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| We have the experience that
gives us the expertise to provide consultancy services
in the following disciplines. |
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- Barcode & Label Printing
- Laser, Thermal & Dot Matrix Printing Technology
- Printing Integration & Connectivity
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Film Master
Film Masters are the starting point for the most accurate
barcode manufacture. An extremely precise bar code image
is plotted onto a piece of film, which is then integrated
into the rest of a products artwork. |
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Soft Copy Master
The Soft Copy is an electronically configured form, that
can be supplied on disk or by E-mail. This file is imported
into the rest of the product's artwork and then the complete
film is output to an image-setter. |
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| Barcode Printing Technology |
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| There are four basic types
of barcode printing technology: Dot Matrix, Inkjet,
Laser, and Thermal. |
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Dot Matrix:
Dot matrix print technology is a longstanding method of
producing barcodes on-site. The barcode image is produced
by hundreds of dots printed in a matrix to make the series
of lines and spaces commonly referred to as a barcode.
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| Strengths: |
- Printers are easily accessible and a less
expensive option of printing
- Various surfaces can be used to print on
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| Limitations: |
- Barcodes are low density and may not match
up to a users standard
- Though many types of material can be printed
on, often these labels are not durable, nor
can they be water or chemical resistant.
- No graphics capability
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Ink Jet:
Ink Jet printing is usually used in high production settings
where production of barcodes and human readable fonts
need to be reproduced at high rates of speed. |
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| Strengths: |
- Direct ink jet printing requires only one
step to finish on the carton or readable material.
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| Limitations: |
- System installation is very costly as this
method is designed for high-volume barcode printing
- not for individual or batch printing
- Requires constant supervision to prevent inkjet
clogging and maintain proper print quality.
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Laser:
A laser printer works much like a photo copier. Charging
particles of the paper that then attract ions from the
ink. These two particles are then bonded together by the
heat and pressure of the drum. |
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| Advantages: |
- Print high-quality text and graphics on paper
documents.
- Density and resolution are relatively high,
allowing the production of barcode Scannable.
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| Limitations: |
- Not well suited for industrial environments
- Label adhesives must be strong enough to withstand
the heat and pressure of the fuser
- Limited durability - cannot produce water
resistant nor chemical resistant labels
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Thermal:
Thermal printing includes Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer.
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| Direct Thermal: |
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| Advantages: |
- Produces sharp print quality with great scannability
- Ideal for applications with a short-shelf
life such as shipping labels and receipts
- Simple to operate and inexpensive to maintain
- no ink, toner or ribbon to monitor or replace
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| Limitations: |
- Sensitive to environmental conditions such
as heat and light
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| Thermal Transfer: |
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| Advantages: |
- Crisp, high-definition text, graphics, and
barcodes for maximum readability and scannability
- Produces long life standability
- Produce batch or single print labels with
minimum waste
- Long-term maintenance is low compared to dot-matrix,
inkjet, and laser
- Print on a high variety of media stock
- High durability
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| Limitations: |
- Supply costs slightly higher than Direct Thermal
as Thermal transfer requires ribbon replacement,
though their printhead lasts longer
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To Print the Label In House
or Not to Print: That is the Question???
The decision as to whether to print your labels In House
or buy them printed from a label printing company is going
to be based on label content and economics.
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Label Content
If your label needs to include Extensive Specific Data
than you will need to print them yourself.
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Economics
Small Label usage Companies say few thousand or less should
consider buying printed labels. Ordering labels periodically
makes it simple.
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