Control of laser printhead for writing or erasing content

A label modification unit comprising:

• a single laser of one laser printhead configured to emit a light beam to modify content in an area of a label;
• an optical element configured to control a spot size of the light beam;
• a reflector system configured to control directional movement of the light beam;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• receive an input associated with modifying the content in the area of the label;
• determine, based on the input and a physical configuration of the label, a size of the area of the label and a modification to the content in the area of the label;
• and
• modify, based on the determined modification, the content in the area of the label by controlling a configuration of the single laser, the optical element, or the reflector system to write the content to at least a portion of the area of the label or erase the content from at least a portion of the area of the label.