Barcode Printer Selection Guide

Guide: Barcode printer is abbreviated as bar code machine, also known as label printer, clothing tag printer, label machine. Barcode printers are one of the indispensable production tools for enterprises.

The bar code printer printing method adopts the traditional printing method, and the bar code printer is a special device, generally has a thermal type and a thermal transfer type printing method, and uses a special label and a ribbon. Bar code printers print fast, can print special materials (pvc, etc.), can be extended with external cutters, etc., but they are expensive, difficult to use and maintain, suitable for professional users who need to make a large number of labels. At present, the commonly used barcode printer/barcode machine brands include zebra barcode printers and tec (Toshiba) barcode printers.

The use of bar code printers/barcode machines is where large quantities of labels need to be printed. In particular, factories need to print in large quantities in a short period of time and require special labels (such as pvc materials, waterproof materials), and need to be ready to use (such as ticket offices). The place of the label. If your business often prints a large number of labels, or has special requirements for labels, please choose to use a barcode printer.

Barcode printer/barcode printer, also known as label printer, is a printing device that can quickly print a large number of self-adhesive labels, pet labels, tag cards, washed cloth, and the like. Barcode printers have been widely used in all aspects of production and life, such as supermarkets, government departments, manufacturing companies, logistics, etc.

Barcode printers can adapt to the different needs of production and life, and print labels of different sizes according to different situations of each company. Barcode printers are quick and easy to use and can be printed in single or batch, completely controlled by the user. Barcode printers are one of the indispensable production tools for enterprises.

First, the bar code printer related introduction

Labels are part of the product identification and are an important indicator of a qualified product. In today's increasingly fierce market competition, label failure has become one of the barriers that some countries hinder the entry of other countries' products into their home countries, showing the important role of labels. Labels have also become one of the conditions for products to enter the international market.

Bar code printer, also known as label printer, clothing tag printer, label machine, is a printing device that can quickly print a lot of self-adhesive labels, pet labels, tag, water washing cloth, etc. It has been widely used in all aspects of production and life, such as: supermarkets, government departments, manufacturing companies, logistics and so on.

The barcode printer can adapt to the different needs of production and life. It can print labels of different sizes according to the different situations of each enterprise. It is easy to use and can be printed in a single sheet or in batches. It is completely controlled by users and is indispensable for enterprises. One of the production tools.

Second, the bar code printer features

A barcode printer is a special printer. The printed content is generally the company's brand identity, serial number identification, packaging identification, barcode identification, envelope label, clothing tag and so on. In addition to the printing capabilities of ordinary printers, it also has the following advantages:

1. Industrial grade quality, which is not limited by the amount of printing, can be printed in 24 hours;

2, not subject to printing materials, can print pet, copper paper, thermal paper stickers and polyester, pvc and other synthetic materials and water-washed fabrics;

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

4, the printing speed is extremely fast, the fastest can reach 10 inches (24 cm) per second;

5, can print consecutive serial numbers, connect the database to batch printing;

6, label papers are generally several hundred meters long, can reach thousands to tens of thousands of small labels; label printers take a continuous printing method, easier to save and organize;

7. Not subject to the restrictions of the working environment;

8, a single label can be up to 120 cm.

Third, how to choose the right barcode printer

When choosing a label barcode printer, you should consider the following questions:

1, the number of prints:

If you need to print more than 4,000 labels per day, you need a high-volume, industrial-grade bar code printer with a solid metal casing.

2, the size of the label:

A typical bar code printer can print 4" X6" tags, which is in line with the current shipping label specifications. You can also flexibly print labels of different sizes according to your needs.

3. The content of the label:

If you only need to print barcodes and text, a general barcode printer will do the job. But if you need to print different barcodes (such as the item number) or text (such as shipping labels) for each label, and you don't want to stop printing in the middle, you need a printer with a 32-bit processor, which can greatly improve Productivity.

4, the quality of the label:

The printing resolution of the bar code machine is generally divided into 203dpi, 300dpi, 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, the speed of printing:

Different styles of printers have different printing speeds, depending on the speed requirements of the user. Generally, the bar code printer prints at 2′′-6′′/sec per second, while the higher speed printer prints at speeds of 10′′/sec or more. If you need to print a large number of tags in a short time, you should use high speed. ISBN printer.

Domestic bar code printers have gradually become popular with the decline of prices. In foreign countries, almost all production units are equipped with a bar code label printer, which is applied to Maitou, product identification, etc., and most companies have bar code reading. Auxiliary equipment for bar code printers such as devices and data collectors form a management model for bar code management automation within the company.

Barcode printer in China

Bar code printers are mainly divided into commercial and industrial types: commercial type is used in offices, small factories, jewelry industry and other places where the printing volume is relatively small, and the printing volume of one day is less than 2,000. The mechanical structure of the commercial label bar code printer is mainly composed of plastics, and has considerable advantages in price. The main products on the market are mainly American and Japanese products, such as American zebra, Japanese tec, etc. Wait...

(1) Leading brands of foreign manufacturers

(Zebra zebra, datamax, SATO, TEC, ELTRON, INTERMEC, GODEX, CLEVER, NOVEXX, MONARCH.) Japan's SATO, TEC Japanese manufacturers are easy to use by Japanese manufacturers, zebra zebra is easy to use by American manufacturers, INTERMEC/NOVVEX/ PAXAR and so on are easily adopted by European countries. Many foreign companies usually rely on their own national brands. Even if they are expensive, they also buy some products at a price-oriented price. The higher the price, the better the quality. Well, some foreign brands have a certain market rate.

(2) Scattered brands

When many manufacturers look for label bar code printers, they often don't know what brand specifications are really needed. In addition, sellers often recommend some high profits, but not necessarily the most suitable products for their own profits, thus causing some companies. It is often purchased that some products with a low domestic market share are not very high. Although these products are also of good quality, services such as maintenance are often not met. At present, there are more than 30 brands of label barcode printers in the world. The brands listed below can be found in China: APPOLO, COMFORT, METO, MONARCH, RING, CANTECH, UBI, FARGO, AXHION, CHINTEK, ITOH, BRADY, GODEX, CLEAVER, Beiyang, etc., but with the gradual development of some big brands, the small brand market has signs of gradual shrinkage.

How to choose a barcode printer

You should pay attention to the following points when purchasing a thermal transfer barcode printer to purchase the product that suits you.

(1) Determine the model according to the amount of bar code printing

If you use a bar code printer with a print volume of no more than 4,000 a day, it is recommended that you buy a normal commercial (some commonly known as office type) printer. The commercial bar code printer has a small paper capacity and a small ribbon capacity. The overall shape of the product is small and exquisite. Suitable for office space, no area, and the printing effect and print quality can meet the demand. If you need more than 4,000 sheets a day, we recommend that you buy an industrial bar code printer, because the industrial bar code printer is mainly made of steel structure, can accommodate large paper rolls and large length ribbons, in the service life and harsh environment, Excellent performance is the right choice for large factories.

(2) Select the model according to the print quality requirements

If the location of your application requires high print quality, such as jewelry, mobile phones, or printing on smaller labels, it is recommended that you use a 300DPI barcode printer. Other general wheat labels use 200DPI.

(3) Select the model according to the type of bar code you want to print and the quality required.

At present, most barcode printers on the market can only use one printing language, such as zebra or Datamax. They can only use their own print commands, which are not compatible with each other. If you can consider language compatibility when purchasing, you can be bigger. Limit the use of the printer. And now with the extensive use of 2D barcodes (PDF417, QR code, Maxicode), and other special 1D barcodes (EAN 8 , 050102 EAN 13, Codabar, Code 39 Standard, Code 39 Extended, ode 93 Standard, Code 93 Extended , Code 128, AbcCodabar, 2/5 Datalogic, Code25, 2 of 5, Code 11 , Code25, 2 of 5, ITF, Code25, 2/5 Matrix , Code25, 2/5 Industrial , Code25, 2/5 IATA, Code25 , 2/5 INVERT, ITF6, ITF14, ITF16, ISBN, ISSN, ISMN, UPC-A, UPC-E0, UPC-E1, UPC-Shipping, POStNet, OPC, UCC/EAN 128), also requires printer Print quality is different, these are the factors you need to consider when choosing your model.

(4) Select products with official locations in China

In the past, many products were only sold to agents in China. It is very likely that the main business of the agent is not the product you want to buy, or the technical support of the agent is not enough, but it is different now, most of the distribution. The merchants have accumulated rich experience in development and formed a system program R&D team for the domesticization of younger high-tech terminal bar code knowledge. They have warehouse management, ticketing queuing system, exhibition card system, barcode attendance system, Internet cafe charging system, label inventory management system, hotel personnel access management system, invoicing management system, library library management system and other system inheritance. A complete set of feasible technical solutions and success stories, and a professional technical service engineer to solve your worries.

(5) Select a dealer that can provide full service

Some dealers claim that all bar code printer products can provide them. In fact, the most important thing for consumers is not this. What consumers need is the technical support of this dealer for a certain product. Whether the after-sales service and related products can be provided completely. For example, the consumables with the printer is an important reference. You should ask the dealer to provide the appropriate consumables for this printer at the same time. Inappropriate consumables and printers do not necessarily produce perfect print results.

(6) Select a bar code printer that is common to consumables

Some printer brands, in order to make profits on consumables, often specify that its products must be matched with special consumables, otherwise it will not print good results, even for the damage caused, no warranty, this is definitely when buying a printer Note that, especially now that the price of consumables for printers is declining, you should purchase printers that are common to consumables.

(7) Select a bar code printer with functional functions and real price reflecting costs

Some foreign brands of bar code printers, the price is very high, completely out of the real printer cost price, and in order to increase the price often added some functions that are not often needed in actual use, the current thermal transfer printer is still not popular The reason is mostly related to this, the purchase of a moderately priced, functionally appropriate printer is the best way to reduce costs. But it is not to say that a cheap printer can suit your use. The quality of some low-priced bar code printers on the market is really not very good and very unstable. Printing for two days, the printer to repair for three days is absolutely impossible to buy!