Available in different shapes and sizes, barcode labels are vital components to tracking products and goods in warehouses and industries such as retail. At GSM Barcoding, we have a wide range of barcode and digital print solutions for your business that are sure to help you track your goods!
Step 1: Environment
Knowing the environment in which the barcodes will be kept is important. Being exposed to extreme conditions such as cold, heat, or sunlight have a direct effect on the barcodes’ properties, which will affect their durability.
The resolution will be affected by the label’s environment, and the clarity of reading is vital for the barcode to be read and scanned. The higher the number of dots per inch, or dpi, the higher the resolution and quality. This is particularly important for thermal printing of high-density barcodes and barcodes with finer details.
Step 2: Application
Knowing where the barcode will be applied means taking into account its usage; will it be applied to products with outdoor or indoor use? Will there be moisture and temperature ranges to consider? Determining which barcode labels are the best for your business involves knowing the exact details every step of the way.
Similarly, knowing the volume of printing that you need will help you determine the right barcode label. Thermal printing is perfect for low printing volumes on-demand, while thermal transfer will provide a more reliable solution for high printing quantities.
Step 3: Durability
Depending on what your business requires, you might need barcode solutions that are very durable or solutions that only need to last a few months. The labels, the printing, and the writing need to last for as long as you require them to, whether this means during shipment only or until it reaches customers.
If you need barcodes with more durability, then thermal transfer printing is the ideal solution. It also prints in both colour and black very easily. Solutions for short term use like shipping will benefit from direct thermal printing, as it allows for quick barcode label printing.
Step 4: Label or Tag
What do you need to track? If you need to track shipping, parcels, or other objects, then barcode labels are ideal. Also, they are used to track goods and ensuring warehouse stock is organised, barcode labels are a vital tracking option.
Asset tags allow for businesses to keep a record of their property, and the asset tags often include the asset’s condition and other helpful data. Additionally, you have to consider the tag or the label’s size. Wider labels will require a higher quality of printing, which thermal transfer provides.
Step 5: Compatibility
The right barcode solution for your business needs to be compatible with your needs, not only its application. If you have a small business, your printing needs will be different from bigger companies that will require tracking of high quantities of goods.
Still unsure? Get in touch with us and we’ll happily help you find the best solution for your business.
To learn more about this and the technologies that can help you stand apart from the competition, increase your productivity and improve your warehousing, download the full, free report below:
