Choosing a label printer for serious shipping means balancing speed, connectivity, label size, and day-to-day ease. Two favorites for 4×6 shipping labels are the Rollo Wireless X1040 and the Brother QL-1110NWB. Both are direct-thermal (inkless), both can print wide labels used by USPS/UPS/FedEx, and both have strong ecosystems. Yet they serve different users: Rollo leans into truly driver-free wireless (including Apple AirPrint) and a streamlined “works from any device” setup, while Brother focuses on office-friendly connectivity (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth) and polished management tools that make it easy to share across multiple workstations. If your shop prints straight from iPhones/iPads or a mixed device fleet, Rollo’s convenience is compelling. If you run a small office that wants wired/wireless options with robust admin features and an auto-cutter, Brother is hard to beat.
Rollo’s headline number—150 mm/s (about one 4×6 per second)—means it can keep pace with bursty shipping sessions. Brother quotes up to 69 standard address labels/minute at 300 dpi and supports labels up to 4 inches wide; for shipping labels, that translates into confident throughput with crisp barcodes. The result: both units are fast, but they optimize for different scenarios. Rollo makes wireless dead simple (especially for iOS/iPadOS); Brother offers every port and protocol most offices ask for.
Below, we’ll compare specs and then dig into Design & Setup, Features, Performance, and Costs, before giving a clear verdict on which label printer to buy—and for whom.
| Specification | Rollo Wireless X1040 | Brother QL-1110NWB |
|---|---|---|
| Printing technology | Direct thermal (no ink/toner) | Direct thermal (no ink/toner) |
| Max print speed | 150 mm/s (≈ 1 label/sec) | Up to 69 address labels/min; max 4.3″/sec (~110 mm/s) |
| Resolution | 203 dpi | 300 × 300 dpi |
| Max label width | 4.1″ (ideal for 4×6) | 4.0″ max width (101.6 mm) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi + AirPrint, USB | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, USB, USB Host |
| Software/management | Over-the-air updates; AirPrint driver-free on iOS/iPadOS | Brother admin tools/SDKs; auto-crop from A4/Letter templates (Win) |
| Notable hardware | Auto label detection | Auto-cutter; office-friendly sharing |
| Typical user | Mixed devices, mobile-first, driver-free printing | Multi-desk office needing multiple connectivity options |
Design & Setup
Rollo Wireless X1040 is designed for speed to first label with minimal friction. Because it’s AirPrint-certified, you can print directly from iPhone or iPad—no drivers or custom apps required. That matters if your packing station is an iPad and a scale or if helpers bring their own devices. Setup over Wi-Fi is straightforward, and over-the-air firmware means you’ll get improvements without connecting a cable. Auto label detection calibrates to your media, reducing jams and misalignment when you switch from 4×6 shipping labels to smaller stickers. In short, Rollo’s “works from anything” DNA feels modern and mobile-friendly.
Brother QL-1110NWB looks and behaves like an office appliance—in a good way. With Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, USB, and even a USB Host port, it fits into almost any environment, from a shared desktop in a small warehouse to a networked printer in a back office. Brother’s admin tools and SDKs help IT-minded users deploy and manage the printer across Windows, macOS, or even Linux setups, and the auto-cutter makes printing single or continuous batches clean and tidy. If your shipping happens on multiple PCs and you want granular control (or a hardwired Ethernet drop), Brother’s design cues are right on target.
Features
Rollo’s killer feature is true, driver-free AirPrint on top of Wi-Fi. That means label printing from iOS/iPadOS feels like printing to any AirPrint device—tap print and go. Rollo also supports common 4×6 direct-thermal labels (fanfold or rolls), and its auto label detection reduces manual fiddling during media changes. Add OTA updates, and you get a product that improves without your intervention—handy if your team isn’t technical. If you’re building a nimble, mobile packing workflow, these features keep the stack lean.
Brother counters with depth: Bluetooth for quick pairing to a laptop or tablet, Wi-Fi for general wireless use, Ethernet for stable office deployment, and a USB Host interface for peripherals like scanners. For sellers who generate labels from A4/Letter templates, Brother’s Automatic Crop Function (Windows) can parse full-page sheets and spit out perfectly cropped labels—a niche but powerful workflow saver. Combined with a mature driver ecosystem and 300 dpi print resolution, the QL-1110NWB offers enterprise-style flexibility without the enterprise price.
Performance
In raw speed, Rollo Wireless X1040 advertises 150 mm/s, roughly a label per second once your workflow is dialed. That’s excellent for bursty pick-pack cycles, and because AirPrint avoids driver overhead on Apple devices, you spend less time troubleshooting and more time shipping. Rollo’s 203-dpi engine is tuned for crisp barcodes and standard shipping graphics; it’s not meant for photo-quality stickers, but for carrier-compliant labels it’s spot on.
Brother QL-1110NWB highlights up to 69 address labels per minute (address labels are smaller than 4×6), and the official support page lists max 4.3 inches/second (~110 mm/s) along with a 300 dpi head. In practice, that means fast, sharp output and excellent barcode readability, especially if you occasionally print small codes or dense text. The QL’s auto-cutter keeps edges clean in mixed-batch runs. For teams who value consistent speed across multiple desks (and want the option of Ethernet for rock-solid stability), Brother performs like a workhorse.
Which is faster for 4×6? On paper, Rollo’s 150 mm/s edge is real; in the office, both churn out shipping labels quickly. The bigger difference is workflow: Rollo is frictionless on phones/tablets; Brother is predictable across office networks and varied PCs.
Costs
Both printers are direct-thermal—no ink, no toner—so ongoing costs are primarily labels. Rollo and Brother both accept wide 4×6 shipping media; per-label cost will depend on whether you buy fanfold stacks or rolls and on brand. Unlike some ecosystems that lock you into proprietary media, these two are relatively open. Brother does have its DK label ecosystem (including DK-1241 4×6 rolls), but widely available third-party compatible DK labels keep prices competitive if you shop around. If you already stock DK rolls for other Brother gear, that’s a small operational win.
Upfront pricing fluctuates, but in general the QL-1110NWB sits in a similar band to the Rollo Wireless; Brother’s advantage is the breadth of connectivity for the price, while Rollo’s value is in its AirPrint convenience and minimal setup. If you plan to deploy several printers across an office and want wired Ethernet plus central management, the Brother may deliver more value over time. If you’re a solo seller or a small team that prints from phones and iPads, the Rollo’s driver-free printing could save hours of setup/support.
One more cost-adjacent note: print resolution. Brother’s 300 dpi can help with small QR codes or very fine text; if your labels are standard shipping formats, Rollo’s 203 dpi is fully compliant and barcode-reliable. Choose based on your label content density, not just the number on the spec sheet.
Verdict
Winner: Rollo Wireless X1040 for most solo sellers and mobile-first teams who want the most hassle-free label printer experience—AirPrint, simple Wi-Fi setup, and consistent ~1 label/second throughput create a smooth, modern workflow. Pick the Brother QL-1110NWB if you’re outfitting a shared office or small warehouse and value every connectivity option (including Ethernet and Bluetooth), 300 dpi output, and admin tools—plus the convenience of an auto-cutter for mixed or continuous runs. Both are excellent; buy for the environment you actually operate in.
FAQ
Are these printers inkless?
Yes. Both are direct-thermal printers, which means they use heat-sensitive labels rather than ink or toner. You’ll only buy label media going forward—no cartridges.
Which prints faster 4×6 shipping labels?
Rollo lists 150 mm/s (about one 4×6 per second). Brother specifies up to 69 address labels/min and a max 4.3″/sec (~110 mm/s) on the support page; for 4×6 shipping labels, both feel fast in practice, but Rollo retains a paper speed edge. Your real throughput depends on device, network, and batch size.
Can I print from iPhone or iPad?
Yes, with different paths. Rollo Wireless X1040 is Apple AirPrint-certified, so you can print natively from iOS/iPadOS without extra drivers. Brother QL-1110NWB supports printing from mobile devices when connected to a wireless network and also offers SDKs for iOS/Android, but it is not an AirPrint-centric experience.
Do I have to buy proprietary labels?
Both support widely available 4×6 direct-thermal labels. Brother’s QL line uses the DK label system (including DK-1241 4×6); third-party compatible DK labels are common, which helps keep recurring costs down. Rollo is broadly compatible with generic 4×6 fanfold and rolls.
Is 203 dpi enough for barcodes?
Yes. For standard shipping labels and carrier barcodes, 203 dpi is more than adequate. If you routinely print very small QR codes or dense micro-text, the Brother’s 300 dpi head provides extra detail headroom.
Also check out Rollo Wireless X1040 vs MUNBYN RealWriter 403B: Which is a Better Label Printer? (2025)