Print Article for : Label Printing Software Freeware

Your Online Guide » IT Hardwares » Computer Hardware Guide

[L6]Label Printing Software Freeware

by Humphrey Appleby, Hum

If you have to print barcodes you'll often resort to using barcode fonts, special fonts that that create a barcode rather than ordinary text. However, sometimes barcode fontsare just niot the right tool for the job. Consider this very basic task: You need 1000 labels with a barcode and your company logo on it. The barcode is supposed to count from 1 to 1000, left padded with "0" to six digits.

How would you solve such a problem using a barcode font? Numbering is easy: You could use Excel's auto numbering feature and format the cells with the barcode font. But how do you print on labels from within Excel? Perhaps you could print from Word, Word knows how to print labels. But how do you realize the counter in Word? Perhaps you could import the numbers from Excel? Etc.

Dedicated label printing software will easily solve this and other problems. Decent label printing software is priced from about USD 100 and will be a good alternative to barcode fonts as soon as the requirements go up.

Besides from counting upwards or downwards even basic label printing software should also:

1. Feature other variables, like date and time.

2. Support all standard barcodes like EAN, UPC, Code 128. Two dimensional area codes like PDF 417, Datamatrix should be available as an option.

3. Import data from databases like Access, Oracle or SQL Server. Usually it's also possible to print this data as barcodes.

4. Import graphics in various formats.

5. Use true-type fonts for text elements.

6. Have a database of label formats from all important vendors. Should also allow the definition of user formats.

7. Let you literally design your labels. Modern label printing software has more in common with DTP programs than with word processors.

8. Print on any Windows printer. Some label printing software will come with dedicated printer drivers for thermal printers which may result in faster output.

9. Have variables that prompt the user for input right before printing.

10. Support unicode for multi script / multi language labels.

Avoid pitfalls

Before buying you'll want to get a fully functional trial to see if the software really meets your needs. Some feature lists look impressive on paper but what if the whole thing is awkward to handle or takes one minute to load? Also do you really need those obscure features that push the price tag beyond USD 500?

Before purchasing make sure that the file format the software uses is either documented or based on open standards like XML. Quite unlike text documents for word processors which can be exchanged between applications from different vendors you can't import label designs from software "A" into software "B" - at least I don't know of a case where this is possible. What if the manufacturer drops the software and you are stuck with hundreds of label designs?

Label printing is used in every business. Even if you don't have product labels, you still need shipping labels. And what about safety labels? You need to label anything that you might have in your production area that could be dangerous. This article is for those who don't know much about label printing, but know they need to do some label printing.

Before you get started, here are some basics you need to know:

Try to go with a printing company that uses an HP Indigo press
HP label printing presses have won awards for printing labels of the highest quality in recent years. The HP Indigo press printer also reduces or eliminates set-up fees because there are no metal plates that need to be switched out. This printer uses a photo imaging plate, which can be electrically drawn on and then erased, and drawn on again. Also, the 5500 model can print continuously because there are multiple drawers and stackers that the machine can pull extra paper from. A single operator can run two machines at the same time, reducing labor costs. The best way to find out if a printing company has an Indigo press is to simply ask. There are many different model options, as there are with any printer. You'll be safe with any of the HP Indigo presses.

Some printers can combine multiple label designs onto one roll
As long as you want the same size and material of label, you can change up the design within one order and get a volume pricing discount. This is a great way to get thousands of differently designed labels (like the Jones soda brand) that are the same size for the same type of product (a drink) with different flavors or names or photos on each.

You can also print multiples of the same design of label but with different bar codes.

Get a digital proof
You can see almost exactly what your label will look like before you get it printed. Albeit, a computer monitor does skew the colors of your label slightly because computer monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) color scheme and printers print in four colors: CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). This can save time and money because you don't have to wait for the proof to come in the mail and you don't have to pay for the mailing cost.

6-color printing is possible
With certain printers, like the Indigo 5500, you have additional colors to add to the mix, such as orange and green or light cyan and light magenta. This means you can get more accurate colors or more vibrant colors, which will help your label stand out from your competitors? labels on the store shelves.

Article Source : Pg. 367

About Author

Both Humphrey Appleby & Colleen Davis are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Humphrey Appleby has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Digital Camera and Computers and The Internet. Pro Barcode is your source for Barcode Software. Barcode newbies visit our section. Humphrey Appleby's top article generates over 1900 views. Bookmark Humphrey Appleby to your Favourites.

Colleen Davis has sinced written about articles on various topics from Business Cards, Brochures and Sales and Negotiation. For more information, you can visit this page on label printing. Colleen Davis's top article generates over 201000 views. Bookmark Colleen Davis to your Favourites.