What is TZe 231?
TZe-231 is a genuine Brother P-Touch laminated label tape—specifically a 12 mm (≈½”) wide × 8 m (≈26.2 ft) cartridge, black print on white tape,
Short answer: mostly — but with a few important caveats. TZe is essentially the newer, eco-friendly evolution of Brother’s older TZ label tapes, and in most day-to-day use they behave the same.
What changed (and why it matters)
Brother introduced the TZe line as an updated version of TZ cartridges: the tape construction and print quality remain the professional, laminated labels people expect, but the TZe packaging and ribbon were redesigned to reduce plastic, include a small percentage of recycled material and lower manufacturing energy — in other words, it’s a greener cartridge with the same goal: durable labels that survive water, sunlight and abrasion.
Compatibility — the real practical point
Here’s the important compatibility rule: TZe tapes were designed to be backwards-compatible — you can generally use a TZe tape in printers that originally accepted TZ cartridges. However, when Brother moved to TZe as the standard, some newer label makers were built specifically to accept only TZe cartridges, so the older TZ cartridges may not work in those newer models. In short — TZe → usually fits TZ printers; TZ → may not fit some newer TZe-only printers. If you want the safe option, buy TZe.
Performance and longevity
Don’t worry about losing quality: both TZ and TZe use Brother’s laminated, multi-layer construction that protects printed characters and gives excellent resistance to water, chemicals and fading. The printed result and lifespan are effectively the same for normal labelling tasks.
Quick buying tips
If you don’t want surprises, check the model number on your P-touch or look for a “TZe” symbol on the label cover before buying replacement cartridges. For future-proofing, stick with TZe tapes — they’re the modern standard and widely available (including speciality finishes and widths). And if you ever try third-party tapes, test one first — quality can vary.
Bottom line: TZe is the newer, eco-friendlier version of TZ. For most users they’re interchangeable — but always double-check your printer model to avoid compatibility headaches.
TZe-231 is a genuine Brother P-Touch laminated label tape—specifically a 12 mm (≈½”) wide × 8 m (≈26.2 ft) cartridge, black print on white tape,