Barcode Label Printer Selection Guide

1. Introduction of Barcode Label Printer (Labeler)

The label is part of the product's logo and is an indispensable and important symbol of a qualified product. In today's increasingly fierce market competition, unsatisfactory labeling has become a barrier for some countries to hinder the entry of products from other countries into their own countries, and the important role of labels can be seen. Labels have also become one of the conditions for products to enter the international market.

Bar code label printers (label machines), also known as barcode printers, clothing hangtag printers, and envelope printers, are printing devices that are capable of printing a large number of fast labels, PET labels, hangtags, and wash cloths. It has been widely used in various aspects of production and life, such as: supermarkets, government departments, manufacturing companies, logistics and so on.

Bar code machine (can adapt to the different needs of production and life, according to the different circumstances of each company to print a variety of different sizes of labels. Easy to use, you can print a single sheet, you can also print in batches, completely controlled by the user. Is the company indispensable One of the production tools.

2. Barcode label printer (labeler) features

Bar code label printer (label machine) is a special printer. The contents it prints are generally the enterprise's brand identity, serial number identification, packaging identification, bar code identification, envelope label, and clothing tag. In addition to the printing capabilities of an ordinary printer, it has the following advantages:

1. Industrial quality, not limited by the amount of print, can be printed in 24 hours;

2. It is not limited by the printing material, and can print PET, copperplate paper, thermal paper stickers, and polyester, PVC and other synthetic materials and washed fabrics;

3. The characters and graphics printed by the thermal transfer method have scratch-proof effect, and the use of special ribbon printing can also make the printed products have the characteristics of waterproof, anti-fouling, anti-corrosion, high temperature resistance and the like;

4. Extremely fast print speeds up to 10 inches (24 cm) per second;

5. Serial serial number can be printed, connected to the database batch print;

6. The label paper is generally several hundred meters long and can reach thousands to tens of thousands of small labels; the printer adopts a continuous printing method, which is easier to save and organize;

7. Not restricted by the working environment;

8. Single label up to 120 cm

3. The difference between barcode label printers and laser printers

At present, there are two ways to print bar code labels (bar code stickers): Bar code label printer printing methods and software with laser printers. Both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages, and each has its ideal application. Here's a comparison of the two methods.

Use a barcode label printer (label machine) to print:

Barcode label printer printing is a traditional barcode printing method. Barcode label printers are special-purpose devices that typically have thermal and thermal transfer printing methods, using special label sheets and ribbons. Barcode label printers can print fast special materials (PVC, etc.), and can extend the functions of external cutters. However, they are expensive, require complicated maintenance, and are suitable for professional users who need to make large numbers of labels.

At present, the brand and model of barcode printers operated by Zhoukou Hairun Technology are as follows:

TSC barcode printer (TSC TTP 243e, TSC TTP342), godex barcode printer (godex barcode printer, godex ez1100, godex ez1300)

Use barcode labels (barcode stickers) to design printing software and laser printers:

Using an ordinary printer with special barcode labels (barcode stickers) to design printing software is another way to make barcode labels (barcode stickers). This method can achieve a multi-purpose machine, and the laser printer has high precision, strong graphics performance, and can print color labels. However, it has a slower print speed and less printable material. The main barcode printing software includes Label matrix CODESOFT, BARONE, and Beijing Chengcheng Labeling Software (JCDL). Use the printing software that SiXun software brings, work efficiency is higher, more convenient!

Software mode and printer mode selection:

According to the above comparison, the two have their own advantages and disadvantages, which apply to different occasions:

Where a large number of labels need to be printed, especially where the factory requires a large amount of printing in a short period of time and requires special labels (such as PVC materials, waterproof materials), where it is required to be used immediately (such as ticket office, etc.), a bar code label printer should be selected. .

In places where labels are less printed and where they are mostly printed at once (eg, in a library), laser printing should be chosen.

In some small shopping malls, small factories, etc., both options are available.

In other words, if you often print large numbers of labels, or have special requirements for labels, and your financial resources allow, you should choose barcode label printers (label machines); if your labels do not print much, you don’t want financial resources. Too much money, you should choose a laser printer. Using software and laser printing methods, not only can you meet the needs of your barcode labels (barcode stickers), but also use it to make business cards, badges, and print letter signs.

4. How to choose the right label barcode printer

Many companies are not familiar with bar code label printers. They often do not know how to choose when selecting bar code label printers. How do users choose the bar code label printers that their companies use? Here, how to choose a printer? The customer provides several basis. When selecting a barcode label printer, you should consider the following issues:

1. The number of prints:

If you need to print more than 1,000 labels per day, you will need a rugged, high-density industrial-grade printer with a metal case, such as SATO CL408e/412e, CL608e/612e, and more. For a smaller number of prints, a desktop personal printer series such as the CT-400/410 can be used.

2. The size of the tag:

A typical bar code printer can print a 4" X6" tag, which is in line with the current shipping label specifications. You can also flexibly print out labels of different sizes according to your needs. If you want to print wider labels, choose the CL608e/CL612e. The supermarket is generally used to print the price tag and barcode paper, so you can choose a TSC TTP or GODEX G printer in the supermarket!

3. The content of the tag:

If you only need to print bar codes and text, a general bar code label printer is sufficient. However, if you need to print different barcodes (such as product number) or text (such as shipping labels) for each label and do not want to stop printing halfway, you will need a printer with a 32-bit processor, which can greatly improve the Productivity.

4. The quality of the label:

The print resolution of the label printer is generally divided into 203dpi, 300dpi, and 600dpi; the larger the value of dpi, the better the printing effect. If you want to print high-quality images on labels, consider using a 300dpi printhead.

5. Print speed:

Different models of printers have different print speeds, depending on the speed requirements of the user. General bar code label printers (labellers) print at speeds of 2"-6"/sec per second, while higher speed bar code label printers (such as M8400RVe) can print at speeds of up to 10"/sec. To make a large number of labels, you should use a high-speed barcode label printer.

6. Application in different industries:

The bar code printers used on the production line or in the warehouse should choose a model with a metal case, such as the SATO408e/412e; while at the point of sale or office, a desktop personal printer series such as the CT-400/410 can be selected because The space required is less, and it is easy to move; if it is a garment processing type enterprise, it is better to choose XL400E/410E. This type of code printer is specially designed for clothing production enterprises.

5. How to extend the life of the print head of a barcode label printer (tag machine)

The print head is the most fragile and vulnerable device in the printer. It is a consumable product like a car and will eventually be damaged. However, constant attention to maintenance can extend the life of the print head.

Pre-maintenance

For best results, print heads need to be cleaned every time a roll of ribbon or roll of thermal paper is used. CAUTION When cleaning the print head, remove the ring to prevent scratching the print head, and use a grounded metal strip or anti-static mat to protect the print head from static electricity.

You can use a 70% alcohol swab soaked, turn off the printer power and open the print head, use a small amount of cotton in the printer's mechanical part, or gently blow off dust (such as: roller, paper / ribbon sensor and print head). Do not use any hard metal or abrasive tools (such as screwdrivers) to scrabble the print head. With a cotton swab with alcohol pressure on the print head from scratch to scratch, and then rotate the roller, use it while rubbing, do not use the cotton swab dirty. The cause of premature printhead damage.

Scratches - Long-term movement of the label/ribbon through the print head wears out the protective layer of the ceramic coating, exposing the print head pin (dot) to the eventual damage

To avoid scratches

Always clean the printhead and use a high-quality, smooth back-ribbed thermal transfer ribbon to reduce friction.

Minimize print head pressure and print temperature.

Make sure that the ribbon width is wider than the label to prevent the exposed printhead from being scratched by the label. The dirt caused by the backing layer of the ribbon is contaminated by the thermal paper and the thermal transfer ribbon and will require high settings such as high temperature, high pressure, and high speed. The accumulation of contaminants on the printhead needles causes heat transfer obstacles that affect the print image quality. Increased contamination gradually reduces print quality and looks matt or damaged. Contaminants make it difficult to clean soaked swabs.

To avoid dirt caused by the ribbon back layer

Use a thermal transfer ribbon that already has a back layer protection. This ribbon needs to be referenced to a non-adhesive ribbon, which is both static and more lubricious.

Print head maintenance is often done.

Use our protective printhead film to quickly and easily remove printhead debris.

Printhead warranty

It is recommended to use supplier-supplied labels and ribbons for optimal printing and reduce wear on the printhead

We do not assume any responsibility for damage to the print head resulting from the use of labels and ribbons other than those provided by us.