The cassette choice comes down to 3 mm of width
Brother makes both cassettes as standard laminated tape with black print on white. Both hold 8 m. Choose the width that suits the flat area on your item and the amount of text you want to read. If you are replacing a previous cassette, check the full code on its side so you buy the same width and finish again.
| Feature | Brother TZe-221 | Brother TZe-231 |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal tape width | 9 mm | 12 mm |
| Tape length | 8 m | 8 m |
| Colour and finish | Black on white, laminated | Black on white, laminated |
| Best starting point | Short names on narrow edges | Larger type or two lines on a broad face |
| Selected models that accept both | PT-H110, PT-P300BT and PT-P710BT | PT-H110, PT-P300BT and PT-P710BT |
The extra width affects the top and bottom space around the text. It leaves the length along the tape to your design and machine settings. If you use 9 mm for one part of a filing system and 12 mm for another, the shared black-on-white finish can keep the labels consistent.
Choose 9 mm for a tight, flat strip
Start with TZe-221 on a narrow file spine, shallow drawer lip or small divider tab. Measure across the part where the adhesive will make contact. Exclude rounded shoulders, hinges and ridges. A nominally wide surface can have a smaller flat section once you check it closely.
For a 10 mm flat strip, a 9 mm label gives you about 0.5 mm clearance at each edge when centred. A 12 mm strip would overhang. Use a short name or an identifier that is easy to read at arm’s length. Place a paper strip on the item before buying if the measurement is close.
9 mm · narrow edges
Brother TZe-221 laminated tape
A genuine 9 mm cassette with black text on white laminated tape. It fits narrower folder spines, dividers and drawer lips where a 12 mm strip would overhang.
Keep in mind. Choose a short, readable design for the smaller printable area. Brother lists this cassette for specific P-touch models.
- 9 mm × 8 m
- Black on white
- One laminated cassette
Choose 12 mm when the text needs room
Use TZe-231 on a broader drawer front, filing spine or storage box. The extra 3 mm can give your printer more room for larger lettering or clearer spacing between two lines. If you read the label from a distance, compare the preview for the exact layout and print one sample at the intended text size.
On a 13 mm flat area, the 12 mm strip leaves 0.5 mm at each edge if it is centred. The 9 mm strip leaves 2 mm at each edge. That difference matters if the surface curves slightly at the edges or the placement varies from one item to the next. Choose enough clearance to apply the labels consistently.
12 mm · everyday labels
Brother TZe-231 laminated tape
A genuine 12 mm cassette for black text on white laminated labels. Useful when a folder spine, drawer or box face has room for larger type.
Keep in mind. Check that Brother lists the cassette for your P-touch model. Measure the flat space first if you are labelling narrow tabs or dividers.
- 12 mm × 8 m
- Black on white
- One laminated cassette
Check the lettering at the width you will print
The tape width is measured across the backing. The printed area is smaller because the machine leaves space above and below the text. Brother lists up to two lines on both 9 mm and 12 mm tape in the PT-H110. That tells you what the printer can format. Previewing your own text tells you whether the layout is comfortable to read.
For a two-line example, try a category on the top line and a brief location code below. Print one sample and place it on the item at its normal height. If the text is too small, shorten the second line, use a single line or move to 12 mm where the surface allows it. On an app-driven P-touch, check that the template uses the selected width when you switch cassettes.
Compare tape length and the way you print
Both cassettes hold the same nominal length. Compare delivered cost per metre for the exact single cassette or count the cassettes in a multipack. The number of finished labels depends on the length of each design and the tape used for margins and feeding. A 9 mm label and a 12 mm label can consume the same length of roll when the design and settings are similar.
If you print many small labels, check your model’s margin and batch controls. Brother’s PT-H110 support describes a Chain Print option that reduces repeated leading margins. Follow the feed instruction at the end of the chain before cutting. A sample batch can tell you how much tape your usual layout uses more reliably than a fixed labels-per-cassette estimate.
Check the family, suffix and selected option
Confirm that the printer takes the exact TZe code. Both featured widths fit the PT-H110, PT-P300BT and PT-P710BT. Consult the printer’s consumables list for other models, particularly where the case carries an older logo or uses a different Brother tape system.
Read the letters in the listing as well as the three digits. Brother also makes TZe-N231, a non-laminated 12 mm black-on-white option. The main photographs may be similar. Check that the selected variant says laminated, has the intended width and contains the number of cassettes you want.
Brother product and formatting documentation
Checked in November 2026.
Common questions
What is the difference between TZe-231 and TZe-221?
TZe-231 is 12 mm wide and TZe-221 is 9 mm wide. Both featured genuine cassettes contain 8 m of black-on-white laminated tape. The width changes how much space you have for the design and how much flat surface you need.
Can I use both tapes in the Brother PT-H110?
Yes. Brother lists both codes for the PT-H110. It also lists them for the PT-P300BT CUBE and PT-P710BT CUBE Plus.
Is TZe-231 stickier than TZe-221?
Brother lists both as standard laminated black-on-white tapes. Choose by width for ordinary use. For a surface that needs stronger adhesion, look for the specific stronger adhesive cassette in your printer’s list.
Can I print two lines on 9 mm tape?
Brother lists a two-line limit for both 9 mm and 12 mm on the PT-H110. On the narrower tape, preview both lines before printing so you can see whether the type remains readable. Other models have their own layout limits.
Will a 9 mm cassette make my label shorter?
The 9 mm measurement is across the tape. The printed label’s length along the roll depends on your design, margins and cutter settings. Both cassettes start with the same nominal 8 m of tape.