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YOU CAN BUILD YOUR OWN LABEL MAKER THAT NEVER NEEDS A CARTRIDGE

A label maker that uses ordinary embossing tape and never needs a proprietary cartridge.

by Andrei Speridiao

FULL CAD BOM FIRMWARE DOCS

WorkshopAutomation

difficulty
●●●○○
time
a weekend-plus
license
MIT
repo
repo ACTIVE471 stars

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • 3D printer + filament — printable parts — files are in the repo
  • Electronic parts — full list with part numbers in the repo BOM
  • Dev board / microcontroller — runs the project firmware

Partner

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COMPAREE VERDICT

E-TKT is a thoughtfully engineered alternative to thermal label printers that depend on expensive, sometimes DRM-protected cartridges. It presses letters into ordinary embossing tape using a salvaged metal daisy wheel from a cheap manual labeller, the one part of those tools that does not break. The rest is custom: an ESP32 on a PCB you order, a NEMA 17 stepper, a servo, a hall sensor for homing, and a 3D-printed body. You control it from a phone or laptop over your local network through a web interface the machine serves itself. The documentation is among the most complete we have seen: a parts list with supplier links, printable files, board files, firmware, and an illustrated assembly guide. The one thing that will trip people up is the daisy wheel: you must source it from an existing manual embossing tool, and the repo does not name a specific model to buy. If you already have a broken one in a drawer, this is the reason to keep it. If you are starting from scratch, expect an extra hour searching for a compatible wheel. The appeal is not just the build — it is never having to buy another label cartridge.

NOT IN THE REPO

  • —Complete printable STL files for the body and all structural parts, about 220 g of PETG.
  • —Full bill of materials with part numbers and supplier links; author's component cost estimate is around $100 (October 2022).
  • —Custom PCB design files (KiCad) and complete ESP32 firmware published in the repo.
  • —Step-by-step assembly guide with photos; OSHWA certified (BR000010).
  • —Licence is MIT, permits commercial use.
  • —You must salvage or buy the metal daisy wheel from a manual embossing labeller — the documentation assumes you have one.

Can I build this?

PrintBody, gears, and structural parts in PETG, about 220 g total; STL files provided.
BuyESP32 dev board, NEMA 17 stepper motor, small stepper, servo, hall sensor, magnet, OLED display, custom PCB (order from Gerbers), fasteners, embossing tape, and a manual embossing labeller to salvage the metal daisy wheel.
Tools3D printer, soldering iron, screwdrivers, and a way to order a custom PCB (JLCPCB, PCBWay, or similar).
SkillsIntermediate: you will solder the board, flash ESP32 firmware, assemble printed parts with fasteners, and disassemble a manual labeller to extract the wheel. No prior embedded development required if you follow the guide.
TimeA weekend-plus: printing takes 8-10 hours, PCB ordering 1-2 weeks, assembly and firmware flashing 3-4 hours. Sourcing the daisy wheel adds uncertainty.
Cost$$ — author's estimate is around $100 in components (October 2022). The custom PCB, stepper motor, and servo dominate the cost. Embossing tape is a few dollars and lasts hundreds of labels.
SafetyNone beyond ordinary electronics care. Low-voltage DC only, no mains, no lithium cells, no sharp blades.

Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.

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Gallery

https://github.com/andreisperid/E-TKT
https://github.com/andreisperid/E-TKT
https://github.com/andreisperid/E-TKT
https://github.com/andreisperid/E-TKT
https://github.com/andreisperid/E-TKT
https://github.com/andreisperid/E-TKT
https://github.com/andreisperid/E-TKT
https://github.com/andreisperid/E-TKT

Start here

Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.

  1. 1.Read the full assembly guide in the repo docs folder to understand the build sequence. (The guide is photo-heavy and walks through every step.)
  2. 2.Source or salvage a manual embossing labeller for the metal daisy wheel.(The repo does not name a specific model; most cheap manual labellers use a similar wheel, but verify the diameter and mounting before ordering.)
  3. 3.Order the custom PCB from the Gerber files in the hardware folder.(JLCPCB, PCBWay, or any fab that accepts KiCad exports. Allow 1-2 weeks for shipping.)
  4. 4.Print the body and structural parts from the STL files.(PETG recommended, about 220 g total. PLA will work but is less durable.)
  5. 5.Flash the ESP32 firmware following the instructions in the firmware folder.(The repo includes a pre-compiled binary and Arduino source.)

Resources

Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.

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KNOWN ISSUES

  • The metal daisy wheel must come from a manual embossing labeller, and the repo does not name a specific model to buy. Most cheap ones on Amazon or AliExpress use a similar wheel, but you are on your own to verify compatibility. If you have a broken manual labeller already, perfect — if not, budget time to research or buy one to disassemble.
  • The PCB is custom and must be ordered from a fab. If you have never done this, the process is: download the Gerber zip from the repo, upload it to JLCPCB or PCBWay, choose quantity (5 is the usual minimum), pay, and wait 1-2 weeks. Do this first because it has the longest lead time.
  • The bill of materials lists part numbers and suppliers, but prices drift. The $100 estimate is from October 2022; expect closer to $120-140 now, especially if you order the NEMA 17 from a Western supplier instead of AliExpress.
  • The firmware expects a specific ESP32 dev board pinout (likely ESP32 DevKit v1 or similar). If you substitute a different ESP32 module, you may need to edit pin definitions in the code. The repo does not list the exact board model in the BOM.
  • The web interface is served over your local Wi-Fi network only — there is no cloud component, which is a feature for privacy but means you cannot control it remotely unless you set up port forwarding or VPN yourself.
  • Embossing tape is not a common household item. You can buy it online for a few dollars, but it is one more thing to source before the first label.

Can I use any manual embossing labeller to salvage the daisy wheel?

Most cheap manual labellers use a similar metal wheel, but the mounting and diameter vary. The repo does not name a specific compatible model, so you will need to compare photos or buy one expecting to adapt the design if it does not fit.

How do I order the custom PCB if I have never done it before?

Download the Gerber zip from the hardware folder in the repo, go to JLCPCB or PCBWay, upload the file, choose the quantity (5 boards is the usual minimum), and check out. It costs around $10-20 plus shipping and takes 1-2 weeks to arrive.

Does it connect to the internet or need a cloud account?

No. The ESP32 serves a web page on your local Wi-Fi network. You type the label text in a browser on your phone or laptop, and it sends the command directly to the machine. No account, no cloud, no internet required.

Can I use PLA instead of PETG for the printed parts?

Yes, but PETG is recommended because it is tougher and handles the mechanical stress better. PLA will work for a prototype or light use, but expect it to crack sooner under repeated pressing force.

Is the $100 cost estimate still accurate?

It was accurate in October 2022 when the repo was published. Component prices have drifted; expect closer to $120-140 now, depending on where you source the stepper motor, servo, and PCB. Embossing tape is still only a few dollars.

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Discussion1

FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM

The documentation lists the component cost at around $100 (October 2022), and the whole thing runs on ordinary embossing tape with no chip or cartridge to replace. If you have built one or are planning to, what did sourcing the daisy wheel cost you?

CompareeTEAM13d ago

Practical notes from our verification: the repo is exceptionally well documented — OSHWA certified, MIT licensed, with a full BOM, printable files, board files, firmware, and a photo-heavy assembly guide — but it does not name a specific manual embossing labeller model to buy for the daisy wheel, which is the one part you must source or salvage yourself. The $100 component estimate is from October 2022 and has likely drifted to $120-140 depending on where you order the NEMA 17 and the PCB. There is no official video walkthrough; the assembly guide is entirely photo-based in the repo docs folder. The biggest practical hurdle is not the build itself, it is finding a compatible daisy wheel before you start.

Andrei Speridiao

Andrei built E-TKT after a cheap manual embossing labeller broke in his workshop due to a weak plastic ratchet hook. Rather than buying a thermal printer with proprietary cartridges, he designed a machine around the one good part of the broken tool: the metal daisy wheel. The project is OSHWA certified.

GitHub

Star the project on GitHub

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  • Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
  • Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
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