Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.1 User's Guide © 2013. September. All rights reserved. Version 10.1.1 Loftware, LLM, Loftware Label Design, Loftware Print Server, LPS, Loftware Connector, Global Marking Solutions, I-Push, and I-Pull are all registered trademarks of Loftware, Inc. Loftware WebAccess, LWA, and Loftware Web Services are trademarks of Loftware, Inc. Loftware, Inc., 166 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Phone: 603.766.3630 Fax: 603.766.3631 sales@loftware.com www.loftware.
Contents The Loftware Label Manager Loftware Documentation Contact Loftware Technical Support Licensing, Warranty, and Support License Information and Registration Loftware Label Manager Version 10.
Fixed Text Properties Text Properties Properties for Paragraph Text Fields Images and Graphics Lines and Boxes Barcode Properties Other Editing Methods Field List Creation Printing and Embedding Characters Pass Through Fields Audit Files Label Versioning Label Comments Fixed Images Promotion Using with Existing Labels Enable Label Versioning Manage Previous Versions of a Label Promote a Versioned Label Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager Setting up RFID Labels HF and UHF RFID RFID Standards Loftware RFID
Printers and Double Byte Font Support Unicode Input Methods with the Loftware Print Server Troubleshooting Font Fields Using Templates and Wizards What is a Template? Creating a New Label based on a Template Creating Your Own Template Barcode Wizards Configuring Data Sources Accessing a Data Source About Force Max # Chars Keyboard Data Source Block Configuration Data Source Date and Time Data Source File Data Source Fixed Data Source Formula Data Source Creating an Application Using HIBC Barcodes Increment/
Creating a Query Automating the Range Printing Process Working with ODBC Examples of Data Sources How Loftware Label Manager Uses ODBC ODBC Data Source Administrator Working with Data Sources Hints and Troubleshooting ODBC Barcode Symbology Unique Barcode Properties Barcode Symbology Terminology Printing Non-Native Barcode Symbologies Aztec Code Properties Code 39 and Code 39 (FULL ASCII) Properties Code 93 and Code 93 (FULL ASCII) Properties Code 128 Properties DataMatrix Properties EAN 8 and EAN 13 Proper
InfoPrint Solutions (Formerly IBM) Information PCM Image-Tek (Imtec) Information Intermec and UBI Printers Meto Information Novexx Printers Paxar (Monarch) MPCL1 Printers PCL5 Information Retail Systems International, Inc.
The Loftware Label Manager Loftware Label Manager is a suite of software applications for designing and printing barcode labels. Loftware's stand-alone printing modules, On-Demand and Range Print, can be used with Loftware Label Manager for non-automated/low-volume barcode label printing. New printer drivers are continually being added; please contact support@loftware.com for availability of new drivers for printers and RFID devices.
The Loftware Label Manager l Databases and ODBC l Range Printing Note: You must purchase and license the Loftware Print Server separately from the Loftware Label Manager. Loftware.com Visit www.loftware.com for the latest revisions of the Loftware Print Server and Loftware Label Manager user guides. Also, visit the Loftware Knowledge Base at www.loftware.com/help for additional information and tips on a variety of subjects. Contact Loftware Loftware, Inc. 166 Corporate Drive Portsmouth NH 03801 U.S.A.
Technical Support Technical Support Software licenses purchased directly from Loftware include the first year of Technical Support. This initial 12-month support period starts on the day the product is shipped and invoiced from Loftware’s factory. When needed, support recipients during this period are eligible to receive unlimited telephone support, access to software upgrades and enhancements and speak with our Systems Analysts.
The Loftware Label Manager 6. Have your serial number and version number of the product you are using ready. These numbers can be obtained by accessing the Help|About menu of the label design mode. 7. Think about how you are going to efficiently explain the problem prior to speaking with a technician. The better the description, the quicker the solution and/or resolution to your problem. 8. If this is a follow up call to a previous incident, please have the incident number ready.
License Information and Registration PW-LPS[10/9] [6] [8] [5/3] J[1] W[4/2] F[1] P{MSNRCBOYV} [10/ The total number of printer seats /9] The number of the total seats that are RFID printer seats. [6] The number of Client connections allowed. This includes remote status client, ODP client, client integration, Loftware Connector. [8] The number of Terminal Server connections allowed. [5/ The number of Oracle Connector client seats allowed.
The Loftware Label Manager Loftware Label Manager Version 10.0 System Requirements Consider these requirements the minimum to run the Loftware Label Manager. Medium and highvolume systems may require more or faster processors and higher available RAM and disk space in order to achieve desired performance and throughput. LLM will perform best when not limited by available RAM, disk space, or processor speed. Component Requirement Computer Processor Speed 2.
Connecting Devices Topics in this section include: l Defining device connection and viewing device families l Configuring devices for use with the Loftware Label Manager and Loftware Print Server products l Understanding Device Status Responses l Defining the device connection including port selection and communications settings l Setting up Device Specific Options. For printers, this usually includes options for stock type, ribbon type, label handling, and cutter.
Connecting Devices Figure 2.1: Local – Direct Connection: Computer to Printer This connection is mainly used for stand-alone printing with Loftware Label Manager and with OnDemand Print. With this type of connection, the print engine maintains a communication session with the printer via a serial, parallel or USB port. If this is the connection your setup dictates, proceed to the Device Configuration section of this section. Note: If you want to connect more than 2 printers, use Connection Type 2 or 3.
Device Connection Types Figure 2.2: TCP/IP Connection Print Manager/Spooling Connection When to use Use this option if the printer is connected directly to the serial, parallel, or USB port of a computer other than the one on which Loftware Label Manager or the Loftware Print Server (LPS) is running. If your printer is IP Addressable, use a TCP/IP Connection.
Connecting Devices In certain circumstances, it may be useful to use Print Manager/Spooling if the printer is connected directly to a local port or to a print server device on the network. Example You are printing through a USB port using the On-Demand Print Application and your label has large or complex graphics. Print Manager/Spooling returns user control to the application much faster than printing directly to the COM/LPT port.
Device Connection Summary Figure 2.4: Connection Type 4, Web User Device Connection Summary Once the type of connection has been decided, the next step is to configure your device(s). Note: Any printer driver that's name does not begin with "Loftware" may be a third-party Windows driver. Always use Loftware drivers when available. Use third-party drivers only when Loftware does not offer a native driver for that printer. All Windows printers, for example LaserJets, use third-party drivers.
Connecting Devices Loftware Device Configuration Wizard In Loftware Design Mode, choose File | Device Wizard. The Loftware Device Configuration Wizard is displayed. This Wizard guides you through the device configuration process. Step 1 - Choose the Device Number Family Model and Alias Step 2 - Select Port Type and Port Step 3 - COM Port Settings (Local Port Type) Step 4 - Configuration Summary Step 1 – Choose the Device Number, Family, Model and Alias 1. Click Next from the Device Wizard Welcome screen.
Loftware Device Configuration Wizard 1. Choose the Port Type from the drop-down list. 2. Choose the appropriate Port from the drop-down menu. The available ports depend upon the Port Type you have chosen. Available Ports Port Local Port Client-Defined (LPS only) Description Port connections that utilize serial (COM), parallel (LPT), or USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports generally involve a communication session between Loftware Label Manager and the printer.
Connecting Devices l Parity l Stop bits Select the appropriate values to match your printer settings. Flow Control Select one of the following options. Option Description Xon/Xoff (default) This setting is the most common type of software flow control. The printer sends an XOFF character when it cannot receive any more data and an XON character when it is ready for more data. Minimum Null Modem cable is required. Hardware CTS/RTS Clear to Send / Ready to Send hardware flow control.
Loftware Label Manager Device Configuration Grid Figure 2.5: Device Configuration Summary. l Click Back if you need to make corrections. l Click Cancel to exit the Wizard without adding the device. l Click Finish if the information is correct and the configuration is complete. Accessing the Wizard through LLM Device Configuration Grid You can also access the Loftware Device Configuration Wizard through the LLM Device Configuration grid (described in the following section). Select File | Devices.
Connecting Devices l Select File | Devices menu or press F6. Alternatively, select File | Test Print from the menu and the Devices button from the Test Print dialog box. The LLM Device Configuration window is displayed. If there are no configured devices, the Device Configuration Wizard opens automatically. You can use the Wizard, or click Cancel and continue configuring devices in the grid. Note: If you have previously configured devices in Loftware, your configured devices are populated in the grid.
Loftware Label Manager Device Configuration Grid Column Description An alternative name given the device, such as Shipping Printer or Warehouse 20. This setting is optional. An alias allows you to give a device a more descriptive name than the default. When you assign an alias: Alias n You may use *DeviceName instead of *DeviceNumber when using the file interface of the Loftware Print Server (LPS). n The LPS Status view uses the alias instead of the default name. Error messages use the alias.
Connecting Devices n Reassign allows you to change the device number, by either swapping it with another device number or overwriting an existing device. n Connection opens Device Connections. n Options opens Device Options. For a printer, label stock, forms control, and advanced options can be set. See the Device Options section Figure 2.
Loftware Label Manager Device Configuration Grid Figure 2.7: Device Configuration Grid Device Families. 2. Click the down arrow to display a drop-down list of Device Families. Choose from the list. 3. Select a device model from the Model column. At this point, the Options and the Connection buttons become active. If you attempt to choose a Model without first identifying the Family, a message is displayed. 4. Click in the Port column, and then click the browse button (...).
Connecting Devices Figure 2.8: Device Configuration Grid displaying attributes Related Information For information on limiting the Device Families list, refer to the Device Families section of this guide. Configuring Device Connection You can configure the connection settings for your printers from the Configuring Existing Device Connection Settings window.
Loftware Label Manager Device Configuration Grid COM Port Settings Section See Step 3 of the Loftware Label Manager Device Configuration Wizard if you are not familiar with these settings. Advanced Settings Section The advanced communications can be used to control timing and status reporting. Most users do not need to adjust these settings. Setting Description Timeout This is the amount of time the program waits for a device to respond to input while printing/writing natively.
Connecting Devices Setting Description Select the amount of detail that you want in error messages. Log Level n DEBUG n INFO n WARNING n ERROR Detailed Status Button For printers configured to use IPL and ZPLII language, the Detailed Status button is available. Click Detailed Status to open the Detailed Status Configuration window. See the Detailed Status section for your printer in this guide for information on the specific Status checks that you can set.
Loftware Label Manager Device Configuration Grid Figure 2.9: Assigned and Unassigned Area of LLM Device Configuration Grid For example If you have 8 print seats, and your # 8 printer usually uses Continuous stock but occasionally uses Die Cut stock, you can configure this same printer twice - as Device 8 and Device 9. Set the Device Option under Stock Type to Continuous for Device 8 and Die Cut for Device 9.
Connecting Devices 2. Enter the number of the row where you want to move the selected device in the To field. 3. Select Swap or Replace. l Swap - Switch the device number of the selected device with the number entered in the To field. l Replace - Replace the device entered in the To field with the selected device. 4. Click OK. The selected device is moved to the new row.
About Printer Family Drivers If you are in Demo Mode Any number of RFID devices can be configured in the grid up to the number of available device seats (non-gray area in the configuration grid). When these devices are used in demo mode, the EPC / DoD tag data will be scrambled just like any other variable field in demo mode.
Connecting Devices ZPL II Family Driver Zebra Printer Language II (ZPL II®) is a printer language used to drive Zebra printers. ZPL II is listed as a Loftware native driver (Model) among the available printers. You can select the ZPLII Family driver in the Model field of the Device Configuration Wizard and Grid. You can use the ZPL II Family Driver to design labels and drive printers that use the ZPL II Printer Language even if that printer is not listed among the Loftware supported printers.
About Printer Family Drivers Configure a Printer to use a Family Printer Driver Using the Device Configuration Wizard See Loftware Device Configuration Wizard for more information on using the Device Wizard to configure printers. 1. Select File | Device Wizard. The Device Wizard opens. 2. During Step 1, select the appropriate family printer driver from the Model field. Figure 2.
Connecting Devices Figure 2.11: Example Family Driver Selection using Device Configuration Grid Setup the Label to use a Family Printer Driver Using the New Media Wizard See Creating a New Label for more information on using the New Media Wizard to create a label. 1. Select File | New. The New Media Wizard opens. 2. During Device Selection, select the appropriate manufacturer and family printer driver from the Model field. 34 Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
About Printer Family Drivers Figure 2.12: Example Family Driver Selection using New Media Wizard Using the Label Setup and Properties Dialog See Label Setup and Properties for more information on using the Media Setup tabs to modify a label. 1. Select File | Media setup or press F5. 2. On the Label Setup tab, select the appropriate manufacturer and family printer driver from the Model field. Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Connecting Devices Figure 2.13: Example Family Driver Selection using Label Setup and Properties Configuration with Windows Printers Windows printers can be configured from the Loftware Label Manager Device Configuration grid Options button or from a label's LSO page. Note: If you are working in an environment with multiple LPS installations and versions, be aware that sharing LLM / LPS version 9.5 or later Windows printer configuration files with a pre-9.
Configuring Devices with the LPS Running Loftware Label Manager can print to all of your computer printers. This includes standard Windows printers such as LaserJet, dot matrix, and bubble jets. It also includes third-party Windows drivers purchased for barcode label applications. Loftware makes no claims as to the performance or reliability of third party drivers. Configuring a New Printer Connection for Windows or Third-Party Drivers 1.
Connecting Devices Note: A slight delay of processing may occur during the configuration update process; this is normal as the print engine is updating its settings accordingly. Issues with Device Configuration Be aware that a problem could develop on the client-side if a device is deleted on the server side. For example An ODP Client attempting to print to the deleted device would receive a message that states “No device configured.
Shared Network Printing Label Options Section This is the section where certain label options are chosen, such as Supply Type and Buffer Mode. Forms Control Section This area instructs the printer how to behave in terms of the stock that is chosen. Advanced Options Section This section allows for more customization of the printing process, such as Memory Modules and Symbol Sets. Custom Command Section Used for a non-typical function.
Connecting Devices Query Status Request Query requests are only supported on serial (COM) ports. If you are using a serial connection, a query status is very helpful to troubleshoot whether you have the proper cable, baud, parity, stop bits. Query Status Requests with Serial Printers are a two-way communication query between Loftware Label Manager and any printer that supports status sending.
Device Status Benefits of Using a Serial Connection l More detailed status information l Cable to printer can be much longer than a parallel cable (up to 50 feet). Drawbacks l Requires a specific NULL/MODEM cable l Requires that printer settings for baud, stop bits, parity, data bits, and flow control match the same settings in the software. l Slower connection speed than the rest of the connection types. l The number of serial ports on a computer is limited to 1 or 2.
Connecting Devices label. When using a Generic Text Driver for example, if an error occurs, Windows displays information about the status of the device. Many times, if the problem with the device is corrected and you click Retry, the label prints (assuming there are no other errors). Benefits of Spooling l Requests are queued in the Windows Print Manager. l Devices that are connected to a computer on the network can be shared with other computer’s on the network.
Device Status The USB 1.1 communication architecture connects a computer to a USB printer via a simple four-wire cable. Many label printers are now available with USB port capability, and Loftware Applications now have the ability to print to these printers through their USB port. TCP/IP An IP connection involves configuring the LPS to print directly to the IP address of the device.
Connecting Devices Requirements Force Extended Mode and Disable Status Checking are selected when you enable Detailed Status. These settings are required for the Loftware Print Server to retrieve detailed status. Detailed status is only supported on printers with internal Network Interface Cards (NICs). External print servers such as a the Zebra ZebraNet® PrintServer II are not supported. Configure Detailed Status 1. Open the Devices grid. 2. Select a Zebra printer that uses ZPLII, and Click Connection.
Device Status Detailed Status Section Select Enabled to turn on Detailed Status for the selected printer. Status Types Section Status Description Pre-Job Status Check the state of a printer before sending a print job - single label or many labels in a pass, csv, or xml file. PreLabel Status Check the state of the printer before a label is sent. PostJob Status Check the state of the printer after the print job is complete. Fail Job on Errors Set per status.
Connecting Devices Printer Error Retry Setting The Printer Error Retry setting allows you to configure the number of Milliseconds the Loftware Print Server waits to retry sending a print job after an error. Set Defaults Button Returns the Detailed Status Configuration window to its default state (disabled). Detailed Status for IPL and Direct Protocol Printers You can use Detailed Status to check the state of an IPL or Direct Protocol printer before or after a print job.
Device Status Figure 2.16: Detailed Status Configuration window 4. Click Enabled, and select the Status Types and Behaviors to check. 5. Click OK to save the configuration, click OK again to save the connection settings. Detailed Status Section Select Enabled to turn on Detailed Status for the selected printer. Status Types Section Status Description Pre-Job Status Check the state of a printer before sending a print job - single label or many labels in a pass, csv, or xml file.
Connecting Devices Status Description PostJob Status Fail Job on Errors Check the state of the printer after the print job is complete. Set per status. Select to discontinue printing if there is a problem with the printer. Note: If you select Fail Job on Errors and you have enabled device notifications for only Device Errors on the Notification's Dialog, you will NOT receive notifications.
About Device Families About Device Families A Device Family is a manufactured line of devices. Loftware currently supports a number Device Families. See the Supported Barcode Label Printers under Technical Support for a list of supported devices. Loftware is continually adding support for new devices (and device families). Changes in the device list are automatically reflected anytime you install or upgrade Loftware Label Manager.
Connecting Devices l Select File | Test Print l Press (F9) l Click the Test Print icon in the standard toolbar. Choose which of the assigned printers you want to print from in the Test Print dialog box. Errors and Warnings when Printing If an error occurs when you try to print the label, read the following to discover the problem. Often, if you check to see that the Device is turned on, that the Print Head is down, and if you check your label design for errors, you may have a quick solution.
Network Printing Network Printing It used to be that Loftware users connected their thermal transfer barcode printers directly to their computers through a serial, parallel or USB port. Today, connecting the printers directly to the network is more the norm. There are several benefits to connecting the printers directly to the network: l Devices can be shared by more than one application. l Devices can be assigned TCP/IP addresses.
Connecting Devices The figure above shows a typical printer network setup with printers connected to the network backbone using print servers. Print Servers typically resolve network data directed to a particular IP address into Serial, Parallel or USB output. Printers can also be connected as shared devices by attaching them to computers on the network. One problem with this technique is that the computer must be turned on in order to access the printer.
Network Printing Extended Systems, Intel, HP, and many others. You may have used them in the past to connect Laser printers to your network. Note: Consult your Network Administrator before adding or removing any device on your Network. l The setup program installs the appropriate drivers onto your computer. l A configuration utility allows you to search your network for print servers, and assign each of them a unique IP Address and Name as well as other various settings.
Connecting Devices Warning! Each Loftware Label Manager installation on the network that will be connected to a shared printer must enable the Shared Network Printing option. If it is not enabled, unpredictable results and possible loss of label formats and images may occur. Figure 2.
Network Printing 11. If you chose a COM port, you should also complete the next steps, as you may need to configure the communication settings for the port. a. In the Printers folder, select the printer that you have just added. b. Select File | Properties, verify that the correct port is selected. c. Click the Ports tab. Click Configure Port. d. Verify that the settings for baud rate, parity, stop bits, and flow control match the printer’s settings. e. After making any necessary changes, click OK.
Connecting Devices The printer is now successfully shared. If desired, leave the Printer dialog box up to monitor files as they are spooled to the printer. Sharing a Network Device A Shared Network Device is a device that resides on a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), the Internet or an Intranet, and has been made available for users on the network to print to. If you are not sure if you have rights to Shared Network Devices, contact an Information Systems (IS) representative.
Designing Labels In Loftware Label Manager, a label is a design area on the computer screen where a label format is created or edited. A label contains one or more fields. A field is a specific object within a label selected for editing. For example, you can select and edit a barcode field, a text field, a graphics field, a line field, a box field, or a paragraph field. In Loftware Label Manager, you can add new fields to a label by using the Toolbox or Insert on the menu bar.
Designing Labels Creating a New Label The first time you open Loftware Label Manager after a new install, the New Media Wizard is displayed automatically. If you have created a label or tag previously in Design, the last label or tag that was edited or designed is displayed, unless this setting has been turned off in Options | Preferences. The New Media Wizard guides you through the process of creating a label or an RFID Smart Label.
Creating a New Label 5. Select a Template Type. l To create a label from scratch, select Blank Label. l To pattern your new label after an existing industry-specific label template, select Compliance Template Label. Follow the instructions in Using an Industry-Specific Label Template. 6. Click Next. The Device Selection page appears. 7. Select the device Manufacturer and Model from the drop-down lists. 8. Click Next. The Field and Media Selection page appears.
Designing Labels 3. Select a Target Device. The Device Selection dialog prompts you to select the target device for the new label. Select the printer Manufacturer and Model from the drop-down lists, and then click Next. Note: If you select a printer that has not been configured, you will be reminded later when you select label options from File | Media Setup. 4. Select a Label Template. In the Select Template section, select the industry-specific label template you want to use from the list.
Design Mode - Menu Bar, Toolbars, and the Toolbox Design Mode - Menu Bar, Toolbars, and the Toolbox The Loftware design workspace provides several options and tools that facilitate the creation of labels. These include the menu bar, toolbar buttons for the most commonly-used operations, a toolbox with icons for fields that may be added to the label, rulers, a screen odometer and a resize indicator.
Designing Labels Menu Description Add the following Insert Positio n Fixed text. n Variable label fields. n Barcode. n Images. n Graphic elements (for example, lines, boxes and borders). n When enabled, an RFID field. Align, center, and evenly space two or more selected fields. Options Windo w n n Change the application Language. n Preferences allow you to change default configurations within the Loftware Label Manager system. n Open the RFID Calculator. n Audit Setup.
Design Mode - Menu Bar, Toolbars, and the Toolbox Button/Control Description New Opens a new blank label file. Open Opens an existing label file. Highlight a filename to display a thumbnail graphic of the label. Save Saves the active label in your system’s memory to a disk or hard drive. Print Test prints a sample of the active label. Cut Cuts or deletes the selected field or fields from the label. Copy Copies the selected field(s) to the clipboard.
Designing Labels Figure 3.4: Rulers graphically display field movement and placement of objects 64 Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Design Mode - Menu Bar, Toolbars, and the Toolbox Screen Odometer The screen odometer is located at the bottom of the design screen to the right of the license key information. The odometer pinpoints the precise location of the mouse pointer whenever you are designing or editing a label. When the mouse is moved, the reading on the odometer changes. When a field is moved by dragging it with the mouse, the odometer displays the position of the upper left corner of the field.
Designing Labels Tool Description Align Left Aligns 2 or more selected fields with the field that is farthest to the left on the label. Align Right Aligns 2 or more selected fields with the selected field that is farthest to the right on the label. Align Top Aligns 2 or more selected fields with the selected field that is nearest to the top of the label. Align Bottom Aligns 2 or more selected fields with the selected field that is nearest to the bottom of the label.
Design Mode - Menu Bar, Toolbars, and the Toolbox Tool Description Text (Variable) Add a text field in which the text changes from label to label during the print run, for example, a Customer Name field for an address label. Line Add horizontal or vertical lines to a label. Box Add a box to a label. Paragraph Add variable text fields that are automatically split and justified at appropriate word breaks. Image Add a graphic image (for example, logo) to a label.
Designing Labels Figure 3.8: Language Options 5. Select Set as default language for new users . This changes the default application language for Users D, E, and F to French, but it does not affect Users A, B, and C, whose application language remains English. This setting may be changed as often as needed, but each previous logged in user’s settings are retained unless subsequently changed in the Options | Language menu.
About Properties l Non-alphanumeric characters (including spaces) after the first character are converted to underscores (_) l A name can start with "$$" as long as the third character is an alpha. Names may contain dots (for example, customer.big); however, field names with dots cannot be used in formulas. For more information, refer to the Data Sources section. l Reserved Field Names The following field names are reserved and will have the first character replaced with the letter A.
Designing Labels To set the field Property defaults for a printer 1. Open or create a label designed for the printer type that you want to set defaults 2. Point to File | Device Tool Defaults, and select a field type. l Fixed Text l Text l Paragraph l Line l Box l Image l Barcode 3. Set the default values for each of the properties by selecting from the available values. 4. Click OK to save the defaults.
About Properties The Properties box is useful because you view changes on your label as you enter them in the Properties box. For example, if you change the height of a barcode in the Properties box, Loftware Label Manager adjusts the height of the barcode on your screen immediately after you press Enter or press Tab to move to the next property.
Designing Labels one field or multiple fields. Use the View | Properties menu command to display (or hide) the Properties box. l The Properties box window is displayed wherever it was last positioned, even after exiting Loftware Label Manager and returning for another session. l To move the Properties box, click the window title bar and drag the box to the desired location.
About Properties Figure 3.10: Left: Field list sorted by Name | Data Source | Type Right: Field list sorted by Data Source | Type | Name Independent and Dependent Properties Properties: Above and Below the Line When you are working in a text field or a barcode field, a bold horizontal line is displayed roughly in the middle of each Properties box. This line separates the independent properties from the dependent properties.
Designing Labels match the characteristics of the new font. Figure 3.11: Independent and Dependent properties in a text field. Independent Barcode Field Properties The properties displayed above the bold line are common among all barcode fields. Note that the last entry above the line is Symbology. Dependent Barcode Field Properties The properties displayed below the line are dependent upon the barcode symbology that is selected from the Symbology field.
About Properties Figure 3.12: Properties Box for a Barcode field with Dependent Properties Outlined Note: The horizontal line is displayed only in Properties boxes for text fields and barcode fields. Lines, boxes and images do not have dependent properties. Non-Printing Fields At times, you may want to create a field that does not print on the label, but is seen by a user in the OnDemand-Print Form.
Designing Labels Example 3 You are printing labels and want to switch the Input Prompt to be displayed in an international language to assist the operator. Non-Printing fields may be created in two ways: l You may select No from the Printing Field property in the Properties box. l Fields created in the On-Demand Print Form Window are non-printing fields. Related Information For more information and examples of non-printing field use, refer to the On-Demand Printing section of this guide.
About Properties Properties box with browse button, edit field, and drop-down field selected Properties Box Options Padding Loftware Label Manager Design provides the Padding setting in the Properties box for adjusting the location of the information in the text field on the label. Setting Description None Default option, whereby the characters begin on the left side of the field. Zeros fill in all unused character spaces before the first character of the field.
Designing Labels Setting Description Leading spaces The result is the same as outlined above, only instead of zeros, there are spaces before the name in the field. Trailing spaces The result is similar to the previous option, except that the spaces are inserted after the name rather than before. Center with spaces This option centers the text in the field. Center text in the field 1. Click Padding and the drop-down box to view the options: Figure 3.13: Properties Box displaying Padding Options 2.
About Properties Loftware Label Manager subtracts the number of characters in the field (6) from the Max # Chars, (22), and divides the remainder (16) by 2 (8). Thus, in this case, the field is printed with 8 spaces, followed by the Ship_To_Name (6 letters), followed by 8 more spaces. The Ship_To_Name is centered precisely in the field. This works great if the result of the subtraction of the Max # Chars from the number of characters in the field is an even number.
Designing Labels Proportional Fonts – A Proportional font is one in which each character is a different size. The spacing is proportional to the character size. For example, five W’s take up much more space than five i's. WWWWW iiiii Monospace Fonts – All Monospace fonts are evenly spaced. Using the previous example, the W’s and the i's take up the same amount of space. The Center with spaces option in Padding only works with any accuracy with Monospace Fonts.
About Properties Figure 3.16: Arial font with Center with Spaces Padding Option in 2 nd Field It is to your advantage to experiment with centering using your particular printers, and using various fonts, to see what combinations work best in your application. Edit a Barcode Field Using the Properties Box There are a variety of ways to edit label fields. To help you get started, two examples follow. Both examples use the same label; so after completing Example 1, proceed directly to Example 2.
Designing Labels 4. Click and drag in the label design area (down and to the right) until the field outline box is approximately 1/2" high and 2" wide, release the left mouse button Note: A Code 39 barcode (the default symbology) is displayed on the label. All dependent properties (below the bold line) are thus characteristics of Code 39. The selection handles show that the new barcode is selected automatically. Change the Properties of the Barcode Give the field a meaningful name 1.
Label Setup and Properties (Media Setup) Move the Variable Text Field 1. Move the human-readable text field away from the barcode to provide more room while you edit the field. 2. Select the human-readable text field. 3. When the movement cursor is displayed, while holding the left mouse button, drag the field to a new position (slightly below its original position). Release the mouse button. Note: You can also use the arrow keys on the keyboard to move fields.
Designing Labels Label Setup Tab In the Label Setup tab, the Label Size and Orientation and Configure Label For sections present several options: Label Size and Orientation Section Option Description Width The width of the label stock for this label. Height The height of the label stock for this label. At 0°, the label prints the same orientation shown on your computer screen. Setting Print Print Orientation at 90° rotates the label clockwise 90°.
Label Setup and Properties (Media Setup) Configure Label / Tag For Section Option Description Manufacturer Choose a device from the drop-down list to print this label. Model Resolution Choose from the models displayed in the drop-down list. For labels, the resolution at which the label prints. The available resolutions depend on the printer model chosen above.
Designing Labels Figure 3.18: Label Properties Tab Label Properties Section Option Description The label description gives you information about the type of label. If this is a blank label you Label chose in Step 1 of the Wizard, it is called a Default Label Template. If you chose to create an Description industry-specific label Template, such as a GM or UPS Template, the name, type, size and any other information associated with that label template is displayed.
Label Setup and Properties (Media Setup) Option Description Date & Time The time the selected version of the label was saved. Instance The name of the installation environment that this label is configured for. History Section The History grid is not user modifiable. It provides a general record of who changed the label and when. A list of what was changed is not available. Option Description Ver The label revisions by number.
Designing Labels Figure 3.19: Page Layout Tab Option Description Select a Layout Allows you to select a Page Layout from a drop-down list. Layouts Accesses the Manage Layouts dialog box, where a page layout may be added, edited, or deleted. Displays a description of the layout chosen in Select a Layout. Layout Description Example Selecting 4Up displays "Print 4 Labels a Page" in the dialog box.
Label Setup and Properties (Media Setup) Figure 3.20: Advanced Tab in Label Setup and Properties Design Mode Constraint Section Field List Selection – If you have created any LST files, they are listed in the drop-down menu. Selecting a LST file constrains the field names available to the designer to those mentioned in the list. Legacy Settings Section Setting Description Additional Installed Fonts This drop down box reflects any additional fonts that have been installed.
Designing Labels Setting Description Adjusts the horizontal printed position of the label fields in pixels Label Home X (pixels) Example If the web of your label stock is wider than the label, then you may want to adjust this setting so that the label is printed entirely on the label, and not on the web. Label Home Adjusts the vertical printed position of the label in pixels. Y (pixels) Show Rounded Corners When checked, this option displays the label stock with rounded corners in Design Mode.
Label Setup and Properties (Media Setup) Figure 3.21: Label Setup and Properties dialog box On-Screen Label Presentation Loftware Label Manager includes the ability to design labels in one orientation and print them in another. For example, this methodology allows you to Design a 4 x 6 label with the 6-inch dimension displayed horizontally on the screen, and print the same label on a 4-inch printer rotated so the 6-inch dimension is vertical.
Designing Labels Figure 3.22: Label Orientation Orientation Options In the previous example, the label is designed right-side up, but printed clockwise at 90°. When would you use this option? Example If you are using a label with a color bar on one side of your label or a pre-printed label with a return address or logo, you may want to utilize the print orientation option in order to make designing the label easier, while printing it the way your stock dictates.
Label Setup and Properties (Media Setup) Orientation Example As described above, a pre-printed label is more easily designed right-side up and then printed rotated at 90° using the Print Orientation option. See following figure: Figure 3.23: Pre-printed label ready to be designed right-side up. When the label is presented, it is displayed vertically: Figure 3.24: Previous Label as it is displayed when printed Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Designing Labels Using Label Comments The Label Comments window is used for entering descriptions of the changes made to a label. When you enable label comments, each time you save a label, the Label Comments window opens. This allows you to enter a comment about the changes made to a particular version of a label. Each time you save a label a new version number is created. Your comments are associated with this version number.
Using Label Comments Require Label Comments To require comments to be entered for each version of a label, select Allow Label Comments. 1. From Design, select Options | Preferences. 2. Expand Design Options. 3. Select Allow Label Comments, and clear the Allow Empty Label Comments checkbox. 4. Click OK, and click OK again to dismiss the restart message. 5. Restart Design to activate the changes. Label commenting is enabled and required. Each time you save a label, the Label Comments window appears.
Designing Labels Figure 3.25: Label Comment Window 2. Enter comments on the changes made to this version of the label in the Label Comment field, and click OK. The label is saved, and the comment is recorded along with a new version number for the label. View Label Comments and Information You can view information about the changes made to a label from the Label Setup and Properties window (Media Setup). 1. Open an existing label, and open Media Setup. 2. Select the Label Properties tab.
Test-Printing Labels To test-print a label 1. Verify that the target printer is ON. 2. Select the File | Test Print menu command or click Test Print from the standard toolbar. Alternatively, press F9 or Ctrl+P on the keyboard. 3. View the Test Print dialog box that includes information regarding other methods of printing with Loftware Label Manager. Notice that your target device is identified in the Device box. 4. Select OK.
Designing Labels A description of the type of error or warning is displayed following the title. Some of the warnings are primarily informational, such as the TRUETYPE warning that is displayed whenever a label with TrueType fonts is saved or test printed. This warning does not prevent the label from being printed, but it does let you know that the label is being printed as a bitmap, which means the printing of this label is slower.
On-Demand Print Viewing/Editing the On-Demand Print Form l Click the Switch Views toolbar icon Demand Print Form. , or select View | On-Demand Print Form to open the On- Figure 3.27: Designing the On-Demand Print Form The format for this On-Demand Print Form represents the Loftware Label Manager default settings. You can customize On-Demand Print Forms to meet the requirements of your applications.
Designing Labels Production Printing Now that you have created a label file (label1.lwl), saved the file, test-printed it and viewed it in OnDemand Print Form View, you are ready to print a shipping label. In Loftware Label Manager, you can choose a printing mode: l On-Demand l Range This allows virtually unlimited flexibility for your barcode label printing requirements. We continue our example by printing Label1.LWL as a simple On-Demand Print job for one customer.
Designing a Label Figure 3.28: Finished Label Text Fields Fixed vs. Variable Text Fields Your sample label features two types of text fields: fixed text fields and variable text fields. Fixed text is text that does not change. An example of a fixed text field is the return address on a shipping label or the "SHIP TO:" descriptor just above a customer's name and address. A Variable text field is essentially a place-holder.
Designing Labels Figure 3.29: Label with Fixed Text Fields Outlined Moving Fields Fields may be moved by these methods: l Selecting a field and using the arrow keys on the keyboard. l Selecting the field and dragging it with the mouse. Creating Text Fields Step 1: Create the Return Address Fixed Text Fields 1. Select the Label (fixed text) tool . 2. Move the mouse arrow to the upper left-hand corner of the blank label and left click 3. Type the following: n "Loftware, Inc.
Designing a Label Figure 3.30: Step 1 - Add fixed text fields for return address Note: Loftware Label Manager displays fonts that are available on the selected printer. Depending on your printer’s font sizes, your label may look different from the samples. You may also have to adjust the positions of fields slightly by moving them. Step 2: Creating the "Ship To" Fixed Text Field 1. Select the Label (fixed text) tool . 2. When positioning the next fixed text field, use the screen odometer to guide.
Designing Labels (7) COUNTRY In this example, you can quickly create all variable text fields using a Loftware Label Manager shortcut feature. 1. Select the Variable Text tool . 2. Position the cursor just beneath and to the right of the “SHIP TO:” text and click. A default 8-character variable field is shown: The text “12345678” is a place-holder, which shows you that the field is currently 8 characters long. The blue boxes surrounding the field are called selection handles.
Designing a Label Figure 3.31: Step 3 - First variable text field The next step demonstrates using Loftware Label Manager copy function to create additional variable text fields. Copying a Variable Text Field 1. If it is not selected, select the field you just created (the Ship_To_Company field) by pointing to it and clicking the left mouse button. Selection handles are displayed around the field. 2. Move the cursor over the field until the move cursor is shown. 3.
Designing Labels Figure 3.32: Variable fields copied using Ctrl+Drag Setting the Field’s Properties Set the properties for the fields you just created by selecting the fields (by clicking them) one at a time and setting the properties. 1. Select the second variable field (it is below Ship_To_Company) by clicking. Change the Field Name property to Address1 and assign a Max # Chars of 20 characters. 2. Select the third variable field, change its name to Address2 and assign it a Max # Chars of 18 characters.
Designing a Label Creating the State Field 1. Select the City field. 2. Position a new field directly to the right of the City field, using the Ctrl+Drag copy function. 3. Change the Field Name property to State. 4. Change the Max # Chars property to 5. This entry accommodates the two-letter abbreviations used by the US Postal Service, as well as longer province abbreviations. Creating the Zip Code Field 1. Select the State field. 2.
Designing Labels Figure 3.33: Completed variable text fields Creating Barcode Fields Many industrial shipping labels require one or more barcodes to help speed up the receiving process. To demonstrate the barcode capability of Loftware Label Manager, we will add a barcode to the sample label just below the shipping address. The barcode is used to identify a Part Number. A barcode may be created by using the Barcode tool or the Insert | Barcode menu command. Creating a Barcode Field 1.
Designing a Label Note:The resize rectangle grew smoothly when you changed the height of the barcode but jumped to the next available size when you changed the width. In each case, Loftware Label Manager displays the next available size for the field. Code 39 barcodes grow continuously in their height but discreetly in their width (jumping to the next available line width or X-dimension). Loftware Label Manager always reflects on the label the way the selected field behaves in the printer.
Designing Labels Figure 3.34: Completed label with line separating barcode from address area Resizing Text and Line Fields The same principles used in re-sizing the barcode apply to the other sections of the label. All of the fields on the label above may be re-sized by selecting a handle, and dragging the handle until the field looks the way you would like. You may enter numeric values for the field in the Property box. This automatically re-sizes the label as well. Saving a Label File 1.
Designing a Label Figure 3.35: Label Comment Window Note: When you save a label file, Loftware Label Manager may display an error message listing errors that may have occurred during the creation or editing of label fields. The most common error message informs you that a field is partly off the label. The label may not print correctly until the errors are corrected, although you can still save the label in its current form.
This page intentionally left blank
Customizing Labels This section describes techniques for customizing your label, to ensure that it meets with your design and industry standards. Advanced barcode information is also included.
Customizing Labels Note: Loftware includes a Barcode Wizard that is useful in adding a variety of symbologies to your label. Information on the Barcode Wizard may be found in the Templates and Wizards section in this guide. 4. With the original field selected (selection handles visible), move the cursor over the field until the movement cursor is shown. 5. While holding the Ctrl key, drag the mouse away from the original barcode field. 6. Release the left mouse button and the Ctrl key.
Facts about Fonts 1. Select Pos: Left from the Properties box. 2. Type ".5." 3. Press Enter. Both barcodes click into place simultaneously. The left edges of both fields are aligned at the .5-inch position on the label. You may also use the left-alignment tool to accomplish this task. Change the Line-Width Ratio Simultaneously You can change shared properties among fields. 1. With two or more fields selected, select Ratio in the Properties box. 2. Choose a different ratio from the list.
Customizing Labels Dot fonts Characters printed in dot fonts are displayed as a series of dots. Dot fonts are a predetermined size and cannot be resized. Many printers have the ability to magnify dot fonts. In Loftware Label Manager, Dot fonts usually have names which indicate their size, such as “7 x 9” or “16 x 22.” Dot fonts have Font Height, Magnify Height and Magnify Width properties.
Facts about Fonts In Loftware Label Manager, hybrid fonts feature Font Height, Point Size, Magnify Height, and Magnify Width properties. As with dot fonts, use the Magnify Height and Magnify Width properties to independently size character height and width or use the Font Height property to change the size of the characters while maintaining the proper aspect ratio. Note: Most printers have an internal scaleable font that resembles a TrueType san serif font.
Customizing Labels Fixed Text Properties Property Description Values The name of the field. Names must start with a letter. Other characters can be numbers, letters, periods, or underlines. It is important to give your fields meaningful names. Field Name Field Name Conditions For Example Gross_Weight Total_pieces Fixed textual information for the field. The information in this field is static and cannot be changed except in Label Design.
Fixed Text Properties Property Description Paragraph Converts the field to and from a paragraph field. A paragraph field contains more than one line of textual information. Char. Height Specify the height of the font. Values Yes/No Rotate the characters within the field. This lets you create stacked text. Char. Rotate Note: Each printer handles the spacing of rotated characters differently. The onscreen display uses typical spacing, the actual printed spacing may vary.
Customizing Labels Text Properties In addition to the properties for a Fixed Text field, text or variable fields have the following properties. Property Description Values The Data Source property specifies Data Source l Where the field will get its data from. l The rules for data entered in this field. See Configuring Data Sources Press the Ellipses (...) button to see the available data sources for this field. The prompt that will appear on the operator data entry screen.
Properties for Paragraph Text Fields l Font Category l Font Additionally, paragraph text fields support: l Interline spacing l Justify l Max # lines Figure 4.1: Paragraph Text field with the Properties Box displayed Interline Spacing This property determines the spacing size between lines of paragraph text. The values for interline Spacing are: Single, Double, Triple, or Quadruple.
Customizing Labels Max # Lines This property determines the maximum number of lines that a paragraph can span. This property is tied to the Max # Chars property. It is important to determine a workable value for these two properties. For example, if you choose 100 for the Max # Chars and 4 for the Max # Lines, Loftware Label Manager automatically splits your data input into a maximum of 4 lines with up to 25 characters each.
Images and Graphics Property Description Values Left Justify The alignment of Paragraph text lines. Center Right Maximum number of characters that will be printed for this field. Max # Chars Number If this field is filled in at print time, this is the maximum number of characters that the operator will be able to enter in the data entry screen. Max # Lines The maximum number of lines that will be printed for the paragraph field.
Customizing Labels Supported Image Types Note: Certain TIF and GIF files that use LZW compression may cause an error or not print correctly.
Images and Graphics l Do Not Save - Use this when you want the label to always use the latest image. l Always Update - Automatically update the image embedded in the label if the image has been updated on the file system. l Prompt Before Update - Display a prompt asking if the embedded image should be updated with the latest image on the file system. l Never Update - Do not update the embedded image with the latest image on the file system.
Customizing Labels Property Description Values n None n Floyd Steinberg n Stucki n Burkes n Sierra n Stevenson Arce n Jarvis n Ordered Specify a dither method to use. Dither Method This property is only used with images that have more than 256 colors. For these images, you can adjust the quality of the image using the dither method. Note: Because of their color pallete, some images may appear as solid black or solid white (invisible) unless they are dithered. The name of the field.
Images and Graphics Property Description Size: Height The vertical span of the box. Size: Width The horizontal span of box. Values Adding a Graphic Image to a Label 1. Choose the image tool from the Loftware Label Manager toolbox. 2. Place the position marker on the label where you want the top left corner of the image to be located. You can refer to the Screen Odometer for positioning data. 3. Click the label where you want the upper left corner of the image placed. 4.
Customizing Labels l Image Size Rule l Dither Method Figure 4.2: Image Properties Box Filler Image A filler image is a representation of an image that is displayed on the screen. If the data source for the image is fixed, then the filler image is the image that prints. For other data sources, where the actual printed image is determined at print time, the filler image acts as a place-holder which defines the size of your image, the dithering method and other properties.
Images and Graphics When you select Image Size Rule in the Properties box and select the options button in the text box, Loftware Label Manager displays three options. Option Description Allow Resizing This option automatically resizes a new image to fit the image box, as described above. The dimensions of the place-holder always remain the same, but the critical aspects of an image (for example, the roundness of a circle) may be distorted.
Customizing Labels Lines and Boxes Loftware Label Manager makes it easy for you to enhance the appearance of your labels with lines and boxes. For example, you can: l Separate two fields with a bold line. l Create a frame around an image. l Place a border around a label. l Use the Properties box to change the characteristics of a line or box. Figure 4.3: Label with lines, boxes and a border placed around the edge Line Properties Property Description Values The name of the field.
Lines and Boxes Property Printing Field Description Values Allows the creation of a non-printing field. Non-printing fields Yes/No are commonly used in formula fields. 0 Rotation The direction of this field relative to the top of the label. 90 180 270 Box Properties Property Description Values The name of the field. Names must start with a letter. Other characters can be numbers, letters, periods, or underlines. It is important to give your fields meaningful names.
Customizing Labels 4. Select appropriate properties in the Properties box to change length, thickness, width, position, or rotation. Barcode Properties This table describes the properties that affect all barcode symbology. Property Description Values The Data Source property specifies Data Source l Where the field will get its data from. l The rules for data entered in this field. See Configuring Data Sources Press the Ellipses (...) button to see the available data sources for this field.
Other Editing Methods Property Description Pos: Left Distance from the left edge of the label to the left edge of this field. Pos: Top Distance from the top edge of the label to the top edge of this field. Printing Field Allows the creation of a non-printing field. Non-printing fields are commonly used in formula fields. Values Yes/No 0 Rotation The direction of this field relative to the top of the label. 90 180 270 Select the symbology (or type) of the barcode.
Customizing Labels Regardless of the editing method you choose, changes in field properties are always reflected in the Properties box. In other words, the Properties box automatically gives youup-to-the-minute information about the characteristics of every field regardless of the editing technique. Using the Lock Tool Menu Command Use the Lock Tool menu command to make it easier to drop two or more identical fields into a label in succession.
Field List Creation l Loftware Label Manager has a multiple level Undo, which allows you to undo several previous actions, depending on the type of editing you are doing. Deleting a Field Loftware Label Manager provides four methods for deleting a field from a label: l Select the field you wish to delete, and click Cut in the Loftware Label Manager toolbar. l Select the field you wish to delete; right click, and then select Cut from the Edit menu.
Customizing Labels When you click the New Label icon in LLM design, the following is displayed if there is more than one field list available. If there is only one field list, new labels will automatically default to using it, unless None is selected. Figure 4.4: Field List Selection Printing and Embedding Characters Embedding a Symbol onto your Label Format 1. Insert a text field on your label.
Printing and Embedding Characters Figure 4.5: Character Map window Embedding the Registered Trademark symbol onto your Label Format 1. Insert a text field on your label. The text field can be a fixed field or variable, depending on whether the information is entered at print time or always stays the same. 2. Choose an internal font that includes the registered trademark symbol. (Look at your printer manual under extended character sets.) 3.
Customizing Labels Note: For more information on International Character Sets, International Keyboards and configuring Loftware Label Manager parameter settings, refer to the International Printing section. Printing High ASCII characters using TrueType Fonts Figure 4.7: Label with trademark symbol, a high ASCII character The trademark symbol (™) is used in many applications. This symbol is generally not included in extended character sets resident on thermal printers.
Pass Through Fields l RFID Tags using Keyboard Datasource l Images with non-fixed data sources Note: Do not use Paragraph fields for Pass Through. Lines, boxes, and barcode and RFID human readable fields configured as Pass Through fields will be discarded (not printed) from the label. Set Force Max # Chars to Do Not Force Max # Chars to avoid having Pass Through commands truncated.
Customizing Labels To Create a Pass Through Field 1. Create a label, and select your printer model. Note: Pass Through fields are supported on printers that use IPL, PCL5, and ZPLII. 2. Add a field to the label. 3. Change the field name to ptfield_ and append an identifier name. 4. Create a data source, and enter the appropriate printer commands for the field.
Audit Files The remaining sections of this window are used with Loftware’s Global Auditing function. Configuring Global Auditing Global Auditing is a customizable label reporting function which is used to generate a database of selected label printing information. Global Auditing is field-based, and unlike Legacy Auditing which audits all fields for all labels, only selected fields are audited. This can make parsing the data easier.
Customizing Labels Information LabelName Description The file name of the label file, for example “gm.lwl.” LabelName.Id The identification number from IBM Filenet. LabelName.Version The major version of the label from IBM Filenet. PrinterName PrinterNumber The Printer Alias, if created, in printer configuration The number of the printer from the Device Configuration list window. Quantity The quantity printed. Time The time the request is received.
Audit Files Figure 4.8: Global Auditing System and LST fields listed and added to the Audited List. Audited List This list represents the actual fields which are to be audited in chronological order. You have four movement options available for fields displayed in this list. Actio n Response Click the left arrow Moves the System field(s) back to the Available List. Only system fields are moved, not fields that you have added via the Enter Field Name section. Any selected user-added fields are deleted.
Customizing Labels Date and Time Format Section This section allows you to choose the format that you want the Date and Time fields displayed in the Audit files. The drop-down lists provide different format configurations, but you may type in configurations that are not displayed in the drop-down list as well.
Audit Files Label Name Path Section If you would like the full path to the label displayed in your Audit File, select Full Path. By default the full path is not displayed in the Audit File. The full path to the label may look something like: C:\\Loftware Labeling\LABELS\Label1.lwl, whereas if this option is unchecked, the path would be: Label1.lwl. Create New File Section The options listed in this section give you control over the way in which new Audit files are created.
Customizing Labels 11/13/03,Ford.lwl,Mark2000,F4000,Black,LDoorhandles,,250,75,FDT2x 11/13/03,Toyota.lwl,Mark2000,T355,Black,LDoorhandles,,250,80, 11/13/03,GM.lwl,Mark2000,G80,Silver,LDoorhandles,H28456739,250,75, 11/13/03,Ford.lwl,DonXP,F6000,Black,RDoorhandles,,250,75,FTD4x 11/13/03,Toyota.lwl,DonXP,T8000,Blue,RDoorhandles,,250,80, 11/13/03,GM.lwl,DonXP,G70,Silver,RDoorhandles,H28456740,250,75, The previous example displays printed automotive labels.
Audit Files these characteristics: l Audit file names are in the format mmmdd_yy.txt (The .txt extension ensures easy file import into spreadsheet and database applications.) l Barcode fields have two Audit file entries, one for the barcode data and the second (fieldname. HR) for the human readable data. Examples of Audit files Produced after printing two different records from the On-Demand Print Module. AUDIT.LWL was the label format used. Note: Status conditions of all printing are reported.
Label Versioning Label Versioning If Label Versioning is turned on in your system, changes made to individual labels are numbered and tracked. Label Comments Label comments can be used to communicate changes made to a specific version of a label. While not required, label comments can be used with Label Versioning to help with change tracking. You can require comments or make them optional when you enable label comments.
Manage Previous Versions of a Label 1. From Design 32, select Options | Preferences or press F8. 2. Expand Design Options. 3. Select Allow Label Versioning. You can use Label Comments with Label Versioning. See the Loftware Print Server and Label Manager Installation and Configuration Guide for information on configuring Instances to use when promoting labels. Manage Previous Versions of a Label You can use previous versions of a label to: l Create a new label based on a version of an existing label.
Label Versioning Figure 4.10: Open dialog with previous version selected Save Previous Version as a New Label 1. Select File | Save As, and enter a name for the new label. 2. Click OK. If Label Commenting is enabled, the Label Comment window opens. 3. Enter a description of the new label in the Label Comment field. 4. Click OK. Revert an Existing Label to the Previous Version 1. Select File | Save As, and select the existing label that you want to revert. 2. Click OK. The Confirm Save As window opens. 3.
Promote a Versioned Label Prerequisites l Enable Label Versioning on both systems. l Configure Instances for promotion. See the Loftware Print Server and Label Manager Installation and Configuration Guide for more information on configuring instances. See the Loftware Print Server User Guide for information on promoting labels using a command line utility, LWVersionUtility. Promote a Label from Design 1. Open the label that you want to promote in Design. 2.
This page intentionally left blank
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager Loftware's RFID resource offers the ability to design and create EPC RFID Smart Labels, enabling implementation of mandates set forth by Wal-Mart and the Department of Defense. It provides the mostcommonly used EPC encoding schemes for transparently programming RFID inlays embedded in label substrates. Loftware allows encoded smart labels to be driven to many supported UHF RFID printers.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager In order to encode data on RFID labels, an RFID device must support specific RFID commands. Some RFID devices exclusively support UHF tag types. Some printers support only HF tag types; a few support HF and UHF tag types. What is the Tag Type? The available choices depend on the selected target RFID device. Tag Type determines the number and the size of user-programmable blocks.
HF and UHF RFID Impinj Gen 2 (Monza) Propeller Impinj Paper Clip KSW Excalibur KSW Templar Gen2 Omron Wave Philips I-Code Philips I-Code ISO 15693 Rafsec 3000734 Rafsec 3000888 Rafsec Dogbone Rafsec Frog Rafsec Psychedelic Rafsec Short Dipole Rafsec Square Dipole RFIdentics Flexwing RSI Jumping Jack Symbol Four T Symbol Trident Symbol X1060 Symbol X2020 TI Gen 2 (Dallas) TI Tag-it TI Tag-it ISO 15693 What type of data will be encoded? This is the EPC or DoD Encoding Type or the URI d
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager UHF Tag Type Loftware Configurable Blocks 2 blocks: UHF 96-bit Class 1 PC- (Pass Code) - block size = 1 byte (Refer to Block Configuration for more information on the PC block.) EPC - block size = 12 bytes 3 blocks: UHF 96-bit Class 0+ KC - (Kill Code) - block size=3 bytes EPC- block size=12 bytes USR - block size=13 bytes UHF UCODE EPC 1.
RFID Standards l UHF 64-bit Class 1 l UHF 96-bit Class 1 l UHF 96-bit Class 0+ l UHF UCODE EPC 1.19 l UHF ISO 18000-6B Tag types available depend on whether these are supported by the target RFID device. Supported High Frequency (HF) tag types include the Philips HF I-Code, Philips HF I-Code ISO 15693, TI HF Tag-it, and TI HF Tag-it ISO 15693.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager EPCglobal US standards and the equipment used to produce the RFID labels are still evolving. The next table lists the standards that were followed during the development of the Loftware RFID functionality. We strongly recommend that you obtain a copy of the specifications associated with these standards for your reference.
Loftware RFID Concepts ISO Standards ISO/IEC 15693 was originally intended to define the way RFID Contactless Integrated Vicinity Cards look and communicate. The standard has been adopted by major RFID companies as a guideline for transponders. The specifications it describes include transmission parameters and protocol. Its command set covers reading, writing, and locking data for single and multiple blocks.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager You must have a Loftware-supported RFID printer in order to print a working RFID Smart label. A list of supported RFID devices can be found in the Printers and Labels section of this guide, as well as on the Tech Support section of the Loftware Web site. l Make sure that the label stock that you choose is approved by your device manufacturer. l Be sure you understand how your device handles tag programming errors and bad tags.
Creating RFID Smart Labels using the New Media Wizard Figure 5.1: Select the Media Type 3. From the Select Media section of the New Media Wizard, select New RFID Label. Click Next. Select a Template Type 1. Select a template type: l Select Blank RFID Label if you wish to design your label from scratch. l Select RFID Compliance Template Label if you wish to pattern your label after an existing template. 2. Click Next after selecting the template type. Select an RFID Target Device 1.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager Set Field and Media Options Create a Blank RFID Label 1. In the Field List Selection section, the default None is the only selection available unless there is an LLMFIELD [.lst] file in the main Loftware folder. LST files provide a means of constraining the field names on a label to a pre-defined list. If LST files are available, these are listed in the dropdown list. 2. Select Tag Type – This lists the tag types supported by the target printer you selected in step 5.
Creating RFID Smart Labels using the New Media Wizard You can now set properties and define the data source for the RFID field. You can also add other fields on the label. Note: If you have not configured the target printer for this label, when you specify label settings in Media Setup (F5), a warning is displayed. Converting a Barcode Label to an RFID Smart Label Converting an existing barcode label to a RFID Smart Label can be a simple process.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager This places an antenna icon on the label. 6. To configure the RFID field, refer to the SGTIN section Example 3 for the next steps. Data Sources for Label Text Fields Any field available on the toolbox, except another RFID field, can be added to an RFID smart label. In addition, you can utilize data sources other than the Keyboard to obtain values for the text fields. The following examples demonstrate deriving data values from sources other than the keyboard.
RFID Field Properties Database Linked Example In this example, values for the ItemReference and SerialNumber fields on the label are obtained from a database. 1. Create and populate a database that include fields for the 5-digit ItemReference and 8-digit SerialNumber. Set the ItemReference field as the primary key field. This will serve as the look-up field for the database. 2. Set an ODBC connection to the database. 3.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager Property Description Values The prompt that will appear on the operator data entry screen. Input Prompt For Example Text Part Number Item Description Maximum number of characters that will be printed for this field. Max # Chars If this field is filled in at print time, this is the maximum number of characters that the operator will be able to enter in the data entry screen. Number Note: Max # Chars is only available for Keyboard data sources.
Data Sources for RFID Fields Property Tag Type Description These are the HF/UHF tag protocols supported by the target RFID device. Refer to the section on RFID Devices and Tag Types in the Printers and Labels section. Values UHF 64-bit Class 1, UHF 96-bit Class 1, UHF 96-bit Class 0+, UHF UCODE EPC 1.19, and UHF ISO 18000-6B tag types. Smart labels can also be created using Impinj UHF Gen 2 (Monza) and TI UHF Gen 2 (Dallas) tag types.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager Block # This shows the block type or block number. The number and type of blocks available depend on the selected Tag Type, as shown in the table below. UHF Gen 1 Class 1 Class 0+ UCODE EPC 1.
Data Sources for RFID Fields Setting Description New Field When selected, a field name can be entered in the Data column that does not yet exist on the label but will be specified later. EPC Available for the EPC block; when selected, you can launch the EPC Configuration dialog from the Data column. Refer to the EPC Encoding Types section for information. Once the EPC portion has been configured, the Data column for this row will show the EPC Encoding Type.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager n U – Unlock: The tag is writeable in any state. n L – Lock, prevents the block data from being changed, in any state (open or secure). n UP – Unlock Permanently: The tag is writeable in any state; the Unlocked status of the block cannot be changed. n P – Protect: A tag that is “protected” can be written to if the tag is in the secure state (with Access Password).
Data Sources for RFID Fields EAS Electronic article surveillance, an item-tagging system that, when turned on, sounds an alert when an item that the EAS tag is attached to leaves an area. This is currently supported by the Philips HF tag types. Related Information Refer to the Printers and Labels section's sections on Tag Configuration and RFID Devices and Tag Types. EPC Configuration Note: There can be only one block with an EPC, DoD, or URI data source for a label.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager Data Description Source New Field When New Field is selected, a field name can be entered in the Data column that does not yet exist on the label but will be specified later. Click OK when all EPC fields have been defined. A warning is displayed if there are missing entries in any EPC field. DoD Configuration Note: There can be only one block with an EPC, DoD, or URI data source for a label.
Data Sources for RFID Fields Data Description Source Field When Field is selected, an existing field on the label can be chosen from a drop down list in the Data column. For labels, the list of fields is limited to variable text and bar code fields. For tags, only variable text can be used. Choice When Choice is selected, a drop down list in the Data column restricts values for this DOD field to a predefined list.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager Hex Result 350001891002E18000000FDA URI urn:epc:tag:gid96:6289.11800.4058 URI is in the form: urn:epc:tag:gid-96:GeneralManagerNumber.ObjectClass.SerialNumber One way to determine the URI representation of your data and how it is formatted for use with Loftware is through the Loftware RFID Calculator. 1. Select Options | RFID Calculator. a. On the Encode section of the RFID Calculator, select the desired encoding type. b.
DoD Encoding Type The 64-bit or 96-bit binary (base 2) number is then converted into hexadecimal (base 16) format for encoding. The result is a unique number that can be written to the tag. The table below shows the hex result of the two examples given in the DoD Guide referenced above. We can use the values in the DoD encoding examples that follow.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager 10. For the Serial Number: l Set its Data Source to Field and then select SerialNum from the Data drop-down list. 11. Click OK. Then, click OK to exit Block Configuration. Note: The Data Source dialog shows a summary of the configured block. 12. Click OK to exit the Data Source dialog. Creating a tag or label using DoD-64 encoding is very similar to the example above. It uses the same DoD fields for encoding the data.
EPC Encoding Types GID-96 EPC Field Serial Number Description This number must be unique within each Object Class. GID-96 is encoded by concatenating the following fields, from most significant to least significant: Header, General Manager Number, Object Class, and Serial Number.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager Figure 5.7: Setting values for selected EPC Encoding Type 9. On the grid, set the Data Source for General Manager Number to Fixed. Type your EPCglobalassigned company or organization number in its Data cell. If you are simply following along, enter 6289. 10. Select a Fixed data source for the Object Class field, and enter 11800 in its Data box. 11. Set the Data Source for Serial Number to Field, and select its field name from its Data drop-down list.
EPC Encoding Types Figure 5.8: Block Configuration Summary 13. Click OK to return to the label design area. The sample data and the encoded result are shown in the following table. Sample Encoded Result Encoding Type GID-96 General Manager Number 6289 Object Class 11800 Serial Number 4058 Result 350001891002E18000000FD A Related Information For all examples given in this section, you can use the Loftware RFID Calculator to help you verify the encoded data.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager l The rightmost digit is the Check Digit, which you may already have or you may have relied on the label printer to calculate. This check digit is dropped during the EPC encoding. l The middle 12 digits consist of your GS1 assigned Company Prefix and the Item Reference Code. The breakpoint between the two varies with the length of your assigned prefix.
EPC Encoding Types SGTIN-96 ALT EPC Field Description Filter Value Not part of the GTIN, as such. Used for pre-selection of basic logistics types, such as items, cases, and pallets Company Prefix Assigned by GS1 to a managing entity (a company or an organization) Item Reference A number assigned by a managing entity to an object class Serial Number A unique number assigned to an individual object by the managing entity (the holder of the Company Prefix).
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager Figure 5.9: A Typical UPC Label with an RFID Field 1. Load (or design) the RFID Smart Label. a. For this example, add variable text fields that contain values for the Company Prefix, Item Reference, and Serial Number. b. For this example, set the length of the Company Prefix value to 6 digits. Set the data sources for each to Keyboard. c. Add a barcode field to the label. The barcode, which for this example we will call Barc001, will contain the GTIN.
EPC Encoding Types 6. Click in the Data cell to reveal a browse button (...). Click the browse button (...) to access the EPC Configuration dialog. 7. Set the EPC Encoding Type to SGTIN-96. 8. Set the Filter Value to denote packaging level. In this example, select the Choice Data Source, and select 3 from the Data drop-down list. 9. The Company Prefix Length depends on the length of your UCC-assigned Company Prefix.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager l Your label will be different from the one previously shown. You need to apply these concepts to your own situation. l This example can be extended to use the SGTIN-96 ALT encoding. Related Information For all examples given in this section, you can use the Loftware RFID Calculator to help you verify the encoded data. Encoding and decoding examples of using this tool are provided in this guide.
EPC Encoding Types 10. Set the Data Source for Company Prefix Index to Fixed. You can type in your GS1-assigned Company Prefix Index. If you are simply following the tutorial and do not have a Company Prefix Index number, type in 10301. 11. Set the Data Source for Item Reference to Field, and select the item field from the Data column. 12. Set the Serial Number Data Source to Field, and select the serial number field from the Data column. Figure 5.11: Specifying SGTIN-64 Data 13.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager *PRINTERNUMBER, 1 Item, 88845 SerialNumber,10029343 CompanyIndex, 10301 Filter, 0 *PRINTLABEL The following figure shows the printed label (with other added fields). Although you cannot see the data for the RFID tag, it is there and is set to the value shown in the table above (8507A2B61A99091F). This example uses sample data; you will obtain different results by supplying your own data. Figure 5.
EPC Encoding Types l Your label will be different. You need to apply these concepts to your own situation. l The data for the label example can come from the On-Demand Print application, an LPS .pas file, .xml, .csv, ActiveX Control, .Net Control, WebX Control, or Socket Integration. l You can hard-code the Company Prefix Index into the label as a non-printing field. You could also set its data source to Keyboard.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager Figure 5.13: Typical SSCC pallet label with a GS1-128 (UCC-128) SSCC Barcode SSCC-96 EPC Description Field Filter Value Used for pre-selection of basic logistics types, such as items, cases, and pallets Company Prefix Length Length of the GS1 Company Prefix. The lengths of the GS1 Company Prefixes assigned to companies vary.
EPC Encoding Types SSCC-96 ALT EPC Field Description Company Prefix GS1-assigned Company Prefix Serial Reference Number assigned uniquely by the managing entity (the holder of the GS1 Company Prefix) to a specific shipping unit.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager 9. For the SSCC field, set the data Source to Field. For its Data value, select the GS1-128 (UCC-128) barcode field. 10. Click OK from each of the dialogs to return to the design area. l This sample is valid for 96 bit RFID Smart Labels containing a GS1-128 (UCC-128) SSCC barcode field. l The Extension Digit, Company Prefix, and Serial number are automatically derived from the data in the barcode field.
EPC Encoding Types 3. From the Data Source dialog, select Block Configuration, and click Configure. 4. Set the Tag Type to UHF 64 bit Class 1. 5. Set the Data Source for the EPC block to EPC. Click the browse button (...) in the Data column to display the EPC Configuration dialog. 6. Set the EPC Encoding Type to SSCC-64. 7. For the Filter Value, select Choice for its Data Source and its Data value to 4. This value is suggested by Wal-Mart for pallet loads.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager Serialized Global Location Number (SGLN) The Global Location Number (GLN) is a GS1 standard for uniquely identifying physical locations (for example, a building, a warehouse, a room in a building), legal entities (for example, a company, a subsidiary within a company, a buyer), or functional entities (for example, an accounting department, a ward).
EPC Encoding Types SGLN64 EPC Field Description Location Referenc e Number assigned by the holder of the GS1 Company Prefix to uniquely identify a location Serial Number A unique number assigned to an individual object by the managing entity. Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) The Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) is a GS1 standard for uniquely identifying and tracking fixed assets of an organization. GIAI is a combination of the GS1 Company Prefix and the individual asset number.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager GIAI 96 Alt EPC Field Description Company Prefix Variable length number assigned by GS1 to a managing entity (a company or an organization) Asset Reference Variable length number within a GIAI assigned by the holder of an GS1 Company Prefix to uniquely identify an individual asset. Example 7 - GIAI-96 Alt In this example, the Asset Reference field obtains its value from the keyboard. 1. Load (or design) the label that you want to use. 2.
Sending Data Directly to the Field GRAI 64 EPC Field Company Prefix Index Description An index into a table that provides the Company Prefix as well as an indication of the Company Prefix’s length. An index is assigned to companies that need to use the 64 bit tags, in addition to their existing GS1 Company Prefixes. For information on Company Prefix Index and the Object Naming Service, refer to the GS1 web site.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager Supply Data Directly 1. Select the RFID field on your label. 2. Give your RFID field a descriptive field name using the Field Name property. For example, use RFID_1. 3. Set the data source for the RFID field Data Source to Keyboard. 4. Save your label. 5. Calculate the data value that will be encoded on the RFID label. This must be in hexadecimal format. You can use the Loftware RFID Calculator to obtain the hex value based on your input.
Using the Loftware RFID Calculator To print the label, you can use any printing method, for example, drop the file to a scan directory.
Using RFID with Loftware Label Manager Figure 5.14: Loftware RFID Calculator 198 Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Printing RFID Smart Labels Example 11 – Encoding Data Scenario 2 (Encode) You have designed an RFID Smart Label as described in the preceding sections. After printing the label with your data, you want to make sure that the EPC / DOD code in the tag obtained the correct value. Use the bottom section of the utility to enter the encoding type and your data. The purpose of this example is to verify the values using the Loftware RFID Calculator.
This page intentionally left blank
Internationalizing Printing With an increasing need to have goods and services delivered in a timely manner to all corners of the globe, today’s businesses need to have the ability to print labels in many natural languages easily and quickly. Loftware provides this functionality, from prompting operators in their natural language to printing in both single and double byte character sets and utilizing Unicode. Figure 6.
Internationalizing Printing Loftware supports international fonts native to the various Printer Families that are able to support this, as well as support for sending a bitmap of the font to the printer when the printer does not support double-byte characters. While the latter method is slower, it does allow these fonts to be printed. Again, this can be used on a per printer, per label, and even a per-field basis. This means that different Asian (double-byte) fonts can be printed on the same label.
Definitions Term Definition Code Pages A code page, or character set, defines a collection of characters, numbers, punctuation, symbols, and special characters for a particular language. Using a process called encoding, each character in the code page is assigned a numeric value called a code point. Computer hardware, software, and operating systems can then exchange information for a particular language or for a collection of languages using these code points. DBCS Double Byte Character Set.
Internationalizing Printing Term Definition Unicode A standard for representing characters as integers. There are seven character encoding schemes in Unicode: UTF-8, UTF-16, UTF-16BE, UTF-16LE, UTF-32, UTF-32BE and UTF-32LE. UTF-16, for example, uses 16 bits per character, which means that it can represent more than 65,000 unique characters. This number has become necessary for some languages, such as Greek, Chinese and Japanese.
Printing Hierarchy with Character Sets l Per-Printer – When you configure a printer in Loftware Label Manager Design Mode, if you set a particular Character Set in Printer Options (F6 or File | Devices) and print the label, the label is printed per-printer, which means that all labels printed with this printer use this character set.
Internationalizing Printing Figure 6.3: Character Set defaults in Label Options The default Label Options (in this particular printer) for both double and single character sets are set to Use Printer Option in the figure. This means that the Character Set seen in Device Options is used when printing the label. If you wanted to change this default character set, per label, meaning for this label only, select a different character set. The choices vary for each family of printers.
Single Byte Fonts Figure 6.4: Character Set in Printer Options Dialog Box When chosen in the Device Options dialog box, this sets the Character Set, Symbol Set, or Language (these are synonymous terms depending on the Printer Family to which you are printing) for any labels that are printed to that Printer. The method described in the following section outlines how to create an Operator Input Prompt in an international language.
Internationalizing Printing The figure below is an example of a customized On-Demand Print Form displaying the operator inputs in Spanish, while the actual data fields the operator has entered are in English. Note: These instructions are for single byte fonts only. Figure 6.5: Sample K-Mart Compliance Template with Operator Input in Spanish. Loftware has developed some sample templates and labels that have operator input prompts and/or field names in French, German and Spanish.
Single Byte Fonts Note: Creating an Operator prompt with international character sets is NOT the same as printing labels with international character sets. More information on printing these labels follows. Related Information For information on adding input prompts in an international language, refer to Creating International Language Input Prompts in LLM ODP in this guide Creating International Language Input Prompts in On Demand Print 1.
Internationalizing Printing Commonly used characters Lett er Key Combo Lett er Key Combo Lett er Key Combo é ALT 130 ë ALT 137 ê ALT 136 á ALT 160 ä ALT 132 â ALT 131 í ALT 161 ï ALT 139 î ALT 140 ó ALT 162 ö ALT 148 ò ALT 149 ú ALT 163 ü ALT 129 û ALT 150 ñ ALT 164 Ñ ALT 165 à ALT 133 You may have to try different fonts to get the desired result.
Single Byte Fonts 1. Create a database using any database utility. The database below is a sample included on the CD. Figure 6.7: Sample Microsoft Access© Database 2. Enter international characters by following the steps from the previous section and the Extended IBM ASCII Chart. 3. Connect the database to the fields on your label, and save the label. See the Data Sources section in this User’s Guide if you are not sure how to do this. 4.
Internationalizing Printing Figure 6.8: Sample ODP Using a Database Containing International Characters 5. Print the label using the print icon, or File | Print from the menu bar.
Single Byte Fonts Example: A label is created for an Intermec EasyCoder PX4i in which the character “ç” is to be used (as in the term “Français”). This character is not found on an U.S. ASCII Keyboard, but it can be added in the following manner, as can other printers with similar options: 1. Open the label in design view, or create a new label 2. Open File | Devices, or F6. 3. Highlight the line that contains the Intermec printer. 4. Click Options.
Internationalizing Printing A portion of the advanced character table from an Intermec Manual is displayed below to visualize what has transpired between Loftware and the Intermec printer, that is the conversion of characters from one character set to another. The top row contains various characters in the (Extended) U.S. ASCII character set, while the fourth row contains the French counterpart, or what is displayed upon completion of the first example. On a U.S.
Getting Character Sets and Fonts (Language Packs) Method #3: A Combination Method Using 2 Sets of Charts Continuing printing scenarios, you could use a combination of Methods #1 and #2. First, enter all the characters you are able to using the IBM ASCII Chart. Then use the second method to enter a different character. However, be aware that you may have problems when combining the two methods.
Internationalizing Printing Is a Character Set the same as a Font? No. A Character Set may include several fonts, for example the Asian Character Set Chinese Big 5 has at least four fonts. In order to print a certain character set, you need to have it on your computer. Most character sets have certain fonts associated with them, as well. In order to print these fonts, you must have this font on your Operating System.
Language Properties Wizard Related Information More information on Vertical Writing and Printing is available on the Microsoft Web site's Global Development section. Language Properties Wizard The Language Properties Wizard facilitates the creation of both single and double-byte fonts for printing. It allows you to choose a language, font category (Native or TrueType), and a font character on a perfield basis.
Internationalizing Printing Figure 6.12: Language Properties Wizard Welcome 4. From the Welcome page of the Language Properties Wizard, click Next. The Font Language Selection page appears. Related Information A flow chart of the Language Properties Wizard logic is found in the Reference Tables section. Font Language Selection The Language Properties Wizard presents different choices depending on which language group that you choose. Asian (Double-Byte) Language Choice 1.
Language Properties Wizard Note: Single-byte Character Sets such as Thai and Vietnamese are included in the Non-Asian Section rather than with the Double-byte Character Sets such as Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. Figure 6.13: Choosing a Non-Asian or Asian (Double Byte) Font Category Selection With this choice, one of two dialogs is displayed, depending on whether or not the target printer is capable of printing Asian (double-byte) fonts natively.
Internationalizing Printing Figure 6.14: Choosing a Native or True-Type Font l Choose Native Font or True Type Font, and click Next. If your printer is not capable of printing the double-byte font natively, the following is displayed: 220 Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Language Properties Wizard Figure 6.15: Font Character Set If the above dialog is displayed, this font (character set) is printed as a TrueType font bitmap. Follow the instructions in the Printing with TrueType Fonts section. Pros and Cons of Native and TrueType Choice Native Fonts TrueType Fonts Choice of font types is limited. More font choices. Hardware considerations and configurations necessary. No hardware considerations or configurations necessary.
Internationalizing Printing driver to determine the capability of the driver. If you chose Native Font in the Font Category dialog box, the following dialog is displayed: Figure 6.16: Native Printer Font Selection for a Zebra Printer Native Font Printer Selection 1. Choose the Native Printer Font from the drop-down list. 2. Select Override Printer and Label Character Sets at Field Level if you want to select a specific Printer Character Set for this field.
Language Properties Wizard Native Font Printer Page Options Option Description Native Printer Font Choose the type of Native Printer font you want to print. The fonts available in the drop-down list are dependent on the target printer you have chosen. Override Printer and Label Character Sets at Field Level Select to set the Language Properties for this field as per field, which overrides any Printer and Label Character Sets.
Internationalizing Printing Printing with TrueType Fonts - Non-Asian (Single-Byte) Language Choice Font Character Set (Non-Asian) The following figure displays the drop-down list for Non-Asian characters. This screen is displayed if: l You chose Non-Asian Language on the first page of the wizard. l Your target printer does not support Native Fonts.
Language Properties Wizard Figure 6.17: Choosing a Single Byte Font Character Set l Choose the type of character set that you would like to print from the Font Character Set list, and click Next. If you do not have a font for the selected font character set on your system, an error message is displayed, forcing you to go back and make another choice. Otherwise, the Font Selection dialog is displayed: Figure 6.
Internationalizing Printing When creating a field in Design that is utilizing these fonts, you should rotate this field on your label, so an appropriate space is created on the label. This is useful for Asian Fonts that are normally printed in vertical columns, right to left. The Latin character “H” for a visual example, would look something like: If this field is not rotated, it prints horizontal. if rotated. Figure 6.
Language Properties Wizard Option Description Unico de UTF16 Choose this data format if your data is represented in this manner, especially if linking to a Unicode field in a database. Unico de UTF-8 8-bit transformation - use this setting if your data format is set to UTF-8 encoded Unicode. Byte Order The byte order by default is Auto. When this is set to Auto, Loftware looks for a marker before the data, and interprets the data as Big or Little Endian according to the marker.
Internationalizing Printing l Click Finish to set this field’s properties, Back to change properties, or Cancel to revert to the default properties. Changing or Resetting the Override Field Once a field’s language properties have been set to override the Printer and Label Options, you have choices in terms of changing this setting, or changing the language properties of the field. Reset Default Field Properties 1. Click the field in Loftware Label Manager, and then click the browse button (...
Printers and Double Byte Font Support l Are the fonts you want to use included, or do you need to download them to the printer? l Does your printer allow setting the Character Set natively on a per-field basis? Printers and Double Byte Font Support Loftware has developed our international printing capabilities to encompass all of our supported Device Families and Models, either natively, or with TrueType fonts sent to the printer as bitmaps.
Internationalizing Printing l Supported Printers in Loftware: Printronix 5204, 5206, 5208, 5304, 5306, 5308, IBM_4400-004 (203 dpi) IBM_4400-004 (300 dpi), IBM_4400-006 (203 dpi), IBM_4400-006 (300 dpi), IBM_4400008 (203 dpi), IBM_4400-008 (300 dpi). Note: IBM Printers are OEM Printronix. l Fonts Added to the Properties Box: “TwoByte” – This font selection is used for all of the DBCS settings.
Printers and Double Byte Font Support SATO_CL408, SATO_CL408E, SATO_CL412, SATO_CL412E, SATO_CL608, SATO_CL608E, SATO_ CL612, SATO_CL612E, SATO_M5900E, SATO_M8400RVE, SATO_M8459SE, SATO_M8460SE, SATO_ M8485SE, SATO_M8490SE. Zebra Zebra supports a number of DBCS fonts, via several media. Loftware has focused on those Printer Models that support PCMCIA Cards, primarily the XiII and XiIII models, as well as Z4M and Z6M.
Internationalizing Printing 4. Click Apply. If you wish to change Preference settings, use the Language Bar and the Key Settings buttons. Language Bar preferences include showing additional language bar icons on the taskbar. 5. Click OK. Step 2 – Entering characters from the Symbol List 1. Choose the language from the systray (for this example, Japanese), and a floating keyboard is displayed. 2. Click the down arrow next to the “Soft Keyboard” text. 3. Select Symbol List from drop-down menu. 4.
Printers and Double Byte Font Support 1. Open a label in Design Mode, click a field to select it. 2. Set the data source for the field to Database-Data, Database-File, or File in Data Sources. The data source must contain the double-byte encoded data (GB, BIG5, JIS, Unicode). Note: You MUST select a byte order for data sources. See the Language Properties Wizard for information on how to do this. For example: 1. Click File in Data Sources. 2.
Internationalizing Printing The Database-File Data Source is used to connect a field on a label with a field in the database, similar to the Database-Data datasource. The difference is that the Database-File assumes that the matching database field contains the name of a file that contains the data for the field. Example A manufacturer of time-dated materials might have several message labels in different languages.
Unicode Input Methods with the Loftware Print Server Method 3 – Pas file with Unicode UTF-8 Encoding There is a way to create a test file whereby your Unicode UTF-16 data is converted to UTF-8 for printing by Loftware. Keep in mind that the following example is not recommended in a production environment, but is included here to give you an example of how to create a pas file that expresses the data in an ASCII-compliant format, thereby allowing representation of double-byte fonts as TrueType bitmaps.
Internationalizing Printing Example .PAS File with DELINKFILESRC Commands and Field Specifiers Explanation *FORMAT,fileSrc_zeb_KOR_3ENC.lwl *JOBNAME,zeb_korean1 *QUANTITY,1 *PRINTERNUMBER,22 *DELINKFILESRC Allow the file name for a file data source to be specified in the PAS file. Company, Loftware Data for the field “Company” is “Loftware” FILEFIELD1,comment1.txt Data file for the field “FILEFIELD1” is “comment1.txt” FILEFIELD_DBCS1,dbcs_korHangul_ cmn1.
Troubleshooting Font Fields Japanese Shift-JIS(MS Code page 932) Simplified Chinese GBK MS code page 936) Korean Hangul(MS code page 949) Traditional Chinese BIG5(MS code page 950) A printer manufacturer may support these in slightly different ways, so it is best to review the actual code pages from that manufacturer. Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
This page intentionally left blank
Using Templates and Wizards This section describes Loftware’s pre-designed label templates used to create production printing labels in less time and with less potential errors. It provides guidance to users who routinely produce customized labels for production printing - unique labels with barcode, text, lines, boxes and graphics. This section also contains information on creating custom templates.
Using Templates and Wizards Figure 7.1: New Label Wizard dialog box displaying a thumbnail preview of UPS Template If you select the normal (default) template, Loftware Label Manager displays the default label size (4x6); otherwise, the size stored in the template is used. With other templates, such as the Kmart or JCPenney template, you need to adjust the format and field data sources to fit your particular application.
Barcode Wizards 1. Design a new label in Loftware design mode. 2. Save the label, choosing the template option in the Save File As Type combo box. 3. Change the label as needed in design mode. Note: You may have to change the extension of the label from lwl to lwt manually. The template is available as a useful starting point the next time the File | New is selected; however, it is necessary to save the template as a label, using the .
Using Templates and Wizards Figure 7.2: Barcode Wizard Selection 3. Select a Data Carrier or Wizard from the expanded list, and then click Next. A preview at the bottom of the list displays a graphical representation of the selected Barcode. The Element String Selection page appears. GS1 Wizard, Part 2 – Element String Selection Once the Wizard is selected, the possible Element Strings that can be encoded in the chosen Wizard (data carrier) appear.
Barcode Wizards symbology is displayed in the following figure. (The 2-D portion of the formula has not been added yet) Field Name A default Field Name is assigned. This name can be changed. If the label to which you are adding the barcode uses LST files a drop-down list is displayed from which the field name may be chosen. Figure 7.3: Element String Selection Element Strings – Availability The list of possible element strings is dependent upon the chosen data carrier.
Using Templates and Wizards Figure 7.4: Partial List of Element Strings for the GS1 DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional Composite Barcode Element Strings – Adding and Moving 1. Select an Element String from the list, and click Add. The string is added to the Element Strings for this field list in the center of the dialog and to the Formula section at the bottom of the dialog.
Barcode Wizards Note: The formula is automatically updated when any of these buttons are clicked. Figure 7.5: Adding, Moving or Removing Element Strings Why move an Element String up or down? Element strings that are variable in length (and some fixed length strings), such as a Serial Number, require a terminator character (FNC1[]) at the end of the data, unless they are placed as the last field in the data carrier.
Using Templates and Wizards Why modify an Element String's Source? The default source for each element string is a new, nonprinting field. The term Modify applies to the source of the data. If you would like to change the source of the element string's data to come from an existing field on the label, or a fixed string, then click Modify. Figure 7.6: Element String Modification Fixed Data – This allows the data to be added to the data carrier as a fixed string in the resulting formula.
Barcode Wizards l Click OK when you are finished modifying the Element String, or Cancel to exit without modifying the element string. GS1 Wizard, Part 4 – Wizard Summary The Wizard Summary screen is displayed: Figure 7.7: GS1 Barcode Wizard Summary The summary screen contains the following information: Field Name – The name given to the Field. Formula – The complete formula as created in Parts 1 and 2. The formula displayed here is not directly editable. Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Using Templates and Wizards Data Carrier – The title of the Data Carrier as chosen in Part 1, along with a visual representation of the chosen barcode below. 1. Click OK if you are finished with the data carrier. 2. Click Back to return to previous screens to make changes. 3. Click Cancel to exit the Wizard. Additional Information If you add the same element string twice, the Wizard lets you know that another instance of this element string exists, and that you may remove one if you did this in error.
Barcode Wizards Figure 7.8: Data Source Dialog 3. Edit the formula directly, or make changes to the formula using the Fields, Operations, or Functions columns. 4. Click OK when finished, or Cancel to exit without making any changes to the formula. Related Information For more information on non-printing fields, refer to the Designing a Label section in this guide.
Using Templates and Wizards Specifications Figure 7.9: GM label 1724-A created using the GM Barcode Template and Wizard You may find current specification information including contacts and telephone numbers by visiting the GM Supplier Web site. Link to the GM Supplier site that contains pertinent information about format and font specs, data sources, and data layouts. Templates and layover information are also displayed.
Barcode Wizards To ensure compliance, Loftware advises you to design your label and submit it to GM for approval before printing production labels. The GM Supplier Site has label submission information. Warning! If you delete any fields created with the wizard, all the data and any formulas you have designed are lost. If you change the formula for this label after you have designed it, then the label may not print correctly, and may not be in compliance.
Using Templates and Wizards Note: Some of the library of templates listed have printer names associated with them. Choose a template from the template list that matches the printer previously chosen. The template for the label is displayed in design view. Figure 7.11: GM Label Template 6. Continue creating the PDF417 barcode using the GM Barcode Wizard: GM Wizard, Part 1: Getting Started From Loftware design mode: 1. Select Insert | Barcode Wizard from the Design menu. 2.
Barcode Wizards Figure 7.12: Wizard Data Structure Screen GM Wizard, Part 2: Building the GM Data Structure 1. Select PDF417 from the Symbology List, and click OK. The first dialog box, regarding Kanban information, is displayed. Note: Kanban is a term used to describe the flow process in Production Ordering. Kanban specifies the item and the production quantity, the materials required, where to find them, and where to store the finished item.
Using Templates and Wizards Figure 7.13: Kanban dialog box 2. Select Yes or No, and click Next. l If Yes is selected, the Container Type dialog box is displayed. Note: What is Container Type? Container type information is a descriptor of the actual container that holds the parts. The descriptor should match the designated container type within the GM Plant(s). 254 Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Barcode Wizards Figure 7.14: Container Type Dialog Box l If No is selected, the Reference or PO Information dialog box is displayed. Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Using Templates and Wizards Figure 7.15: Reference or PO Information Dialog Box 4. Select Yes or No, and click Next. l If Yes is selected, the Field Name dialog box is displayed. l If No is selected, the Container Type dialog box is displayed. 5. From the Field Name dialog box, enter a Field Name, or accept the default name, and click Finish. 6. From the Container Type dialog box, select Yes or No, and click Next. The Field Name dialog box is displayed. 7.
Barcode Wizards Figure 7.16: GM label, with PDF417 Barcode Inserted You can print this label using Loftware technology such as: l On-Demand Print Module l The Loftware Print Server Technology Or, from other Windows Applications using: l Loftware's ActiveX Controls, or the Thin Clients l Loftware’s Internet Printing Applications Note: You may have to make changes on the On-Demand Print Form to configure any non-printing fields you may have.
Using Templates and Wizards Figure 7.17: Formula Dialog Box Data Fields The following data fields are included in the PDF417 symbol on the GM-1724-A label: Note: “*” Indicates a required field, however, this is subject to change by General Motors without notice. As suggested previously, verify all GM specifications with GM.
Barcode Wizards GM - Additional Components In addition to the data fields, there are additional components that are required by GM for processing of the label.
Using Templates and Wizards Component Fixed Data Functio n Weight Variable Data Field Name Weight *Weight Qualifier GT *Format Trailer RS() *Message Trailer EOT() The functions from the table above result in the encoding of the following characters into the symbol: Functio n H ex Decim al GS() 1D 29 RS() 1E 30 EOT() 04 04 Related Information Refer to the printing sections in this guide, and The Loftware Print Server, Clients, and Internet Printing in the Loftware Print Server User’s
Barcode Wizards Option Description Primary Labeler Identification Code, Manufacturer ID, Product/Catalog Number, and Unit of Measure. Seconda ry Information such as Lot Number, Quantity, and/or Date. Combine d Combines the Primary and Secondary information into one barcode. The questions you answer automatically create a formula that produces the barcode for your label.
Using Templates and Wizards Figure 7.18: Symbology selection Screen If this is the first time this symbology has been selected, the following screen is displayed: Figure 7.19: Labeler Identification Display Screen 3. Type in a New Entry, (Example: A234), and the Entry Description (Example: ‘Flag Character’), and click OK. 4. Select the Labeler Identification Code from the box, and click Next. Note: To add another identification code, click Add New Entry and follow the instructions on the screen.
Barcode Wizards Figure 7.20: Product/Catalog Number dialog box 5. Select Yes or No, click Next. l Selecting Yes allows you to enter the part number at print time from the keyboard (OnDemand printing) or a database (Range Printing). l Selecting No allows you to enter the part/catalog number on the next screen. You do not have to enter the part/catalog number at print time. 6. Type in new values for Field Name and Length or leave the default values in place, and click Next.
Using Templates and Wizards Figure 7.21: Unit of Measure ID at Print time Dialog Box 8. Select Yes or No, and click Next. 9. Enter a field name for Unit of Measure, and click Next. 10. Enter a Unit of Measure value (see the following), and click Next. 0 = unit of use 5 = case 1 = unit of sale 6 = reserved 2 = reserved 7 = master case 3 = carton 8 = reserved 4 = reserved 9 = variable quantity container 11. Enter a name for the Primary barcode, and click Finish.
Barcode Wizards Figure 7.22: Primary Field Creation UPN Wizard, Part 4: Creating a Secondary Barcode You can create a LIC or a GS1 Secondary Barcode containing information such as Lot Number, Quantity, and/or Date. This example allows you to: l Create a LIC Secondary barcode l Learn about data structure screens l Add Julian date l Add Lot Number To create a Secondary Barcode 1. Follow the steps from UPN Wizard, Part 1, in the preceding section. 2. Select and press the UPN Wizard button.
Using Templates and Wizards Figure 7.23: Selecting the HIBC Flag Character 5. Select the flag you want to use, and click Next. UPN Wizard, Part 5: Create a Barcode with Julian Date and Lot Only Creating an Expiration Date in Julian format and a Lot/Batch number in the barcode: 1. Select the Symbol to encode, “Only the Julian Date” and “Lot Number” (+), and click Next. 2. Enter a field name for the date. 3. Enter the number of days until the product expires, and click Next.
Barcode Wizards Figure 7.24: Lot Field Creation 4. Enter a field name and length for the Lot, and click Next. Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Using Templates and Wizards Figure 7.25: Name Secondary Barcode Symbology 5. Enter a field name for the Secondary barcode, and Finish. Note: If data is entered from a keyboard or database for non-printing fields, select On-Demand Print Form from the View menu, or click the Customize On-Demand Print icon from the toolbar. Then, DOUBLE-Click each field to change its data source. The Secondary Barcode is placed on the upper left corner of the label.
Barcode Wizards Figure 7.26: Secondary Barcode placed on the Label. UPN Wizard, Part 6: Create LIC Secondary Barcode with Lot Only For a product with a secondary barcode and lot only: 1. Select +$ from the HIBC LIC Secondary Barcode Creation dialog box7, and click Next. 2. Enter a name for the Lot and a field length, and click Next. 3. Enter a name for the Secondary barcode, and click Finish.
Using Templates and Wizards 4. Select the 2 or 5 digit quantity format you want, and click Next. l Select 5-digits (QQQQQ) if you are not sure which format you want. 5. Enter a name for Quantity, and click Next. Note: If you did not select Quantity, then the references to that field are not in the Formula, Description, and Non-Printing Fields boxes. 6. Select Yes or No, and click Next. l If No is selected, go to Step 9. l If Yes is selected, a Date Formula dialog box is displayed. 7.
Configuring Data Sources The Loftware Label Manager allows you to extract data from a variety of sources, including external databases, to help you produce labels exactly the way you want them. Note: Block Configuration data source for RFID fields and Keyboard data source, as it applies to RFID fields, are discussed in the RFID section. Data Sources can be assigned to any variable field on the label including text, barcode and image fields.
Configuring Data Sources Field Type Data Source Sub-strings copied from other fields Formula Paragraph text Any Data Source Serial Number Files Serial Number Formula for HIBC barcode Formula Formula using non-printing fields Formula Number increment or decrement Data Source Character set to use with incr/decr Increment/Decrement Increment or decrement and store result Serial Number Non-printing fields Specify its Data Source, and then set its Printing Field property to No.
About Force Max # Chars To access the Data Source dialog box: l Select the field for which you want to define the data source. l Right click the field and select Edit Data Source from the pop-up menu. l Click the browse button (...) next to the Data Source property in the property box. This displays the Data Source dialog box which lists available data sources. The right side contains the information to set up the selected data source.
Configuring Data Sources Force Max # Chars Settings Setting Description Use Global Setting (Default) The field will follow the global preference. Force Max # Chars The field will truncate to the setting for Max # Chars for the field. Do Not Force Max # Chars The field will display the full value entered or retrieved for the field. To Set the Global Force Max # Chars Preference 1. Open the Preferences window: Select Options | Preferences or click F8. 2.
Keyboard Data Source 3. Select the setting from the Force Max # Chars field. 4. Click OK. Figure 8.2: Force Max # Chars Field Keyboard Data Source The Keyboard data source is used for fields that get their data from the On-Demand Print Form, ActiveX Control, or the Loftware Print Server (LPS). For keyboard fields, you must define rules for the user to follow when entering data . Note: For RFID fields using the Keyboard data source, data must be in hexadecimal format.
Configuring Data Sources Option Description Must-Fill Requires the user to make an entry in the field that matches the maximum number of characters specified in the properties box for that field. Mandatory Requires the user to make an entry in the field but allows any number of characters up to and including the maximum number of characters specified in the properties box. Update Method and Clear Value The Update Method instructs the Loftware Label Manager what to do after a label is printed.
Keyboard Data Source Mask Description Alpha Only Enter upper or lower case alphabetical characters (A through Z, a through z) only. Code 39 Enter characters in the Code 39 ASCII character set. Code 93 Enter characters in the Code 93 character set. Custom Specify exactly which characters the user can enter in the Custom Mask field. Custom allows you to create your own character masks. Full ASCII Enter any character (in the Code 39 extended ASCII character set).
Configuring Data Sources Help Text - The Help Text field allows you to enter a customized prompt that is displayed in the Status Bar on On-Demand Print Form. This assists the user in data entry. For Example For a User ID field, you might want to add the following help text: ENTER 4-digit employee ID number Whenever the cursor is moved to this field in On-Demand printing, this customized help string is displayed in the status bar.
Date and Time Data Source Key code Description dddd day (for example Tuesday) h hour mm minute (or month) mmm month (for example Mar) mmmm month (for example March) ss second yy year WW week number (for example, Jan 1 through 7 = Week 01) JJJ day no. (Julian calendar, for example, Jan 1 = Day 001) AM/PM time AM or PM indicator is to print Here are a few examples of the versatility of the Date/Time option: Custom Format ... LLM prints the date and/or time as...
Configuring Data Sources Figure 8.3: Setting Single-digit Day, Month, Year Custom Date String Date... Single Digit date m/d/y 11/27/0 2 B/ R/ 2 y-m-d 99-1231 9 -C-V d_m_y 26_7_ 03 Q_7_3 mmm-d Oct. 20 A-K Add and Delete Buttons If you want to add your custom format to the list of available formats for future use, click Add. This action adds the new entry to your list of formats. You can use the Delete to remove any of your custom formats. You cannot delete the predefined formats.
File Data Source File Data Source The File data source directs Loftware Label Manager to retrieve the data for the selected field from the specified text file. For example, if you prepare labels for pharmaceutical products, chemicals or hazardous substances, your labels may require Warning or Special Handling messages.
Configuring Data Sources l Use formulas that use the results of other formulas. Loftware Label Manager automatically calculates all dependent fields first. Loftware Label Manager uses spreadsheet-like syntax for its formulas. If you are an experienced spreadsheet user, you can type formulas in manually. However, to make it easier to use Loftware Label Manager’s formulas, the Formula data source dialog box has a Formula Assistant.
Formula Data Source Mathematically adding Two Fields Together 1. In the list of Fields, click the name of the first field you wish to include in the formula. Note: The field name is displayed in the formula edit box. 2. In the list of Operations, click the plus button (+). (It is displayed in the text box, following the name of the first field.) 3. Return to the list of Fields and click the next field that you wish to include in the formula.
Configuring Data Sources Operators Description + Adds the values of two selected fields. - Subtracts the value of a field from the value of the previous field. () Parenthesis is used to override normal math precedence. String Functions Function Description Concatenates the values of two strings or fields of data. Combine (&) Syntax: “fixed_string” & field_name or field_name & “fixed_string” Example: Concatenate a text field TXT001 with a fixed string “1234”.
Formula Data Source Function Description Returns the first (or leftmost) character or characters from the selected field. Left-String Syntax: left(fieldname, num-chars) fieldname: the field to extract data from num-chars: the number of characters to copy Example: Returns the first (or leftmost) four characters from the selected field TEXT0003. LEFT(Text0003,4) Removes stated characters from the beginning (or left most side) of the field.
Configuring Data Sources Function Description Returns the last (or right most) character or characters from the selected field right (the field to extract data from, the number of characters to copy) Right-String Syntax: right (fieldname, num-chars). fieldname: the field to extract data from num-chars: the number of characters to copy. Example: Returns the last (or right most) three characters from the selected field TEXT0004.
Formula Data Source Function Description Code128: Code B Upper and lower case alphanumeric. Code128: Code C Numeric only Code128: Code UCC Makes a standard Code 128 barcode with a Subset C and Function 1. Code 128: Shift Inserts a Code 128 Shift character for switching subsets Composite Delimiter Inserts a character that separates the composite data portion Duplicates The field uses the number of duplicate labels to be printed, entered at print time, as its data.
Configuring Data Sources Function Description *Inserts the specified Code 128 function into a barcode field. Text fields ignore this function. The function commands behave differently for different printers. Consult Loftware Label Manager Online Help for specific information pertaining to your printer and examples of different Code 128 applications. Other Formula Examples The following example shows the power of formulas in setting up a complex HIBC barcode.
Creating an Application Using HIBC Barcodes Figure 8.4: HIBC Label with Primary and Secondary Barcodes In the previous example, the label format contains two barcodes that are linked by a check digit character. These barcodes can be set up as either Code 39 or Code 128 symbology. These example labels (HIBC_128.LWT and HIBC_39.LWT) are provided in the Loftware Label Manager general template directories. To use this feature: 1.
Configuring Data Sources Increment/Decrement Data Source The Increment/Decrement (Incr/Decr) data source allows you to print increasing or decreasing values in a field (Increments or Decrements). The starting value for each print run is entered by the user at print time or it is set using a clear-to value. The difference between the Incr/Decr data source and the Serial Number data source is that the Serial Number data source remembers the last value printed in a file.
Increment/Decrement Data Source Mode Options Behavior Numeric-Only (default) Increments/Decrements an integer counter. Example: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, ... Uppercase Alphanumeric Increments/Decrements an alphanumeric counter. Example 1: AA8, AA9, AAA, AAB… Example 2: AZX, AZY, AZZ, B00, B01, B02… Uppercase Alpha-Only Increments/Decrements an alpha-only counter. Example 1: AAA, AAB, AAC, AAD, ...
Configuring Data Sources Option Behavior Update to Next Value Sets the field to the next available value in the sequence. Use this option to create a continuing series of labels. Reset to Original Value Resets the counter to the starting value entered by the user. Help Text (Inc/Dec) The Help Text field allows you to enter a custom prompt that is displayed in the Status Bar at the bottom of an On-Demand Print Form to assist the user in data entry.
Serial Number Data Source l Serial file names may be specified in a database so that you can select which Serial file pertains to which part number. Related Information Read and understand the Extended vs. Native Mode and When the Number Wraps sections from the Increment/Decrement data source. This information applies to Serial data sources as well.
Configuring Data Sources Changing an Existing Serial Number File 1. Select the field on a label that is attached to the Serial Number file. 2. Edit the Data Source. 3. Select the Serial Number data source. 4. Select the Serial Number you wish to change, click Edit. 5. Change the serial number setup as desired, click OK. Warning! Changing an existing serial number file affects any subsequent printing for all labels which reference that serial number.
Script Data Source l Layouts are not supported. l While Design allows different unit setting options, the Script data source only supports field positions set in inches. l Changing the Human Readable property to / from Free floating, Fixed below, or None is not currently supported using scripts. Figure 8.5: Data Source Window Using Script Source Syntax JavaScript is the scripting language currently supported by the Script data source.
Configuring Data Sources Note: While the JavaScript environment provides some functionality similar to the Formula data source, the syntax is not exactly the same. Accessing a Label Field In order to specify or change the value or properties of a label field, you must be able to access the field. The following syntax is used to access the desired fields and properties on a label: label.fields.field.(@name == 'xxxxxxxx').@posLeft = 3.
Script Data Source Field properties that can be modified by the script printingField “true”, “false” The following field properties are used to reference the field, but cannot be modified by the script. With the exception of name, modifications to these properties will be ignored.
Configuring Data Sources Change the rotation of Field_A to 0 degrees label.fields.field.(@name == 'Field_A').@rotation = "0"; Change the contents of Field_B to "CHANGED" label.fields.field.(@name == 'Field_B').@data = "CHANGED"; Font Properties Font properties must be preceded by the at sign (@). The following is a list of the available font properties and corresponding values. These are the properties that can be modified by the script.
Script Data Source Dot Font For example: Datamax Prodigy Max, Native Font “12x18”. Additional properties supported: l magHeight l magWidth TrueType Font For example: Zebra 140xIII TrueType Fonts, Courier New, and Arial. Additional properties supported: l magHeight l magWidth l pointSize Flexi Font For example: Zebra 105 Native Fonts - Scaleable. Additional properties supported: l charHeight l charWidth l pointSize Hybrid Font For example: Datamax I-4206 Native Fonts - Smooth.
Configuring Data Sources Some printers can only print values that fall within a specified range. For example, 37%, 75%, 113%, 150% of nominal. l The following table lists barcode properties that can be modified by a script: Barcode properties that can be modified by the script barHeight Integer value barRatio String value (“2.0:1” ¸”2.25:1” , “2.3:1” , “2.5:1” ,” 2.7:1”, “3.0:1”) barLineXDim Floating point value (004.9, 009.
Script Data Source Character Description Decimal Hexadecimal BEL Bell 7 7 BS Backspace 8 8 HT Horizontal Tab 9 9 LF Line Feed 10 A VT Vertical Tab 11 B FF Form Feed 12 C CR Carriage Return 13 D SO Shift Out 14 E SI Shift In 15 F DLE Data Link Escape 16 10 DC1 Device Control 1 (XON) 17 11 DC2 Device Control 2 18 12 DC3 Device Control 3 (XOFF) 19 13 DC4 Device Control 4 20 14 NAK Negative Acknowledgement 21 15 SYN Synchronous Idle 22 16 ETB
Configuring Data Sources l From the Properties box, select the Data Source property, and click the browse button. 2. Select Script from the Data Sources field. 3. Create the script by typing it in the Enter Script field. You can also copy and paste an existing script into the field. 4. Click OK to save the script. Note: See the Scripting section of the Loftware Knowledge Base for some specific examples of how to use scripts on a label. Verify a Script You can test the syntax of your script.
Script Data Source Data Source configuration window after locating script using Find Script ISBT 128 Barcode Label Note: Registration and licensing with ICCBBA are required if you apply ISBT 128 labels. Requirements and registration forms are available on the ICCBBA Web site (http://iccbba.org). The ISBT 128 standard (International Society of Blood Transfusion) is used in the healthcare industry for transferring information on identifying, labeling, and processing human blood.
Configuring Data Sources The LLM Script data source provides a means for applying the ISBT 128 standard to your barcode labels. For example, you can enter a script to compute the checksum character based on the mod 37-2 algorithm. Appendix D of the ICCBBA technical specification document describes the steps in this process and includes a sample C language function that can guide you in creating a JavaScript for the Script data source. In the sample ISBT 128 label below, barcodes 1 to 4 are required.
Database Data Source In order to use a database with Loftware Label Manager, you must first register it with ODBC l Start | All Programs | Loftware Labeling | Data Sources (ODBC). Using Multiple Databases Loftware Label Manager allows you to attach as many different databases to the label as you want. For example, you might attach to the shipping database for ship-to address information and to the product database for product information such as weight, description, and color.
Configuring Data Sources Fixed-Image Data Source The following options determine what happens when fixed images are embedded in a label. l Do Not Save - Use this when you want the label to always use the latest image. l Always Update - Automatically update the image embedded in the label if the image has been updated on the file system. l Prompt Before Update - Display a prompt asking if the embedded image should be updated with the latest image on the file system.
Loftware Label Manager's Database Connection Types Figure 8.7: Database calling out an image file name Database-Key Note: The Loftware Label Manager subsystem uses ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) to access external databases. When you want to retrieve information from a database, Loftware Label Manager requires a key connection. This connection is a look-up command that instructs Loftware Label Manager to locate the appropriate record for the required data.
Configuring Data Sources Every label that is attached to a database must have one field that is designated as the Database-Key. The Database-Key field is a dual-purpose field: l It accepts keyboard input from the user or LPS pass file. l It retrieves data from a database like a Database-Data field. Note: A Database-Key may not be linked to a Unicode field in a database. The Database Connection section of the Database-Key setup dialog defines the connection to the database.
Loftware Label Manager's Database Connection Types The Database-Data data source directs Loftware Label Manager to retrieve data for the field from a specified field in the database. This is the most common type of look-up. Returning to the telephone directory example, assuming that you have defined some other field as Database-Key (Name field in the telephone database), we could then attach the Database-Data to the Phone Number field in the telephone book database.
Configuring Data Sources Data: Help Text The Help Text field allows you to enter a customized prompt that is displayed in the Status Bar (at the bottom of an On-Demand Print Form) to assist the user in data entry. Related Information For more information on connecting database data to your labels, refer to Database Key in this guide. Database-File Data Source The Database-File data source is used to connect a field on a label with a field in the database, similar to the Database-Data data source.
Loftware Label Manager's Database Connection Types Using this advanced technique, you could set up one AIAG label for all your automotive customers, but have FORD part numbers use a FORD serial number sequence, and GM part numbers use a GM serial number sequence. Loftware Label Manager can look up which serial number to use from the database. You must create all serial files specified in your database before you can do any printing.
Configuring Data Sources Creating Multiple Serial Files 1. Create a variable text field on your label that is later deleted. 2. Double-click this field to open the Data Source screen. 3. Click Serial Number. 4. Click New to create as many serial files as you need. 5. Delete the variable text field. Quantity and Duplicate Values from a Database Quantity and Duplicate can be specified at print time.
Printing On Demand There are three ways to print labels On-Demand with Loftware Products. This section describes the method of prompting the operator for label data and making label requests. The On-Demand Print Client works as a client to the Loftware Print Server and has most of the functionality of On-Demand Print. The Thin Client does not require that LPS be installed on the Client computer and can be far easier to maintain if you have several print stations.
Printing On Demand On-Demand Printing Starting On-Demand Printing 1. Choose one of the following methods to start On-Demand printing: a. Click the On-Demand printing icon in Loftware Label Manager’s design view. b. Click Start | All Programs | Loftware Labeling | On-Demand Print 32. The On-Demand application is displayed with the file open dialog box. The listed labels are those in the labels directory specified in Options | File Locations. The default is the Loftware Labeling\Labels subdirectory. 2.
On-Demand Printing Entering Data When you first load a label, the top left data entry field is selected - it contains a flashing cursor. Type data into the selected field and edit the data using the cursor keys, backspace key, or standard copy, cut, and paste operations. If your label is connected to a database, the cursor defaults to the field defined as the Database-Key. A browse button (...) is also displayed when a label is connected to a database.
Printing On Demand The total number of labels printed is always Quantity x Duplicates. If your label does not have a Serial Number or an incrementing or decrementing counter field, changing either Quantity or Duplicates has the same effect. Quantities and Duplicates Methods In the On-Demand Print Application: l Click in the Quantity or Duplicates box, type in the new value, and press Enter.
On-Demand Printing l When you attach your label to a database, you must designate one input field as a key field. This is the field that the operator enters data into or chooses from the Database Browse window that tells On-Demand Print which record to retrieve from the database. l In On-Demand printing, when you type a value into a key field and press Enter or Tab, OnDemand printing retrieves the associated record and displays the data from that record.
Printing On Demand l Moving the cursor to the key field. l Using the Edit | Browse menu command or pressing Ctrl+B. l Clicking the browse button (...) to view a list of available records. Loftware Label Manager displays a Database Browse window that contains a full list of the records in the database. Retrieving a Record You can retrieve a record one of the following ways: l Select the desired record and click OK.
On-Demand Print Form Figure 9.5: The Database Browse Window with a parameter in the Search Key Box. Disabling the Database Browse Option The ellipses buttons that enable browsing a database are displayed by default in On-Demand Print. These buttons as well as the Edit | Browse option in the Menu Bar may be hidden or disabled in On-Demand Print. To do this, 1. Select Start | All Programs | Loftware Labeling | System Folders | Configuration, and open the LLMWDN32 Configuration file in a text editor. 2.
Printing On Demand Figure 9.6: Sample On-Demand Print Form If you have given the fields meaningful names, the default On-Demand Print Form allows you to begin printing labels immediately. There are three choices when using On-Demand Print: 1. You can accept default entries for On-Demand Print Forms, or 2. Keep the entries assigned when you designed the label, or 3.
On-Demand Print Form Important: Fields which are seen on the On-Demand Print Form but which cannot be changed (display only) have their field name displayed on a grayed out background. Organizing the On-Demand Print Form Loftware Label Manager provides you with flexibility to arrange On-Demand Print Forms in ways that enhance your label and are meaningful to your operators. Essentially, you use the same editing techniques available in label design, including: l Menus and Toolbars.
Printing On Demand Figure 9.7: Sample mailing label format 322 Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
On-Demand Print Form Figure 9.8: Default mailing label On-Demand Print Form In the figure, “Address_2” is not in the natural place in the entry order. Fields are added to the OnDemand Print Form in the order that they are created on the label. To illustrate our point about customizing On-Demand Print Forms, we added this field last as an after thought. The rearranged layout, with French input prompts added, looks like the following: Figure 9.
Printing On Demand West Chesterfield, NH 03466 As an alternative, consolidate the City, State and Zip fields on the label into one long field named City_ State_Zip. Consolidate City, State and Zip, Part 1 1. Open Label1.lwl, the example label created in the label creation section of this guide, in Loftware Design Mode. It is a label with City, State, and Zip are 3 separate variable text fields. 2. Select the City field. Change its name to City_State_Zip and change its length to 32 characters. 3.
On-Demand Print Form 3. The field is shown when you click the form. Do not worry about the location right now. Name the field City, change its max chars to 32 and change its input prompt to City, State, Zip. 4. Create another non-printing field by placing another variable field on the Print Form. Do not worry about the location right now. Name the field State, change its max chars to 2 and delete its input prompt. 5. Create a third non-printing field. The location is not important right now.
Printing On Demand 3. Move and resize the data entry fields associated with our new non-printing fields so that our OnDemand Print Form looks the way it should. This simple example demonstrates the basic technique for using non-printing fields. As the Loftware Label Manager’s features, such as the formula data source are used, the use of non-printing fields increases. Note: Non-printing fields may be defined using the Properties box instead of using the switch-view approach on the label design screen.
On-Demand Print Options Figure 9.12: LLM On-Demand Print Window showing Print Preview option. 4. Click OK, and the Print Preview window opens. Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Printing On Demand Figure 9.13: The Print Preview Dialog Box 5. Choose from the following options: n Click Print if you want the label to print as you see it. n Click Cancel if you would like to change the label before printing. n Select Force Preview on Print if you wish to see a print preview before the label is printed. The Force Preview on Print is not enabled by default. When it is selected, a preview of the label is displayed each time you click the print icon, or you choose File | Print.
Audit Files in On-Demand Printing On-Demand Print Command Line Parameters Several command line parameters are available for the On-Demand Print module. However, you do not normally automate On-Demand print since the program requires running interactively. The following command line parameters are available to On-Demand Print. LLMWOD32 {label} {arguments} Parameter Description {label} Optional. The specified label is opened automatically.
This page intentionally left blank
About Page Layouts in Loftware Label Manager A page layout refers to a single sheet of labels or the number of labels produced before the label stock is ejected or advanced. A page layout describes both the dimensions of your label stock and the number of labels printed on one page.
About Page Layouts in Loftware Label Manager For example, assume you need to create a small, narrow label used to serialize electrical circuit boards and you need to print a 4-up layout on a 3 by 4 inch section of thermal transfer label stock. Figure 10.1: A serialized label printed 4-up on a thermal transfer printer In this example, each label contains a single barcode field consisting of a serial number that has a prefix and two incrementing numbers side by side.
Where Page Layouts are Stored Figure 10.2: 30-Up label stock printing in row order, 14-Up label stock printing in column order Labels similar to those shown here are typically found in office environments, but are increasingly used in applications requiring specific barcode information. Where Page Layouts are Stored Loftware Label Manager creates a page layout list based on file names in the LAYOUT subdirectory.
About Page Layouts in Loftware Label Manager Figure 10.3: Label Setup dialog box with label format attached to Avery 5162 (14 up) labels Managing Page Layouts To access the Manage Layout dialog box: l From the Loftware Label Manager design module, click the Page Layout tab under File | Media Setup. Alternatively, press F5, or select Options | Layouts from the Loftware Label Manager menu bar. Note: Do not make a 1-up layout for your label.
Attaching an Existing Page Layout to your Label Format Figure 10.4: Manage Layouts Dialog Box You can reference the starting label of a print job by using Loftware Label Manager printing applications (On-Demand, Database Range). Any subsequent page layout editing, however, must be done in the Loftware Label Manager design mode. Note: The default page layout is NONE. Therefore, if you do not reference a page layout with your label, Loftware Label Manager prints just one label per page at print time.
About Page Layouts in Loftware Label Manager Figure 10.5: Selecting a Layout from Label Setup and Properties Page Layout Tab If there are no layouts that apply for this label format, select the Layouts button and proceed to either add a new layout or change an existing one. Modifying Page Layouts Adding a Layout l 336 Click Add to add a new layout option; give your new layout a name (8 or less alphanumeric characters) and a meaningful description. Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Modifying Page Layouts Figure 10.6: Add Layout dialog box Changing an Existing Page Layout Highlight the layout and click the Change button under the Manage Layout menu. The Change Page Layout menu is displayed and presents the same layout attributes (label width, page height) as the Add Page Layout menu. The Add or Change Layout dialog box contains all of the attribute details for your layouts. These include: Layout Identification Layout Name Name of the layout file using standard file names.
About Page Layouts in Loftware Label Manager Layout Detail Vertical Gap Vertical spacing between labels. Multi-Up On/Off toggle for printing multiple labels on a single page or on a sheet of label stock. Use Column Order Orders labels through a row of columns that start from top left and proceed to bottom right. The default value is Row Order. Top Margin Margin from the top of label stock to the top of the first row of labels.
Printing Using Page Layout Figure 10.7: Page Layout Toolbar with Clear Print Queue and Eject Page Buttons The layout toolbar provides valuable information about printing labels that use layouts. For example, at the far right of the toolbar, there is a queue counter, which tells you how many labels are currently in the print queue. This number is helpful when printing small labels up to large multi-up sheets of label stock.
About Page Layouts in Loftware Label Manager Current Label As mentioned in the previous section, the layout toolbar includes the print counter that references the current label on your layout. You can change the value by clicking the mouse pointer into the editing box or by pressing F4. Here are two ways to use this option: l You may find that a print job uses several sheets of label stock and finishes on the last sheet, but several labels on that sheet are unused.
Printing Using Page Layout Layouts and Pages For increased printer throughput and speed, use the Page value in addition to quantity and/or duplicates. Select File | Print Preview to open the Print Label Reset window. Note: This option is available only when your label is attached to a layout. Figure 10.9: Print Label Reset Dialog Box The concept of pages is especially relevant to on-demand, thermal printers.
This page intentionally left blank
Printing Ranges of Data-Driven Labels Range Printing extracts data for printing from another source. You must create a query that instructs Loftware Label Manager to print a selected group of records from a database. In addition, Range Printing is used only with labels that are attached to a database. Within Range Printing, you can: l Use the Query Assistant to select a range without using SQL queries. l Create an SQL query and print a selected range of labels.
Printing Ranges of Data-Driven Labels 4. Define the Query in the Define Query dialog box following these steps: a. Click Select From in the Range group box. b. Set the Select From field to ROW. c. Set the Starting Value to A and the End Value: to H. d. Set the Field to PARTNO. Click OK. 5. Print labels by selecting File | Print or click the printer icon for the printer to which you want to print.
Creating a Query Figure 11.1: The Define Query dialog box Range Section Select the range of labels you wish to print. The default value is All Records. If you accept the default, Loftware Label Manager prints all of the records in the database. You can, however, select a discrete range for printing by choosing the Select From option. When you select this option, Loftware Label Manager allows you to define a range from a selected field on the label. Choosing the Start and End Value of Select From Field 1.
Printing Ranges of Data-Driven Labels Ordering Section The Ordering function allows you to arrange the sequence of your print run. For example, by part number in ascending or descending order. The default value (None) prints the records in the order that occur in the database. l Select the appropriate Field that orders the print run from the list of available fields. l Select Ascending or Descending, depending on how you wish your labels to print.
Creating a Query Figure 11.2: Using the Custom Where Clause The database table used for this example is called Lesson2.database and it has a label with a database key field attached to the STOCKNUM column in the database. The following table displays the operators that could be used in the query and what they mean. Operat or Comparison = Exactly Equal LIKE SQL LIKE <> != # Not equal > More than >= More than or equal to < Less than <= Less than or equal to Loftware Label Manager Version 10.
Printing Ranges of Data-Driven Labels WHERE PARTNUM = ‘A100’ Prints only the record A100 WHERE PARTNUM <> ‘A100’ Prints all the records in the database except A100 WHEREPARTNUM >= ‘A100’ Prints all records in the database including A100 WHERE PARTNUM=’A100’ OR PARTNUM=’A300’ Prints record A100 and A300 Saving a Query It is always a good idea to save your queries to avoid the need to reconstruct them again if you need to reprint the same labels in the Range Printing mode. 1.
Automating the Range Printing Process Command Line Parameter Definition -Qquery_ filename The name of the query to use. -W “sql query” A custom where clause must be enclosed in quotation marks. -Pn Assign range to printer n, where n is the printer number (for example, -P2 assigns the job to Printer No. 2). -Nn Sets the Quantity value to n (for example, -N3 produces three copies of the label). -Dn Sets the Duplicates value to n (for example, -D2 produces two duplicates of the label).
Printing Ranges of Data-Driven Labels Related Information To enable Audit Files, see the Audit Files section of the Customize section of this guide. Automated Range Print Examples Example 1 LLMWRP32 invtag.lwl -Qinvtag.lwq Runs the specified label and query and then exits the range printing application. The range print application (LLMWRP32.EXE) recognizes the following command line parameters: Command Line Parameter Definition label_filename The name of the label to print.
Automating the Range Printing Process Create an Icon to Run Range Print If you have a range print that must be run repeatedly, you can create an icon on the Windows desktop that the operator can use to run the range print by double clicking the icon. For Example Create an icon that the operator double clicks to print a range of inventory labels. The name of the label to print is INVTAG.LWL and the name of query is INVTAG.LWQ.
This page intentionally left blank
Working with ODBC Note: If you are using the LPS, you may not need ODBC. Please refer to the Loftware Print Server User Guide for more information. ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) is Microsoft’s strategic interface for accessing data in an environment of relational and non-relational database management systems (DBMSs). ODBC allows applications to access multiple data sources without having to understand the underlying format of the data being read.
Working with ODBC How Loftware Label Manager Uses ODBC All databases are accessed using ODBC in Loftware Label Manager. The advantage of this is that Loftware Label Manager connects to any data source for which there is an ODBC driver. Before you can use a database as a data source in Loftware Label Manager, you must set up an ODBC data source for the data.
ODBC Data Source Administrator Figure 12.1: ODBC Data Source Administrator Screen Related Information For information on how to configure data sources, refer to Adding a Data Source section of this guide. User Data Source Tab (User DSN) Adds, deletes, or sets up data sources with User DSNs. (DSN = Data Source Name). These data source configurations are local to a computer, and may only be used by the current user. Note: A networked database can be accessed with a User DSN.
Working with ODBC Option/Button Description OK Closes the Administrator dialog box. OK does not have to be pressed to accept changes to the User Data Sources list. Changes to the list have already been accepted once OK in the data source setup dialog box has been pressed. Cancel Closes the Administrator dialog box. Note that changes to the User Data Sources list are not rejected if Cancel is clicked. Help Displays the Microsoft ODBC Help screen.
ODBC Data Source Administrator Option Description ODBC Drivers List Displays the name, version, company, file name, and file creation date of each ODBC driver installed on the computer. OK Closes the Administrator dialog box. Closes the Administrator dialog box. Cancel Help Note: This dialog box does not include the functions to Add or Delete. An ODBC driver must be added or deleted through the driver’s setup program. Displays the Microsoft ODBC Help screen.
Working with ODBC Option/Button Description OK Accepts changes to tracing and closes the Administrator dialog box. Cancel Closes the Administrator dialog box without accepting changes to tracing. Apply Accepts any changes that have been made to tracing without closing the Administrator dialog box. The Apply button is grayed if no changes have been made. Working with Data Sources Adding a Data Source 1. Select Start | All Programs | Loftware Labeling | Data Sources (ODBC). 2.
Hints and Troubleshooting ODBC Note: Description entry is optional and cannot exceed 79 characters. Deleting a Data Source 1. Choose Start | All Program Files | Loftware Labeling | Data Sources (ODBC). 2. Select the data source from the Data Sources list in the Data Sources dialog box. 3. Click Remove, and then click Yes to confirm the deletion. Data Source Conversion The 32-bit data sources used with the ODBC Desktop Database Drivers version 2.
Working with ODBC l If you are using the Database-Image datasource and you get a message saying that the image is not found, try making the field length property of the image field 12 or more characters. l DOUBLE database fields are rounded to six decimal places. See the Loftware Knowledge Base at www.loftware.com for information regarding ODBC, such as error messages, reserved words and more troubleshooting hints. 360 Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Barcode Symbology Loftware supports the following bar code symbology. Not all symbology are supported on all printers. If Loftware Label Manager does not support a symbology, it will not appear in the Symbology drop-down field. See the documentation for your printer for information on native symbology support. Note: The bar code properties described in this section are provided as a supplement to your printer's user guide or programming manual and the specification for the bar code.
Barcode Symbology Supported Symbology Options GS1 Databar GS1 Databar Composite GS1 DataBar and GS1 DataBar Composite Properties TLC39 TLC39 Properties GS1-128 Generic GS1 Generic Properties GS1-128 SSCC GS1 SSCC Properties UPC-A UPC E 6 digit UPC-A and UPC E 6 digit Properties UPS MaxiCode UPS MaxiCode Properties USPS Intelligent Mail USPS Intelligent Mail Notes Unique Barcode Properties Several Loftware Label Manager editing features are unique to barcode fields.
Barcode Symbology Terminology Term Description Barcode An array of parallel rectangular bars and spaces arranged according to the encodation rules of a particular symbol specification in order to represent data in machine-readable form. For the purposes of this guideline the term “bar code” includes linear (for example, Code 39 and Code 128), twodimensional (for example, Data Matrix and MicroPDF417), and composite (for example CC-A linked to GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional) machinereadable symbols.
Barcode Symbology Term Description CLEI™ Code COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Codes. A 10-character coding structure maintained by Telcordia® Technologies that identifies communications equipment, in a concise, uniform feature-oriented language, describing product type, features, source document and associated drawings and vintages. Data Field The specific portion or area of a label designated to contain human readable, bar code or graphic information.
Printing Non-Native Barcode Symbologies Term Description Syntax The way in which data is put together to form messages. Syntax also includes rules governing the use of appropriate identifiers, delimiters, separator character(s), and other non-data characters within the message. Syntax with Barcodes and RFID Tags is the equivalent to grammar in spoken language.
Barcode Symbology Property Symbol Size Description Values The number of rows and columns in the symbol. Auto A range of options Building Aztec Code Barcodes 1. Create a bar code. 2. From the Properties window, select Aztec Code from the Symbology field. 3. Set the properties for your bar code. Code 39 and Code 39 (FULL ASCII) Properties Note: Not all of the properties described in the table will be available to all printers. Note: Value ranges may be printer dependent.
Code 93 and Code 93 (FULL ASCII) Properties Property Description Values The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in printer pixels (dots). Line: Width This property is related to: n Line: X-Dim n Line %-Nominal The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in thousandths of an inch. Line: X-Dim This property is related to: n Line: Width. n Line:%-Nominal The ratio of the wide bar to the narrow bar. The ratio can be used to create 'in between' sizes between different X-dimensions.
Barcode Symbology Property Description Values Specifies if a text representation of the barcode is to print. Human Readable For most barcode types, the human readable text can be positioned anywhere on the label (free floating). Some barcode types require the human readable text to be in a fixed position. None Free Floating The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in printer pixels (dots).
Code 128 Properties Property Description Values Data entered in this field will be encoded in the barcode but will not print in the human readable text field for the barcode. Data Identifiers are used to help the scanner identify the field. Data Identifier For Example For an AIAG label, a barcode with a data identifier of P contains a part number, a data identifier of Q signifies a quantity field and a data identifier of S signifies a serial number field.
Barcode Symbology Property Start Code Description Values n Auto: Printer selects subset Code A Uppercase letters, numbers and control characters. n Start A: ASCII characters 00 to 95 (0-9, A-Z and control codes), special characters, and FNC 1-4 n Start B: ASCII characters 32 to 127 (0-9, A-Z, a-z), special characters, and FNC 1-4 n Start C: 00-99. Code C is a double density barcode and produces the smallest barcode. n Start UCC: Inserts Function 1 (FNC1).
DataMatrix Properties human readable interpretation with one set of entered data. However, Loftware recommends that you use the GS1 Barcode Wizard to create all Barcodes. 1. Select Code 128 Symbology. 2. Select UCC Mod 10 from the Check Digit field to add a modulus 10 to the end of the barcode. This option strips out parentheses and spaces in your data before calculating the Check Digit.
Barcode Symbology Property Description Values 1 - Numeric digits 0 to 9 and the space character 2 - Upper case alpha A-Z and the space character Format ID Defines the type of data that may be encoded in the symbol.
HIBC Primary and Secondary Properties Property Description Values The barcode's module width as a percent of nominal tolerance. UPC/EAN barcodes have a nominal module width of .0013". Line: % Nominal This property is related to: n Line: X-Dim n Line:Width The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in thousandths of an inch. Line: X-Dim This property is related to: n Line: Width. n Line:%-Nominal 25-1269% 003.3 to 066.
Barcode Symbology Property Description Values The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in printer pixels (dots). Line: Width This property is related to: n Line: X-Dim n Line %-Nominal 1-16 Pixels The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in thousandths of an inch. Line: X-Dim 003.3 to 066.0 mil in set increments This property is related to: n Line: Width. n Line:%-Nominal HIBC Primary from which the link character is taken.
Interleaved 2-of-5 Properties Property Description Add an optional check digit to the barcode. Check Digit The listed check digits are optional forms of the selected symbology. Special purpose check digits can be added to the barcode using the Formula data source. Values None Mod 10 Validate User Entered Mod 10 Data entered in this field will be encoded in the barcode but will not print in the human readable text field for the barcode. Data Identifiers are used to help the scanner identify the field.
Barcode Symbology micro PDF417 Properties Note: Not all of the properties described in the table will be available to all printers. Note: Value ranges may be printer dependent. Property Code 128 Emulation Description Values n None - No emulation n C0 - Simple Code 128 emulation n C1 - GS1-128 FN1 in 1st position n C2 - GS1-128 FN1 in 2nd position n C1 with 1D symbol n GS1-128 C1 linked to 1D barcode The height of the barcode.
PDF 417 Properties Property Description Values Auto Compression Type Selects data compression method and determines the number of codewords per character based on text, numeric and binary compaction methods.. Numeric-Only Alpha-Only AlphaNumeric Data entered in this field will be encoded in the barcode but will not print in the human readable text field for the barcode. Data Identifiers are used to help the scanner identify the field.
Barcode Symbology QR Code Properties Note: Not all of the properties described in the table will be available to all printers. Note: Value ranges may be printer dependent. Note: The current Loftware implementation of QR Code does NOT support FNC1 modes. The current Loftware implementation of QR Code does NOT support Extended Channel Interpretation (ECI) mode. Property Cell Width Description Values The symbol's module (or cell) height in printer pixels (dots).
QR Code Properties Print QR Codes Natively to Zebra Printers Loftware Label Manager and the Loftware Print Server allow you to design and print QR Code symbols and print them as bitmaps to any of the barcode label printers that Loftware supports. Certain Zebra printers have the ability to print QR Codes natively. If you were printing QR Codes natively to Zebra printers before installing or upgrading to the Loftware Print Server or Label Manager version 10.
Barcode Symbology If the Loftware Print Server is Configured to use Windows Registry Settings If your Loftware Print Server is configured to use settings in the windows registry you must perform the following additional steps to enable [NativeOverride] of QR Code printing to certain Zebra printers. 1. Select Start | All Programs | Loftware Labeling | Print Server | LPS Configuration. The Loftware Print Server Configuration Utility opens. 2. Press Shift | F2. The Advanced tab appears.
GS1 DataBar and GS1 DataBar Composite Properties specification. 7. Select a Symbol Size. Related Information QR Code is established as an ISO (ISO/IEC18004) standard and defined in the document ISO/IEC 18004: Automatic identification and data capture techniques — Barcode symbology — QR Code. This is available from the ISO Web site. Refer to AIM International Symbology Specification 97-001 for more information. Model 2 is the enhanced QR Code symbology.
Barcode Symbology Property Description Values Specifies if a text representation of the barcode is to print. For most barcode types, the human readable text can be positioned anywhere on the label (free floating). Some barcode types require the human readable text to be in a fixed position. Human Readable None Free Floating The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in printer pixels (dots).
GS1 Generic Properties Property Micro PDF417 Size Description The discreet size of the symbol expressed as columns x rows Values 4 column s 4-44 rows Building TLC39 Barcodes TLC39 is a composite symbology designed for the Telecommunications Industry. TLC39 combines a Code 39 symbol, encoding a part number (for items such as plug-in boards at central switching stations) with a linked MicroPDF417 symbol encoding a serial number and other optional information.
Barcode Symbology Property Description Values Specifies if a text representation of the barcode is to print. Human Readable For most barcode types, the human readable text can be positioned anywhere on the label (free floating). Some barcode types require the human readable text to be in a fixed position. None Free Floating The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in printer pixels (dots).
UPC-A and UPC-E 6 digit Properties Property Description Values The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in printer pixels (dots). Line: Width This property is related to: n Line: X-Dim n Line %-Nominal The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in thousandths of an inch. Line: X-Dim This property is related to: n Line: Width. n Line:%-Nominal 1-16 Pixels 003.3 to 165.
Barcode Symbology Property Description Values The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in thousandths of an inch. Line: X-Dim This property is related to: n Line: Width. n Line:%-Nominal 003.3 to 066.0 mil in set increments UPS MaxiCode Properties Note: Not all of the properties described in the table will be available to all printers. Note: Value ranges may be printer dependent.
UPS MaxiCode Properties MaxiCode is a two-dimensional symbology that can encode about 100 characters of data in a one square inch. Within this small space are two MaxiCode components; black and white hexagons that pack information in two directions, and a target-like central pattern that allows the symbol to be easily located at high speeds. A MaxiCode symbol is displayed in the template below. Figure 13.
Barcode Symbology To open a UPS MaxiCode template 1. Open Loftware Label Manager in Design Mode. 2. Select File | New from the menu bar. 3. Select New Label, and then Compliance Template in the New Label Wizard. 4. Select the Target Device, Manufacturer, and Model. 5. Select the UPS Template you wish to use from the list. The template you choose contains the MaxiCode Symbol. 6. Click Next and Finish.
UPS MaxiCode Properties On-Demand Printing Figure 13.2: MaxiCode Template On-Demand Print Screen Using MaxiCode Compression Loftware has included templates for each label in the Label Examples by Service section of the UPS GUIDE TO LABELING document, February 2001 Edition. Contact UPS for this document. The MaxiCode formulas on each of these templates are constructed to conform to the UPS Compression Tool requirements.
Barcode Symbology UPS Compression is found in the MaxiCode Properties box. Note that the options in the drop-down list are either None or Version 1. If you select None, then no compression takes place. This is the default setting. If the MaxiCode Template is used, the default is Version1. If you select Version 1, then Loftware runs the compression tool if possible. Loftware calls the UPS Compression Tool Version 1 as this tool may be revised by UPS at a future date.
UPS MaxiCode Properties MaxiCode .
Barcode Symbology l The Symbol is not Mode 2 or 3, and the data supplied is not in the correct format for the printer l The first 9 characters of the data do not match the header ( [)>Rs01Gs96 ) in the formula and the data supplied is not in the correct format for the printer. The Symbol does not print if: l Any of the fields that cannot be truncated have too much data.
USPS Intelligent Mail®- Field Name Max Size (Bytes) & Type Comment Shipment N of X * N0..3/N0..3 Contains package “n” of “x” total packages in a shipment. Weight * N0…10 Contains the gravitational weight of the package (lb.) Address Validation (Y/N)* 1 Set to Y if Content of Postal Code, City, and State have been validated using CASS*-certified software). Ship To Address AN0..35 Ship To Address, Line 1, Suggested: Primary Address. This is typically the Street Address.
Barcode Symbology Property Description Values Small Symbol Size Changes the relative height and width of all the bars in the symbol. Medium Large 394 Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Supported Printers and Drivers This section describes Loftware-supported standard barcode and RFID printers. It also includes block and tag configuration information on the RFID HF and UHF tags available for supported RFID devices. Printer Family Supported Options Family Driver Supported Avery Avery Options C.
Supported Printers and Drivers Printer Family Supported Options Family Driver Supported Windows Windows Printer Options Zebra Zebra Options ZPLII, EPL2, IPL Label Printers and RFID Printers Unless otherwise noted, the Loftware-supported RFID printers described in this section are UHF printers. These are printers that support encoding to UHF tag types. Related Information Updated printer information is available at Loftware’s Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the Technical Support page.
Avery Dennison Printers Barcode Label Printers 6406 ALT TTX 300 OFL-ALT 6408 TTX 300 ONL-ALT 6408 ALT TTX 350 Datamax Language TTX 350 ALT TTX 450 TTX 450 ALT TTX 650 TTX 650 ALT TTX 674 TTX 674 ALT TTX 675 TTX 675 ALT TTX 950 TTX 950 ALT Loftware supports the following RFID printer models.
Supported Printers and Drivers l ZPLII l EPL Related Information Updated printer information is available at Loftware’s Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the Technical Support page. Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the Avery Denison RFID printers. Avery Dennison Interface Cables (Parallel, Serial, and USB) These printers usually have a serial interface and a parallel interface. Some models support USB and have NIC Ports.
Avery Dennison Printers Label Options Section Inverts the entire label, black prints as white, white space prints as black. Label Inverse Printer Overrides Section These settings override the Print Options Section in Printer Specific Options. n Batch Mode - The whole surface of the label is printable. n Normal 1:1 Mode - The first 18 mm of the label is not printable. The printing on the label is automatically shifted past the empty space.
Supported Printers and Drivers Media Options Section Stock Type n Die Cut - Stock that has gaps between each label. n Continuous - No gaps, notches, or perforations between labels. n Thermal Transfer (Ribbon) - Uses ribbon and nonheat sensitive label stock to print. The print head is activated as the label moves underneath, heating the ribbon material and melting it onto the label. To increase the quality of the print, decrease or increase the speed and/or the heat as necessary.
Avery Dennison Printers Media Options Section Get Printer Status This returns a message providing status on the printer. If there is a problem communicating with the printer, a corresponding error message is displayed. This option is only supported by certain printers. Print Options Section Do Not Send Options When this is checked, Loftware does not send any Printer Specific Options or Label Specific Options to the printer. The availability of the Print Modes depends on the printer.
Supported Printers and Drivers Custom Command Section The Custom Command option is used when a non-typical printing function is required. Refer to the printer's programming manual for commands that may be used. This button is used to send a command to the printer immediately. Send to Printer This selection determines at which point in the print stream that the custom command will be inserted.
Datamax-O'Neil Printers Supported Printer Models Loftware supports the following Citizen printer models. Datamax or Zebra Language Datamax CLP 2001 CLP 1001 CLP 4081 CLP 6001 CLP 7001 CLP 4121 CLP 6002 CLP 7002 CLP 6401 CLP 7201E CLP 7202E CLP 7401 Citizen Systems printers use the same language as Datamax printers. The CLP 1001 can also use the same language as Zebra printers. See the appropriate printer section for options, error messages, and other information regarding Citizen printers.
Supported Printers and Drivers Barcode Label Printers 60 0 A4408 80 0 A4606 E4304 I4210 M4306 PE4X Titan 6200 I4212 Prodigy W-6208 A6212 I4308 Prodigy 6.5 W-6308 A6310 I4406 Prodigy Max W-8306 I4604 Prodigy Max 300 XL Prodigy+ Loftware supports the following RFID printer models.
Datamax-O'Neil Printers Interface Cables (Parallel, Serial, and USB) These printers usually have a serial interface. A parallel interface is available as an option. Generally, newer models support USB, but this may or may not be standard. Interface Description Parallel Interface (optional interface) Using a standard parallel cable, plug the hardware license key into a LPT parallel port, and connect the cable between the key and the printer.
Supported Printers and Drivers Label Options Section Print Speed The range of available print speed varies with the selected printer type. This setting controls the speed at which the stock moves when printing. The combinations of print speed and head temperature control the print quality of the label. Slew Rate This setting affects the speed at which the paper is fed when advancing over non-printing areas. This setting may affect printer throughput.
Datamax-O'Neil Printers Label Options Section Supply Type Buffer Mode n Die Cut - Stock that has gaps between each label. n Continuous - No gaps, notches, or perforations between labels. n Mark Stock - Black mark found opposite print side. n Double - Selecting the double buffer mode instructs the printer to erase and format only incremental fields that have changed.
Supported Printers and Drivers Forms Control Section Column Offset This command allows horizontal adjustment of the point where printing begins. This feature is useful when a single format must be printed on several different types of labels that already have printed information. Row Offset This command allows vertical adjustment of the point where printing begins. This feature is useful when a single format must be printed on several different types of labels that already have printed information.
Datamax-O'Neil Printers Forms Control Section This option instructs Loftware Label Manager to download TrueType fonts to the Datamax printer’s memory module. If this option is not enabled (or is not available for your model) and a TrueType font is selected, the TrueType font is sent to the Datamax printer in the form of a graphic. To download TrueType fonts into the printer’s memory, you must have the appropriate memory module and firmware versions, which are 2.01 or higher.
Supported Printers and Drivers Advanced Options Section Memory Module The Memory Module option is used to specify which memory module(s) to download formats, graphics, and fonts to. The choices are: None, Module A, Module B, or Module C (Emulation Mode) Prodigy Plus Printers, for example, have an A or B Memory Module Card Slot in the front of the printer. Citizen Printers have an internal Memory Module C.
Datamax-O'Neil Printers Capability Description Printed Barcode Does Not Match the Design Datamax Incrementing/Decrementin g Fields Datamax: Label Size It is possible to define a combination of attributes, such as line width and ratio that the printer cannot produce, or might print in one orientation but not another. Under these conditions, the printer may print the closest possible barcode. This usually occurs when you define a barcode with line width 1.
Supported Printers and Drivers Printer Turned Off Cable Disconnected No Stock Print Head Up Spooled to PrintServ er No error message. Prints the labels when the error is corrected. No error message. Prints the labels when the error is corrected. No error message. Prints the labels when the error is corrected. No error message. Prints the labels when the error is corrected. Direct IP No error message. Prints the labels when the error is corrected. No error message.
Eltron Printers Related Information Updated printer information is available at Loftware’s Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the Technical Support page. Interface Cables (Parallel, Serial and USB) These printers usually have a serial interface. A parallel interface is available as an option. Generally, newer models support USB, but this may or may not be standard.
Supported Printers and Drivers Many of the settings in the printer do not take effect until the printer is re-booted. In the Device Options dialog box, clicking Send To Printer sends the currently selected options to the printer. All Label Options are sent to the printer every time a label is printed. Eltron Options Eltron Options may be label-specific or printer-specific.
Eltron Printers Custom EPL Select when to send the printer command. Send Command n After Control Strings n After Label n Before Label Eltron Printer Specific Options Printer Specific Options (PSOs) can be accessed by clicking Options while configuring the printer or by selecting the printer from the Device Configuration grid and clicking Options. The printer options available will vary based on the printer model selected. Certain options are only available with the EPL2 Family Driver.
Supported Printers and Drivers Print Adjustment Section X Coordinat e/ Y Coordinat e These values are measured in dots. This command is used to move the reference point for the X and Yaxes. The reference point command functions similarly to the Label Home command found in File | Media Setup. Default reference points vary depending upon whether the selected print direction is top or bottom. Gap Length The space in between labels.
Eltron Printers Enable Dump Mode When enabled, the printer is set in diagnostic dump mode. Available on the P2242 only. IRDA Interfa ce Enables optional IRDA Interface. This option is only available on the P2242. When selected the following options are sent to the printer with each label.
Supported Printers and Drivers Note: You cannot allocate more memory than is installed in the printer. Advanced Options Section Character Set This command selects a character set for printing. Consult your printer manual for a more complete description of supported character sets. Custom Command Section The custom command option sends printer commands otherwise not available in the Loftware Label Manager dialog boxes.
EXE Printers Printer Turned Off Cable Disconnected No Stock Print Head Up Spoole d Locally No Loftware error message, but displays Windows error message. Allows retry, labels print. No Loftware error message, but displays Windows error message. Allows retry, labels print. No Loftware error message, but displays Windows error message. Allows retry, labels print. No Loftware error message, but displays Windows error message. Allows retry, labels print.
Supported Printers and Drivers Supported Printer Models Loftware supports the following AMT Datasouth (Fastmark) printer models. Note: Refer to the Datamax Options section or the Eltron Options section depending on the model. Datamax Eltron FM403 PPLA FM402 PPLB FM4402 PPLA FM403 PPLB FM4602 PPLA FM4402 PPLB FM4603 PPLA FM4602 PPLB FM6602 FM4603 PPLB Related Information Updated printer information is available at Loftware’s Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the Technical Support page.
InfoPrint Solutions (Formerly IBM) Information Supported Printer Family Drivers Certain Fox IV printers may support the use of other printer languages. The following Printer Family Drivers can be selected with Fox IV printers. l ZPLII (ZSim) l IPL l Direct Protocol Related Information See Printronix Options page for LSO and PSO settings. Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the FOXIV RFID printers.
Supported Printers and Drivers l ZPLII (ZGL) l IPL (IGL) Related Information These printers use the same language as Printronix Printers. Refer to the Printronix Section for printer-specific options, error messages and other information regarding InfoPrint printers. Updated printer information is available at Loftware’s Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the Technical Support page. Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the IBM RFID printers.
Intermec and UBI Printers Supported Printer Models Loftware supports the following Intermec printer models.
Supported Printers and Drivers Note: The following printers are in End-Of-Service status with Intermec. See the The Intermec End-of-Life (EOL) Process Web page for more information and a list of replacement printers. Barcode Label Printers 301 501E 601E Printer Status (Serial only) If the status report is positive, the level of firmware in the printer is also displayed. If there is a status problem, a corresponding error message is displayed.
Intermec and UBI Printers Interface Description USB Interface Use a standard USB cable between the printer and computer (or server), and plug in (standard or either a USB or Parallel hardware license key to one of the other ports on the optional interface) computer. Interface Cables (Parallel, Serial and USB) These printers usually have a serial interface. A parallel interface is available as an option. Generally, newer models support USB, but this may or may not be standard.
Supported Printers and Drivers Name Notes Dutch Roman (3) 0.005" to 2.94" (<1 to 212 points) 3240 3440 prtrs only Pointable (4) Point sizes 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24; Magnify 1 to 20 times Pointable Bold (4) Point sizes 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24; Magnify 1 to 20 times Notes: (1) The 5x7 font is not available for the 4400 and 4406 printers. (2) For the 3400 printer, firmware version 1.2 or higher and extended memory are required to access the Outline Swiss font. For the 4100 printer, firmware version 2.
Intermec and UBI Printers Intermec Label Specific Options Label Specific Options (LSOs) can be accessed when you click Label Options from the Label Setup and Properties dialog (F5). Option Description Format Number Specifies the areas of RAM in which the label format is to be stored. Print Speed The range of available print speeds varies with the selected printer type. Note that the printer may user a slower print speed than you specify in order to maintain print quality.
Supported Printers and Drivers Option Description Media Sensitivity Guide The sensitivity for a particular type of media and ribbon is critical to achieving high quality printing. If the Media Type you are using is listed, select it, and then click Apply to achieve the recommended sensitivity setting.
Intermec and UBI Printers Label Handling Section Applicat or A specialty device that is integrated with the printer that allows labels to be picked up from the printer and placed on a product. Typical for assembly line production. SelfStrip Self-strip handling requires that the stock in the printer be properly fed through the self-strip attachment on the printer. Consult your Intermec manual or service technician for further assistance.
Supported Printers and Drivers Forms Control Section Label Rest Point Label rest point adjusts the point at which the printer presents the labels for removal. This command is commonly used with the self-strip option. Label retract is available to retract the label back to the correct starting position for the next printed label. Enable Label Retract This feature causes the printer stock to move back into the printer under the printer head, print the label, then feed the label out to the tear off bar.
Intermec and UBI Printers Printer Options Use Label or Printer Options This allows you to use either the Intermec Label Specific Options or the options set in Printer Specific Options (PSOs). Write Protect RFID Data When checked, this protects the RFID data written to the tag from being overwritten. RFID RFID Setup Options Section Send Setup Options to Printer When checked, selected settings will be used. Void Text This is the text that will be printed across the label after write retries fail.
Supported Printers and Drivers Cutter Options Section Feed Length Zero is the default, but this may be set to cut after any number of labels. Enable Cutter Enables an optional label cutter. When enabled, the cutter is set to cut a label after printing. Media Options Section Med ia Typ e Pap er Typ e n Fixed Length Strip – This is used for continuous stock. The length of the media that will be fed out depends on the length of the print window.
Intermec and UBI Printers Advanced Options Section Memory Module If a memory card is attached to the printer, you can select it. This option is not sent to the printer when labels are printed, nor is it sent when Send Options is clicked. The value you select is stored, so it can be used for informational purposes. Charact er Set Several printer languages are available that can print international characters that are not available in the U.S. character set.
Supported Printers and Drivers RFID Setup Options Section Send Setup Options to Printer When checked, settings selected in this dialog will be used for printing the label. Void Text This is the text that will be printed across the label after write retries fail. Tag Adjust The position of the label will, if necessary, be adjusted before trying to write data to the tag. The Unit of Measure is Dot Rows.
Intermec and UBI Printers Capability Intermec Incrementin g/ Decrementin g Fields Label Size Description When the printer is capable of doing the incrementing/decrementing internally, it is instructed to do so. This is called Native Mode. When printing in Native Mode, control returns to the computer almost immediately. Loftware Label Manager does incrementing/decrementing in software when the printer cannot do it internally and sends down a different set of data for each label.
Supported Printers and Drivers 3. Click Remap First Font. An example of available options is shown to the right in the Preferences dialog box. Figure 14.1: Preferences dialog box 4. Type in a number from the list, a comma, and the location in the printer where you want the custom font to be stored. 5. Click Load Defaults, choose OK or Cancel.
Intermec and UBI Printers Printer Turned Off Cable Disconnected No Stock Print Head Up Spooled to PrintServ er No error message. The labels print when the error is corrected. No error message. The labels print when the error is corrected. No error message. The labels print when the error is corrected. No error message. The labels print when the error is corrected. Direct IP No error message. The labels print when the error is corrected. No error message.
Supported Printers and Drivers Meto Information This printer guide section provides information specific to the Meto family of printers. These printers are created with Datamax language; therefore, see the Datamax section for error messages and other information regarding Meto printers. Supported Printer Models Loftware supports the following Meto printer models.
Novexx Printers Related Information Updated printer information is available at Loftware’s Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the Technical Support page. Interface Cables (Parallel, Serial, and USB) These printers usually have a serial interface and a parallel interface. Some models support USB and have NIC Ports.
Supported Printers and Drivers Printer Overrides Section Note: These settings override the Print Options Section in Printer Specific Options. n Batch Mode - The whole surface of the label is printable. n Normal 1:1 Mode - The first 18mm of the label are not printable. The printing on the label is automatically shifted past the empty space. n Real 1:1 Mode - Total surface of the label is printable, and the label is retracted after each label.
Novexx Printers Media Options Section Stock Type Media Type n Die Cut - Stock that has gaps between each label. n Continuous - No gaps, notches, or perforations between labels. n Thermal Transfer (Ribbon) - Uses ribbon and non-heat sensitive label stock to print. The print head is activated as the label moves underneath, heating the ribbon material and melting it onto the label. To increase the quality of the print, decrease or increase the speed and increase or decrease the heat as necessary.
Supported Printers and Drivers Print Options Section Charact er Set Several printer languages are available to print international characters that are not available in the U.S. character set. See the appendix section of your printer guide to find the corresponding hex codes used to select the desired character. Dispense Options Section This setting applies only to printers with the dispenser attachment. Dispense Mode n Disable – The default setting, dispense mode disabled.
Paxar (Monarch) MPCL1 Printers l 9425 l 9445 l 9474 Supported Printer Family Drivers Certain Paxar (Monarch) printers may support the use of other printer languages. The following Printer Family Drivers can be selected with Paxar (Monarch) printers. l ZPLII l EPL2 Driver Features Loftware Label Manager takes full advantage of the sophisticated features of the Paxar line of printers. The fixed portions of the label format are stored in the printer’s memory to increase printing performance.
Supported Printers and Drivers Error Messages and Handling When printing to a Paxar printer or using Printer Status to check the state of a Paxar printer, Loftware Label Manager may report the following error: Printer Returned Refer to your printer documentation to reference these error codes. Example "Printer returned: DATA ERROR, error 571" Error 571 means that a UPC or EAN barcode received data whose length is invalid. You should check the length of your data.
Paxar (Monarch) MPCL1 Printers Paxar MPCL1 Label Options Cut/Tak e-Up Format Number n Use PSO Cut Option – Uses the Cut/Takeup option selected in the device Options dialog box. Setting the cut option in the Label Options dialog box provides label specific cutting options. Whereas, setting the Cut/Takeup option in the device Options dialog box produces the same behavior for all labels printed on that specific printer.
Supported Printers and Drivers Using UPC/EAN Extensions Loftware Label Manager allows you to specify that UPC/EAN barcodes should print with an extension. In addition, PAXAR printers automatically enable UPC/EAN extensions based on the length of the data. Note: The user must enter an ‘extra’ character of data when an extension is enabled. This extra’character is ignored by the printer.
Paxar (Monarch) MPCL1 Printers Supported Printer Family Drivers Certain Paxar (Monarch) printers may support the use of other printer languages. The following Printer Family Drivers can be selected with Paxar (Monarch) printers. l ZPLII l EPL2 Driver Features Loftware Label Manager takes full advantage of the sophisticated features of the Paxar/Monarch line of printers. The fixed portions of the label format are stored in the printer’s memory to increase printing performance.
Supported Printers and Drivers Interface Description Serial Interface (standard interface) Use an RS232-C null modem cable. The hardware license key is not part of the serial interface since it must always be plugged into a LPT parallel port. Some Datamax may require other serial configurations.
Paxar (Monarch) MPCL1 Printers Name Features Pointable Vector height and width values in points from 4 to 90 CG Times height and width magnification from 1 to 7 CG Times Bold height and width magnification from 1 to 7 Additional ROM Fonts Additional ROM Font sets are available for Paxar printers. If an additional ROM set is installed in your printer, select File | Media Setup and choose the appropriate ROM Set in the Additional Installed Fonts list.
Supported Printers and Drivers Option Cut Options Description n Use PSO - Uses the cut option selected in the device Options dialog box. Setting the cut option in the Label Options dialog box provides label specific cutting options. Whereas, setting the cut option in the device Options dialog box produces the same behavior for all labels printed on that specific printer. n Cutter Off - Disables the cut mechanism on the printer.
Paxar (Monarch) MPCL1 Printers Label Options Section n Normal Ribbon - The standard ribbon is installed. n No Ribbon - Ribbon is not installed. Direct thermal stock is required for this option. n High Energy Ribbon - High Energy Ribbon is installed. In this mode, the print head is elevated to a higher temperature and therefore requires a ribbon that withstands high temperatures. A print speed of 2.5 IPS must be used with this ribbon. Peel mode should not be used with High Energy Ribbon.
Supported Printers and Drivers Label Options Section n Cutter Off - Disables the cut mechanism on the printer. n Cut After Every Tag - Cuts before first tag, cuts each tag, and cuts after last tag. n Cut After Last Tag in Batch - Cuts before first tag, cuts each tag, cuts after the last tag and feeds one or two tags past the printhead when it cuts the last tag in the last batch.
Paxar (Monarch) MPCL1 Printers Forms Control Section Old Firmware Does not send new firmware options if checked. If you are having difficulty communicating with the printer, try selecting this option. By choosing this option, you disable status checking and other commands that are only supported in newer versions of the printer firmware. If using this option allows you to print, you may wish to consider purchasing a printer firmware upgrade.
Supported Printers and Drivers Advanced Options Section Language Selects the language of the country chosen. Defaults to United States. Symbol Set Selects the symbol set used for fonts. Graphic Storage Choose Flash or Volatile RAM or Non-Volatile RAM. Flash Memory is a special type of EEPROM that can be erased and reprogrammed in blocks instead of one byte at a time. Volatile RAM loses its contents when the power is turned off, whereas Non-volatile RAM retains its contents.
Paxar (Monarch) MPCL1 Printers Using UPC/EAN Extensions Loftware Label Manager allows you to specify that UPC/EAN barcodes print with an extension. In addition, Paxar printers automatically enable UPC/EAN extensions based on the length of the data. The user must enter an ‘extra’ character of data when an extension is enabled. This ‘extra’ character is ignored by the printer. Example Using UPC-E with the +2 extension, the user must enter 9 characters of data.
Supported Printers and Drivers Printer Turned Off Cable Disconnected No Stock Print Head Up COM Error message comes up when you restart the printer. Allows retry, labels print. Error message comes up when you reconnect the printer. Allows retry, labels print. Error message comes up right away. Allows retry, the labels print. Error message comes up right away. Allows retry, the labels print. Spooled Locally No Loftware error message, but a Windows printer error is displayed. All labels print.
PCL5 Information PCL5 Options PCL5 Label Specific Options PCL5 Page Size options include: A3, A4, A5, B4(JIS), B5(JIS), Com-10 Envelope, Custom, Executive, Hagaki Postcard, International B5 Envelope, International C5 Envelope, International DL Envelope, Ledger, Legal, Letter, Monarch Envelope, and Oufuku-Hagaki Postcard. Options supported by different PCL5 printer models may vary. The Custom page size option allows printing on custom paper size page stock to a PCL 5 Printer that supports the custom size.
Supported Printers and Drivers When driving printers with PCL5, note that there is typically a ¼” margin on all sides of the page that is not printable. Additionally, along the top of the page, the unprintable margin area can have label elements (text, lines) positioned within it, creating a clipping effect. For this reason, it may be best to define the label or page layout size in Loftware to be ½” (2 x ¼”) less than the physical paper size.
Retail Systems International, Inc. (Pressiza) Printers Option Description Paper Source Use Macros n Auto – This option feeds paper from a printer-specific tray. n Current – Prints the current page from the location last used. n Envelope Feeder – This option prints using stock from an optional envelope feeder tray. n Envelope Manual – Prints the envelope as manually inserted on the top of the tray. n Lower Tray – Prints using stock from the lower tray.
Supported Printers and Drivers Please refer to the appropriate printer section for the printer specific options, error messages, and other information. Supported Printer Models Loftware supports the following Retail Systems International, Inc. (Pressiza) printer models. Datamax (OEM) Avery/Novexx (OEM) 406+ 512-64 406-400+ 408 F-422 412-64 F-428 610-64 F-438 808-64 F-446 TX408 F-464 XT-10 Related Information Updated printer information is available at Loftware’s Web site, www.loftware.com.
Printronix Information Barcode Label Printers L552 0 P5220 L553 5 SL4M RFID SLPA830 4r SLPA8304r RFID T520 8 SL5204 RFID T520 8r SL5304 RFID T530 4 T5304 RFID SL5304r RFID T530 4r T5304r RFID SL5204r RFID T530 6 SL5306r RFID T530 6r T5306r RFID T530 8 T530 8r T5308r RFID Supported Printer Family Drivers Certain Printronix printers may support the use of other printer languages. The following Printer Family Drivers can be selected with Printronix printers.
Supported Printers and Drivers Interface Cables (Parallel, Serial and USB) Interface Description Parallel Interface (optional interface) Using a standard parallel cable, plug the hardware license key into a LPT parallel port, and connect the cable between the key and the printer. Serial Interface (standard interface) Use an RS232-C null modem cable. The hardware license key is not part of the serial interface since it must always be plugged into a LPT parallel port.
Printronix Information Label Overrides Section Symbol Set Send Options n Use Printer Symbol Set – Label uses settings from Printer Specific Options. n User Defined – Label uses an added CodePage. n Other Symbol Sets (Arabic to Turkish) n Use Printer Setup - Label uses settings from Printer Specific Options (PSO). n No – Overrides any Send Options set in PSO, nothing set. n Yes – Overrides Do Not Send Option in PSO Cutter Enables cutter for this label only.
Supported Printers and Drivers Media Options Section Stock Type (Gap Sense) Media Type (Print Mode) n This option specifies the method used to detect the media top. n Advanced Gap Stock -Media being used has liner gaps between die cut labels with black background. n Advanced Notch Stock – Media being used has notches or holes that interrupt a black vertical line on the underside of the media. n Continuous Stock - Continuous media with no black stripe and no gap is being used.
Printronix Information Forms Control Section Tear Off Pause Count Sets the printer to pause after the specified number of pages. The paper must be completely torn before the printer resumes normal operation. Offline Pause Count Sets the printer to pause (offline) after the specified number of physical pages printed. Send Cut Command Include the cut command in the print stream. Specifies whether the printer ejects the last page of a job if the page is not full.
Supported Printers and Drivers Field Options Section This parameter allows you to print barcode descenders when human readable data is not present in the UPC/EAN barcodes n Always - UPC/EAN barcodes are printed with descenders, even if there is no human readable data. n With HR Enabled - UPC/EAN barcodes are printed with descenders only when the Human Readable text field is enabled.
Printronix Information Advanced Options Section n PPM = Printronix Printer Manager – Printronix version, only works with Printronix printers n PMU = Print Manager Utility – IBM version, only works with IBM printers The PPM/PMU is a program that provides status and control of multiple printers of the associated type on a network. PPM/PMU Don’t Send Options To use this Loftware feature, enter the IP Address of the computer where the PPM/PMU is running, and click the Browse button.
Supported Printers and Drivers Printronix Error Messages Printer turned Off Cable disconnected No stock Print Head up LPT Error message: “Printer not Initialized” No retry allowed Error Message. Lets you retry to Print label. Error Message. Lets you retry so you can print label. Error Message lets you retry so you can print Label. COM Error Message. Lets you retry, label prints. Error Message. Lets you retry, label prints. Error Message. Lets you retry, label prints. Error Message.
SATO Information Supported Printer Models Loftware Supports the following Sato printer models.
Supported Printers and Drivers Related Information Updated printer information is available at Loftware’s Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the Technical Support page. Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the SATO RFID printers. Printer Status If the printer reports that everything is OK, the level of firmware in the printer is displayed. This function can be a useful.
SATO Information Label Cut Options Section Cut Option Cut Interval Use Printer Cut Options Use label Cut Options This determines how frequently labels are cut. Custom Command Section Allows commands not available in LLM to be sent to the printer. Send Command This command instructs Loftware Label Manager when to send the custom command.
Supported Printers and Drivers Label Options Section Selects the Memory Card slot. Memory Slot n None - No memory card is installed. n Slot A - Memory card is installed in location A or 1 in the printer. n Slot B - Memory card is installed in location B or 2 in the printer. When enabled, all label and printer options set are sent to the printer. Disable this option to retain the settings set at your printer. Send Options Note: Some printers refer to slot 1 instead of A; A = 1 and B = 2.
SATO Information Custom Command Section Start, End, and Escape commands (STX, ETX, and ESC) are not required at the start and end of the commands. Example For a base reference point of 10 Horizontal and 10 Vertical, you would only enter the following command: A3H010V001 Press the Send To Printer button to issue command to the printer.
Supported Printers and Drivers Font Name Font Type * 5x9 Dot Font * 8x15 Dot Font * 13x20 Dot Font * OCR-A Dot Font * OCR-B Dot Font * 18x30 Smooth Dot Font * 28x52 Smooth Dot Font * Vector Font Vector / Scalable Font Dot Fonts can be magnified up to 9X horizontally and 9X vertically. The Vector font can be scaled to any size between .05" to 4.88" high.
SATO Information Image Fields Size Limitations Up to ten images or logos can be used on a label. The maximum image sizes that the printer can handle are shown below. The actual size of the images that your printer can handle may be smaller depending on the available memory in the printer.
Supported Printers and Drivers Printer Turned Off Cable Disconnected No Stock Print Head Up COM Error message after the printer is turned back on. Lets you retry, the label prints. Error message after the cable is re-connected. Lets you retry, the label prints. No error message. Once stock is added, all labels print. No error message. Once the print head is put down all labels print. Spooled Locally No Loftware error message. A Windows error message is displayed. Lets you retry, the label prints.
Toshiba TEC Printers Barcode Label Printers B482 BSX8T B492 Loftware supports the following Toshiba TEC RFID printer models. RFID Tag Printers B-SX4 RFID B-SX5 RFID Related Information Updated printer information is available on Loftware’s Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the Technical Support page. See also the Toshiba section for supported Toshiba printers. Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the Toshiba TEC RFID printers.
Supported Printers and Drivers Label Options Section The range of available print speeds in inches per second (IPS) varies with the selected printer type. Note: The printer may use a slower print speed than you specify in order to maintain print quality. Print Speed Print Density Note: The actual maximum value supported by the printer varies among different models & different print speeds. Consult your printer manual for further information.
Toshiba TEC Printers Issue Settings Section Note: When using the LPS, note that each occurrence of a *PrintLabel command constitutes a print request. Designates the number of pieces to be printed before the label is cut. The range is 000 to 100 (no cutting occurs when set at 000) Cut Interval The Cut Interval setting may yield unexpected results if you use a value that is not an even multiple of the Quantity and/or Duplicates value.
Supported Printers and Drivers Fine Position Adjustments Section Use Printer Setup Use the setting from the device Options dialog box. Feed Range is set between –500 to +500 mm. Cut/Stri p Range is between from –500 to +500 mm. Backfee d Range is between from –99 to +99 mm. Graphics Method Section Use Printer Setup This is the default setting and applies the setting selected in the Printer Setup dialog.
Toshiba TEC Printers Media Options Section Stock Type Media Type n Continuous Stock - Continuous media with no black stripe and no gap. n Die Cut Stock - The label-to-label gap is automatically sensed by the transmissive sensor and the paper position is finely adjusted for every piece. n Mark Stock – The black mark provided on the back side of the stock is automatically sensed by the reflective sensor and the paper position is finely adjusted for every piece.
Supported Printers and Drivers Issue Settings Section This designates the number of pieces to be printed before the label is cut. The range is 000 to 100 (no cutting occurs when set at 000). This setting may yield unexpected results if you use a value that is not an even multiple of the Quantity and/or Duplicates value.
Toshiba TEC Printers Custom Command Section This command is sent when printing a label and when clicking Send To Printer. It is sent immediately prior to the buffer clear command. RFID Option Section Tag Positio n This sets the feed amount to adjust the RFID tag position before data is written to it. Tag Position can be adjusted in units of 0.1 mm.
Supported Printers and Drivers Properties Box Symbol Reserved Remap Name DataMatrix QRCODE PostNet ROYALMAIL PostNet KIX Start/Stop Codes The default Start/Stop Codes for Codabar are “A” and “D.” To change the default Start/Stop Code, from Design Mode, choose Options | Preferences, click the + symbol beside the TEC folder, and follow the instructions to the right to customize the Start/Stop Codes. Figure 14.
Windows Printers Error Description Time Out If Loftware times out in the middle of sending a large amount of graphic information (images, TrueType fonts), the printer may be left in a state where it cannot accept any further commands. If this occurs, you must turn the printer off and back on. Try increasing the timeout value for the printer in the Advanced Settings section of the device Connection dialog box.
Supported Printers and Drivers To summarize, configuration settings for a Windows printer apply to printing in the following sequence: 1. If the LSO setting is enabled and valid for the printer, #1 (the Label Level setting) is used to print the label. Otherwise, the Application Level setting is used. 2. If the LSO setting is disabled and the PSO setting is enabled and valid for the printer, #2 (the Application Level setting) is used. Otherwise, the System Level setting is used. 3.
Windows Printers l A label designed for Win Printer 3 with a “2000 Sheet Input Tray” setting, when printed to Win Printer 4, would result in the Paper Source ID value of 259 being set in the print time configuration (Validation step # 3). Windows Printer Options Windows Label Specific Options Label Specific Options can be set for a Windows printer, except when the target printer is the Generic Windows Printer. Leave the settings unchecked if you wish to use Windows Printer settings to print the label.
Supported Printers and Drivers System printer settings apply if PSO or LSO settings are not set for the label. PSO options when set supersede the system settings and will be used to print the label and all labels, unless a label's LSO printer settings are specified. When LSO settings are specified, they will be used to print the specific label.
Zebra Printers ZPL Language Printers EPL Language Printers 140xiIII Plus 160S Loftware supports the following RFID Printer Models RFID Tag Printers R110 PAX3 RFID R110 PAX4 RFID R110XiIIIPlus RFID R110Xi RFID R140 RFID (HF) R170Xi RFID R402 RFID (HF) R4M Plus RFID R2844-Z RFID (HF) Supported Printer Family Drivers Certain Zebra printers may support the use of other printer languages. The following Printer Family Drivers can be selected with Zebra printers.
Supported Printers and Drivers Related Information Updated printer information is available at Loftware’s Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the Technical Support page. Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the Zebra RFID printers. Interface Cables (Parallel, Serial and USB) These printers usually have a serial interface. A parallel interface is available as an option. Generally, newer models support USB, but this may or may not be standard.
Zebra Printers Label Options Section Darkness Darkness allows you to control the darkness of the print. 0 is the nominal setting. Label Top This command moves the entire label format up or down from its current position. Inputting a negative value moves the format toward the top of the label. Inputting a positive number moves the format away from the top of the label. Flip Label 180 Degrees This command prints a label that has been inverted 180 degrees.
Supported Printers and Drivers Field Locations Section Select the location of DataMatrix fields on the label. DataMatrix Field Origin n Use Global Setting - Select to use the setting for Zebra printers set in Options | Preferences. n Use Default Setting - Select to use the default location for DataMatrix fields (top-left). n Use Bottom Left - Select to cause DataMatrix fields to be located on the bottom left corner of the field in relation to the field's true rotation.
Zebra Printers Printer Options Section The Print Mode instruction determines the action the printer takes after a label or group of labels has been printed. There are five different modes of operation: n Cutter - The web separating the printed label and the next blank label to be printed is extended into the cutter mechanism. The label is cut; the blank label is then retracted into the printer so that it can be printed. n Peel Off – After printing, the label is partially separated from the backing.
Supported Printers and Drivers Printer Options Section n Thermal Transfer (Ribbon) - Uses ribbon and nonheat sensitive label stock to print. The print head is activated as the label moves underneath heating the ribbon material and melting it onto the label. To increase the quality of the print decrease/increase the speed and increase/decrease the heat as necessary. n Direct Thermal (No Ribbon) - Uses heat sensitive label stock without the ribbon.
Zebra Printers Printer Options Section Stock Type n Continuous - No gaps or separations between labels. n Non-Continuous – Gap, perforation or separation between each label. n Mark Stock - Black line or mark on the label stock backing. n Web – Perforation, gap, or separation between each label. n Don't Send - The Stock Type instruction is not sent to the printer. Select this option if you want to retain the printer's Stock Type setting.
Supported Printers and Drivers Printer Options Section Ignore Printer Status When this option is enabled, data is sent directly to the printer without checking the printer's status. In this mode, the Loftware Label Manager system does not get messages back from the printer in the event an error occurs. Use ZPL II This function enables the use of ZPL II commands. ZPL II is enabled by default. See the ZPL II Programming Guide for information on commands.
Zebra Printers Option Field Clock Indicator s Set Date/Ti me Set Clock Offset Specify the character(s) that will precede and indicate a time/date value. For example, the default indicator for the primary clock is %. There are no default indicators for the secondary and tertiary clocks. Most printable characters are acceptable except those that conflict with ZPL II commands. Refer to your ZPL II manual (volume 2) for more information.
Supported Printers and Drivers Zebra Label Specific RFID Options Use Label or Printer Options This allows you to use either your settings in the Label Specific Options or those set in the Printer Specific Options. Set Up Options Section Send Setup Options to Printer When checked, the setup options selected on this dialog are used for printing. Tag Type Auto-detect automatically determines the tag type by querying the tag. Select “None” if no tags are available.
Zebra Printers Read Options Section Number of Times to Retry This setting determines the number of times to retry writing to the tag in case of initial failure. The default setting is 0. Enable RFID Motion By default, labels automatically print at the end of the format. When deselected, the label is not moved when it reaches the program position. Note that this setting must be specified for each label; it is not automatically carried over from one label to the next.
Supported Printers and Drivers Write Options Section Number of Times to Retry This setting determines the number of times to retry writing to the tag in case of initial failure. The default setting is 0. Enable RFID Motion By default, labels automatically print at the end of the format. When deselected, the label is not moved when it reaches the program position. Note that this setting must be specified for each label; it is not automatically carried over from one label to the next.
Zebra Printers Capability Description Printed Barcode Does Not Match the Design It is possible to define a combination of attributes, such as line width or ratio, that the printer cannot produce, or might print in one orientation but not another. Under these conditions, the printer may print the closest possible barcode. This usually occurs when you define a barcode with line width 1.
Supported Printers and Drivers 3. Enter the font information in one of the DBCS# Ext Scalable Font fields. Use the following information to construct the font reference. Extended Scalable Font Configuration The following is the structure of the font reference you must enter in the DBCS# Ext Scalable Font field to reference a TTF stored on the printer.
Tag Configuration Reference an FNT: 1,B:MINCHO.FNT,15,B:JIS.DAT,Arial Zebra Error Messages Printer Turned Off Cable Disconnected No Stock Print Head Up LPT Error message. All labels print when the printer is turned back on. Error message. When the printer is reconnected, all labels print. Error message. When the stock is added, all labels print. Error message. When the print head is down, all the labels print. COM Not tested. Not tested. Not tested. Not tested.
Supported Printers and Drivers HF Tag Type TI HF Tag-it TI HF Tag-it ISO 15693 Configurable Data Blocks User data is contained in blocks 0-7. Each block consists of 4 bytes. Supports Lock Tag after Writing and Overflow features. User data is organized into 64 blocks (0 to 63). Each block consists of 4 bytes. RF interface is defined by the ISO 15693 standard. Supports Lock Tag After Writing, Overflow, AFI, and DSFID features. The following UHF tag types are supported by Loftware.
RFID Devices and Tag Types UHF Gen 1 UHF Gen 2 64bit Class 1 96bit Class 1 Avery 6404 RFID X X X X Avery 6405 RFID X X X X Avery 6406 RFID X X X X Avery 6408 RFID X X X X Avery ALX 924 RFID X X X X Avery ALX 925 RFID X X X Avery ALX 926 RFID X X X X Avery DPM 4 RFID X X X X Avery DPM 5 RFID X X X X Avery DPM 6 RFID X X X X Datamax A-4212 RFID X X Datamax A-4310 RFID X X Datamax A-4408 RFID X X Datamax A-4606 RFID X X Datamax A-6212 RFID X X
Supported Printers and Drivers UHF Gen 1 506 UHF Gen 2 64bit Class 1 96bit Class 1 96-bit Class 0+ UCODE EPC 1.
RFID Devices and Tag Types UHF Gen 1 UHF Gen 2 64bit Class 1 96bit Class 1 96-bit Class 0+ UCODE EPC 1.
Supported Printers and Drivers UHF Gen 1 UHF Gen 2 64bit Class 1 96bit Class 1 SATO CL412e RFID X X SATO M8485Se RFID X X TEC B-SX4 RFID X X X TEC B-SX5 RFID X X X Zebra R110 PAX3 RFID X X Zebra R110 PAX4 RFID X X Zebra R110 XiIIIPlus RFID 96-bit Class 0+ UCODE EPC 1.
RFID Devices and Tag Types Philips HF I-Code TI HF TI HF Tag-it Tag- ISO 15693 it Philips HF I-Code ISO 15693 SATO CL408e* X X X X Zebra R140 RFID X Zebra R2844-Z RFID X X X X Zebra R402 RFID X X X X X *The Datamax I-4210 RFID, I-4212 RFID, I-4308 RFID, I-4406 RFID, I-4604 RFID, and the SATO CL408e RFID also support UHF encoding. See Table B-3 below.
Supported Printers and Drivers UHF Class 1 HF Gen 1 Gen 2 UHF Gen 1 510 6 4bit Cl as s1 9 6bit Cl as s1 9 6bit Cl as s 0+ UCO DE EPC 1.1 9 Data max I4406 RFID X X X Data max I4604 RFID X X X SATO CL40 8e X X ISO 180 006B TI Ta g-it ISO 156 93 TI Dal las X X X X X X X X X X X X X Phillip s ICode X Phillips I-Code ISO15 693 TI Ta git Imp inj Mon za X X X Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
Reference Tables The following section contains tables to use as reference when creating labels. l ASCII Code 39 Reference Table l Code 128 Character Sets l Wedge Reader Conversion Chart l IBM ASCII Chart l IBM ASCII Chart Extended l Language Properties Wizard Flowchart References The following sources were referenced for this section. See these sources for more information. http://www.w3schools.com/tags/ref_ascii.asp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASCII http://en.wikipedia.
Reference Tables ASCII – Code39 ASC II CODE3 9 ASC II CODE3 9 ASC II CODE3 9 ASC II CODE39 LF $J * /J J J k +K VT $K + /K K K l +L FF $L , /L L L m +M CR $M - - M M n +N SO $N . .
Code 128 Character Sets Code 128 Character Sets Val ue Code A Code B Code C Val ue Code A Code B Code C Val ue Code A Code B Code C 1 ! ! 01 37 E E 37 73 HT i 73 2 “ “ 02 38 F F 38 74 LF j 74 3 # # 03 39 G G 39 75 VT k 75 4 $ $ 04 40 H H 40 76 FF l 76 5 % % 05 41 I I 41 77 CR m 77 6 & & 06 42 J J 42 78 SO n 78 7 ‘ ‘ 07 43 K K 43 79 SI o 79 8 ( ( 08 44 L L 44 80 DLE p 80 9 ) ) 09 45 M M 45 81
Reference Tables Wedge Reader Conversion Chart DEC KEYBOARD ASCII 0 NUM+ NUL I NUMLOCK SOH 2 SCROLL LOCK STX 3 NUM – [MINUS] ETX 4 INS EOT 5 DEL ENQ 6 SYS REQ ACK 7 N/A BEL 8 ALT GR BS 9 TAB RIGHT HT 10 CAPS LOCK LF 11 TAB LEFT VT 12 ALT FF 13 CR/ENTER CR 14 CTRL SO 15 SHIFT SI 16 F1 DLE 17 F2 DC1 18 F3 DC2 19 F4 DC3 20 F5 DC4 21 F6 NAK 22 F7 SYN 23 F8 ETB 24 F9 CAN 25 F10 EM 26 HOME SUB 27 ESC ESC 514 Loftware Label Ma
IBM ASCII Chart DEC KEYBOARD ASCII 28 PAGE UP FS 29 PAGEDOWN GS 30 PRINT SCREEN RS 31 END US 32 SPACE SP 123 CURSOR UP { 124 CURSOR DOWN | 125 CURSOR LEFT } 126 CURSOR RIGHT ~ 127 DEL BACKSPDEL IBM ASCII Chart Ctrl D ec H ex Ch ar Co de D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar @ 0 00 Null NUL 32 20 SP 64 40 @ 96 60 ` A 1 01 ☺ SOH 33 21 ! 65 41 A 97 61 a B 2 02 ☻ STX 34 22 " 66 42 B 98 62 b C 3 03 ♥ ETX 35
Reference Tables Ctrl D ec H ex Ch ar Co de D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar J 10 0a ◙ LF 42 2a * 74 4a J 10 6 6a j K 11 0b ♂ VT 43 2b + 75 4b K 10 7 6b k L 12 0c ♀ NP 44 2c , 76 4c L 10 6 6c l M 13 0d ♪ CR 45 2d - 77 4d M 10 9 6d m N 14 0e ♫ SO 46 2e .
IBM ASCII Chart (Extended) Ctrl D ec H ex Ch ar Co de D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar / 28 1c └ FS 60 3c < 92 5c \ 12 4 7c ] 29 1d ↔ GS 61 3d = 93 5d ] 12 5 7d } • 30 1e ▲ RS 62 3e > 94 5e ^ 12 6 7e ~ _ 31 1f ▼ US 63 3f ? 95 5f _ 12 7 7f IBM ASCII Chart (Extended) D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar 12 8 80 Ç 16 0 a0 á 19 2 c0 └ 22 4 e0 α 12 9 81 ü 16 1 a1 í 19 3 c1
Reference Tables D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar 13 9 8b ï 17 1 ab ½ 20 3 cb ╦ 23 5 eb δ 14 0 8c î 17 2 ac ¼ 20 4 cc ╠ 23 6 ec ∞ 14 1 8d ì 17 3 ad ¡ 20 5 cd ═ 23 7 ed φ 14 2 8e Ä 17 4 ae « 20 6 ce ╬ 23 8 ee ε 14 3 8f Å 17 5 af » 20 7 cf ╧ 23 9 ef ∩ 14 4 90 É 17 6 b0 ░ 20 8 d0 ╨ 24 0 f0 ≡ 14 5 91 æ 17 7 b1 ▒ 20 9 d1 ╤ 24 1 f1 ± 14 6 92 Æ 17 8 b2 ▓ 21 0 d2 ╥ 24 2 f2 ≥ 14
Language Properties Wizard Flowchart D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar D ec H ex Ch ar 15 7 9d ¥ 18 9 bd ╜ 22 1 dd ▌ 25 3 fd ² 15 8 9e ₧ 19 0 be ╛ 22 2 de ▐ 25 4 fe ■ 15 9 9f ƒ 19 1 bf ┐ 22 3 df ▀ 25 5 ff Language Properties Wizard Flowchart Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
This page intentionally left blank
Sharing Windows Printer Configuration Across LPS Versions In versions 9.5 or later, Windows printers can be configured from the Loftware Label Manager Device Configuration grid. Before Version 9.5, Windows printers could not be configured within Loftware. Clicking on a Windows printer's Options button from the LLM Device Configuration grid would direct you to the Windows Control Panel's Printer dialog.
Sharing Windows Printer Configuration Across LPS Versions 4. Back up these files – copy and paste them to another folder, for example, \9.5 Win_Printer Config Files. The next time you switch back and forth between 9.5 and a pre-9.5 version, simply copy the backed up 9.5 printr32.cfg and the printr32.ini files to the 9.5 Loftware Labeling folder. Note: Windows printer configuration settings that you select from a label's options page (LSO) in Version 9.5 are not affected by version switch-overs.
Importing and Converting Labels Figure 16.2: Selecting the Target Printer and Resolution Note: Loftware Label Manager does not convert graphical images embedded into these hardware data streams. An exception to this is the importing of LLM-DOS labels. Conversion Log There is a file called CONVERT.LOG located in the labels subdirectory of Loftware Label Manager. It contains a history of all the labels that have been imported along with any associated error messages.
This page intentionally left blank
Viewing Application Logs Note: You must purchase and license LPS to use the Loftware Print Server. The following tables list various messages that the LPS posts to the Application Event Log. The log can be accessed from the Start menu: Start | Programs | Administrative Tools | Event Viewer. LPS entries are listed in the Application log. Note: Many of these messages are only visible if Event Logging is enabled in the Logging section of the LPS Configuration Utility.
Viewing Application Logs 526 ID# Loftware Message Explanation 113 User has modified the configuration settings for the Loftware Print Server. Named user has modified settings in LPS Configuration Utility 114 Failed to create scan thread due to low memory resources. System could not allocate the requested resources to create a thread.Check resources, correct, reboot, and retry. 115 Failed to create scan thread. Failure on startup; reboot (power off) and retry.
ID# Loftware Message Explanation 131 Failed to create poll thread due to low memory resources. System could not allocate the requested resources to create a thread. Check resources, correct, reboot, and retry. 132 Cannot access . Possible causes include invalid access rights to the resource or that the named resource does not exist. 133 thread reset due to thread failure. Thread failure 134 Loftware Print Server reset due to severe failure.
Viewing Application Logs 528 ID# Loftware Message Explanation 148 Batch Print reset on reset event. LPS reset 149 Invalid key detected. Loftware Print Server requires an LPS key. Loftware Print Server requires an LPS key. 150 Passed Xml File: to Batch Print Named file passed.
ID# Loftware Message Explanation 172 Batch Print key failure. Retrying. Attempt: , NodeType: LPS is trying to recover from key failure. 173 Batch Print key failure. Recovery failed. Attempts: , NodeType: LPS key failure. 174 LPS is currently running in Emergency Mode. There are Day(s) remaining. Displays Emergency Mode after a key or password failure. Contact Loftware. 175 The LPS was told to shut down by for the following reason:.
Viewing Application Logs 530 ID# Web Listener Message 609 The Loftware Web Listener Failed due to an Unknown Error! 610 The Loftware Web Listener Failed to Login! 611 The Loftware Web Listener Failed to Logout! 612 The Loftware Web Listener Lost Connection! 613 The Loftware Web Listener Re-Logged In! 614 The Loftware Web Listener has Detected a Configuration Change! Restarting Threads...
ID# Loftware Notification Agent Message 414 There are no configured recipients, please configure Loftware Notification Agent before starting! 415 This version of the Loftware Notification Agent has not been successfully installed! Please rerun setup. 418 Failed to initialize socket libraries! 424 Loftware has detected that Hotmail is the default mail client. User interaction is required with Hotmail which will cause the Notification Agent to lock up.
Viewing Application Logs 532 LPS Status Client or Log File Messages Explanation Invalid Device Name used No printer is configured using the alias specified in the job. Could not determine/locate the device number (*PRINTERNUMBER or *PRINTERNAME)! Printer name or printer number is not specified in the pas file. Could not determine/locate the label format (*FORMAT)! Label name is not specified in the pas file. Loftware Label Manager Version 10.1.
