How to print barcode labels, choice of thermal or thermal transfer printing

Returning to the intended use of the barcode, the barcode is used in an operation (sales, warehousing, production, etc.) to minimize human error and increase processing speed. The operator transfers the information to the computer by scanning barcodes instead of entering it from the computer keyboard. Therefore, in order to prevent incorrect entries, the necessary information must be barcoded on your product label. Another point to be considered is which information will or will not be on the product. The error statistic for keyboard entries is one character error per 300 characters. This is an optimistic estimate. An operator with a poor keyboard or a high workload has a higher margin for error. For this reason, the barcode enables users to enter this information correctly and allows the user to focus their attention on different points.
For example, most of the time price information is not barcoded and printed on the product. Price information is kept on your computer on a product basis. Price information is entered in your computer corresponding to the product code. When the product barcode is scanned, the price information corresponding to the barcode scanned by the program on your computer is found from the database and the transaction is made. In this way, it will be sufficient to change the price information only through the program on your computer. Otherwise, if it is found on the product, you may have to re-label all products in case of a price change. Generally, price information is written on product labels to inform the end user.

There may be some information describing the product or specific to the product. As mentioned in the sample labels above, the serial number and weight information of each product can be printed on the label.

How can the product barcode be printed?

If the product has a standard package and is a standard product, it can also be printed on the product packaging during the printing process. If there is no product packaging, you can also do the product labeling yourself.

If the product has a standard package and is a standard product, it can also be printed on the product packaging during the printing process. If there is no product packaging, you can also do the product labeling yourself.

Label and Print Type Selection

Barcode labels can be self-adhesive (sticker), cardboard, metal and so on. Label printing method is divided into two:

• Thermal Printing : Thermal printing, just like in classical fax machines, performs the writing process by heating the paper. In this printing method on thermal paper (heat sensitive paper), the heated paper surface turns black and printing is performed. If these printed labels remain in the sun, in a hot environment, under intense light, it may cause the print to deteriorate. Therefore, it is not a durable printing method. However, it is suitable for short-term use. For example, the sequence number labels given for the transaction order in banks are labels printed with thermal printing and are used in a short time.
  It is mandatory to use thermal labels for thermal printing.
• Thermal Transfer Printing: Thermal transfer printing is printing by means of a ribbon called ribbon. Printing is realized by adhering the heated ribbon to the label. It is not necessary for the label to be sensitive to heat. This printing method is durable. It is not directly affected by heat and sun. The durability of the print does not determine the life of the label. If the label will be exposed to rain, snow or cold, the type of label is also important.
• Thermal Transfer Printing : Thermal transfer printing is printing by means of a ribbon called ribbon. Printing is realized by adhering the heated ribbon to the label. It is not necessary for the label to be sensitive to heat. This printing method is durable. It is not directly affected by heat and sun. The durability of the print does not determine the life of the label. If the label will be exposed to rain, snow or cold, the type of label is also important.

Apart from the printing method, the quality of the label is of great importance. If the label is to be attached to the product, a self-adhesive label should be used. If it is to be attached to a product such as a dress, trousers or jacket, a cardboard label can be used. The place where the product will be housed and the nature of the product will affect the choice of label. For example, you may want the label to be easily removed from the product or you may want it to tear when removed. Accordingly, you can use paper, PE (plastic) blended or aluminum labels.

If it is not possible to label products

If the product is too small to be labeled or the unit price is low, you can label the product code on the shelf, cabinet or drawer where the product is located. For example, labeling materials such as bolts, nails, flashlight bulbs can be extremely difficult and costly. For this reason, you can stick the product label on the package, drawer, shelf, etc. where you keep such products. In this case, this barcode can be scanned in the stock entry/exit process.