BookmarkAll About Barcode Label Printers
Universal product code indeed!
You should be excited about barcodes
While some have characterized barcodes as a symbol of the evils of the modern world, quite the opposite is actually true. Barcodes have been used in inventory tracking as a means of making stocking and delivery less about the intuition of employees and more about real world demand. This also reduces the tedium that was once involved in the vagaries of tracking merchandise sales from season to season. Theft is also reduced which lowers the cost of every item in a store.
How these wonderful labels work
The data on the barcode acts as a prompt that when scanned brings up a file of information that is configured by the individual businesses that stock the product. This technology is widely used for applications one may not expect. NASA uses barcodes to track and replace the heat tiles that are in need of replacement after each mission. Researchers use tiny barcodes to track bees while airlines utilize them for tracking luggage.
Types of barcode label printers
There are two types of barcode printers that are prevalent and in use today. The first being direct thermal, these are best used in temporary applications such as retail shops. Direct thermal offers a cheap per-label price because they lack a toner ribbon used in the printer. Instead, they use coated label paper that forms the print image when heat is applied. The other type is thermal transfer, which operates in the same way as most PC printers. These offer a more permanent label and are used in applications that require the label be used over long periods of time or in harsh environments.
You may also choose to use a regular home computer for producing barcodes. If you already own a LaserJet or an InkJet printer you are ready to go. The labels are of the thermal transfer variety and offer the convenience of using materials that you already have. All that is needed is specialized software and label paper.
Who offers what?
Most of the top brands - Zebra, Sato, Datamax, Intermec, Dymo, Eltron - offer both direct thermal and thermal transfer label printers. Pick that which suits your application. Keep in mind, though, that you may want to choose thermal transfer if you find yourself needing labels for both short and long term applications.
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