Barcode labels are the helping tags for both human and machine to identify a product. Price and product info can be simply stored in the lines of the barcode and so it can make selling products a lot easier and less time consuming. Barcode labels are also valuable in the tracking of items. Barcodes are used extensively worldwide.



Speed, Accuracy, Consistency, Economy, these are just a few of the reasons manufacturers use bar coding to identify and track inventory, manufacturing work-in-process, and distribution.

Types of barcode:

Barcode labels come in several types and resemble the average tags. These labels are differentiated by the type of base material, called stock, that they are printed on. Labels are currently available in all types of materials and come with a variety of adhesive backings. They can also be ordered in several customized shapes and sizes.

Apart from the basic types of barcodes labels, labels can also be categorized into three main forms: aluminum barcode labels, polyester barcode labels, and ceramic barcode labels.

Designing and applying bar code labels:

When designing and applying bar code labels this list of questions will help you to get idea about your label:

• How long the label will stay on?



• What will the label be exposed to?



• Should the substrate be paper or synthetic?



• Should the adhesive be permanent or temporary?



• Will it be exposed to a cold environment?



• How much data will be encoded?



• Must the label be removable without residue?

Steps to follow:

If you make decision about bar-coding your product then firstly you have to apply for registration to your national article numbering body. It will give you a company code number and a range of product code numbers. This number helps your product to be recognized when they will be scanned.

After getting the barcode number you will need to transfer this information on to your products. With some products it will be possible to print it directly on to the item, but barcode labels are an easy alternative if this isn't possible. The label can then be added securely to the product, and easily removed when necessary.

Barcode label printing:

Computers, scanners and printers are all used in conjunction to design, test and print labels. Sequential numbers or alphabets are provided on the labels so that they can be used to manage inventory.

You can print your labels with the help of a manufacturer or by yourself.

Label manufacturer: They can help you to design and print you required labels. Manufacturers use specialized software to design the labels and put all the information about the product. You can rely upon bar code manufacturers to buy labels as it not only saves your money, but also time and manpower.

Make your label by your self: If you want you can print your own labels. You can do the job by using barcode label software and printers.

Software: Bar code label software is used to print symbols on bar codes. This software can render a pattern of black stripes and dots, each unique from the other, which is used to print bar code stickers. The software prints intricate patterns for each product. The pattern may be several black lines of different thicknesses or it may be a crisscross arrangement of thick and thin black dots. It can be uploaded on a computer like any other software program and possesses a myriad of features. It gives the user the option to decide a label's appearance, including the type and size of text, bar codes and graphics. By using these types of software you can save a lot of time, money and manpower.

Printer: The best way to print bar codes is to use laser, ink jet or dot matrix printers. Bar code printers are of two major types- bar code direct thermal printer and bar code thermal transfer printer. Direct thermal printers are characteristically more affordable than thermal transfer printers, as they do not require the mechanisms and electronics that are necessary to control and run an ink ribbon. Bar code label printers require regular cleaning of the ribbon and the print head. Specks of dust may cause distortion of the bar code.

There is some software available which can help you to design your labels.

Barcode Label Adhesives

Barcode label adhesive is the substance or material applied to the back of a barcode label to attach it to the surface of a particular item. A barcode label adhesive should be of industrial grade and must have an apply temperature ranging from 40 ?F to 250 ?F. Shear, tack, and peel are among the properties that are critical for barcode label adhesives. Barcode label adhesives are generally classified into two groups: permanent and removable barcode label adhesives. Most of the barcode applications employ permanent barcode label adhesives.

So, use barcode labels on your products to save money as well as create product identification.