The use of barcodes is prevalent in every product-related industry, we use it on items, packages, etc. From the start to the end of the supply chain, you can see the use of barcodes. These little labels provide users with advanced tracking & identification abilities for these products. So, as a barcode user, how will you achieve high-quality barcode label printing outputs? Luckily, that is precisely what we will discuss today.
So, let’s discuss some tips for achieving high-quality results for barcode printing.
What is Barcode Label Printing?
Ever wondered how barcodes are made? Well, it’s simple, they are printed using special printers. We use custom-made barcode labels and use printers to design barcodes on them. The labels can be made of a variety of substances, like – Paper, Polyester, Polyimide, Polypropylene, and Vinyl. The printer is connected to a computer that uses barcode software to create a list of customized barcodes.
Types of Barcode Label Printing
There are two primary methods of creating/printing barcodes on labels. These are Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Printing. Direct thermal refers to the process, where we use a label that has a layer of photochromatic substance on one side. The heating pinheads inside the printhead heat the paper in certain sections/patterns. The heat activates the photochromatic layer and changes its color, creating the barcode.
With Thermal Transfer Printing, we use two separate components and put them into the printer. This process uses a roll of labels and another roll of thermal transfer/barcode ribbon. As discussed above, the label can be made of a variety of materials. The ribbon consists of a thin film made of PET/Polyester, with a dyed layer of wax/resin on one side. The printer presses the label and ribbon together firmly, with the coated side in contact with the label surface. The printhead then heats the backside of the ribbon, transferring the heat to the coating & melting it. The melted coating imprints on the label and creates a barcode.
Things to Remember to Achieve High-Quality Barcode Labels
Now that you know the basics of barcode printing, let’s jump to the main subject. There are certain things that you need to keep in mind before a barcode printing operation, to ensure a high-quality outcome.
Application of the Barcodes
Barcodes are widely used for AIDC purposes in a variety of industries. Therefore, there are many types of labels and printing techniques available that provide unique properties to the barcodes, like durability, sharpness, flexibility, etc. So, the first thing you need to keep in mind is where and how you want to use the barcode. For example, polyester labels provide excellent protection against extreme weather, dust, water, and abrasions. Thus, making it good for use in outdoor and electrical applications, like water pumps.
Possibility of Customization
Most barcodes we see are plain representations of black and white lines. However, it is possible to get them in custom color coding, at your discretion? Custom barcode designs also provide a nice aesthetic addition to your product and make your customers feel that they are dealing with a premium brand. However, make sure that there is proper contrast between the colors to make the barcode readable by the scanner.
Factors that Affect Scannability
Barcodes require a visual line-of-sight to work, making visual clarity a very essential aspect of this technology. There are several factors that can affect the scannability of a barcode, that you need to keep in your mind.
1. Improper contrast levels between the colors can lead to the scanner not being able to detect the difference in the bars.
2. The sharper the print, the clearer it becomes. Depending on a scanner’s sensitivity, a dull barcode can lead to errors in reading.
3. The size of the code is also an important factor, based on the DPI of a printer, you have a limited range of barcode sizes you can print, making condensed barcodes impossible.
4. Keep in mind the height-to-width ratio of your barcodes, too much change in this ratio can make the barcode difficult to read.
5. Make sure to keep your equipment and hands clean, smudges and marks on the labels can damage the scannability of a barcode.
6. Place is another important aspect of barcode application, make sure to place the barcode in a place that is easily accessible to the scanner.
Proper Configuration of Printer & Software
There are a variety of printer types available with different sizes and specifications, similarly, there are also many different software that allows users to use the printer. Depending on factors like label size, printing volume, color options, printing method, etc, you will want to choose specific printers. In addition, before printing, you need to configure the printer and software with the proper parameters for printing.
Make Test Samples
Lastly, before initiating mass printing, users should first print a couple of samples to check if the print outputs are acceptable. If they are, then start the printing, and if they aren’t then reconfigure the settings until you get the desirable print.
Conclusion
Barcodes help users identify the product group of items and provide excellent asset identification and tracking capabilities. As discussed above, there are diverse options for barcode solutions to pick from that best suit your purpose. So, check out the blog above, to learn all the things you need to remember to achieve high-quality barcodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the best resolution for a barcode?
Ans - Generally, 200 DPI is considered to be an acceptable resolution for barcode printing. However, if you can, go for a 300 DPI printer, as that is usually considered the best resolution for barcodes when compared to the readability-cost ratio.
Q2. How do I print my own barcode labels?
Ans - It is actually quite easy to print custom barcodes by yourself. All you need is a barcode printer, you can choose from a handheld, desktop, or industrial printer, based on your requirement. The next thing you need is barcode-creating software and the printer driver, both of which are freely available on the internet. And voila! You can now print barcodes. However, we still suggest you prefer a professional AIDC solution provider, if you are using these for medium to large-scale commercial purposes.
Q3. Can you use a regular printer to print barcode labels?
Ans -Technically? Yes, you can use even a simple inkjet printer to create barcode labels. However, these printers treat a barcode as an entire image, the black bars and the spaces in between, this increases the size of the barcode image. This reduces the print speed and efficiency of printing. So, it is better to just invest in a desktop barcode printer, as it provides you greater functionality & returns in the long run.
Disclaimer: The information presented here is for general information purposes only and true to best of our understanding. Users are requested to use any information as per their own understanding and knowledge. Before using any of the information, please refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
