P-Tux Label Designer

Free plan LinuxMac

Visit P-Tux Label Designer Alternatives Pricing

What P-Tux Label Designer is

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 suits

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 it does well

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

Limits

The free plan is free and open-source under the MIT License. Direct printing requires `ptouch-print` on the PATH; Linux USB printer access usually requires a udev rule.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	Free and open-source software · MIT License	Free

As p-tux.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open https://p-tux.com/ for the project.
Install Python 3.10 or newer and PyQt6.
From the project directory, run `python3 main.py`.
For direct USB printing, put `ptouch-print` on the PATH.
On Linux, use the setup dialog to install a udev rule if USB access requires it.

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.

Questions

How much does P-Tux Label Designer cost?

It is free: the listed Free plan costs nothing. It is open-source under the MIT License.

Which operating systems does it support?

P-Tux runs on Linux and macOS. Windows is not currently supported.

Can I use it without a printer or internet connection?

Designing, editing, saving, and loading labels work offline without a printer. The native app requires no browser, cloud service, or account.

How do I print labels directly?

Direct printing to Brother P-touch USB printers uses `ptouch-print`, which must be on the PATH. Linux USB access usually requires a udev rule.

What do I need to install it?

Installation requires Python 3.10 or newer and PyQt6. The project FAQ directs users to run `python3 main.py` from the project directory.

What label formats can I use?

Labels use the open `.ptl` format, a gzipped JSON document that stores content and layout settings. Designs can also be exported as PNG.

Facts from P-Tux Label Designer's own pages

File format: Labels use the open `.ptl` format, a gzipped JSON document that stores label content and layout settings. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
Images: Users can import images and adjust brightness, contrast, and size in the designer. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
Languages: P-Tux currently supports English and French. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
Layout precision: The designer provides ruler tabs, supplementary margins, and 180 DPI print-pixel accuracy. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
Offline use: Designing, editing, saving, and loading labels work offline without a printer; labels can be exported as PNG. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
Operating systems: P-Tux runs on Linux and macOS; Windows is not currently supported. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
Printing integration: Direct printing to Brother P-touch USB printers uses the `ptouch-print` command-line tool. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
Privacy and hosting: The application is a native desktop app with no browser, cloud, or account required. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose: P-Tux is a free, open-source label designer for Brother P-touch printers. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
Requirements: Installation requires Python 3.10 or newer and PyQt6, while printing also requires `ptouch-print` on the PATH. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
Setup limitation: Packaged executables are planned for a future release; the FAQ instructs users to run `python3 main.py` from the project directory. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
Support: Users can report bugs or request features through the GitHub issue tracker, and the FAQ asks bug reports to include diagnostic logs when helpful. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
Supported printers: The site lists supported models including PT-D410, PT-D600, PT-P700, PT-P710BT, and PT-P750W. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
Text editing: Users can add multiple text items with custom fonts, sizes, and styles, then drag, resize, and rotate them on a WYSIWYG canvas. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026
USB permissions: On Linux, USB printer access usually requires a udev rule, which P-Tux can install through a one-time setup dialog using `pkexec` or `sudo`. · p-tux.com, 4 Oct 2026

Where P-Tux Label Designer stands on Freedom251

Barcode Labeling Software#21 of 35