How POS Barcode Scanners Can Improve Your Business Efficiency

Are you a small retail business owner looking for a way to speed up the waiting time of your customers when they are at the cashiers? Then POS barcode scanners can help you with that.

POS barcode scanners or point of sale scanners will allow the cashier to scan the product and all the important information such as product category, product code, pricing etc will be digitally recorded. This process is very fast and easy to learn. The only difficult part comes when you need to tag all your store's items with a barcode in order for the POS barcode scanner to be able to read.

Another advantage of using POS barcode scanners is that all recorded information is easily retrievable. This makes it easy to generate accounting data, ledgers etc convenient. Also the inventory levels in your store can be easily identified as well.

POS barcode scanners are not just useful in retail outlets but also can be used in clinics, libraries and any other business or organization where a large quantity of items are being transferred/purchased each day.

There are 2 types of POS barcode scanners. They are CCD-based and laser-based. CCD-based POS barcode scanners are more common and cheaper, however they have a disadvantage in that they can't read rounded surfaces. So if you have products which have a smooth curved surface, it is better to use laser-based barcode scanners.

Laser-based barcode scanners can read from any surface and can do this at a greater distance than CCD-based barcode scanners. This is because CCD-based scanners uses cameras to capture the barcode information hence they need to be within close distance of the barcode in order to capture the barcoding information.

An important type of barcode scanner is one that uses CCD technology. This technology was widely used in many retail outlets and involves scanning by pressing the scanner on the barcode to feed information into the computer. But its inability to read from round surfaces has resulted in the development of laser-operated scanners, which pick up barcodes from the surface of products even from a distance. With the advent of omni-directional laser scanners, more and more dealers are opting for those barcode readers that send out laser beams in different directions and pick up the barcodes on the products in a matter of seconds.

There are a wide variety of POS barcode scanners available in many different configuration depending on your market sector. Some uses USB, others wireless and some are handheld.

I personally prefer handheld POS barcode scanners from Symbol and Datalogic. I found they have the best support and handheld POS barcode scanners are light and portable and can easily to transport to other location as I see fit. You can check out their websites for their range of POS barcode scanners.

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

An Introduction To Label And Barcode Printing

Using a dedicated label printer

The majority of label printers work either in thermal (sometimes called thermal direct) or thermal transfer mode.

A thermal direct printer has a printhead that applies heat to specially coated, thermal paper. This paper changes its color to black when it is heated. The same principle applies to a fax machine with thermal paper. If you ever used such a fax you may have noticed that the paper gets yellowish or even brown after laying around for some time. That's because exposure to sunlight or any other source of bright light has the same effect on the paper as heating it during the print process.

Obviously, you will only want to use a thermal direct printer if you need labels that must at most be legitable for a few days or weeks. A typical application would be an address label. Also, grocery stores use this type of printing for labeling of vegetables or other short lived goods. Thermal direct printers have the big advantage that only one type of consumable is needed, the above mentioned thermal paper.

Thermal transfer printers on the other hand print on labels made of plain or normal paper. The printhead is the same as above but a thermal transfer ribbon or sheet sits between the head and the paper. Heating the ribbon causes ink to transfer from the ribbon to the paper, hence the name. Thermal transfer printing will lead to labels that can last for years. If you had to put labels on shelves that are supposed to last for some time you would use a thermal transfer printer.

It's noteworthy that any thermal transfer printer can also print thermal direct (simply leave out the ribbon and use thermal direct paper) but usually not the other way round because the cheaper thermal direct printers often lack the gear to attach a thermal transfer ribbon. Thermal transfer printers with about 200-300 dpi (which is enough for most purposes) start at about USD 500 and, depending on the volume and speed they deliver, can get very expensive.

Generally speaking, buying a dedicated label printer makes sense if you regularly have to print more than, say, 100-200 labels a day. It really depends on your application. Some advice: Always make sure that the printer comes with appropriate Windows (or Mac) drivers. This will allow you to use any Windows (or Mac) software for label printing, the alternative being that you have to use the printer's manufacturers proprietary (and usually expensive) software.

Using an every day ink jet or laser printer

With regards to print quality or durability, any modern ink jet or laser printer will easily print even the most demanding 2D barcodes in good quality. Therefore, if, for example, your application is to print lists of barcodes on plain paper there's no point in buying a dedicated printer for barcode printing.

However, if you have to print labels on a regular basis, the story is different. For once, these printers won't be able to deliver a single label like a dedicated label printer, instead they consume at least a full sheet of paper, no matter how many labels you need. Of course you could put the sheet back into the printer after peeling the label off but next time you would have to tell the label printing software to skip the used labels. Also after two or three trips through the paper feeding mechanism labels tend to get loose and block the paper path.

Bear also in mind that (on a per label basis) ink jet or laser labels are far more expensive then labels for thermal or thermal transfer printers. It's my experience that people try to cope with this for some time but finally give in and buy a dedicated label printer.
Pro Barcode is your source for Barcode Software. Barcode newbies visit our section Barcode Know How and FAQ.

Barcode Reader Manufacturers - The Future For Barcode Readers

Theyre not really the greatest invention of the recent century. To claim such would be an unbelievable hyperbole. But barcode readers have attained, and kept, their place as indispensable tools for many businesses the world over.

Though the world in general may not have been evolutionized by their introduction to several industries, barcode readers have made quite a fortune for benefiting enterprises and barcode reader manufacturers alike.

Indeed, barcode reader manufacturers have enjoyed tremendous and sustained profit by reason of their main products. Barcode readers have become a must in certain fields that demand for the said products has never waned, instead, has experience a steady increase throughout the years. As a result, barcode reader manufacturers are always aiming to discover new applications and improvements for their cash cow.

The Driving Force Behind Barcode Reader Manufacturers

Like most industry giants, barcode reader manufacturers discovered a need, and they provided for such a need through their worthy invention: barcode readers.

Before barcode reader manufacturers started to distribute their products, businesses involved with the identification and verification of items, especially those in minor or major transits, have been fraught with errors and delays.

The reason? Everything was being carried out manually, hence the processes are susceptible to human fallibilities.

Barcode reader manufacturers offered barcode readers to solve these problems. The bread and butter of these barcode reader manufacturers was able to make things more accurate and convenient, resulting in a more efficient and speedy execution of the said processes.

Barcode Reader Manufacturers And The Developments In The Industry

Since the time they have started to offer barcode readers for the usage of relevant businesses, barcode reader manufacturers have likewise introduced improvements over the original models. Today, barcode readers come in a variety of forms, care of the many barcode reader manufacturers in the industry.

Fixed readers, portable batches and portable RF readers are just some of major types of barcode readers that barcode reader manufacturers are currently selling in the market. They come in further variations, of course.

Barcode reader manufacturers have also developed scanner-based barcode readers, camera-based barcode readers, and CDD barcode readers for businesses with equally varied needs.

Barcode reader manufacturers also change the products to conform to current demands. For example, barcode reader manufacturers today offer barcode readers that could decode numeric barcodes. These barcode reader manufacturers also offer barcode readers that could translate barcodes using alphabetic characters. They also offer barcode readers that could identify and verify barcodes with lines of fixed or varying lengths.

Barcode Reader Manufacturers And The Future

Judging from history, only good things can be expected from barcode reader manufacturers in the coming years. The leading barcode reader manufacturers of today such as Symbol Technologies, Intermec, Opticon, Argox and American Microsystems, Ltd. Are already positioning themselves for their continued success in the future.

They are heavily investing on their research and development departments to come up with better applications and features for the barcode readers they will manufacture for tomorrow.

It is an exciting time for both interested businesses and barcode reader manufacturers. Fueled by unceasing success, the future does look bright for those tools that have helped boost the efficiency of countless businesses throughout the years.

Ewen Chia is the owner of BarCodeReader.info
providing excellent bar code reader information,
news plus completely *free* barcode reader fonts!
http://www.BarCodeReader.info


The Small Business Success Summit (October 10, 2003 to October 12, 2003)Maxine ThompsonCopyright 2005 Black Butterfly Press

By Maxine Thompson (http://www.maxinethompson.com)

While at the Pacific Ocean the other day, penning this article, I watched a homeless man dig inside a garbage can and ferret out a thrown away bag of fast food. Of course, I felt moved to give him a small token, but it made me reflect. What if he had attended The Small Business Success Summit? Perhaps his life would have been different. He could have learned from Ted Nicholas, known as the 4 billion dollar man, (www.TedNicholas.com) and Joel Christopher, (www.JoelChristopher.com) called The Master List Builder (www.masterlistbuilder.com), how to start a business from scratch. Instead of giving him a fish, he could have been given a fishing rod.

No doubt about it, this conference, held on 10-10-03 to 10-12-03 at the Airport Marriot in the sparkling San Francisco Bay area, headed by Superstar Speakers, Ted Nicholas and Joel Christopher, delivered what the two men promised. Not only was the Conference taped on video, it was broadcasted live to the world on the Internet.

The Summit was considered a success by all the attendees, as well as by the people who watched the event globally. Promoted as The impossible-to-fail small business success system that will build the Million Dollar Empire you have always dreamed of, it met the intended objectives and more. The three-day conference provided life-transforming information, and hands on, experiential exercises. This groundbreaking, history-making event of the new millennium was the best seminar we ever attended.

In addition to many technical and inside secrets as to how to make your words sell, one of the main themes Ted Nicholas emphasized was this: integrity always remains in style. In light of the many big business scandals, Nicholass philosophies were truly refreshing. To give you an insight into this great mans longstanding success, here are just a few of the business principles of which he spoke.

1. Make all your dealings win/win. Do not take advantage of other businesses when their chips are down.
2. If you unwittingly under charge for a job, in the name of keeping a good business ethic, eat the loss. Dont try to mark up the price after agreeing on a lower price.
3. Keep your word, at all costs, to build trust with your customers.
4. You can build a great business without being a workaholic. He addressed the need for balance in the areas of health, spirituality, and relationships.
5. Finally, use magic words when it comes to getting people to buy your products or do business with you.

From Joel Christopher, who proudly tells you of his Filipino heritage and, in spite of the language barrier, the success he has had in the United States, we saw up close:

1. How you can make $31,000 Swiss dollars in 24 hours on the Internet.
2. How to build your online business with offline marketing.
3. The secret method he used that has helped him to create joint ventures with many of the top leaders in the internet marketing field.
4. The secrets of how he tripled his opt-in list in 99 days.
5. The autohumanization factor that makes a difference in all relationship capital.

In the end, we left the seminar exhausted, but exhilarated about the possibilities we now face and the tools we had been given to grow our small businesses into million dollar empires. With this in mind, I want to be one of the caring people with an abundance who will be able to help with the worlds homeless and hunger problem.
Bio: Dr. Maxine E. Thompson is the owner of Black Butterfly Press, Maxine Thompsons Literary Services, Thompson Literary Agency and http://www.maxineshow.comShe is a ghostwriter, story editor, literary agent, Internet radio show host on http://www.voiceamerica.comand http://www.artistfirst.com

Image Processing & Bar Codes - Selecting The Right Bar Code With Image Binarization

Documents that are scanned for image processing or storage are often captured at 8 bits per pixel. These are referred to as grayscale images in that 256 levels of gray are able to be represented in the image. The capability to represent shades of gray is required to faithfully capture photographs and graphics but is not normally needed for text. Consequently, scanned images are often binarized. This process involves the selection of a threshold value and then changing all pixel values below that threshold to black and all pixel values above the threshold to white. This compresses the image by only requiring 1 bit per pixel instead of 8 bits per pixel. For example, an 8.5 inch by 11 inch document scanned at 200 samples per inch, has its storage requirement drop from 3.6 megabytes to 450 kilobytes. Binarization also occurs when documents are transmitted by fax as images are created that are represented with 1 bit per pixel as well.

Given a proper threshold, binarized images that contain text can normally still be read by either human eye or OCR algorithms. Indeed, some OCR algorithms begin the OCR process by binarizing the image as the text is typically dark against a lighter background. However, if bar codes are present within the binarized image, they can by altered enough by the binarization process to cause difficulty for a decode algorithm. The image to the left (http://www.omniplanar.com/_upload/CodePics/Code39-GreyscaleWeb.gif) shows part of the start pattern of a Code 39 linear bar code. The top portion shows the image represented as 8 bits per pixel, while the lower portion shows a binarized version using a threshold of 100. Note that the smooth transitions from white to black in the grayscale image have been transformed into ragged edges that have plus or minus one pixel variability. As a result, the width of each bar or space can vary by plus or minus 2 pixels. Given that the information in linear bar codes is contained in the widths of the bars and spaces, decode problems can result depending on the size and type of the original bar code symbol. The remainder of this article will focus on two issues that should be considered to improve the read rate of binarized bar codes: sample density and symbology type.

Sample Density

Sample density is the number of samples per unit area that an image is captured. Typical sample densities used for document processing range from 200 to 300 samples per inch (dots per inch or DPI). Fax transmission can vary from 100 up to 400 DPI. In bar code decoding, a more important parameter to consider is the samples per module, where the module size is the size of the smallest feature of the bar code. This distance is also referred to as the X dimension. This parameter includes both the sample density of the image capture device along with the size of the bar code being scanned. If a bar code decoding software toolkit requires a minimum of 1.6 pixels per module for linear bar codes in a grayscale image. From above, if the width of a bar or space can vary by 2 pixels after binarization, one can see that problems can exist in the short widths at this low sample density. Consequently, it is recommended that a typical value of 4 pixels per module for bar codes that will be binarized. For a document scanned at 200 DPI, this requires a minimum module size in the printed bar code of .020 inchs or 20 mils. Increasing the samples per module beyond 4 is also recommended for images that will go through multiple binarization processes such as documents that will be faxed multiple times.

Symbology Type

The choice of symbology used to encode data should also be considered carefully. Linear (or 1D) bar codes can be broadly classified into two distinct groups: wide/narrow codes and multiple width codes. In a wide/narrow code, each bar or space can only be either narrow or wide. The wide to narrow ratio, which gives the size ratio between the two widths, typically ranges from 2 to 3. Popular symbologies that use only 2 widths include Code 39 and Interleaved 2 of 5. Multiple width codes have more than 2 possible choices for the widths of bars and spaces. Popular symbologies that employ more than two possible widths include UPC and Code 128, both of which allow a bar or space to be either 1, 2, 3, or 4 modules. Given the same samples per module, wide/narrow symbologies typically survive the binarization process with higher read rate performance than their multiple width counterparts. This is simply due to the fact that in the presence of edge variation due to binarization, it is easier to determine if a run is X or 3X wide (where X is the length of a module and an assumed wide to narrow ratio of 3) or if it is 1X, 2X, 3X or 4X as is the case with multiple width symbologies. The table below classifies some popular linear symbologies into the two classes mentioned above.

Wide/Narrow

Codabar
Code 39
Interleaved 2 of 5
Patch Code

Multiple Width

Code 128
Code 93
RSS
UPC

While wide/narrow symbologies are preferred in applications where binarization will occur, they do not normally have as high a data density (data stored per unit width) compared to multiple width symbologies with the same X dimension. This can be an issue where limited space on the document is provided for the bar code symbol.

2D Symbologies

2D (or two-dimensional) matrix symbologies are typically presence/absence codes. They use a regular grid of possible cell positions, and the presence or absence of a cell in a grid location encodes the data. Two-dimensional symbols have much higher data density than 1D codes as information is stored in both dimensions of the symbol. In addition, they normally provide error correction to provide redundancy in case some cell data values can not be determined. When a 2D symbol is binarized with sufficient samples per module (the size of a grid position), they tend to do better than linear codes as the edge information is not as critical: it is the position of the center of the cell that is more important. Decoding software may require a minimum of 2.75 pixels per module in a grayscale image for reliable operation. If additional samples per module beyond 2.75 is provided, performance continues to improve and is a good choice for images that will undergo multiple binarizations. A sample density of 5 pixels or more for 2D matrix symbologies gives good read performance after binarization. Popular 2D Matrix codes include Data Matrix, QR Code, and Aztec Code.

PDF417 is often referred to as a 2D symbology. However, it is not a true matrix code. It is a stacked linear code, consisting of multiple rows of short linear codewords. It allows bars and spaces to have up to 6 different widths and as such it can be adversely affected by binarization at lower samples per module.

Summary

In applications where scanned documents containing bar codes are to be binarized, read rate performance can be improved by using linear symbologies that employ only wide/narrow choices for bars and spaces along with at least 4 or more pixels per module. Two-dimensional matrix codes are a good choice when binarization is used with a minimumof 5 pixels per module, and they provide the added benefit of increasing data density of the bar code symbol.

With over 17 years of experience in the bar code industry, Bob Dunphy has been Principal Engineer at Omniplanar, Inc (http://www.omniplanar.com) since its inception. He has designed numerous CCD camera systems as well as high speed processing platforms.

An Introduction To Barcode Equipment

 

A complete barcode system will consist of software, scanners, a printer or labeler and labels for thermo transfer or thermo direct printing. Also of interest are mobile terminals for mobile data acquisition with a built-in scanner or reader, a display and a keyboard. A POS (point of sale) solution will require laser barcode scanners with high throughput and automatic triggering for hands-free barcode scanning.

Barcode Software

Barcodes are created with special software. While barcode software for Microsoft Windows is available, best suited for barcode creation are Apple Macintosh computers. Macs are preferable due to their strong position in the DTP, prepress and graphics market segment. A typical barcode software will support the common symbologies, calculate checksums automatically and will provide a variety of output options with support for the most common images formats (like PNG, TIFF or JPG) and also for Post Script or EPS.

A cheap alternative to dedicated barcode generators are so called barcode fonts. However, the quality a barcode created with such a font will usually not conform to the respective standards.

Depending on the application the use of dedicated, barcode enabled, label printing software may be advised. For example, such software can be used to print sequential barcodes (for serial numbers) or print logos or product images next to the actual barcode.

Barcode Scanner

Barcode Scanners, also known as barcode readers exist in various forms: The most common type are laser scanners. Here a moving laser beam scans the code which results in fast and error free reading. A cheap alternative to laser scanners are CCD scanners that feature a row of light emitting diodes and photo detectors. The earliest type of barcode reader where so called barcode wands, also known a magic wands. Here a single light emitting diode (LED) and a single photo detector are used to detect the typical black and white pattern of a barcode. While laser and CCD barcode scanners scan a barcode as a whole the barcode wand has to be swiped across the code to read it.

Barcode Printers

Barcode printers are used to print the barcode on self adhesive labels. Today most barcode label printers work in either thermo direct or thermo transfer mode. Using the thermo direct principle the print head applies heat to selected parts of the label which then turn dark. This is the same principle as is used with older fax machines. Thermo direct labels are sensitive to light and should not be used if they have to last longer than a few days or weeks. Typical applications are address labels which only have to last a few days.

With thermo transfer printers a heat sensitive ribbon (thermo transfer ribbon) sits between the print head and the label. As heat is applied to the ribbon, ink transfers (hence the name) from the ribbon to the label. Labels that were printed with thermo transfer are very durable. However, besides the actual label the transfer ribbon is another consumable which will increase the printing cost. The Barcode Authority.

Wireless Barcode Scanners: The Next Generation Gizmo

 

Wireless barcode scanners are a clear example of the best just having got better. Much like Alexander Graham Bell’s wired telephone that got eclipsed by the cordless phone which became a craze across millions of households, wireless bar code scanners have become a mega-hit with an ever-increasing number of business entrepreneurs making the upward shift to realize greater productivity day in day out. To put it simply, wireless barcode scanners offer you all the benefits of your regular barcode scanner or barcode reader and then, some more!

But hold on just yet, while wireless barcode readers and scanners are blitzing the market, you still need to which type of the device you need to best suit your business needs before going ahead and making a purchase. You need to very clearly articulate the reason for wanting to move into the wireless barcode scanner space and the plausible reasons for wanting to go wireless could be any of the following:-

* You need the freedom of mobility to be able to capture information away from your computer because of the spatial location of your tagged products

* You might want to collect the data away from your computer but be able to sync it or upload it once you get back to the origin i.e. the computer

* You might not only want to collect data away from the computer but also be able to log on via wireless networks to a database and post the captured information

Thus simply put, do you need a simple barcode scanner with a really long cord or do you have a genuine need for a wireless barcode scanner? And once you do a cost comparison on the various types of the barcode readers and barcode scanners, both wired as well as cordless, you will know exactly how much you are paying for what, and how much you are likely to benefit from the application of the device. Accurate information capture, ease of the information capture, speed at which different materials can be barcode registered and tagged, exquisite levels of data control are just some of the innumerous benefits that this technology promises for the user!

Finally a key thing that you need to keep in mind is that implementation of a new technology by itself does not guarantee success. You need to handle the change from one level to the next very well and proactively too, as in the case of wireless barcode scanners too. People management as part of change management is crucial to the success of your business and this should be given core focus. New technology is useless unless its espoused as a unifying cause by all in the work force. Once you have mastered the change in people, you have truly put yourself on the road to progress. Experience the wonders of wireless barcode scanners and be awestruck!

Discover how to get the most bang for your buck! Visit our site at Best Barcode Scanners for more such practical advice, tips and information.

Printing Bar Codes

 

There are two main considerations in bar code printing for small businesses, first the printers the software works with and secondly the print quality. Most software can send print commands to Windows based printers, including ink jet, laser and dot matrix. Of course they are also compatible with popular thermal printers. But what is the difference? And what works the best?

Inkjet
Inkjet printers are cheap and adequate for some uses, but not bar code printing. Scanners require a high level of quality and these types of printers cannot provide consistent quality.

Laser
Laser printers can work for bar code printing, however may not be suitable for mass production. Generally, laser printers print bar codes on common sticker types like Avery, which can be purchased anywhere. So this is a good choice for a small company that only needs a limited number of stickers or it is a good choice to use as a back up, like for printing replacement stickers.

Dot Matrix
Dot matrix printers are impact type printers and are still used for things like forms with multiple copies. But they can also be used for jobs that do not require color and do not require high quality. In some rare cases they are used to print receipts that have bar codes on them, but the quality is not dependable.

Thermal Printers
Thermal transfer or label specific printers, use a thermal printhead that applies to marked heat surfaces and they are fast. Thermal printers are the best choice for high-quality label printing. Thermal printers can produce exact bar widths, which bar code scanners require.

Keep in mind that it is much easier, in most cases, to replace a printer than an enterprise version of bar code and label software. So it is a good idea to choose your printer based on your software preference to ensure compatibility.

Pamela Stevens

Pamela Stevens writes for TopTenREVIEWS.com, a review site that publishes technology and entertainment reviews.

Bar Code Label Uses for Your Business

 

Bar Code Labels can have many uses within a business, and there are many types available, a few of them are listed below with specific purposes. 5 top areas covered are: asset tags, parking permits, product labels, general solutions / applications, and bar code types.

Asset Tags: Asset tags can be used to identify equipment, furniture and other physical assets in your business. They are usually printed with sequential serial numbers for tracking in database systems. Typical materials are white polyester, metalized matte silver polyester, security silver polyester, destructible reflective vinyl, Lexan®, or LexSaver®.

Parking Permits: Bar Code labels can be integrated on wide range of parking permit types; such as hang tags, bumper stickers and window stickers. Some materials used are PVC, LexSaver™, static cling, vinyl with permanent adhesive, and destructible reflective vinyl.

Product Labels: There are 100’s of uses for bar coded product labels. To name a few, industrial labels, media labels, Product ID labels, Property management, shipping / mailing, tracking / pricing and many others.

General Bar Code Solutions / Uses: Product ID Labels with UPC bar code on rolls or fan folded, product ID labels with UPC code on laser sheets, very small sizes, bar code only, no other printing on the label and blank laser, thermal and ink jet bar code labels.

Bar Code Types: Codabar (numeric only): Codabar bar codes are typically used in labeling solutions for applications that require sequential issuing and processing of information. Some examples would include library systems, membership cards, overnight package delivery systems, and other simple processing and tracking applications.

 

• Code 128 (alphanumeric): Code 128 bar codes are typically used when a high reliability code read is required from the label application.

• Code 39 (alphanumeric): Code 39 is the most popular, general purpose bar code printed on labels. Some examples would include serial numbers for any type of hard good (from automobiles to laptops). Asset tags and parking permits typically are printed with code 39 bar codes.

• EAN-13 (numeric only) EAN - 13 is often referred to as the international retail product code. EAN stands for European Alpha Numeric (bar code). This is the global version of the UPC codes used in North America. The primary bar code label application of EAN 13 codes is products that are to be sold in Europe.

• Interleaved 2 of 5 (numeric only) Interleaved 2 of 5 bar codes are the compressed version of EAN-13 code described above. Used to provide bar code product information on small products throughout Europe.

• PostNet (numeric only) PostNet bar codes were developed by the USPS to make automated mail a reality. Most PostNet bar codes are printed on labels and are ultimately applied pieces that are mailed through the USPS, ranging from envelopes to catalogs.

• UPC-A UPC-A stands for Universal product Code. The UPC bar code is required on all products sold in North America and throughout the world. Typically, the UPC bar code is printed on the product ID label.

• UPC-E Compressed UPC code used on small products sold in North America and throughout the world. Typically, the UPC-E bar code is printed as a separate label rather than as part of the product ID label.

• 2D Bar Codes: 2D (two dimensional) barcodes contain more information than typical one dimensional barcodes. One dimensional barcodes get wider as more data is encoded. Typically, 2D bar codes area applied to labels by a thermal printing device. 2D barcodes make use of the vertical dimension, allowing for more data to be stored. Bare in mind that using more square inches and a larger label which will add expense to your bar code labels. 2D barcodes have become possible as auto scanning CCD and laser scanners have replaced the original 'light pen' type of scanner. At this time most conventional CCD and Laser scanners cannot read 2D barcodes but low cost 1D/2D scanners are entering the market.

• Ink and Printing Methods for Bar Code Labels: Bar code symbols are printed in black ink. The rest of your label can be printed in spot (PMS) colors or in process (CMYK) colors. You also have a choice between excellent quality traditional flexo printing or high end photo quality digital printing. The example to the left displays the difference between the flexo and digital production methods. Either method will ensure excellent readability of your bar code. Digital label printing is best suited for label quantities of 5,000 or fewer. Traditional flexo printing is best suited for quantities of 1,000 or more labels.

This was written by Tim Frisch with the permission of Maverick Label - http://www.MaverickLabel.com

Maverick Label - We're All About Printed Labels. Maverick Label was founded in 1994. Located in Edmonds, Washington, our goal is to meet the growing need for a custom label source utilizing the latest technologies blended with old fashioned quality and customer care.

We offer a complete range of custom printed, roll, fanfold, sheet, digital and stock labels. Our commitment is to meet your most demanding label printing needs.

Our online label printing quotes, online proofs and online ordering make quick work of your label projects. Ordering stock to fully custom printed labels has never been easier.

Barcode Scanner - How Does it Work

Barcodes have become a part of our lives. They are on everything from auto parts to your groceries. A barcode is the way things can be traced by a computer. Barcodes and automatic ID systems are the most effective asset a business could have. A barcode is a message that is coded by the length and width of the bars and spaces that are printed in pattern.

They use the binary code and is essentially just bars and spaces representing ones or zeros. Barcodes are read by sweeping a spot of light over the printed barcode symbol. The light is called a barcode scanner and it will ring the item up or display some information about the product, a barcode with start with a white space and then alternative black and white spaces until needed with a bar. The heights of the bars are simply a technique to try to keep the information within the bar code area. The longer the information that is needed to be coded, the longer the barcode will be.

The decoder is the most important component of the barcode scanner and it accepts about 33-200 scans per scanning rate to be able to read error free. An automatic discrimination feature on the scanner means that it will pick out what kind of code that it is scanning. In grocery stores you will find that almost every thing as a UPC code. It will read the UPC code or the universal price code and then ring it into your total. There are other parts of the scanner that is as equally important, but what is the purpose of the Barcode Scanner?

The purpose of a bar code scanner is the fact that it needs to read a hidden message that is coded with the white spaces and black bars and it is vital information. Practically everything will scan into a computer now since out world has been so technologically advanced. Barcodes have also made our world easier to function within.

Because of barcodes we don’t have to wait in line for everything to be typed up, all you do is scan and go. Everyone who is anyone can use a barcode scanner and it is so easy to learn. It doesn’t take a genius to learn how to work the scanner and you don’t need a degree. In fact, most of the people who are employed at business that use scanners are under the age of 25 or with the extent of a high school education. Bar code scanners are very easily to operate and they are very helpful when it comes to large orders or such because they save so much time. Barcode scanners are just an easy way to find out information.

Read more about Barcode Scanners on http://www.barcode-scanner.info

Understanding Barcode Labels

The bar code is a tool to efficiently and accurately identify items and collect information. The patent for the bar code was issued to Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver in 1952. This first bar code was not the rectangle of thick and thin lines that we now know, but a bull's-eye-type symbol made of concentric circles. It looked much like the rings on the inside of a tree.

While the bull's eye bar code did help companies to maintain their inventory and keep track of their products, it soon became evident that some sort of universal bar code system needed to be set up. The Uniform Product Code, or U.P.C., was invented in 1973 to allow retailers and manufacturers to coordinate their bar codes.

The use of bar code labels is a simple way to save the time and energy of your employees. With a bar code system, you can quickly and accurately inventory your stock instead of spending hours counting and recounting. Bar codes help to reduce time spent by employees marking and changing price tags on products.

With barcode labels, you'll be able to increase productivity in your employees and save your company money. To have a barcode system you need to get your bar code system set up including bar code labels, bar code ribbons, bar code rewinders, barcode printers and bar code scanners. Blank barcode labels and blank laser label sheets can use in conjunction with most bar code software.

If there are any bar code supplies that you need but are not on our website at http://www.adazonusa.com than give us a call at (847) 235-2700. We are happy to order products specifically for a customer. Find Barcode Labels and a large selection of the latest Barcode Printers at AdaZon.