Technical information

All direct thermal and thermal transfer materials do not have the same Print
Darkness requirements. The best way to check for the proper Print Darkness is
to use a bar code verifier that actually measures bars/spaces and calculates the
PCS ratio. Without the assistance of a verifier, your eyes and/or the scanner to
be used in the system, are the best bet for picking the optimum print darkness
setting. On the next page is a simple yet effective method for adjusting the print
darkness to print in spec bar codes. Examples are illustrated on the next page.
Overly Dark - Overly Dark labels are fairly obvious. The normal bar code
bars increase in size, and the openings in small alphanumeric characters may fill
in with ink. It may be readable but not in spec. Rotated bar code bars and spaces
will run together.
Slightly Overly Dark - Slightly overly dark labels are not as obvious.
The normal bar code will be in spec. Small character alphanumerics will be bold
and could be slightly filled in. The rotated bar code spaces are small when
compared to the in spec code, possibly making the code unreadable.
Slightly Overly Light - Slightly overly light labels are, in some cases,
preferred to slightly overly dark for in spec bar codes. Both normal and rotated
bar codes will be in spec, but small alphanumeric characters may not be
complete.
Overly Light - Overly Light labels are very obvious. Both normal and
rotated bar codes have incomplete bars and spaces. Small alphanumeric
characters are unreadable.
In Spec - The in spec bar code can only be confirmed by a verifier, but it
should exhibit some very visible characteristics. The normal bar code will have
complete, even bars and clear, distinct spaces. The rotated bar code will also
have complete bars and clear distinct spaces. Although it may not look as good
as a slightly overly dark bar code, it will be in spec. In both normal and rotated
styles, small alphanumeric characters will look complete.
44868L 8-3