Label & Barcode FAQs
BRS has created a whole page on our wesbite to help resolve any confusion about the type of label and barcode symbology you are purchasing and that you need. So here are some good questions and rules of thumb to look out for:
http://www.thinkbrs.com/Label-FAQ.html (you can also view these questions from this link)
What are Thermal Transfer Paper Labels?
» Paper labels are the most common type, as well as the least expensive type of label for your thermal transfer printer.
» This label will tear.
» Wax ribbon is used to print on a paper label, or wax/resin for certain applications.
» Very economical.
» Application – shipping(used on shipping boxes), price tags, inventory tags, and other indoor applications
What are Thermal Transfer Polypropylene Labels?
» Polypropylene is also known by the brand name of Kimdura®.
» This material is resistant to moisture tearing, dirt and grease.
» Wax and wax/resin ribbons are used to print on polypropylene labels.
» Applications – identification and bar coding for warehouse shelf and bin labels. What are Thermal Transfer Polyester Labels?
» Polyester is more durable than polypropylene.
» Can withstand higher temperatures and has superior abrasion resistance vs. polypropylene.
» Glossy finish.
» Resin ribbon is used to print on a polyester label.
» Applications – Serial Plate Labels, Rack Labels, Motor Engine Labels, anything that requires many years of performance without fading, cracking or peeling from the item.
What other manmade / synthetic materials are there?
Vinyl – soft, flexible, commonly used for outdoor applications
Polystyrene – rigid, brittle, inexpensive, used for window envelopes
Polyolefin – economical, comes in various finishes
Kapton – expensive, with stands up to 500 degree temperatures, commonly used on circuit boards
Retro-Reflective – has glass embedded into the material, reflects light, commonly used for warehouse signs in order to read barcodes from great distances
What is a Tag?
Paper or Synthetic Tag stock that does not have an adhesive
Synthetic Tags are tear resistant, moisture resistant
Often used in lumber yards & on wine barrels as an identifier tag
Can be stapled to wood
Application – tags are stapled or wired to items that are greasy, oily or the surface is porous.
What are some of my other options?
Custom adhesives are available on a selection of our products (freezer grade, removable, aggressive)
Piggyback labels.
What is the difference between thermal transfer and direct thermal printing?
The main difference is direct thermal printing does not use a ribbon. A direct thermal label has a special heat sensitive coating on top of the substrate material. The print head activates the heat sensitive coating on this material forming a black image.
-Thermal transfer printing uses a ribbon from which ink is transferred under heat and pressure to the substrate material. The color and other characteristics of the imprint can be changed by changing ribbons.
How does DIRECT THERMAL printing differ from Thermal Transfer?
-
Direct Thermal Labels do NOT require a ribbon.
-
Direct Thermal is used primarily in applications in which the label life is short, i.e. retail labels.
-
Direct thermal labels can cost 30-35% more per label, however there is no ribbon cost.
-
Direct thermal labels are not recommended for applications in which there is prolonged exposure to UV, fluorescent, sunlight or heat.
-
Direct thermal offers fewer options in label materials than thermal transfer.
What are inner and outer diameters?
The inner and outer diameter tell us the label roll size. The inner diameter is measured by the core, top to bottom. The outer is measured from the outside edge of the roll, top to bottom.
Why print your own custom labels?
Thermal printing allows for printing “on demand”. Some of the benefits are:
» Labels can be customized with variable information – can contain such things as your customer’s purchase order, date of manufacture or sequential numbers(1,2,3,etc.).
» Reduces the inventory of labels needed – no need to stock numerous specific labels when they can be printed on demand.
» Reduces waste due to obsolescence – the same labels can be used for each product version – just change the variable information.
Typical applications include:
» Compliant labeling (major retailers, AIAG auto, UPC barcoding, etc.)
» Shipping labels
» Inventory tracking labels with barcodes
» Retail pricing labels – Point of Sale system labeling requirements
» Ingredient labeling – Keep up with the changes in the list of ingredients.
What do I need to get started?
BRS sells all the hardware and software, as well as the technical support that is needed, whether it’s a light-duty desk top printer or a heavy-duty industrial printer. Regardless of the application, the basic components are usually the same. Here’s what is needed:
1) A thermal printer
2) A PC compatible computer (XP or greater)
3) Label creation software
4) Cables to connect the printer to the computer
5) Labels
6) Thermal transfer ribbons
Barcode FAQs: http://www.thinkbrs.com/Barcode-FAQ.html
Click on a question and learn more about Barcodes.
» What is a barcode?
» What types are there?
» What’s a barcode scanner?
» What are the benefits of using barcodes?
» Are there specs and standards?
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What is a barcode?
Barcodes (bar codes) are machine-readable symbols used to store bits of data. Barcodes are used for identification, tracking, inventory, and as part of retail point of sale (POS) systems. Barcodes are used everywhere in the modern world and are there if you look for them (though most of us ignore them altogether).
What types are there?
There are different types of barcodes known as barcode symbologies. Different symbologies are used by different vertical markets. An example is the UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode scanned at the cash register. Some symbologies are fixed length, others variable length; some are numeric-only and others are alphanumeric (letters and numbers).
What’s a barcode scanner?
Barcode scanners are optical or laser devices that read and decode barcodes. They interpret the varying widths of bars and stripes or the matrix patterns then transmit the data within the barcode. Most scanners can read most barcode symbologies. They auto-discriminate or “read” based on each symbology’s unique start and stop bar patterns at the beginning and end of the symbol. Many barcodes include a check digit to verify that the barcode number is correct.
What are the benefits of using barcodes?
Barcodes enable automated work processes without human intervention. Auto ID technology like barcodes is often called keyless data entry. Barcodes are fast and accurate, never dyslexic. The use of barcodes eliminates many errors and often saves time and money.
Are there specs and standards?
Various standards bodies regulate the use of barcodes. Some standards describe physical characteristics (shape, size, data structure, character set, etc.) while others describe how barcodes are used in context (shipping standards, labeling standards, etc.) The important thing is that everyone who creates or scans a barcode agrees beforehand.
Vinyl – soft, flexible, commonly used for outdoor applications
Polystyrene – rigid, brittle, inexpensive, used for window envelopes
Polyolefin – economical, comes in various finishes
Kapton – expensive, with stands up to 500 degree temperatures, commonly used on circuit boards
Retro-Reflective – has glass embedded into the material, reflects light, commonly used for warehouse signs in order to read barcodes from great distances
Paper or Synthetic Tag stock that does not have an adhesive
Synthetic Tags are tear resistant, moisture resistant
Often used in lumber yards & on wine barrels as an identifier tag
Can be stapled to wood
Application – tags are stapled or wired to items that are greasy, oily or the surface is porous.
Custom adhesives are available on a selection of our products (freezer grade, removable, aggressive)
Piggyback labels.
The main difference is direct thermal printing does not use a ribbon. A direct thermal label has a special heat sensitive coating on top of the substrate material. The print head activates the heat sensitive coating on this material forming a black image.
-Thermal transfer printing uses a ribbon from which ink is transferred under heat and pressure to the substrate material. The color and other characteristics of the imprint can be changed by changing ribbons.
How does DIRECT THERMAL printing differ from Thermal Transfer?
Direct Thermal Labels do NOT require a ribbon.
Direct Thermal is used primarily in applications in which the label life is short, i.e. retail labels.
Direct thermal labels can cost 30-35% more per label, however there is no ribbon cost.
Direct thermal labels are not recommended for applications in which there is prolonged exposure to UV, fluorescent, sunlight or heat.
Direct thermal offers fewer options in label materials than thermal transfer.
The inner and outer diameter tell us the label roll size. The inner diameter is measured by the core, top to bottom. The outer is measured from the outside edge of the roll, top to bottom.
Thermal printing allows for printing “on demand”. Some of the benefits are:
» Labels can be customized with variable information – can contain such things as your customer’s purchase order, date of manufacture or sequential numbers(1,2,3,etc.).
» Reduces the inventory of labels needed – no need to stock numerous specific labels when they can be printed on demand.
» Reduces waste due to obsolescence – the same labels can be used for each product version – just change the variable information.
» Compliant labeling (major retailers, AIAG auto, UPC barcoding, etc.)
» Shipping labels
» Inventory tracking labels with barcodes
» Retail pricing labels – Point of Sale system labeling requirements
» Ingredient labeling – Keep up with the changes in the list of ingredients.
BRS sells all the hardware and software, as well as the technical support that is needed, whether it’s a light-duty desk top printer or a heavy-duty industrial printer. Regardless of the application, the basic components are usually the same. Here’s what is needed:
1) A thermal printer
2) A PC compatible computer (XP or greater)
3) Label creation software
4) Cables to connect the printer to the computer
5) Labels
6) Thermal transfer ribbons
Click on a question and learn more about Barcodes.
» What is a barcode?
» What types are there?
» What’s a barcode scanner?
» What are the benefits of using barcodes?
» Are there specs and standards?
What is a barcode?
Barcodes (bar codes) are machine-readable symbols used to store bits of data. Barcodes are used for identification, tracking, inventory, and as part of retail point of sale (POS) systems. Barcodes are used everywhere in the modern world and are there if you look for them (though most of us ignore them altogether).
What types are there?
There are different types of barcodes known as barcode symbologies. Different symbologies are used by different vertical markets. An example is the UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode scanned at the cash register. Some symbologies are fixed length, others variable length; some are numeric-only and others are alphanumeric (letters and numbers).
What’s a barcode scanner?
Barcode scanners are optical or laser devices that read and decode barcodes. They interpret the varying widths of bars and stripes or the matrix patterns then transmit the data within the barcode. Most scanners can read most barcode symbologies. They auto-discriminate or “read” based on each symbology’s unique start and stop bar patterns at the beginning and end of the symbol. Many barcodes include a check digit to verify that the barcode number is correct.
What are the benefits of using barcodes?
Barcodes enable automated work processes without human intervention. Auto ID technology like barcodes is often called keyless data entry. Barcodes are fast and accurate, never dyslexic. The use of barcodes eliminates many errors and often saves time and money.
Are there specs and standards?
Various standards bodies regulate the use of barcodes. Some standards describe physical characteristics (shape, size, data structure, character set, etc.) while others describe how barcodes are used in context (shipping standards, labeling standards, etc.) The important thing is that everyone who creates or scans a barcode agrees beforehand.
There are different types of barcodes known as barcode symbologies. Different symbologies are used by different vertical markets. An example is the UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode scanned at the cash register. Some symbologies are fixed length, others variable length; some are numeric-only and others are alphanumeric (letters and numbers).
Barcode scanners are optical or laser devices that read and decode barcodes. They interpret the varying widths of bars and stripes or the matrix patterns then transmit the data within the barcode. Most scanners can read most barcode symbologies. They auto-discriminate or “read” based on each symbology’s unique start and stop bar patterns at the beginning and end of the symbol. Many barcodes include a check digit to verify that the barcode number is correct.
Barcodes enable automated work processes without human intervention. Auto ID technology like barcodes is often called keyless data entry. Barcodes are fast and accurate, never dyslexic. The use of barcodes eliminates many errors and often saves time and money.
Various standards bodies regulate the use of barcodes. Some standards describe physical characteristics (shape, size, data structure, character set, etc.) while others describe how barcodes are used in context (shipping standards, labeling standards, etc.) The important thing is that everyone who creates or scans a barcode agrees beforehand.
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