How to Choose a Label Printer

Labels are used to track the products from packages to items in a store. Based on the individual interests in labeling, there are a variety of materials, printing technology, and size options available.
While thermal direct paper labels printed with scales are effective for short term use, the special labels from acrylic material printed thermal transfer are a much better solution for applications which require durability, such as electronic circle.
To decide easier on what sort of media you should print on, you have to know:

• What exactly are you going to use the labels for?
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• What is the durability of the label that you need?
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• On what surface and in what environment will be used the label?

After answering these questions, you have to choose the material type: paper, foil or polyester, security ( special ) material and textile. The type of materials can be self adhesive and non adhesive.

Self adhesive

The most commonly used barcode and label media are the paper labels because of their simplicity, flexibility, and ease of use. The foil, polyester, security and textile materials are specific for the different industries.

Non adhesive

Such materials are without adhesive layer. They may be produced from different materials. Can be printed thermal transfer and direct thermal, find application in different areas:
Parking tickets, cultural events, flowers, bracelets of hospitalisation, water parks, concerts and more.

Printing Technology

Direct Thermal

Thermal printing (direct thermal printing) is a printing process which produces a printed image by selectively heating coated thermal paper. When the paper passes over the thermal print head the coating turns black in the areas where it is heated, to create the image.
It’s easy and cheap to operate with direct thermal printers as they don’t require thermal ribbons. This printers are ideal for scales, transport labels, boarding card, for short time applications. They aren’t suitable, when the labels are for a prolonged period of time.

Thermal Transfer

Thermal transfer printing is a process in which printing is carried out with the thermal transfer ribbon. This print is not affected by the weather or other external factors. Depending on what material will be used and for what purposes the ribbons can be wax, wax-resin, resin. Thermal transfer printers are used to print a long series of labels with high quality and resolution. These printers are appropriate in different jewellery shops, small grocery shops to large manufacturing plants. Thermal transfer print is a great option in electronics, cosmetics and everywhere when it’s required a quality printing.

Dot Matrix

Dot matrix printing technology is an outdated technology. When it is used print head that moves back and forth. The print head has an ink-soaked ribbon by which impact is transferred to the paper prints. Nowadays this technology is used rarely.

Ink-Jet

Inkjet technology is a modern printing technology. It creates a colour digital image of small droplets of ink onto paper or other material. This type of printing is becoming more common for printing of labels in full colour short series of high quality.

How to Find Label Printer

To choose the right printer you need to know:
– What media do you use?
Paper, foil, polyester labels, endless rolls, transparent labels, tickets, etc.
– What is the correct printing technology suitable for your needs?
Direct thermal or thermal transfer printing technology
– What is the monthly quantity that you are going to print?
1000, 20 000, 500 000

The label printers are divided in groups – portable, desktop, industrial.

Portable – these printers are used for printing labels everywhere in any time. Connectivity can be via Wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB. Find great application in shipping.
Desktop printers are the most commonly used and they are not intended for large loads. These printers are compact and suitable for places with limited space.
Industrial – these printers are designed for heavy loads, their speed of printing is higher than the desktop ones. In most models they are combined and maintain direct thermal and thermal transfer printing technology.

Choosing the Right Barcode Scanner and Mobile Terminal

Nowadays the use of barcodes is becoming a great application in everyday life, so barcode readers and mobile terminal become an integral part of our daily lives. To choose the right barcode reader or a mobile terminal is required to determine your specific needs:

–           Where will you use the scanner or terminal?

–           What type of barcode will you be reading?

–           Should it be an  anti-shock?

–           What do you prefer handheld or cordles?

Knowing how to use the scanner will help you choose what type of scanner, form factor and other options that you will need. Understanding each of these issues and factors will help you find the right barcode reader or mobile terminal.

Barcode Scanner Engine Types

Barcode is an optical representation of data relating to the object to which it is attached. Initially barcodes were linear or one-dimensional (1D) that is consistently presented to the data lines arranged in parallel with a different width and spacing. With the development of technology, barcodes are also evolving. Gradually, they go in different geometric shapes in 2D dimension (2D).

Therefore, one of the most important things you need to know of when choosing a suitable scanner is the type of scanner engine. This depends on the type of bar code that will be read. There are three main types of engines to scan.

Laser

Laser scanners with laser diode are well known to consumers. They use red diode which reads the reflectance of the black and white spaces in the barcode. These scanners can read barcode from a few centimetres to several meters. These scanners can only read 1D barcodes.

Linear imager

Linear imager scanners are like Laser scanners they can also read only 1D barcodes. But they do not read the reflected laser light and make a picture of the image and then transmit the necessary information. These scanners are very good in reading of damaged / corrupted barcodes. The price is the same as the laser scanner.

2D imager

2D imager scanners are used as linear camera which is 2D. This camera captures the image and then analyse it. The difference in these linear scanners is that they can read all 1D barcodes and 2D barcodes. Another great advantage of these scanners is that it doesn’t matter the orientation of the barcode reading. In 1D and laser must be horizontal on the indicators. 2D imager are hurried times reading codes. Nowadays, 2D barcodes are increasingly wide application in The different verify production.

Form Factor

If you know already what scanner you will need, the next step you need to do is choose what form factor will be.

There are five basic form factors for scanners and each has its advantages.

Handheld

These are the most commonly used scanners and are very easy to use. Direct a barcode scanner to pull the trigger. There are variants scanner is placed on a stand then goes into automatic mode (hands-free). These scanners can be in the wireless version (Bluеtoоth, Radio Star) for those options to avoid cables and the user has greater mobility.

Presentation

These scanners are stationary with Wide area of ​​reading and always in handsfree. Most commonly found on desks in stores for FMCG. Barcode scanner is available to and shall be read automatically.

Mobile Computer

Mobile computing gives us complete freedom. In their computer and scanner in one device. Scan these devices retain data in memory or via a wireless or cellular connection transfer information. These devices are the best solution applications that require full mobility.

In-counter

In counter scanners are similar to the performance scanners are designed for installation, most of these scanners come with a scale. They are used in large supermarkets.

Fixed Mount

This type of scanner is designed for large production with production lines for complete automation. These scanners trigger by external sensors or controllers. In these models the accuracy and speed of reading are very important.

Right Scanner for you

If after all this information, you are wondering what is the right scanner for you ,do not hesitate to contact us, we will gladly assist you.