What You Need to Know about Automatic Print Coding

Automatic print coding has become an increasingly popular way to allow for the  automatic identification of products and collection of product data in a quick and efficient manner. Developed in the 1970s, today automatic print coding is also known as bar code printing or intelligent coding. It  is widely regarded as a means to manage product production information and to control  access to that data. As well, it can reduce the cost of labor and human error.

The most important things to know about this type of available print technologies  that can be used to reliably print high quality bar codes on your material. The range of employable printing technologies has expanded greatly in recent years, so it is important to know the advantages and limitations of each type in order to assess which one will work for your needs.

• On-Demand or Preprinted Labels? Preprinted labels work for operations that have a volume of identical labels – those with non-variable data – but that have many colors or complex graphics, as this saves both time and money. However, to be flexible and responsive to operational changes, on-demand labels can provide a solution for those labels that have variable data. Predominately single color (black) on-demand labels are used but labels can also be printed in multiple colors for slower speed applications.
• Dot Matrix versus Ink Jet versus Laser Printing. The range of printing technologies has expanded, so it is important to know the advantages and limitations of each type in order to assess which one will work for your needs. Ink Dot matrix printers have been ruled out for automatic print coding due to their  inaccuracy and low resolution. Ink jet works well for printing cartons and product packaging but still does not necessarily deliver for all bar coding applications. Laser printing works for some bar code applications but requires an area to be printed on the label (assuming a white label) that can be “burned” off to leave the variable information behind.
• Ideal Printing Technology—Thermal: Direct thermal is a simple process that works well with printed labels that have  a short shelf life and that do not need to handle exposure to heat, sunlight, or rough handling. Thermal transfer is your other thermal option, and it can handle heat and moisture as well as withstand the environment of product shipping.. This makes thermal transfer one of the most durable and ideal solutions for automatic print coding applications.

Another thing to consider about print coding technology is how to select the right printer. You will need to consider the following:

• Intended use
• Production environment
• Duty cycles
• Speed requirements
• Size of Print Area
• Frequency of copy changes
• Exposure environment
• Network or standalone operation
• Budget

All of these issues and needs must be addressed prior to selecting and investing in automatic print coding technology in order to ensure that you meet your volume, speed, image and resolution, printer integration and output expectations.

In highlighting the main points, the following concepts are important to remember:

• Automatic print coding is more commonly known as bar code printing.
• It is becoming one of the most widely used applications to manage and track data and inventory.
• You need to decide if you need ondemand or preprinted labels.
• Dot matrix, ink jet, and laser printers do not work as well with bar code applications.
• The best bar code application is thermal transfer printing
• It is important to consider a wide range of factors that relate directly to your operation, strategies, and budget before you select an automatic print coding machine.