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Implementing a barcode system can be an invaluable part of any successful business. It can make the job of retailer, management and employees easier. In return, they can provide better service to customers and focus more on keeping customers happy.
Barcodes have proven useful in various types of business enterprises. It makes inventory management easier for everyone involved, as scanning barcodes with handheld scanners makes inventory counting faster and more accurate. It can also be used to better track documents and assets, and monitor field employees. The combination of all these benefits leads to higher sales and better profits.
Are you already planning to use barcodes in your business, but don’t know how? The answer lies in barcode software programs and barcode printers. Here are some barcode solutions for you:
Dot matrix printers are the most common barcode solutions. The dot matrix was the first method used to make barcodes, and is still sometimes used because it is easily accessible and relatively inexpensive. It also uses multi-pass ribbons which are generally cheaper than toners or inks.
Ribbons should always be monitored because as they wear, the contrast of printed labels is affected. In barcode systems, color contrast is very important for the barcode scanner to accurately decode the barcode. Bleeding, caused by ink saturation, can also affect barcode quality. One limitation of the dot matrix label maker is that it is difficult to produce small barcodes due to the dot size limitations of the printer. Also, you can only print on paper, so the labels aren’t as durable.
Another barcode solution is the ink jet printer. This type of printer is also relatively inexpensive, and papers with adhesives (sticker papers) are readily available in many stores. However, inkjet printers print very slowly. Other than that, the printer itself is less resistant to dust, dirt, vibration, and other environmental factors, and there is a very limited amount of barcode software that supports inkjet printers.
Laser printers are better barcode solutions. They act like a photocopier, which means they can print quickly. Also, laser printers print with high resolution and high density, which results in a high-quality image. This type of printer is often the choice when it is necessary to print documents with barcodes.
One downside to laser printers is the cost of supplies. Laser printers use a large amount of black toner when used as barcode label makers. Also, you can’t print on chemical and water resistant paper, so the labels are also less durable.
Thermal printers have special features that can be used to print single, individual labels instead of batches or sheets. This eliminates the need to print additional labels, as is often required with laser or dot-matrix printers, which can save you money on supplies.
Among the barcode solutions already mentioned, thermal printers are generally the only barcode label manufacturer that is capable of printing individual labels. Thermal printers also produce high-quality barcode labels at a low cost, since the only printing consumable you need is the special heat-sensitive paper that will be used. A disadvantage of thermal printers is that the labels produced are sensitive to heat and light and can fade after 6-8 months.
The most important advantage of thermal printers is that they can be synchronized with point of sale software. Thermal printers can interface with POS programs to print product information such as model number, price, and product names or brief descriptions.
In general, the thermal barcode printer is the most efficient to use because it is made specifically for barcode printing, and since the prices of thermal printers are now relatively cheap, they are the best option for companies that looking to print high-speed, durable barcode labels.