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III. Setting Up Your System
Once you have determined your labeling requirements and a
symbology effective for your operations, consider your
options for software, printers, and verification and reading
equipment.
Software
Many bar coding software packages are available. Before
choosing one, test several for compatibility with your
operation and for the capabilities you need for your labels.
1. Does the package include the symbologies you need to
use?
2. Does the package provide multiple fonts, landscape and
portrait printing, and the ability to create custom
graphics, logos, and type styles?
3. Is the package compatible with your DOS or Macintosh
PC environment or multi-user, mid-range, or mainframe
system?
4. Will the package interface with existing databases
that you may need to use? Determine also whether the package
has data import and export capabilities.
5. Does the package allow you to think label printing to
your other information systems? For example, some systems
can be used to help prompt customer invoicing or restocking
orders when inventory levels reach a certain point.
6. Does the package provide “What You See Is What You Get
(WYSIWYG) display? This display allows you to view the
complete label on your monitor. Bar codes, text, logos, line
art, and other graphics, appear exactly as they will on the
printed label.
7. Does the package include scanners and decoders? Some
software manufacturers will provide these items and also
sell or help you find printing equipment.
Printing
You may choose to have your bar code labels printed by a
printing firm or to invest in printing equipment yourself.
If you do choose to print your own labels, the method of
printing, equipment, and how that equipment is configured
must all be considered.
In-House vs. Off-Site Label Printing
In deciding whether to print bar code labels in-house or
purchase them from an outside vendor, consider your
operation and its specific needs.
Do you have a large variety of products that need bar
coding? If you will have long runs of just a few
products, it may be more beneficial to use labels
preprinted by an outside vendor. But if you need a
number of diverse labels in small batches, it may well
be more cost-efficient to use in-house equipment.
Do you regularly add products, re-design products, or
adjust the prices and product information on your
labels? Maintaining inventories of preprinted packages
or labels can take up space and be expensive. If your
products or labels change, or if you need to re-label
returned goods, preprinted labels become obsolete.
Are your labels designed as an important part of your
product’s market appeal? Preprinted labels may be more
attractive to the consumer in many cases. However, you
must weigh the benefits of cost-efficiency and
flexibility form in-house printing.
If you do choose to work with a printing company, inquire
about their printing methods and communicate all your
requirements clearly. Be sure, too, that the printer applies
the quality controls appropriate for the type of printing
used. The information presented below will help you begin
becoming familiar with the printing methods available and
should help you either select a printing company or decide
on equipment for printing your own bar code labels.
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