TMP 1801: Labeling History

The unit is approximately 40 years old — and it still works.

The TMP 1801 was sold throughout the United States, France, Italy, Germany, and Australia. Label formats were burned directly into an EEPROM — no external software required — and activated when the unit powered on. Using the TMP 1800’s repeat-print function and a basic photocell, the TMP 1801 printed and automatically applied direct-thermal labels up to 2 inches wide.

The unit shown at Pack Expo 2026 and in the image is programmed to print and apply a UPC code that has remained stored in its EEPROM since the late 1980s. Thanks to its durable construction and straightforward design, the FOX IV team was able to get the system running four decades after it was built. The print-and-apply cycle is triggered by an integrated Omron E3C-C photoelectric sensor, while the pneumatics are controlled from the front panel using manual knobs and gauges.

Origins of the Technology

Swedot printers were originally designed for weigh-scale integration through a collaboration with British company Herbert & Sons¹. Their small footprint, stainless-steel cabinet, and rugged metal construction made them ideal for retail environments, delivering fast, reliable, and cost-effective product labeling that helped modernize grocery packaging². These printers supported the early adoption of EAN/UPC barcoding in Europe and the UK, making Swedot a natural fit for companies focused on emerging identification technologies.

During the 1980s, industries began to shift from hand-applied labels and pre-printed stock to automated print-and-apply systems. Early machines like the TMP 1801 were among the first to combine on-demand printing with mechanical application - dramatically reducing manual errors and increasing throughput.
This era marked the beginning of modern automated labeling.

Matthews International acquired Swedot in 1992² and divided the product line between two divisions:

• Symbol Systems, which produced barcode film masters and labels
• Marking Products, which produced metal stamps and later inkjet coders

Matthews Symbol Systems adopted the Swedot thermal and dot-matrix printers and integrated them into some of the earliest automated label print-and-apply systems used worldwide.

After Symbol Systems was merged into the Marking Products Division, Matthews eventually sold its labeling operations to former Symbol Systems General Manager Rick Fox in 1996 — forming what is now FOX IV Technologies, Inc. This transition preserved the engineering expertise that had developed systems like the TMP 1801. Approximately 20 employees moved from Matthews to FOX IV, several of whom remain with the company today.

Thirty years later, FOX IV continues to design and manufacture reliable label print-and-apply systems for customers around the world.

¹ https://herberthistory.co.uk ²https://matthewsmarking.com