Barcodes are more than just ink on paper or buying a random printer and software package. A barcode label is a complete system that can help decrease costs, increase efficiency, and achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction. Often, there is a simple solution for growing businesses that need barcode labels printed and don’t have the time or capability to print their own labels.
There are many ways to get barcode labels printed, depending upon your company needs. You can get set up to do everything in-house, so that you can manage your own printer forms using your database, QuickBooks, an ERP system, or a software program like BarTender® 2022.
Printing barcode labels from your facility can provide 24/7 reliability to eliminate downtime. Barcode labels can be printed out in sheets, entire rolls, or as needed with portable printers.
If managing the software and hardware yourself doesn’t suit your company needs, you can have labels custom made and shipped to your company as needed.
There is a program with Imprint that can have customized barcode labels made and shipped to you as you need before you run out.
Label Template Systems
Printing barcode labels in-house can save time and minimize errors if the user interface is as simple and intuitive as possible. If not, it could increase errors. If your software allows, develop easy-to-use printer forms that are tailored to your processes and are intuitive to how your operators work.
Printer forms remove the need to manually enter data and information. Operators can select the correct template from a preview, select the data that is to be printed on the label from a database, spreadsheet, QuickBooks, or ERP, and preview before printing. Because it is a template, the design set cannot be altered.
BarTender® 2022 provides options for creating and printing barcode labels using an integrated system that allows anyone with permission to create and print commercial-quality designs with increase quality assurance measures. By using the template designs, you can save on the time it takes to manually enter all the information and replace thousands of printer code files with just one file.
Customized Orders
If printing barcode labels at your facility is not feasible, there are options to have labels made for you and shipped to you. Stock labels and customized labels are shipped in rolls and can be placed in advance so that they are sent to you before you run out. Stock labels are standard looking labels without any customization. They typically come in sizes of 4×6, 4×4, and 4×3.
Custom labels are for specific size and shape needs on any type of material. These labels can have colored panels, can have specialized and detailed logos, and have unique needs for label treatments, sizes, shapes, and colors. Blanket orders can be placed and put on hold in case your company has long lead times with raw materials and only need so many labels at a time.
Customized labels can also be ordered at an economy of scale concept. The greater the label order, the lower the cost of each label. For example, if you place an order of 10,000 labels, it’ll be cheaper than ordering 1,000 labels each time. On top of that, you can set a pay as you go order so you’re paying for each shipment of labels at a time instead of the entire order at once.
Your Options are Flexible
The barcode label printing option that will work best for your company will depend on if you need the flexibility of creating your own templates and if you have the time to do so. Printer forms and programs that feature a simple user interface means training new employees is faster and easier, and everyone can work more efficiently and accurately.
Zebra Technologies is an award-winning company and Imprint Enterprises is a trusted partner for Zebra. They bring you good, better, and best options to help your business step forward while considering future possibilities. Ensuring the long-term use of your entire barcode labeling system is what makes Zebra Technologies the best in the industry and is why Imprint Enterprises is a Premiere Solution Partner with Zebra.
Whichever printing option your company needs, it’s always best to consult with an expert that can help answer any questions you have on the different options.
Contact Imprint Enterprises today to discuss Zebra’s barcode labeling solutions that are best for you
