Durable Barcode Labels

One of the prime features of high-quality barcode labels is durability. Durable barcode labels are vital for any industrial application and are integral for equipment marking and security. These are important for cassettes, plates, slides, vials, and laboratory and medical items.

Durable barcode labels can withstand abrasion, corrosion, moisture, heat, solvents, and UV light. Accuracy, clarity, consistency, easy identification, flexibility, high quality, legibility retention, and reliability are the major advantages of durable barcode labels. Warehouse barcode labels, work-in-process barcode labels, utility asset labels, barcode labels for industrial use, asset tags for property identification, and polyester barcode labels are some examples of durable barcode labels.

Durable barcode labels are available in a range of adhesive backings and are generally categorized into aluminum barcode labels, polyester barcode labels, and ceramic barcode labels. Aluminum barcode labels are able to resist wear and tear and harsh chemicals. Polyester barcode labels have permanent industrial adhesive bonding, which ensures dependability. Ceramic barcode labels are coated with ceramics and have a stainless steel base. This type of label can withstand extreme temperature and strong acids. Durable barcode labels are also made from materials like polypropylene, polycarbonate, photo anodized aluminum, and stainless steel.

Quality of label stock, ribbon, printing technology, and barcode label programs employed are the primary factors, among many others, that determine the durability of barcode labels. Since they have the capability of printing long-lasting images on a range of materials, thermal-transfer printers are generally used to produce scratch-resistant, durable barcode labels. Sometimes laser printers and matrix impact printers coupled with the right media and ribbon technology are employed to print durable barcode labels. Many sophisticated barcode label systems and barcode label programs are available now to ensure the durability of barcode labels. However, the cost to generate durable barcode labels is exceptionally high.

Bar Code Labels provides detailed information on bar code labels, bar code label printers, bar code label software, bar code label makers and more. Bar Code Labels is affiliated with Bar Code Software.

Barcode Label Adhesives

An integral part of barcode labeling, barcode label adhesive is the substance or material applied to the back of a barcode label to attach it to the surface of a particular item. A barcode label adhesive should be of industrial grade and must have an apply temperature ranging from 40 °F to 250 °F.

Shear, tack, and peel are among the properties that are critical for barcode label adhesives. Shear represents the measurement of an adhesive's internal strength with which it attaches itself; shear is especially important on curved surfaces. Adhesives with a low shear fall off easily, while high-shear adhesives do not. Tack measures the ability of an adhesive to build an instantaneous bond with the surface on which it is applied. Peel determines the force required to remove a label.

Barcode labels are available in a variety of adhesive backings, and the application of adhesives depends upon the type of surface and quality of label material. The weight of the adhesive coat varies according to the application requirements. Barcode label adhesives are generally classified into two groups: permanent and removable barcode label adhesives. Most of the barcode applications employ permanent barcode label adhesives. A feature of this type of barcode label adhesive is that it has a strong adhesion to a range of surfaces including paper, plastic, and stainless steel. Permanent barcode label adhesives are generally used for applications where removal is not required or necessary.

Removable barcode label adhesives are used for barcode applications where the label is temporary. Common examples of removable barcode label are price tags affixed on costly consumer items. The apply temperature of removable barcode label adhesives starts at around 40°F, which is higher than that of the permanent barcode label adhesives. For particular applications, barcode label adhesives are further sub-divided into acrylic, acid-free, cold-temperature, high-temperature, pressure-sensitive, emulsion, food contact, silicone, solvent, rubber, and glove-friendly adhesives.

Bar Code Labels provides detailed information on bar code labels, bar code label printers, bar code label software, bar code label makers and more. Bar Code Labels is affiliated with Bar Code Software.

Bluetooth Wireless Barcode Scanners

Bluetooth Wireless Barcode scanners are fast gathering popularity in the retail and service related industries. Many companies have adopted using Bluetooth wireless barcode scanners and found them to be an integrated part of their business operations

Wireless barcode scanners using Bluetooth technology provided wireless coverage and lower cost per barcode scanner compared with wireless 802.11b barcode scanners.

Bluetooth wireless barcode scanners are light and portable thus allowing the operator to move easily from place to place.

It also makes it easy to scan huge, bulky and immoveable items as the operator can scan easily without moving the large items.

They are two types of barcode scanners available. One used CCD based technology, the other is laser-based technology. CCD-based barcode scanners uses optical cameras to capture barcode images and then translate that to barcode information. One major disadvantage of CCD barcode scanners is that the scanning distance is shorter. CCD barcode scanners is used mostly in fixed or static barcode scanners where distance is not a problem.

Laser barcode scanners uses a laser to capture barcode information. As such, they have a longer scanning distance and also can scan curved surface. Most Bluetooth wireless barcode scanners are laser-based.

The price of Bluetooth wireless barcode scanners have rapidly dropped over the years and nowadays you can get a pretty good one for a few hundred dollars. Therefore it is a good investment to get these for your business.

Ricky Lim runs a barcode scanners reviews site. Visit his site for reviews of barcode label printers, Symbol barcode scanners etc.

The Three Types Of Barcode Printers

You may be surprised to know any black & white printer can become a barcode printer. All you need are some barcode labels and barcode software to print barcodes. It is best to use a laser printer for this type of print job because it requires barcode print accuracy in order for the barcode scanner to read correctly.

However, it does require some technical knowledge to set up. Also, it is not suitable for large barcode printing jobs. If you do not want the fuss with setting up and testing barcodes, I would suggest getting a standalone, dedicated barcode printer. All the necessary software and hardware are in place and is designed to print barcodes right out of the box.

There are mainly three categories of barcode printers currently available on the market.

1) Small Office/SOHO barcode printers

These types of printers are cheap but do not have large barcode printing capability. It is mostly useful if you need to print barcodes occasionally.

2) Large Batch Printing Barcode Printers

These type of printers are dedicated barcode printing powerhouses. They are expensive but able to print large amounts of barcode very quickly. It is mostly used in factories, large retail outlets and hospitals where speed and reliability is important.

3) Portable Barcode Printers

Most portable barcode printers cannot print in large quantities. They are usually used to print receipts, forms at the spot as required. Most portable barcode printers uses wireless or bluetooth for communications

I would recommend getting a dedicated barcode printer as cost wise it is more effective than trying to cobble together a barcode printing system using your existing document printer.

Ricky Lim runs a barcode scanners reviews site. Visit his site for reviews of POS barcode scanners , wireless barcode scanners etc.