How We Use a Thermal Label Printer to Boost Student Engagement and Notebook Organization
Why Our Thermal Printer Is Our Favorite Teaching Tool (and How It Changed Note-Taking in Our Classroom)
By Denise Tully
If you had told us a few years ago that a tiny thermal printer would become one of our favorite classroom tools, we probably would’ve laughed. But here we are—and we’re obsessed.
We use the Phomemo M110 Bluetooth Thermal Printer this one right here along with these compatible label rolls. Together, they’ve completely transformed how our students take notes and stay organized. Think mini printable anchor charts, vocabulary cheat sheets, graphic organizers, and even reference charts for tricky concepts—all in peel-and-stick label format.
🧠 Why Thermal Labels Work So Well in the Classroom
Here’s what makes this setup magic for teachers:
No ink. No fuss. Thermal printing means no cartridges to replace—ever.
Bluetooth printing straight from your phone. We can whip up a label in Canva or Google Docs, send it to our phones, and print in seconds.
Kids love them. These labels add structure and visual appeal to student notebooks. Plus, there's something oddly satisfying about peeling and sticking a perfectly printed label.
They boost engagement. Students are more likely to stay organized and refer back to their notes when they’re easy to read and well-labeled.
⚠️ One Downside: Prices Are Climbing
Over the past year, we’ve noticed that label prices have increased significantly—thanks, tariffs. What used to be a budget-friendly classroom hack is starting to add up. So we’ve gotten smarter about printing only what we need and maximizing each roll. (Pro tip: adjust the label size in the app to get multiple mini charts on one label!)
📦 Want Ready-to-Print Labels? We’ve Got You!
We’ve created dozens of curriculum-aligned labels that we now sell on Teachers Pay Teachers. These are ready-to-use, student-approved, and designed specifically for classroom note-taking. From social studies timelines to ELA anchor labels to SEL reminders—they're all available in our TPT store.
➡️ Our students LOVE them—and yours will too.
✨ Final Thoughts
If you’re a teacher trying to make note-taking more meaningful, organized, and even a little fun—thermal labels are a game-changer. We wish we’d had this tool years ago. It’s not just for mailing or barcodes anymore—it’s for making learning stick. Literally.
Let’s keep sharing the tools that make our jobs easier and our students’ learning better.