If it is your first time or been a while since you’ve last looked at getting a barcode label printer you may be surprised by the range of possible features currently available on even the most basic of printers. Printing labels has never been simpler and printers that are easy to operate with limited maintenance are commonplace.

With the following main concerns we assume you know the general basics of printing like the difference between thermal transfer and direct thermal, ribbon/label materials, print speeds etc… These points focus more on printer features that will make the daily operation easier and faster for any user.

Printer Construction

Depending on the environment you are working in having a printer that is designed to handle the wear and tear of daily abuse is crucial to a productive printing experience. Desktop printers designed for lower volume office or retail applications will have plastic  cases with a metal frame while industrial models will have complete metal designs.

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By far, the largest single contributor to POS system operating costs is the receipt printer. It is the only part of the POS system that requires supply items and it also requires more attention than any other POS peripherals. In the new era of POS system open architecture, retailers have the chance to select from many choices, a printer that provides them with the least “trouble” and operating expense. A shift in printing technologies, which has just gotten underway in the POS arena, is beginning to provide retailers with reduced operating costs.

Thermal printing is fast replacing impact printing in many key retail sectors. By its very nature, impact printing wears out parts faster and requires more frequent maintenance. Impact printers also require more attention because they have two supply items; ribbon and paper. Loading paper is complicated by the fact that the paper must be threaded under the ribbon. Nearly everyone has experienced the annoyance of waiting in line while the check out clerk goes looking for the resident paper/ribbon loading guru. With thermal receipt printing, their are no impact parts to deal with.

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Selecting a barcode scanner may seem like a simple enough task at first glance but given the range of barcodes and how they are used today, it can quickly become a challenge to find the right one.  Most scanners today are more than capable of reading well printed barcodes on a typical paper label. That said, uses for barcodes have expanded well beyond basic labels and many specialized scanners are available to meet the needs of specific applications. In the following we’ll cover some key features to consider when trying to select the best fit scanner for your needs.

1D or 2D – Printed or Electronic

Probably the most crucial first step in selecting a scanner is determining what kind of barcodes you will be reading. The traditional picket fence style 1D barcodes are still the most commonly used and are often printed on a label but you will find the use of 2D matrix style codes much more common today. Likewise, you may not just be reading barcodes on a printed label as more applications are embracing scanning off of smartphone screens or from codes directly etched/molded into a product.  In the case of simple 1D barcodes on a label, your standard laser of linear imager will readily meet your needs. For 2D barcodes or applications reading from not printed surfaces, a full 2D imager will be needed to properly scan the code. 2D imagers are more costly but their main advantage is that they can essentially omnidirectionally read any barcode from almost any surface.

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Regardless of the application, having enough printing supplies on hand is essential to avoid any hold ups in daily operations. Keeping enough thermal receipt paper on hand also means making sure its stored properly so you don’t end up wasting money and more time. With the following 3 rules you’ll keep your thermal paper safe and ready for action when you need it.

Keep away from heat

Excessive heat will cause your thermal paper receipt to turn gray at best or turn completely black and illegible at worst. You should always store your thermal paper receipts away from heat sources. Sunlight will also fade your receipts faster than the normal rate. As a general rule it is best to store your paper in a cool, dark, and dry location to ensure the longest use from it.

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One of the most common appeals of an iPad based POS system is the reduced cost and space involved. Keeping focused on functional necessity ultimately makes for a more streamlined and efficient tool for your business. That said, there are some accessories that are still essential to ensure you have the most functional POS system to meet your daily business needs.

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Act now and register to receive a promo code for a free printhead!

That’s right, as a valued Datamax-O’Neil customer, we’re offering you the H-Class that provides high performance, unmatched reliability and easy integration that out- distances any competitive label printer…all at an affordable price along with the free printhead.  You must buy your H-Class printer and redeem this promotion prior to September 30, 2014.

Feel free to contact one of our Barcodes Inc printer specialists to find right Datamax-O’Neil printer  and request a promo code to redeem your free printhead.

Zebra is not only a leading label printer manufacturer but also one of the largest thermal label supply converters in North America. Just as they do with printers, Zebra maintains a high standard for all the barcode printer supplies they produce from paper and plastic labels to thermal ribbons and wristbands. Using Zebra branded supplies with your Zebra printer will ensure you get the best results no matter the application.

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Scanning Basics: From Laser to Imager

Whether you’re aware of it or not, barcodes are one of the most influential technologies of the 20th century. The simple black and white bars you find on every product have helped usher in a level of efficiency that has allowed for large scale tracking around the globe. Many businesses would not be possible to run without the humble barcode. Keeping track of anything accurately is almost unimaginable without barcodes.

Historically, laser-based scanners were used to read barcodes. These laser scanners are still found in many applications today. While there have been advances in the speed and accuracy of laser scanners, the technology is still essentially the same it was when it was first developed in the ‘70s.

Today however, there are two technologies used in readers for barcode scanning: lasers and imagers. Imagers offer several improvements over the traditional laser while also providing important new capabilities, such as being able to read 2D barcodes. Imagers may have been used only in special cases in the past, but today, the advantages they provide over lasers can help improve almost any scanning application.

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Meeting the physical demands of a warehouse environment, especially in the case of forklift use, can be a daunting task for most mobile computers and tablets. Many mobile devices may have a rugged outer case but dealing with vibration and misuse on a vehicle/forklift requires even more specific design changes few devices have.

Motorola offers a range of terminals designed for vehicle use and can handle every application from the warehouse to cold storage and even the outdoors. This infographic is a quick overview of the key Motorola vehicle terminals and their main features to get you started finding the right unit for your needs.

As one of the leading manufacturers of label printers, Datamax-O’Neil has a wide range of industrial, desktop, and mobile printers to meet the needs of any application.

Choosing the best printer for your specific business needs can be a challenge with just a list of model names and images. The charts below are a simple feature and specifications breakdown of the full Datamax-O’Neil printer line.

For additional assistance choosing the right printer, contact one of our printer specialists at Barcodes Inc.