User guide

8
The first step for designing your labels is to decide what
to print the barcode on. A variety of barcode label stock
exists that can withstand any environment. There are two
kinds of barcode label printers. Thermal transfer printers
that work like an ink jet or laser printer by transferring ink
from a ribbon to the label paper (stock). Direct Thermal
printers do not have a ribbon but use heat to print onto a
special label stock. The thermal transfer printers are
more expensive to operate but can print on a wider array
of label stock and the labels last longer in various kinds
of environments. Direct thermal labels are cheaper but
may fade if exposed to friction, heat or direct sunlight.
Most barcode printers will print both thermal transfer and
direct thermal. You want a printer that will do both
because what you are using the label for will determine if
you should use thermal transfer or the direct thermal
labels. You may need both kinds of labels available for
printing.
For all kinds of organizations, you may want to consider using the cheaper direct
thermal labels for identifying individual items because you will put them on the
packaging of items that will be discarded by the consumer or on item tags used
to identify the item at removal time. Use the cheaper label stock when it will be
used and discarded. It is often cheaper to reprint a few labels on the cheaper
stock if one label is damaged than to use the more expensive stock. You should
label your warehouse locations with labels that will last and can take some abuse
because you don’t want to have to continually reprint and replace these labels.
If your labels contain information you want to be permanent, such as
serial numbers, you s hould use thermal transfer labels on a high
quality label stock or, perhaps, polypropoline and a resin ribbon. The
importance of the label will determine what stock it is printed on. A
serial number that you use for returns or contract maintenance
needs to be readable for a long time.
If your labels will be exposed to heat because of the device they are
attached to or through exposure to the sun you should use thermal
transfer labels. For most locations in a fleet vehicle you should use
thermal transfer.
If the majority of your labels are disposable any cheap s tock will work
fine. Often the major issue is how to apply the label to the item so
that the scanner can read the barcode. Make sure the barcode is
attached to a flat surface in a place where it will not get scratched or
damaged.
Figure 5