P-Tux Label Designer is a free, open-source desktop app for creating labels for Brother P-touch printers. It runs on Linux and macOS. On its WYSIWYG canvas, users can add several text items, set fonts, sizes and styles, then move, resize or rotate them. Imported images can also be resized and adjusted for brightness and contrast. Ruler tabs, supplementary margins and 180 DPI print-pixel accuracy help with layout placement. Labels are stored in the open `.ptl` format, a gzipped JSON document containing the label content and layout settings. Designing, editing, saving and loading work offline, and labels can be exported as PNG. Direct USB printing uses the `ptouch-print` command-line tool; listed models include PT-D410, PT-D600, PT-P700, PT-P710BT and PT-P750W. Installation needs Python 3.10 or newer and PyQt6, while printing also needs `ptouch-print` on the PATH. Windows is not supported, and packaged executables are planned for a future release. The native app requires no browser, cloud service or account.
Who it is for
It suits Linux and macOS users who want to design labels for Brother P-touch printers, including offline and PNG export workflows. Users needing direct USB printing should be prepared to install the additional command-line tool.
What is good
- Works offline for label design and editing
- Exports label designs as PNG
- Canvas supports movable, resizable and rotatable text
- Uses open `.ptl` label format
- No browser, cloud service or account required
What to know first
- Windows is not currently supported
- Requires Python 3.10 or newer and PyQt6
- Printing requires `ptouch-print` on the PATH
- Packaged executables are not yet available
Verdict
P-Tux offers offline label design and fine placement controls for Brother P-touch labels on Linux and macOS. Installation and direct printing require additional setup, and Windows is unsupported.
P-Tux Label Designer plans and pricing
All plansCompared on barcode labeling software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Deployment
- desktop
