LABEL PRINTING SOLUTIONS
At Barcode-IT, we don't just sell label printing software and hardware, we supply total label printing solutions, including consultancy, training and support. We listen to our customer's requirements and recommend a solution that will work best for their business, supporting them fully throughout installation and beyond.
Let us recommend and implement a complete barcode label printing solution, that connects directly to your ERP database, to improve labelling accuracy and promote efficiency within your supply chain. Barcode-IT can provide the whole package; design, installation, training and after sales support. Many of our customers come to us following requests from suppliers to conform to certain industrial labelling standards and our knowledge of barcode labelling ensures we can not only supply the right tools to print the required labels, but can also set-up templates and train staff where necessary.
Label printing solutions comprise multiple parts; the design and print software, thermal barcode printer, correct media and finally ensuring the equipment is installed and supported following purchase. Contact us on 01200 441977 with your label printing requirements or find more information below:
Label Printing Software
Barcode-IT are a Loftware Solutions Partner, recognised for our ability to design, install and support label printing solutions to any size of business, through our vast experience gained working with Loftware and NiceLabel products for over 20 years.
Loftware's range of intuitive software products provide a label printing solution for any labelling requirement; from basic label design and print to multi-site, cloud-hosted, automated label management systems that fulfil industry specific labelling criteria, especially important in FMCG and pharmaceutical/medical devices manufacturing. Pull data directly from your chosen ERP or database, including SAP, to populate label fields, eliminating errors caused by operator input and time spent resolving problems.
Ensuring you receive advice before purchasing software can be critical to the success of the project
and we are happy to talk through any requirement you may have, whilst you trial a full version of
Loftware's software for 30 days.
Choose from Loftware Cloud or NiceLabel On Premise below and find out how our barcode label printing solutions can revolutionise your label printing process.
Barcode Printers
Choosing the right barcode label printer is critical to the success of any label printing solution. At Barcode-IT, we have been providing thermal printers for over 25 years, to some of the largest companies in the UK and can supply and install the right printer for your printing needs and budget. Link seamlessly to our recommended NiceLabel design and print software, for error free printing every time.
Finding the right type of printer for the application and environment, is key to ensuring that your investment in a printer is a worthwhile one. Buying a printer that is not fit for purpose, may cost you more in downtime and maintenance in the future, than purchasing a more expensive, more industrial printer would have to start with.
Follow our quick guide to choosing the right category of printer here:
Labels and Ribbons
Whether you're using a desktop, industrial or mobile printer, to ensure quality print on your labels every time, you need high-quality media to put through your barcode label printers. Over the last 25 years, we have gained a huge amount of knowledge in labelling and are able to supply high quality, application specific media to make sure that your labels show all the information you need, each and every time.
There are too many different types of label and tag materials to mention, but whatever your label requirement, be assured there is a solution. We are a Zebra certified RFID partner, so can also provide details and pricing for RFID labels and tags.However, some considerations when looking for the right type of media, that may also affect your choice of printer, are below:
Size of Label
It is possible to get almost any size of label, the only limitation is the width of printer that you are using. Some label sizes are very common and are therefore often kept in stock. These sizes are based on inch measurements generally, for example 2" x 1" (50mm x 25mm) or 4" x 6" (101mm x 152mm). If your perfect label size is around a stock size, it may be a much more cost effective solution to compromise slightly and opt for a stock size. Delivery will be quicker and there are no cutter charges involved for exact label sizes. However, if a particular label size is required, we can get you a competitive quotation, whatever the quantity.
Make and Model of Printer
Knowing what type of printer the labels are to go through is important when purchasing labels. The printer make and model determines the core size and the maximum number of labels you can have on a roll. Additionally, some labels use different methods of detecting where to stop printing or how to find the next label.
Paper vs. Plastic
Paper labels are very common and used in a huge number of label printing applications. Paper labels are suitable where there is no chance of the labels getting wet, the environment is not too harsh and it's not a problem if the labels are ripped. Plastic/synthetic labels are a more durable label solution, surviving in very harsh environments, thay are tear resistant and a much more longlife labelling solution. Thermnal transfer paper labels can be printed on with wax ribbons, whereas plastic labels require a resin ribbon to ensure a good print.
Direct Thermal vs. Thermal Transfer
Confused about the type of label you need to use. We're here to help guide you through the process. Labels can be purchased as either direct thermal or thermal transfer.
Direct thermal labels use thermal paper to transfer the image to the label using just heat created by the printhead. Direct thermal labels can appear more expensive, but when you consider that there is no need to purchase ribbons or a thermal transfer mechanism on the printer, they can be a much more cost effective solution for labels required for short-term use. Direct thermal labels have a shorter shelf life than thermal transfer labels, as they are more susceptible to heat and light, so we advise a shelf life of up to 6 months for these labels once printed or for storage purposes.
Thermal transfer labels require a ribbon to transfer an image onto the label. The label and ribbon pass through the printer at the same time and heat created by the printhead transfers the image onto the label. Thermal transfer labels are a longer life solution for label requirements and survive in harsh environments well, if the label and ribbon are matched correctly. It's important to ensure that your label material and ribbon are well matched, to avoid the image on the label smudging or not being transferred to the label at all.
Permanent vs. Removable Adhesive
Labels can be ordered with various different types of adhesive. Permanent adhesive is the most common type of adhesive, as generally customers do not want or need the labels to be removed. However, in some applications, especially products that are sent to consumers like glasses, plates, etc., labels need to be removed for aesthetic reasons.
Blank vs. Pre-printed
If you require a label with a colour logo or location labels for your warehouse, it is often more cost effective to have them pre-printed, than to buy an expensive, colour printer. You can then over print the labels with any variable information. If you're only printing text, barcode or a logo in black, blank labels and a ribbon (if required) are the best and most cost effective option.
If you have a specific labelling application that you need advice on, contact us or telephone 01200 441977 for a consultation and pricing.
Support and Maintenance
Once you've invested in your chosen label printing solution, it's important to ensure that contingencies are put in place for a printer breakdown or problems encountered with the label printing software design or integration.
Barcode-IT can offer onsite maintenance contracts, manufacturer return to base and AdHoc repair services for all models of printers, to ensure that you're covered should a problem occur. We will also provide telephone support, to try to resolve any issues we can over the phone, to get your system back up and running as soon as possible. Find out more about our maintenance options here.
For any label design or printing queries, we can offer a 12 month telephone and e-mail support contract for NiceLabel installations, which also includes a free major version upgrade, should a new version be released, to ensure you're always working with the latest software product and can take advantage of the latest innovations and features. Training and installation of new software can be provided by our highly trained engineers, either remotely or onsite.