Label | Barcode | Pre-Printing | Thermal Transfer Ribbon (Barcode Ribbon)

How GS1 standards work - GS1

2016-12-08T23:09:00.001-08:00

Identify

GS1 identification standards include standards that define unique identification

codes (called GS1 identification keys) which may be used by an information

system to refer unambiguously to a real-world entity such as a:

trade item

logistics unit

physical location

document

service relationship

other entity

Capture

GS1 data capture standards currently include definitions of bar code and
radio-frequency identification (RFID) data carriers which allow
GS1 Identification Keys and supplementary data to be affixed directly to a
physical object, and standards that specify consistent interfaces to readers,
printers, and other hardware and software components that connect the data
carriers to business applications.

GS1 standards for information sharing include data standards for master data,
business transaction data, and physical event data, as well as communication
standards for sharing this data between applications and trading partners.
Other information sharing standards include discovery standards that help
locate where relevant data resides across a supply chain and trust standards
that help establish the conditions for sharing data with adequate security.

Use

Businesses can also combine different GS1 standards to streamline business
processes such as traceability.

Source: GS1

International Article Number (EAN) - Wikipedia

2016-12-08T22:54:00.000-08:00

The International Article Number (EAN) (also known as European Article Number, which technically refers to EAN-13) is a 13-digit barcode symbology, which is a superset of the original 12-digit Universal Product Code (UPC) (also known as UPC-A), developed in 1970 by George J. Laurer.^[1]

The EAN-13 barcode is used worldwide for marking products often sold at retail point of sale. It encapsulates 2-digit or 3-digit number system (GS1 Prefix (usually GS1 country code)), in contrast with UPC-A's 1-digit number system. EAN-13 barcode with number system 45 or 49 is known as Japanese Article Number (JAN). All the numbers encoded in UPC and EAN are part of GTINs, and they can be encoded in other barcodes defined by the GS1 organization.

The less commonly used 8-digit EAN-8 barcode was introduced for use on small packages, where EAN-13 would be too large.

2-digit EAN-2 and 5-digit EAN-5 are supplemental barcodes, placed on the right-hand side of EAN-13 or UPC. These are generally used for periodicals to indicate the current year's issue number, like magazines,^[2] or books,^[3] and weighed products like food (to indicate the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP)).

GTIN-13 number encoded in EAN-13 barcode. The first digit is always placed outside the symbol; additionally a right ">" indicator is used to indicate a "Quiet Zone" that is necessary for barcode scanners to work properly.

Source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For full article click here

Printing Your Own Labels - Electronic Imaging Materials, Inc

2016-05-05T00:52:00.004-07:00

Printing labels with an in-house printing system is easier than you think. However, if you’re like some of our Label Experts prior to working for us, you may think that printers are evil or scary. Why is it that they can spit out misprints and chew up sheets in their attempt to mock you right before your biggest deadline? What monsters! Thankfully, EIM can give you some tips on handling your own printer along with picking the right labels and barcodes. (Just make sure you don’t feed your printer after midnight.)

Determining if buying your own printer is the right move for you can typically boil down to two needs – convenience and cost vs quality and flexiblity. You may decide that a simple black and white barcode label that can be printed at your whim is sufficient; on the other hand, if you need a wide varity of labels sizes with full-color print, it may be easier to have a printer like EIM take on the extra work for you.

The two sections below will help answer questions you may be having such as “Would it be better to have my labels custom printed for me or to print them myself?” and “What type of printer should I use?”

Should I Print In-House?

Types of Printers

While our guide may be useful, nothing can replace speaking 1-on-1 with one of our Label Experts. We can offer assistance to answer your custom labeling needs. Before consulting with us, check out this page and our complementary Getting Started guide to help steer you in the right direction. The more info you know about your application, the quicker we can match you to the right product. We are excited to assist you and help come to a solution for your unique labeling needs.

Source: Electronic Imaging Materials, Inc.

Website: http://barcode-labels.com/getting-started/printing/

Topcoats Are Not Just for People - Electronic Imaging Materials, Inc.

2016-05-05T00:50:00.004-07:00

Label converters and printers like Electronic Imaging Materials have a lot to consider as we strive for consistent label print quality. This is particularly challenging with film label products that are chemically inert and have non-porous surfaces with various levels of surface energy ranging from high surface energy (HSE) polyesters to low-surface-energy polypropylene and polyolefins.*

Unlike paper that is very absorbent, labels made of film materials—often called simply plastic and/or polyester—generally need a special finish to make ink properly spread out and bond. When we talk about “inks” this includes not only water-, solvent-, or UV-based flexographic inks, but also inkjet inks, thermal transfer printing ribbons and laser toner.

The two most common methods of face coating films are called “Topcoating” and “Corona Treating”:• Using a Topcoat is like putting primer paint on a wall. It is a thin layer of varnish-like ink that helps inks bond to a film’s surface. Mostly commonly a topcoat is clear but some topcoats are colored to increase opacity. Topcoats come in matte, gloss or semi-gloss finishes to provide various levels of reflectance—something important to consider if you are scanning barcodes. The selection of topcoats is extensive and can be fine-tuned for specific films and printing methods; they are especially useful for variable printing with thermal transfer or laser printers.

Topcoats hold up to a wide range of environmental conditions including UV light, chemicals, and solvents, plus they help prevent smearing and flaking. Some topcoats are specifically engineered for their static dissipative qualities or to improve die cutting.

Adding a topcoat at the time the label construction is put together is the most efficient method, but it can also be applied by a label converter like EIM.

• A Corona Treatment is an electrical charge that increases the surface energy (dyne level) of the face stock and allows inks to “wet out” and spread smoothly. In the case of film labels, a dyne level of 40 or higher is needed for good print quality so if a film has a low dyne level, then it is especially important to treat it. Corona treating is generally less expensive than topcoating and is best done as a pre-treatment at the time the material is made. However, corona treatments are not as versatile and don’t improve print quality for certain types of print technologies. They also have a shorter print life because they start to fade; if a film goes through an additional press-applied corona treatment, the dyne level can be temporarily increased and the shelf life extended.

For those of you thinking, what if you did both… wouldn’t you have an even better print-receptive finish? The answer is no, because corona treatment can actually break down top coats and reduce ink bond.

You may also ask…are there any films that are NOT coated…and the answer is, yes. Some label materials were made for older, less challenging print technologies such as impact or dot matrix printing—before altering the label surface became an art form. Some materials are just designed to be “generic” and less expensive, but they do not guarantee good print quality. Other films could be used solely as over laminates and would not require a print treatment. When EIM is forced to use an uncoated material—where there may be limited material options to solve a particular label application, for instance—more than likely we will choose to add a topcoat or a corona treatment to improve print quality.

So remember…just like a person wears a topcoat to protect their clothes, a label “topcoat” (or corona treatment) will not only protect the label but also make it look better!

*It is interesting to see the correlation of label surface energy and plastic surface applications; there are similar challenges with both print surfaces and adhesives.

While our guide may be useful, nothing can replace speaking 1-on-1 with one of our label experts. We can offer assistance to answer your custom labeling needs. Before consulting with us, check out this page and our complementary Getting Started guide to help steer you in the right direction. The more info you know about your application, the quicker we can match you to the right product. We are excited to assist you and help come to a solution for your unique labeling needs.

Source: Electronic Imaging Materials, Inc.

Website: http://barcode-labels.com/request-sample-info/

Destructive stickers - PUNARVASU GRAPHICS

2016-01-23T23:57:00.001-08:00

Destructive Stickers are used for anti counterfeiting, brand protection and tamper evident seals. Destructible labels are used for authentication, theft reduction and protection against counterfeit on equipments, instruments, electronic parts and components in industrial and manufacturing sectors. Destructive labels are made out of ultra destructible material, with very strong adhesive. These destructive labels, upon attempt to remove, will fracture and rupture into small destructive bits which cannot be mended, leaving behind the tamper evidence. These destructive labels can be provided with bar-codes and serial numbers for added security.

Source; PUNARVASU GRAPHICS
Website: http://punarvasugraphics.com/wpcproduct/destructive/

Poly and Vinyl Labels, Decals and Stickers - Specialty Printing

2016-01-23T23:53:00.002-08:00

Poly and Vinyl are the most commonly used materials for labels. Vinyl, otherwise known as polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, is a thermoplastic material, and so it can be reprocessed using heat. In respects to what we provide at Specialty Printing, we use a semi-flexible vinyl film coated with a permanent pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive and backed with a two-sided polycoated layflat release liner for use over sheets.

We also provide decals and labels made from Mylar (a registered trademark owned by Dupont Tejjin Films), that is essentially a generic term for polyester film or plastic sheet.

There are numerous applications using Poly, Vinyl and Mylar – if you are not certain of your exact needs, Specialty Printing will assess your needs to determine the appropriate label solution for you.

Source: Specialty Printing
Website: http://www.specialtyprintingusa.com/vinyl-labels.htm

Definition of 'Vinyl (PVC)' as it relates to labels. - Label Planet Ltd

2016-01-23T23:51:00.002-08:00

Vinyl is a term commonly used to refer to polyvinyl chloride; a synthetic plastic that is used in the manufacturing of a wide variety of items. Polyvinyl chloride is flexible, durable, strong, and (perhaps most importantly) highly reactive, which means PVC is very easy to convert and can be produced with the precise properties required for a particular application. Unmodified PVC is converted by adding a selection of additives that will determine the final properties of the finished PVC that is used to make products; additives include heat and UV stabilisers, lubricants, plasticisers, flame retardants, fillers, and pigments, amongst many others.

In labelling, vinyl is commonly used to make films, which form either the face material of a label or act as a protective and decorative coating for a face material.

Author : Label Planet Ltd

Website: https://www.labelplanet.co.uk/glossary/vinyl-pvc.php

PVC & Vinyl Labels - Kromo Prints.

2016-01-23T23:48:00.000-08:00

PVC Labels

PVC labels are made of polymer vinyl chloride which gives flexibility and softness to labels designed through it. It’s applied on apparels, doors, automobiles and glass windows. The PVC label are more attractive and noticeable as they comes out of plain surface with flexible and rubber shape text and design, which makes it worth looking at. They come in all shapes and sizes with multi colors which doesn’t lose its brightness. They are 100% customized and come with strong adhesive strength and ability to withstand water threat.

Vinyl Labels

Vinyl labels have unique feature of giving protection from moisture, chemical and UV rays with the special coating which makes it resilient label. They are widely applied on cars, motorcycle, bumpers, windows, boats, ships, etc. Superior grade vinyl and sophisticated printing techniques are being employed in designing these labels. They are also highly water resistant in damp, drizzling, pouring or full water submersion circumstances.

Source: Kromo Prints.

Website: http://www.kromoprints.com/labels.html

Label Adhesives Guide Part 1: Types and Properties - Consolidated Label

2016-01-23T23:24:00.001-08:00

With many different options available, selecting the right adhesive can be intimidating – especially when all you want is a label that “just works.” In this guide, you’ll learn the basic characteristics of Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (a fancy term for self-stick adhesives where no solvents or heat are required to activate the adhesive) so you can find the right “stick” for your labels.

Types of Label Adhesives

There are three main classifications of adhesives to know: permanent, removable and repositionable. Within those categories, pressure sensitive adhesives have different properties that vary from one to the next, but we’ll get to that in a bit. First, let’s learn more about adhesive types and reasons why they’re used.

Permanent: The majority of labels we print use a permanent adhesive because they work for most label applications and tend to be the most budget-friendly. Since permanent adhesive labels create a strong bond with the container they are applied to, removing the label can damage the label or container.
Removable: Labels with a removable adhesive can be removed for a window of time after application without damaging the label or surface it’s applied on. Removable adhesive labels and stickers are ideal for temporarily marking items, store coupons, and limited-time promotions. Be aware that temperature can affect the stickiness and removable capabilities of labels with this adhesive type.
Repositionable: Repositionable adhesives are designed for short-term removability in cases where the label needs to be repositioned or reapplied. This adhesive can save you time and resources in the long run when labels need to be removed for repositioning (e.g. a crooked label on a container) or reapplied to another surface without losing much adhesion. Depending on which type of repositionable adhesive is used, it can eventually become permanent. The time between initial application and permanent bonding varies depending on the formulation.

Getting Technical: Adhesive Properties

The information above is probably enough to help you understand the type of adhesive that will work best for your situation and our reps are ready to walk you through all the variables that go along with these selections. That said, label adhesives can have varying characteristics even if they’re categorized as the same “type,” so for your reading pleasure and curiosity, we’ve outlined some of the basic properties that help determine an adhesive’s performance as tested by our material suppliers.

Initial Tack: The immediate holding power of the label adhesive on contact with a specific surface. If initial tack is low, it will have low adhesion, allowing the label to be removed cleanly. Adhesives with a low initial tack will build up adhesion over time (i.e. the difference between removable and repositionable). On the flipside, adhesives with high initial tack will have a stronger adhesion and bond to the container much more quickly.
Ultimate Adhesion: The maximum holding power the label will achieve as the adhesive fully bonds to the surface. How long it takes for an adhesive to gain ultimate adhesion varies and depends on factors like the adhesive’s stiffness, the roughness of the receiving surface and environmental conditions. Depending on those factors, it can take anywhere from 2 – 24 hours for ultimate adhesion to happen.
Shear Resistance: Simply put, label adhesives with a low shear are soft which allows them to flow into the surface they’re applied. They also have a higher initial tack, but can split apart under stress. A higher shear adhesive is more firm so it doesn’t flow as well into the surface, resulting in a lower initial tack and making it less likely to split apart under stress.
U.V. Resistance: If your labels will be exposed to ultraviolet (U.V.) light for extended periods, they may be susceptible to color changes or weakened adhesion. Select a U.V. resistant adhesive in cases where your labels will be exposed to U.V. light on your end, or if your labels will be exposed to U.V. light during the printing process (e.g. when a U.V. laminate or coating is applied to your labels) to minimize these effects.
Solvent Resistance: The adhesive’s capacity to withstand exposure to solvents like water, alcohol, petrochemical solvents, plasticizers, etc. without losing adhesion. The container contents, along with the environment where the product will be used, should be considered.
Mandrel Hold: How well the label adhesive holds up to a curved or tight radius surface. If an adhesive has a good mandrel hold, it will be harder for the label’s edges to lift up, also known as “flagging.”
Cold Flow: Temperature is an essential consideration with adhesives. Cold flow refers to the adhesive’s ability to bond (or “flow”) to a container at below normal temperatures. “Cold temperature” and “all temperature” adhesives will work best when the label is applied in cold environments.
Minimum Application Temperature: When an adhesive isn’t designed for cold temperatures, it will stiffen and lose its adhesive strength as the temperature decreases. Most adhesives have a minimum application temperature of 40-50 °F before they crystallize and become solid. Cold temperature adhesives can work in temperatures as low as -20 °F.
Service Temperature Range: The temperature range the adhesive can function in after the label has been applied and built up to its ultimate adhesion. Most pressure sensitive adhesives have a range of -65 °F to 200 °F with a paper label stock, or up to 300 °F with a film label stock.

Label Adhesive Guide Part 2: Performance and Selection

Now that you have a framework for how label adhesives work, the next part of our guide covers performance factors. Adhesive testing on the container you have chosen is extremely important for more complex labeling jobs to ensure you don’t end up wasting time and resources on labels that don’t stick properly. Whether you have a lot of technical requirements to consider or just want to make sure you’ve picked the right material, part two of our label adhesive guide will help answer questions you may have on label adhesives and container compatibility.

We also have a quick reference guide, Surefire Tips for Selecting a Label Adhesive, to help you find the right adhesive for your labeling project.

Posted Thursday, February 5th, 2015 at 8:31 pm

Source: Consolidated Label Co

Website: http://www.consolidatedlabel.com/label-articles/label-adhesives-guide-part-1/

Polyester & Polyethelyene Naphthulate Label Products - Polyonics, Inc.

2015-07-04T22:19:00.000-07:00

Popular Labels for Fixed Asset Identification

Polyester (PET) is a tough, high performance film that provides excellent outdoor durability, chemical and heat resistance. It displays excellent dimensional stability and high tensile strength. Operating temperature is 325°F (163°C) and shot-term temperature can be up to 400°F (204°C).

Polyethelyene Naphthulate (PEN) is a film with moderate stiffness that stretches in all directions but will tear quite easily. Designed for 6 months outdoor use, it is useful for labeling products that expand and contract. Maximum operating temperature is 400°F (204°C).

We carefully and continually evaluate properties of these films to maintain the highest quality standards in the industry today.

Source: Polyonics, Inc.

http://www.polyonics.com/PerformanceLabels/polyester-labels.html

Polyester Labels Overview - polyesterlabels.org

2015-07-04T22:17:00.002-07:00

Polyester is a kind of polymer (molecule) that people use to make excellent, durable polyester labels. It can be natural or synthetic, biodegradable or not, and the most commonly used polyester is polyethylene terephthalate, better known as PET.

Some products are exposed to harsh conditions, severely cold or extremely hot temperatures, rough handling during distribution, cryogenic conditions or enclaving in laboratories, etc. These products need labels that will withstand all these conditions, and such labels usually cannot be made out of paper. Here steps in polyester with its fantastic characteristics: polyester labels are resistant to scuffing, tearing, abrasion, high heat, low temps, sunlight, chemical solvents, water, they have mechanical stability, controlled shrinkage, unmatched gloss or clarity (for a “no label look“) and can last a long time.

Many labels have a limited life-span, usually up to several months, after which they fade away, peel off, get torn, etc. Durable polyester labels can last many years, if the application demands it.

Of course, not ALL polyester labels have all these fantastic characteristics. Each polyester label is combined with other elements, such as an adhesive, printing style, lamination, etc, in order to make a suitable label for a specific application.

Polyester labels are most often used for:

Asset labeling
Identification of different equipment and electronics
Drum and container labeling
Barcode labels
Warning labels
Lab labels
Etc.

Basically, polyester labels are an excellent choice for applications exposed to rough handling, outdoor conditions, water, repeated usage, etc.

Source: polyesterlabels.org

http://polyesterlabels.org/polyester-labels-university/polyester-labels-overview/

PET, PP & PE Labels - Sense Print Ribbon&Label

2015-07-04T22:12:00.003-07:00

PET Labels Description

Polyethylene labels,short as PET labels, are strong, durable and possess excellent resistance characteristics that can meet a wide range of application requirements.Sense print offers quality polyethylene in your choice of colors, shapes, sizes for your quick and easy application to your product.

PET labels products list:
Transparent PET label
Matte silver PET label
Silver PET label
White PET label
PET synthetic label

PP labels Description

PP labels is a kind of green product.It was often used for surface protection tapes such as over-lamination tapes bvefore due to its poor printability.Following the technology advancement and the market demand for environmental protection,PP synthetic paper has been developed.After chemical surface treatment,it has good printability and is widely applied on cosmetics,shampoo bottles,supermarket,frozen foods,eclectrical applicances and so on.

PP labels products list

Matte White cavitated PP synthetic label
YOPO PP synthetic paper
Top-coated white PP synthetic paperUltra clear OPP label

PE label

PE label is also a kind of green product.It has excellent pliability and can be applied on curved surfaces with good adhension.Squeezable PE label,specially designed for cosmetic facial cleanser tube application,to flexibly and perfectly fit the contour.

PE label product list

White PE label
Matte transparent PE label

Recommended ribbon: Wax-Resin,Resin ribbon

Source: Sense Print Ribbon&Label

http://www.barcode-label.net/aboutus.htm

7 TYPES OF LABEL MATERIALS - Neumann Marking Solutions

2015-07-04T22:07:00.002-07:00

Labeling only makes identification easier but it also helps in directing, giving out information and warning. The following is a list of seven label materials frequently used in industry.

1. Metalized, Clear or White Polyester

Metalized Polyester has a chrome or mirror-like finish which makes it look like stainless steel. Clear and white polyester are available in both matte and glossy surfaces. It is used both indoors and outdoors, as pipe labels or control panel labels, because of its dimensional constancy and its aptitude to bear harsh weather conditions. It’s normally used for tool marking and air-conditioning units. It generally comes with a permanent adhesive.

2. Industrial Vinyl

Industrial vinyl is the go-to material for outdoor labels. With a rating of 9-11 years for UV fade resistance, it is weather and chemical resistant. This material has stretching characteristics that allow its application over rivets and sharp curved surfaces. Vinyl labels can be used for pipeline labels, fleet decals, rental equipment, tools, cable tray labels, etc.

3. Destructible Vinyl, Security, Tamper Proof

Destructible vinyl cannot be peeled off in one piece, making them ideal for proprietary products. Security or tamper proof or tamper evident labels will leave words such as VOID or SECURITY or DANGER if removed. The materials of each may vary, depending on the surfaces being applied to. Common uses are seals for food containers, pharmaceuticals, electronics, warranty, safety, and law enforcement labels.

4. Clear or White Polypropylene

Polypropylene is a substitute for vinyl and excellent for solvent resistance. It is also a cost effective in comparison with polyester labels. It’s usually available in clear or white with a gloss or matte finish. It has great flexibility and clarity. The type of adhesive depends on the application type.

5. Static Cling Vinyl

Static cling vinyl is used to make window decals that do not require an adhesive. It uses static electricity to stick to a surface. It’s normally used for glass, metal and other smooth and even surfaces. A common use is for (windshield) oil change labels. It can be printed with laser or thermal transfer (ribbon) printers.

6. Fluorescent and Foil Paper

Fluorescents can be brightly colored vinyl labels or those flood coated on synthetic material. Normally it is available in colors that stand out such as red, green, pink and orange. They are often used for safety labels because they alert people. Foil paper label material is available in both bright or dull, silver or gold. Both flourescent and foil types come with a permanent adhesive.

7. Litho, Semi-Gloss and High Gloss Paper

Litho paper is uncoated and matte. It’s used in sheet fed laser printers, and computer pin fed shipping labels. Paper is often used through direct thermal label printers in offices for envelope labels. It comes with both permanent and removable adhesive. Semi-gloss paper and high gloss paper comes with rubber base adhesive and acrylic cold temperature adhesive. The later is used for food related labeling. Removable adhesive is also available for certain conditions.

Source: Neumann Marking Solutions

http://neumannmarking.com/types-label-materials/

Label Materials & Descriptions - By Whitlam Label Company

2015-03-19T23:59:00.003-07:00

Metalized Polyester

- This stock is available in either chrome, mirror-like finish or a brushed finish that resembles stainless steel. This is an excellent material for outdoor use due to its dimensional stability and its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. Useful for fleet markings, heating & air-conditioning units or anything else that spends a lot of time outdoors. It comes standard with a permanent adhesive.

Clear Polyester

- This material is available in a gloss or matte finish. This is an excellent material for outdoor use due to its dimensional stability and its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions and exposure to chemicals. It comes with a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive in standard and heavy coat weight for your more difficult surfaces. This is also available with a high temperature resistant removable adhesive for paint masking application.

White Polyester

- This material is available in a gloss or and matte finish. This is an excellent material for outdoor use due to its dimensional stability and its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions and exposure to chemicals. This material can be used on thermal transfer & laser printers. It comes with a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive in standard and heavy coat weight for your more difficult surfaces. This is also available with a removable adhesive for temporary identifications.

Clear Polypropylene

- This material is available in a gloss or matte finish. This is an excellent material for decorative packaging applications due to its flexibility and high degree of clarity. It comes with both permanent and removable adhesives, depending on the application.

White Polypropylene

- This material is available in a gloss or matte finish and can be printed on via thermal transfer printers. This is an excellent material for decorative packaging applications due to its flexibility and is a more cost effective alternative to polyester. It comes with both permanent and removable adhesives, depending on the application.

Clear Vinyl

- A frosty-clear material that is useful when you want to create window decals. By printing your decal as a mirror image, it can be placed on the inside of a window so that it’s legible from the outside.

White Vinyl

- This is the standard material used in bumper stickers and is useful when you need a low-cost label that can be used outdoors. It comes standard with permanent and removable adhesives.

Clear Static Cling Vinyl

- This is a clear stock that does not use an adhesive but sticks via static electricity. Often used for “Oil Change/Next Service Due” decals, this stock makes a great movable sign at point of purchase displays. It is best when applied to glass, metal and other smooth surfaces.

Paper, Fluorescent

- This is a brightly colored uncoated stock that is available in red, green, pink and orange. It’s useful when you need a paper label that stands out. It comes standard with a permanent adhesive.

Paper, Foil

- Available in either silver or gold, bright or dull foil, it is often used as a decorative label popular with florists, artists and those seeking to give their labeling applications a “classy” look. It comes standard with a permanent adhesive.

Paper, Litho

- This is an uncoated, white, matte paper stock that is suitable when you want a material that won’t smear if you were to write or type on it. Typical applications include sheet feed laser printers, and computer pin fed shipping labels. It comes with permanent or removable adhesive.

Paper, Semi-Gloss

- This is a coated semi gloss in appearance, white stock that comes with two different permanent adhesives. One permanent adhesive is a rubber base system for general purpose labeling applications that need a quick stick feature, and the other is an acrylic cold temperature adhesive that is FDA approved for indirect food contact applications. This can be used on the packaging of seafood, poultry and other meat products. Also useful when bar coding is needed. A removable adhesive for temporary identification is available.

Paper, High-Gloss

- This is a very glossy coated white paper stock that comes with two different permanent adhesives. One permanent adhesive is a rubber base system for general purpose labeling applications that need a quick stick feature, and the other is an acrylic cold temperature adhesive that is FDA approved for indirect food contact applications. This can be used on prime label applications. It’s also available with a removable adhesive for temporary identifications.

Paper, Tag

- This is a white 8 or 10 pt. tag stock, coated on both sides and does not have an adhesive. This can be used for our scratch-off cards and also ID/Membership cards. Both sides of this stock can be imprinted.

Source: Whitlam Label Company.

For more info, visit http://www.whitlam.com/learning-center/label-materials-descriptions/

DIRECT THERMAL AND THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTING

2013-11-25T21:38:00.004-08:00

Difference between direct thermal and thermal transfer printing?

There are two thermal printing methods: direct thermal and thermal transfer. Each method uses a thermal printhead that applies heat to the surface being marked. Thermal transfer printing uses a heated ribbon to produce durable, long-lasting images on a wide variety of materials. No ribbon is used in direct thermal printing, which creates the image directly on the printed material. Direct thermal media is more sensitive to light, heat and abrasion, which reduces the life of the printed material.

Why are direct thermal and thermal transfer the best technologies for printing bar codes?

Thermal label printers are ideal for bar code printing because they produce accurate, high-quality images with excellent edge definition. Thermal printers are engineered to print within tight tolerances and to produce the exact bar widths that successful bar code printing and scanning require. Each technology can produce one- and two-dimensional bar code symbologies, graphics and text at the same print resolutions and speeds.

How do choose between direct thermal and thermal transfer printing?

The following sections will help you understand the differences between the technologies and how to select the appropriate print method for your application.

Direct thermal printing uses chemically treated, heat-sensitive media that blackens when it passes under the thermal printhead. Direct thermal printers have no ink, toner, or ribbon.

Their simple design makes thermal printers durable and easy to use. Because there is no ribbon, direct thermal printers cost less to operate than inkjet, laser, impact, and thermal transfer printers. Most mobile printers use direct thermal technology.

Thermal media images may fade over time. If the label is overexposed to heat, light, or other catalysts, the material will darken and make the text or bar code unreadable. For these reasons, direct thermal printing is not used for lifetime identification applications. The readability of direct thermal labels, wristbands, and receipt papers varies greatly, depending on the usage conditions, but the technology provides ample lifespan for many common bar code printing applications including shipping labels, patient and visitor identification, receipts, and ticket printing.

For example, direct thermal labels can easily remain scannable after spending six months in storage in a distribution center, and direct thermal patient wristbands have a special coating that makes them water- and chemical-resistant. Common thermal printing applications include: shipping labels, including compliance labels; receipts; pick tickets; coupons; event tickets; citations and parking tickets; name tags; visitor passes; and more.

In thermal transfer printing, a thermal printhead applies heat to a ribbon, which melts ink onto the material to form the image. The ink is absorbed so that the image becomes part of the media. This technique provides image quality and durability that is unmatched by other on-demand printing technologies.

Thermal transfer printers can accept a wider variety of media than direct thermal models, including paper, polyester, and polypropylene materials. Thermal transfer printers can create extremely durable wristbands, asset tags, and certification labels, in addition to common labels, tags, and tickets. The specific label material and ribbon must be carefully matched to ensure print performance and durability.

By selecting the right media-ribbon combination, as well as specialty adhesives, users can create archival-quality labels to withstand temperature extremes, ultraviolet exposure, chemicals, sterilization, and more. Typical thermal transfer applications include: product identification; circuit board tracking; permanent identification; sample and file tracking; asset tagging; inventory identification; certification labels such as UL/CSA; laboratory specimens; cold storage and freezers; and outdoor applications.

Source: Zebra FAQ

Linear Barcode (1D) Types

2012-07-13T03:13:00.004-07:00

Symbology	Continuous or discrete	Bar widths	Uses
U.P.C.	Continuous	Many	Worldwide retail, GS1-approved – International Standard ISO/IEC 15420
Codabar	Discrete	Two	Old format used in libraries and blood banks and on airbills (out of date)
Code 25 – Non-interleaved 2 of 5	Continuous	Two	Industrial
Code 25 – Interleaved 2 of 5	Continuous	Two	Wholesale, libraries International standard ISO/IEC 16390
Code 39	Discrete	Two	Various – international standard ISO/IEC 16388
Code 93	Continuous	Many	Various
Code 128	Continuous	Many	Various – International Standard ISO/IEC 15417
Code 128A	Continuous	Many	Various – only a CODE 128 character set, not an own symbology
Code 128B	Continuous	Many	Various – only a CODE 128 character set, not an own symbology
Code 128C	Continuous	Many	Various – only a CODE 128 character set, not an own symbology
Code 11	Discrete	Two	Telephones (out of date)
CPC Binary	Discrete	Two
DUN 14	Continuous	Many	Various
EAN 2	Continuous	Many	Addon code (magazines), GS1-approved – not an own symbology – to be used only with an EAN/UPC according to ISO/IEC 15420
EAN 5	Continuous	Many	Addon code (books), GS1-approved – not an own symbology – to be used only with an EAN/UPC according to ISO/IEC 15420
EAN-8, EAN-13	Continuous	Many	Worldwide retail, GS1-approved – International Standard ISO/IEC 15420
Facing Identification Mark	Continuous	One	USPS business reply mail
GS1-128 (formerly named UCC/EAN-128), incorrectly referenced as EAN 128 and UCC 128	Continuous	Many	various, GS1-approved -is just an application of the Code 128 (ISO/IEC 15417) using the ANS MH10.8.2 AI Datastructures. Its not an own symbology.
GS1 DataBar, formerly Reduced Space Symbology (RSS)	Continuous	Many	Various, GS1-approved
HIBC (HIBCC Health Industry Bar Code)	Discrete	Two	Healthcare^[28] – is a datastructure to be used with Code 128, Code 39 or Data Matrix
ITF-14	Continuous	Many	Non-retail packaging levels, GS1-approved – is just an Interleaved 2/5 Code (ISO/IEC 16390) with a few additional specifications, according to the GS1 General Specifications
Latent image barcode	Neither	Tall/short	Color print film
Pharmacode	Neither	Two	Pharmaceutical packaging (no international standard available)
Plessey	Continuous	Two	Catalogs, store shelves, inventory (no international standard available)
PLANET	Continuous	Tall/short	United States Postal Service (no international standard available)
POSTNET	Continuous	Tall/short	United States Postal Service (no international standard available)
Intelligent Mail barcode	Continuous	Tall/short	United States Postal Service, replaces both POSTNET and PLANET symbols (formerly namedOneCode)
MSI	Continuous	Two	Used for warehouse shelves and inventory
PostBar	Discrete	Many	Canadian Post office
RM4SCC / KIX	Continuous	Tall/short	Royal Mail / Royal TPG Post
JAN	Continuous	Many	Used in Japan, similar and compatible with EAN-13 (ISO/IEC 15420)
Telepen	Continuous	Two	Libraries (UK)

Source: Wikipedia

Code 39 Barcode Symbology

2012-07-13T03:10:00.002-07:00

A Code 39 Barcode Label

"WIKIPEDIA" encoded in Code 39

Code 39 (also known as Alpha39, Code 3 of 9, Code 3/9, Type 39, USS Code 39, or USD-3) is a variable length, discrete barcode symbology.

The Code 39 specification defines 43 characters, consisting of uppercase letters (A through Z), numeric digits (0 through 9) and a number of special characters (-, ., $, /, +, %, and space). An additional character (denoted '*') is used for both start and stop delimiters. Each character is composed of nine elements: five bars and four spaces. Three of the nine elements in each character are wide (binary value 1), and six elements are narrow (binary value 0). The width ratio between narrow and wide can be chosen between 1:2 and 1:3.

The barcode itself does not contain a check digit (in contrast to—for instance—Code 128), but it can be considered self-checking on the grounds that a single erroneously interpreted bar cannot generate another valid character. Possibly the most serious drawback of Code 39 is its low data density: It requires more space to encode data in Code 39 than, for example, in Code 128. This means that very small goods cannot be labeled with a Code 39 based barcode. However, Code 39 is still widely used and can be decoded with virtually any barcode reader. One advantage of Code 39 is that since there is no need to generate a check digit, it can easily be integrated into existing printing system by adding a barcode font to the system or printer and then printing the raw data in that font.

Code 39 was developed by Dr. David Allais and Ray Stevens of Intermec in 1974. Their original design included two wide bars and one wide space in each character, resulting in 40 possible characters. Setting aside one of these characters as a start and stop pattern left 39 characters, which was the origin of the name Code 39.^[1] Punctuation characters were later added that deviated from this pattern, expanding the character set to 43 characters. Code 39 was later standardised as ANSI MH 10.8 M-1983 and MIL-STD-1189.^[2] MIL-STD-1189 has been cancelled and replaced by ANSI/AIM BC1/1995, Uniform Symbology Specification - Code 39.^[3]

Source: Wikipedia

EAN-13 Barcode Symbology

2012-07-13T03:05:00.001-07:00

An EAN-13 barcode (originally European Article Number, but now renamed International Article Number even though the abbreviation EAN has been retained) is a 13 digit (12 data and 1 check) barcoding standard which is a superset of the original 12-digitUniversal Product Code (UPC) system developed in the United States.^[1] The EAN-13 barcode is defined by the standards organizationGS1.

The EAN-13 barcodes are used worldwide for marking products often sold at retail point of sale. The numbers encoded in EAN-13 bar codes are product identification numbers, which are also called Japanese Article Number (JAN) in Japan. All the numbers encoded in UPC and EAN barcodes are known as Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN), and they can be encoded in other GS1 barcodes.

The less commonly used EAN-8 barcodes are used also for marking retail goods; however, they are usually reserved for smaller items, for example confectionery.

2-digit (EAN 2) and 5-digit (EAN 5) supplemental barcodes may be added for a total of 14 or 17 data digits. These are generally used for periodicals (to indicate the serial number), or books and weighed products like food (to indicate the selling price), respectively.

Components

The GTIN-13 encoded in the bar code has four components:

The GS1 Prefix, the first three digits, usually identifying the national GS1 Member Organization to which the manufacturer is registered (not necessarily where the product is actually made).^[2] When the EAN-13 symbol encodes a conversion of an ISBN, the GS1 Prefix will be either 978 or 979. Likewise the prefix will be 979 for ISMNs (whose prefix is shared with ISBN) and 977 for ISSNs.
The Company number, consisting of three to eight digits depending on number of GTIN-13s required by the manufacturer to identify different product lines (in ISBN and ISSN, this component is used to identify the language in which the publication was issued and managed by a transnational agency covering several countries, or to identify the country where the legal deposits are made by a publisher registered with a national agency, and it is further subdivided any allocating subblocks for publishers; many countries have several prefixes allocated in the ISSN and ISBN registries).
The Item reference, consisting of two to six digits (in ISBN and ISSN, it uniquely identifies the publication from the same publisher; it should be used and allocated by the registered publisher in order to avoid creating gaps; however it happens that a registered book or serial never gets published and sold).
The Check digit, a single checksum digit. The check digit is computed modulo 10, where the weights in the checksum calculation alternate 3 and 1. In particular, since the weights are relatively prime to 10 the EAN system will detect all single digit errors. But, since the difference of consecutive weights is even, the EAN system does not detect all adjacent transposition errors.

The complete number is used as a reference key to look up information about the product line held on a database; the number is never normally broken down into its components within users' systems.

GS1 Prefixes

Further information: List of GS1 country codes

The first two or three digits of the GTIN of any product identify the GS1 Member Organization which the manufacturer has joined. Note that EAN-13 codes beginning with 0 are rarely seen, as this is just a longer form of a 12-digit UPC and is represented by the same barcode.

The 200-299 country code is worth a special mention; most GS1 member organizations define this as being available for retailer internal use (or internal use by other types of business). Some retailers use this for proprietary (own brand or unbranded) products (although many retailers obtain their own manufacturer's code for their own brands); some retailers use at least part of this prefix for products which are packaged in store, for example, items weighed and served over a counter for a customer. The barcode may encode a price, quantity or weight along with a product identifier (in a retailer defined way); the product identifier may be one assigned by the Produce Electronic Identification Board or may be retailer assigned. Retailers who have historically used UPC barcodes will tend to use GS1 prefixes 04 (for products) and 02 (for store packaged products) in a similar way.

Source: Wikipidea

What is Barcode?

2012-07-13T03:03:00.001-07:00

A barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of data relating to the object to which it is attached. Originally barcodes represented data by varying the widths and spacings of parallel lines, and may be referred to as linear or one-dimensional (1D). Later they evolved into rectangles, dots, hexagons and other geometric patterns in two dimensions (2D). Although 2D systems use a variety of symbols, they are generally referred to as barcodes as well. Barcodes originally were scanned by special optical scanners calledbarcode readers; later, scanners and interpretive software became available on devices including desktop printers and smartphones.

The first use of barcodes was to label railroad cars, but they were not commercially successful until they were used to automatesupermarket checkout systems, a task for which they have become almost universal. Their use has spread to many other tasks that are generically referred to as automatic identification and data capture (AIDC). The very first scanning of the now ubiquitous Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode was on a pack of Wrigley Company chewing gum in June 1974.^[1]

Other systems have made inroads in the AIDC market, but the simplicity, universality and low cost of barcodes has limited the role of these other systems until the first decade of the 21st century, over 40 years after the introduction of the commercial barcode, with the introduction of technologies such as radio frequency identification, or RFID.

Source: Wikipedia

What is Polyester material?

2012-07-13T02:51:00.004-07:00

Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Polyesters include naturally occurring chemicals, such as in the cutin of plant cuticles, as well as synthetics through step-growth polymerization such as polycarbonate andpolybutyrate. Natural polyesters and a few synthetic ones are biodegradable, but most synthetic polyesters are not.

Source: Wikipedia

What is PP material?

2012-07-13T02:48:00.001-07:00

Polypropylene (PP), also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applications includingpackaging and labeling, textiles (e.g., ropes, thermal underwear and carpets), stationery, plastic parts and reusable containers of various types, laboratory equipment, loudspeakers, automotive components, and polymer banknotes. An addition polymer made from the monomer propylene, it is rugged and unusually resistant to many chemical solvents, bases and acids.

Source: Wikipedia

Suggestions for TT Printing (Thermal Transfer)

2012-07-09T05:04:00.000-07:00

Adjustment of Print-head Temperature / Print Speed

Since thermal transfer printing involves imaging through tiny heated pins contacting a ribbon onto a label, the print head temperature has a dramatic effect on symbol quality. If the heat setting is too high, the bars will print too heavy. Conversely, if the setting is too cool, the bars within a symbol will print too light. The heat setting can be adjusted either as a printer function or through a software setting. Adjustment control will vary between software and printers.

Symbol Orientation

It is highly recommended that barcode symbols be printed in the direction of the printer. Barcodes printed with bars perpendicular to the print direction tend to yield dimensional errors.

Printer Maintenance

The quality of printed symbols tends to degrade as deposits build up on the thermal print head. Regular cleaning of the print head and guide surface in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation is highly advised.

Thermal Print heads eventually wear out to the point where one or more dot elements fail to heat properly. When this occurs, the printed symbol may no longer be scannable. Obviously, if printed symbols are routinely checked by a barcode print verifier, print head wears will be easily detected. Another procedure we recommend is to print a symbol with a horizontal bar going across the top of the label. Any defective element module will be easy to recognize.

Source: Bar Code Graphics, Inc.(http://www.barcode-us.com/upc/printingTips.html)

Direct Thermal Printing

2012-07-07T23:34:00.001-07:00

Direct Thermal Printing (DT)

Direct thermal printing does not require barcode ribbon in the printing process.
Direct thermal barcode label will change color (usually black) when contacted with head element of the direct thermal printer. A disadvantage is durability, because another heat source can ruin or obscure the printing of the direct thermal barcode label, or it may fade completely over time.

Direct Thermal Printing

Thermal Transfer Printing

2012-07-07T22:34:00.001-07:00

Thermal Transfer Printing (TT)

Thermal transfer printing melts a coating (ink) of barcode ribbon with the heat element from print head so that it transfer the ink and stays glued to the label on which the print/heat is applied.
Thermal Transfer printed barcode label has the advantage of a much longer readable life and does not fade with time or heat. (Subject to the matching of the thermal transfer ribbons & barcode label material).

Thermal Transfer Printing

Label | Barcode | Pre-Printing | Thermal Transfer Ribbon (Barcode Ribbon)

How GS1 standards work - GS1

How GS1 standards work

Identify

Capture

Share

Use

Businesses can also combine different GS1 standards to streamline business processes such as traceability.

International Article Number (EAN) - Wikipedia

Printing Your Own Labels - Electronic Imaging Materials, Inc

Topcoats Are Not Just for People - Electronic Imaging Materials, Inc.

Destructive stickers - PUNARVASU GRAPHICS

Poly and Vinyl Labels, Decals and Stickers - Specialty Printing

Definition of 'Vinyl (PVC)' as it relates to labels. - Label Planet Ltd

PVC & Vinyl Labels - Kromo Prints.

Label Adhesives Guide Part 1: Types and Properties - Consolidated Label

Types of Label Adhesives

Getting Technical: Adhesive Properties

Label Adhesive Guide Part 2: Performance and Selection

Polyester & Polyethelyene Naphthulate Label Products - Polyonics, Inc.

Popular Labels for Fixed Asset Identification

Polyester Labels Overview - polyesterlabels.org

PET, PP & PE Labels - Sense Print Ribbon&Label

7 TYPES OF LABEL MATERIALS - Neumann Marking Solutions

1. Metalized, Clear or White Polyester

2. Industrial Vinyl

3. Destructible Vinyl, Security, Tamper Proof

4. Clear or White Polypropylene

5. Static Cling Vinyl

6. Fluorescent and Foil Paper

7. Litho, Semi-Gloss and High Gloss Paper

Label Materials & Descriptions - By Whitlam Label Company

DIRECT THERMAL AND THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTING

Difference between direct thermal and thermal transfer printing?

Why are direct thermal and thermal transfer the best technologies for printing bar codes?

How do choose between direct thermal and thermal transfer printing?

Linear Barcode (1D) Types

Code 39 Barcode Symbology

EAN-13 Barcode Symbology

Components

GS1 Prefixes

What is Barcode?

What is Polyester material?

What is PP material?

Suggestions for TT Printing (Thermal Transfer)

Adjustment of Print-head Temperature / Print Speed

Symbol Orientation

Printer Maintenance

Direct Thermal Printing

Direct Thermal Printing (DT)

Thermal Transfer Printing

Thermal Transfer Printing (TT)

Businesses can also combine different GS1 standards to streamline business
processes such as traceability.