Barcode printers, abbreviated as barcode machines, use a traditional printing method. A barcode printer/barcode machine is a specialized device, generally with thermal and thermal transfer printing methods, using dedicated labels and ribbons.
Barcode printers print quickly and can print on special materials (PVC, etc.); they can be externally connected to a cutter for function expansion. However, they are expensive and relatively complex to use and maintain, suitable for professional users who need to produce large quantities of labels.
Barcode printers are used where large quantities of labels need to be printed. Especially in factories that need to print large volumes in a short time, where special labels (such as PVC materials, waterproof materials) are needed, or where print-on-demand is required (such as ticket offices), a barcode printer should be chosen. If you frequently print labels in large quantities or have special requirements for labels, a barcode printer is the best choice.
Barcode printers, also called label printers, are printing devices specially capable of quickly printing large quantities of adhesive labels, PET labels, hang tags, washable fabric labels, etc. Barcode printers have been widely used in all aspects of production and life, such as supermarkets, government departments, manufacturing enterprises, and logistics.
Barcode printers can adapt to different needs of production and life, printing labels of various sizes according to each enterprise's situation. They are simple and quick to use, supporting single-label printing or batch printing, entirely controlled by the user. Today, barcode printers are one of the indispensable production tools for enterprises.
I. Introduction to Barcode Printers
Labels are part of product identification and an indispensable important mark of a qualified product. In today's increasingly fierce market competition, non-compliant labels have become one of the barriers some countries use to block other countries' products from entering their markets, which shows the important role of labels. Labels have also become one of the conditions for whether a product can enter the international market.
Barcode printers, also called label printers, clothing hang tag printers, or envelope printers, are printing devices specially capable of quickly printing large quantities of adhesive labels, PET labels, hang tags, washable fabric, etc. They have been widely used in all aspects of production and life, such as supermarkets, government departments, manufacturing enterprises, and logistics.
II. Features of Barcode Printers
A barcode printer is a specialized printer, and what it prints is generally an enterprise's brand logo, serial number identification, packaging identification, barcode identification, envelope labels, clothing hang tags, etc.
In addition to the printing functions of ordinary printers, it also has the following advantages
1. Industrial-grade quality, not limited by print volume, capable of 24-hour printing;
2. Not limited by printing material; can print PET, coated paper, thermal paper adhesive labels, as well as synthetic materials such as polyester and PVC, and washable label fabrics;
3. Text and graphics printed by thermal transfer are scratch-resistant; printing with special ribbons can also give printed products water resistance, stain resistance, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature resistance;
4. Extremely fast printing, up to 10 inches (24 cm) per second;
5. Can print continuous serial numbers and connect to a database for batch printing;
6. Label paper is generally several hundred meters long and can yield thousands to tens of thousands of small labels; label printers use continuous printing, making storage and organization easier;
7. Not limited by the working environment;
8. A single label can be up to 120 cm long
III. Daily Maintenance and Regular Care
To ensure the quality and long-term good performance of a barcode printer, it needs to be cleaned regularly. The more frequently the barcode printer is used, the more often it should be cleaned. (Infrequent use = weekly cleaning; frequent use = daily cleaning)
1. Cleaning the printhead
Clean the printhead regularly and at set intervals. Cotton swabs and alcohol can be used as cleaning tools. Turn off the barcode printer's power; when wiping, keep to one direction (to avoid dirt remaining when wiping back and forth). Flip up the printhead, remove the ribbon and label paper, and gently wipe the printhead with a cotton swab (or cotton cloth) dipped in printhead cleaning solution until clean. Then gently dry the printhead with a clean cotton swab.
Keeping the printhead clean both achieves good print results and, most importantly, extends printhead life.
2. Cleaning and maintaining the platen roller
Clean the barcode printer's platen roller regularly and at set intervals; cotton swabs and alcohol can be used as cleaning tools. Keeping the platen roller clean is also for good print results and extending printhead life. During printing, label paper leaves a lot of powder on the platen roller; if not cleaned in time, it will damage the printhead. After long use, if the platen roller is worn or uneven, it will also affect printing and damage the printhead.
3. Cleaning the rollers
After cleaning the printhead, clean the rollers with a cotton swab (or cotton cloth) dipped in 75% alcohol. The method is to rotate the roller by hand while wiping; once clean, wipe dry. The cleaning interval for the above two steps is generally once every three days; if the barcode printer is used frequently, preferably once a day.
4. Cleaning the drive system and the inside of the chassis
Because label paper is generally adhesive, its glue easily sticks to the drive shafts and channels; combined with dust, this directly affects print results, so frequent cleaning is required. Generally once a week: wipe the surfaces of the various drive shafts and channels and the dust inside the chassis with a cotton swab (or cotton cloth) dipped in alcohol; wipe dry when clean.
5. Cleaning the sensors
Keep the sensors clean to prevent label detection errors or ribbon errors. Sensors include the ribbon sensor and the label sensor; their positions are shown in the manual. Generally clean once every three to six months: wipe the sensor heads with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol and wipe dry when clean.
6. Cleaning the paper feed guide:
The guide generally does not have major problems, but sometimes human factors or label quality problems cause labels to stick inside the guide, in which case it must be cleaned promptly.
7. Friendly reminders:
Keep the barcode printer temperature generally between 10 and 24; it must not be too high, otherwise it easily shortens printhead service life. Pay attention to matching ribbon and labels: generally coated paper with wax-based ribbon, synthetic paper with semi-resin or full-resin ribbon. In addition, keep label paper flat; do not let it become uneven, otherwise the printhead is easily worn.
IV. How to Choose a Suitable Barcode Printer
Many enterprises are not very familiar with coding machines and often do not know how to choose one. So how should users choose a label barcode printer suitable for their own enterprise?
Before purchasing a barcode printer, first understand the machine's technical parameters and performance
1. Print width:
This indicates the maximum width the printer can print and also represents the printer's grade. Generally, print widths range from 3 inches to 8 inches; print width is the decisive factor in choosing a printer, and users should choose a printer that suits them according to their actual needs.
2. Print resolution:
The higher the resolution, the clearer the print. The highest print resolution currently is 600dpi, while 200dpi or 300dpi can meet daily industrial needs; users have no need to invest excessive cost in pursuing overly high print resolution.
3. Print speed
High speed is the biggest advantage of barcode printers over ordinary printers. Their speed can reach 12 inches/sec. For the same type of machine, the faster the speed, the lower the precision. So users must adjust the machine themselves to achieve the perfect combination of speed and precision.
4. Interface:
The common interface is the parallel port; now more and more printers use a USB interface.
When choosing a label barcode printer, the following issues should also be considered:
1. Print volume:
If you need to print more than 1,000 labels per day, you need a rugged, high-volume industrial-grade printer with a metal housing
2. Label size:
A general barcode printer can print 4″x6″ labels, which exactly matches the current specification of shipping labels. You can also flexibly print labels of different sizes according to your needs; if you need to print wider labels
3. Label content:
If you only need to print barcodes and text, a general barcode printer is sufficient. But if you need each label to print a different barcode (such as a product number) or text (such as a shipping label) without stopping printing midway, you need a printer equipped with a 32-bit processor, which can greatly improve production efficiency.
4. Label quality:
The print resolution of label coding machines is generally divided into 203dpi, 300dpi, and 600dpi; the larger the dpi value, the better the print result. If you want to print high-quality images on labels, you may consider a 300dpi printhead.
5. Print speed:
Different models of printers have different print speeds, depending on the user's speed requirements. General barcode printers have a print speed of 2″-6″/sec, while higher-speed printers () can reach 10″/sec. If a large number of labels must be printed in a short time, a high-speed printer should be selected.
Through this introduction to barcode printers from various aspects, I believe everyone has gained some understanding. When choosing a printer, you can comprehensively consider your own needs and decide which printer better suits you.