Barcodes have become completely commonplace. Everyone has seen or used a barcode at some point. As of 2020, barcode technology has become firmly integrated into daily life. We scan a QR code, gain access to festivals, pay in parking garages, or buy items at the supermarket. This is just a small sample of the situations where you encounter barcode scanning. In this blog, we explain what you need to get started with barcodes, the different technologies available, and what you should pay attention to when purchasing barcode scanners, label printers, and labels:
First of all, some examples of the benefits of using barcodes;
To provide labels with barcodes, you need the following components:
-A label printer such as the CL-S521 label printer
-Labels such as these barcode labels of 60 x 25mm
With a label printer, you can print labels with text, images, or barcodes. You connect a label printer to your computer with a USB cable, or you can connect it to your network so that the printer can be accessed from multiple PCs. The label printing software or other software for generating and encoding your barcodes and text runs on the computer or your server.
Before purchasing a label printer, it is smart to have an answer to the questions below:
Your answers will make it clear which label printer is suitable for your situation. Below is more explanation about the different types of label printers:
Desktop Label Printers: When we talk about a desktop label printer, we are talking about a very compact label printer that can be placed on any desk or workspace. Suitable for dozens of labels per day and a low throughput. Often used for printing shipping labels.
Industrial Label Printers: Industrial label printers can be found in heavy production environments. These label printers can easily print tens of thousands of labels per day. The housing of an industrial label printer is water- and dust-resistant and can print high volumes of barcode labels.
A label printer can print in different ways. There are two different printing methods: direct thermal and thermal transfer.
Direct Thermal: With a direct thermal printer, you can print directly onto thermal paper. Direct thermal is used when labels do not require a long shelf life. Think of shipping labels for packages, but also for fresh products, such as in the supermarket.
Thermal Transfer: With a thermal transfer label printer, you make prints using a ribbon. This type of label printer is used when labels need to have a longer shelf life. Applications include patient registration in hospitals and products with a long turnover rate.
Thus, we can conclude: If a label needs to be durable, or if it is exposed to the elements, then Thermal Transfer is the choice. Otherwise, the choice falls on Direct Thermal label printers.
Labels:
An essential element of a label printer are the labels being used. Labels are available in all shapes and sizes and for various applications and industries.
There are diverse applications for labels: the well-known shipping labels for logistics, clothing tags for retailers, and labels for fresh products or medicines.
Labels are available on thermal material, paper, or plastic.
Software: Before you can start printing barcode labels, you must think about the software you want to use. Often, Bartender or Zebra Designer software is chosen. These are examples of software packages that can establish a connection with an underlying database, such as Excel, where the data is further processed. The Pro versions of both packages can link to a simple Excel sheet or database. Both software packages also have variants that can connect to database systems such as SAP, Oracle, and other database software that works with XML files.
In conclusion: To print barcode labels, you therefore need a label printer, labels, and the right software. When looking at these options, it is important to have a clear understanding of the purpose. A barcode label is an extremely important instrument for any application where items need to be identified quickly and accurately.
After reading this blog, do you have any questions about barcode labels, label printers, barcode scanners, or barcode software? Feel free to contact us so that we can provide you with good advice!
