Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Barcode?

A barcode is simply a machine-readable language. It is letters and numbers put in a form that machines (computers) can then easily read. Check out the hardware section for more details of the scanners and other readers available. They range from the size of a pen that links to your computer or EPOS all the way up to large readers which can be mounted to forklifts for a large warehouse. Software programs are written that translate data, usually numeric and alpha codes, into barcodes so that a scanner can read it and input it into a computer.

Aren't There Different Types of Barcodes?

Yes. There are a number of different types of barcodes, all of the them accomplish the same task; converting data into a form that a machine can easily recognise. The different formats are almost like different languages. Just as the word "telephone" is said differently in English, French, German, or Spanish, so too different barcodes can be used to represent the same set of data.

The different languages are called ‘barcode symbologies’. Currently there are more than 22 of them that have different capabilities for the amount of information you need to convey about your product. Sometimes you just want to record that one tin of beans has left the shop floor and needs reordering; other times you may want to record an entire address and the nature of merchandise being sent out so you can track it on a delivery run.

For those of you that like to know the technical terms - some of the symbologies include:

• UPC-A/E
• EAN
• Code 39
• Code 93
• Code 128
• I 2 of 5
• Industrial 2 of 5
• Matrix 2 of 5
• Coda Bar
• MSI
• Book Land
• POSTNET
• UCC/EAN 128
• PDF417
• Maxi Code
• Data Matrix

I Heard That There Are Two Methods of Printing Used by Barcode Printers, Which One Do I Want?

Barcode printers come in two basic forms - direct thermal and thermal transfer. Both use the heat of the printing element to form an image on the label. The difference is in the process.

Direct thermal printers use the heat of the print head to form an image on specially coated papers. Much like the old-style fax paper that was chemically treated and would react to the heat of the print head on an incoming fax, these labels have been processed to react to the heat of the printing element.

Thermal transfer printers use the heat of the printing element to transfer the resin from a ribbon onto a label. The image is crisper and lasts longer.

Most printers come in either configuration, so you could order a particular printer in either the direct thermal or thermal transfer model. Some printers actually have the option of being changed from one type to the other by simply adding a ribbon and changing your labels - something to bear in mind when you make your choice.

Which One Do I Need?

The criteria to make that decision is your application. Direct thermal (no ribbon) is slightly cheaper as, because there is no ribbon involved, the cost per thousand labels tends to be less. However, the disadvantage of direct thermal is that the label will fade with time. Just like the old curly fax paper that would turn grey and fade after about six months, so too thermal direct labels, as they are coated to react to heat and will fade with time. If your application involves the need for labels to last more than eight months, we recommend using a thermal transfer printer. If you were using the printer for address labels on one day and for yearly stock taking the next day, it may be advisable to invest in a printer that can do both.

How Do I Select Which Printer I Need?

There are a few questions you have to determine and then the decision is pretty straightforward. The first question is how many labels do you plan on printing? Barcode printers are largely designed to handle a given workload. The most common method of measuring a printer's capacity is by the amount of "labels a day" it is rated for. A light-duty printer will accommodate up to 200 labels a day, while a medium-grade printer will handle up to 500 a day. If your application requires you to print more than 500 labels a day, then you would need a heavy-duty printer. Finally, if you find that your application demands printing more than 1,000 labels a day, you would need an industrial-grade printer. Check out the hardware section for specs on a few of the printers available.