Barcode printing methods
Dot matrix printer / Matrix printing
Needle printers print on different types of materials using a matrix of tiny needles over a ribbon. Due to the lower print resolution, this printing is not suitable for all codes. The main advantage is the low cost of the printer and consumables. The ribbon can also be reused, but may cause the codes to be unreadable if the ribbon is badly worn. Printing is particularly suitable for large codes with low code density.
Inkjet printing
Inkjet printers print using a print head that sprays ink using a set of nozzles. The advantage of this type of printing is the ability to print on a variety of materials or directly on the items being marked. The disadvantage is the higher cost of the printer and the cartridges. As with needlepoint printing, the problem with barcode printing is the lower print resolution. It is also advisable to avoid printing the code in the background. It can also cause the code to spill when printing on certain materials, which can damage the code.
Laser printing
This printing is only suitable for limited materials due to the size of the printer and the material must be able to withstandhigher temperatures when the toner is baked and must be flexible enough to pass through the printer's mechanics. The printing itself is then very accurate - i.e. the legibility of the codes is not a problem.
Thermal printing
Thermal printing is divided into Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer.
Direct Thermal
This is an older method developed for the needs of fax machines. It consists of printing on specially chemically treated paper. The print head is composed of thermal elements (100-300 per inch depending on printer resolution) and is positioned perpendicular to the paper. Each element heats the paper locally, causing a chemical reaction that changes the color of the paper where the element is heated. The print thus consists of single lines of dots. This makes this method ideal for printing barcodes. The printers are also very durable and require almost no maintenance. In addition, printing costs are minimal - only paper. It achieves good resolution and code quality. The disadvantage is that the paper is still chemically active, meaning that age or UV radiation can damage the print.
Thermal Transfer Printing
Prints similarly to direct thermal printing, again there is the same print head, but instead of chemically treated paper there is a printing ribbon made of durable polyester with a layer of ink applied. The thermal head at the point of printing attaches the ribbon along with the ink to the paper, then after cooling (very quickly) the print ribbon peels off but the ink layer remains on the paper. The advantage is durable and accurate barcode printing. The printers are very durable with virtually no maintenance requirements. Another advantage is the ability to print on other materials. The only disadvantage is that the ink ribbon and the printed material must be compatible with each other.
Barcode printing software
Either special fonts are available for barcode printing, e.g. spreadsheets allow simple conversion of a number to a barcode, or specialised software is available that allow the complete design of a label or print assembly with a barcode, allowing e.g. This allows the printing of the code to be fully automated. Some barcode printers can be controlled directly from a dedicated keyboard and thus the print material can be entered manually without the need to connect to a computer.
Accessories for barcode printers
Industrial barcode printers can be ordered either as accessories or as part of a barcode printer, e.g. Label peelers, print material cutters, label reel winders, labeling devices, etc.
- Accessories for mobile, desktop and industrial printers
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