User guide
Chapter 4: Design labels
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Break marks
Break marks are character-based objects that you print on a label. They signal
your mail room staff to, for example, start a new package, container (sack or
tray), or pallet.
Levels of break marks When your mailroom staff sees a label with break marks on it, they have to
determine which kind of break it signifies. Label Studio allows three levels of
break marks: level 1, level 2, and level 3.
For example, you may want to use these to signify the beginning or end of a
package, container (sack or tray), and pallet.
You can denote the level of break by either choosing a different character for each
level of break (for example, $ for pallet breaks, % for container breaks, and @ for
package breaks) or by choosing a different layout for each level of break. You can
also use a combination of those methods.
Types of break marks Many of the predefined design files come with a break mark placed in the layout.
There are two types of break marks: Clear Channel and Gated Scan. Which one of
these you use depends on what kind of machinery you might use to read your
break marks. These break marks can look exactly the same; however, the
placement of the break mark is different.
Clear Channel
A clear channel break mark is usually placed
outside the USPS address block. This ensures
that the reader for reading the break mark has a
“clear channel” for looking for the break mark.
No address information is above or below the
break mark. You will need to put the address
information into its own frame to accomplish
this.
One break mark
#1125********************CAR-RT-SORT**C-054
#114A/868736/DOE4#
JOHN SMITH P395 ###
BUSINESS OBJECTS T39 ###
100 HARBORVIEW PLAZA ###
LA CROSSE WI 54601-4071
Base layer
Frame & USPS
Address block
Base layer & USPS Address block