like a miniature prop from an art deco film rather than something utilitarian and geeky.

Designer: inDare for Niimbot

Right out of the box, your brain will try to think of where the Niimbot B21 thermal label printer fits in terms of design language. Regardless of whether you think it’s from the 30s or 50s with a pinch of art deco elements thrown in, there will be little argument that this thing is beautiful. It is probably more beautiful than any printer could ever make.

Looking like a cross between a typewriter, a cash register, and a radio, the Niimbot B21 is unique among the company’s other label printers in its more luxurious design. The printer is available in black, red or green colors. A few pieces of the printer are adorned with gold or silver, such as the front plate that houses the power button, LED light indicator and stylized company name. A lever on the side allows you to access the printer and replace the paper roll.

As a label printer, the functions of the Niimbot B21 are less exciting than its appearance. Everything except turning the printer on or off has to be done through a smartphone connected via Bluetooth. It doesn’t contain ink, making it easier to transport the printer. However, it uses conventional thermal printing technology for any type of printouts. That means you’re pretty much limited to black and white designs, and your labels will fade out after two or three months.

That’s really nothing new for people who frequently print labels, and they might get a kick out of the Niimbot B21’s unique design anyway. And when the printer eventually breaks down and becomes unusable, it can still function as a decorative piece on your desk, extending its usefulness for years to come.