Choosing The Right Label Printing Software

By:Humphrey Appleby

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?

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: barcode, business, software, computer, scanner, printer, barcode software

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Visit WinBarcode for a detailed overview of Barcode Software.

Top Computers Articles
1). The danger behind peer-to-peer file sharing By : Migz Mon File sharing is very common nowadays. You can get a P2P (peer-to-peer) program for free, and soon start sharing stuff like music, videos and programs. We use these applications freely and most of us don’t know the risks involved when using them. Questionable reliability of files – Once we get our hands on a P2P program, we download everything we want like crazy.
2). How To Install And Setup Noah's Classifieds By : Bedrich Omacka In this article I will explain the basic Noah's Classifieds features, show you how to install this script and how to setup it to run properly.
3). Pisa - The city of the Leaning Tower By : Jakob Jelling Although it is world wide famous due to its Leaning Tower, the city of Pisa also has many other great attractions and amazing characteristics to of
4). Is The Internet Censored? By : J Schipper When most people think about Internet censorship, the usual suspects immediately come to mind : Communist China and repressive Islamic countries. Unfortunately, Westerners have an embarrassment all their own : Australia's net censorship law, established in 2000. Freedom House, a non-profit U.S. organization dedicated to spreading human rights and freedom, undertakes regular surveys on press freedom and censorship.
5). Toshiba Libertto U100, smaller yet better than you might imagine! By : john Have you ever wondered how small a laptop can be? Well, utilizing today’s technology Toshiba does a perfect job at demonstrating it; the Libertto U100 is one of the very few laptops that have such a rich feature set fitted altogether within such a small space. Of course, if you believe that a fingerprint authentication system is too much for such a.
6). Does CCTV Really Reduce Crime? By : Robert Michael In the UK, home of twenty percent of the world's CCTV cameras, there is mounting concern about its invasion and lack of regulation. "UK Public CCTV Surveillance Regulation Campaign." The thought-provoking questions they ask are good ones. They want to know, for instance, why, if television programming and licensing is so heavily regulated in the UK.
7). Why Are People Cheesed Off With The Internet? By : Gary Simpson Having been connected to the "net" now for about eight years I can't help but notice the amount of deception that goes on. And it seems to be getting
8). Preparation Tips For Comptia A+ Certification By : The Industry Standard CompTIA A Plus Certification exam has two parts; approximately 80 questions for each part. * Core Hardware: $153 - min. passing score 515 * Operating Systems Technology: $153 - min. passing score 505 (CompTIA corporate members can take the exams for $98, employers that require this test are usually corporate members and will inform you of this.
9). Can Cell Phones Harm Your Health? By : D Ruplinger It seems like everywhere a person goes there is at least one person in view with a cell phone to their ear whether it is on the road, in a store, in a parking lot, walking down the street, etc. Even in places where cell phone usage is banned such as concert halls or movie theaters there is the occasional offender, or more likely, at least a few people using the text messaging feature on their phone.
10). RAM and Latency... what you need to know By : Nicholas Spriggs RAM latency is one of the most overlooked methods of optimizing your computer. Find out exactly how you can tweak your memory timings in order to make your system run quicker.

New Computers Articles
1). Why More People Today Are Turning To Notebooks For Their Computer Needs By : Gregg Hall The computer used to take up a whole room, and now all you need is a little notebook. Gone are the days of needing a desktop. The notebook now makes the desktop computer look big and bulky.
2). The Podcast for This American Life By : Andrew Manifield The podcast for This American Life allows listeners to download the shows and listen to them at their discretion.
3). Is That On-Sale Printer Really a Bargain? By : Ray La Foy he problem for many, however, is the fact that the printer itself can be found, but replacement ink cannot.
4). Finding Podcast Hosting By : Andrew Manifield For anyone who wants to begin creating a podcast, podcast hosting is the most important part.
5). If You Want Flexibility And Portability Consider A Laptop By : Gregg Hall If you are one of those who works with a computer on a daily basis like me you should consider a laptop. I have actually owned three now and I think I would be lost without mine. I still use my desktop PC quite a bit at home but the laptop comes in extremely handy when I am away.
6). Types of Music Podcasts By : Andrew Manifield Many music podcasts are available online, distributed by podcasters who want to share their collection with the world.
7). Becoming A DVD Repair Expert Online By : Maxine Schel Many conventional colleges and universities are now offering online DVD repair courses, which are the exact same as those taught on a traditional college campus, to distance learners. Online education is generally taught through the use of several different methods, including online satellite feeds, correspondence or online lessons. This technique permits the student to obtain a DVD repair degree without ever having to step inside of a classroom.
8). Compatible Inkjet Cartridge By : Isabel Rodrigues Once the printer ink runs dry it has to be replaced with another inkjet cartridge. There are many reputed companies like Canon, Epson, Dell, and Lexmark that provide the necessary cartridges to replace the empty cartridges. Replacing inkjet cartridge can add to a very big cost. It could be worse if you have to replace the empty cartridges frequently every month.
9). Best Passwords By : Richard Romando No sane person would ever like someone else reading her email. Or for that matter some other person using her password and breaking into a financial institution. You should, therefore, choose a strong, secure password in such a manner that would be a hard nut to crack for others and easy for you to remember. The more random and mixed-up you make it, the harder it is for others to crack.
10). Home Printing Machines By : Peter Vermeeren Home printing machines are available on the market today in many sizes, prices and capabilities. Many different forms of printing can be accomplished in the home. Whether you want to create unique tee-shirts using a home screen printing machine or you want to produce elegant laser printed letters, the equipment is readily available to you for home use.