Abstract: A label printer for printing both human readable and machine readable indicia on the end label in a strip of perforated label stock includes a drum printer providing printing at a print station and label advancing rollers for advancing the label stock from a supply through the print station. Human readable indicia are printed on the end label during this advancement. Label tensioning rollers are provided on the opposite side of the print station from the label advancing rollers and engage the end label after a portion of the label has been transported past the print station. When the label tensioning rollers have engaged the end label, the machine readable indicia are printed on the label, as well as any additional human readable indica. The label tensioning rollers provide for tensioning of the label during printing of the machine readable indicia so as to enhance the resolution of the printed indicia.