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Buyer's Guide for Barcode Printers
How do Barcode Printers Work? When connected to a computer via network or local interface cable, barcode printers print data formatted specifically for labeling. The data is then interpreted through the barcode printer's device driver and subsequently printed. Barcode printers have the ability to print barcodes on labels, tags, and tickets. Thermal
Technologies:Thermal Transfer vs. Direct Thermal: Questions to Consider If you answered Yes to these questions, please read the section below on Thermal Transfer printing methods. If you answered No, see the section on Direct thermal printing methods. Thermal Transfer Cable Interfaces: A barcode printer will connect to your PC via a Serial, Parallel, USB, or Ethernet connection. It is important to know the types of cable interfaces available and what they look like. Use the following diagram to determine which connections are available on your computer so you can select the type of interface necessary for your barcode printer. Below: Back of Computer View  Serial Cable and Printer Interface Examples 
Parallel Cable and Printer Interface Examples   USB Cable and Printer Interface Examples  
Printer Supplies: Print heads, Ink, Ribbons & Media The type of printer you are using will dictate what supplies you will need when it comes to purchasing replacement print heads, printer ribbons, ink and media type. For Direct Thermal barcode label printers, print heads need to be replaced periodically and labels and tags must be specifically purchased for Direct Thermal printing. For Thermal Transfer printing, all three components are needed. It is important to make sure that ribbon, media, and printer are all compatible. For inkjet printing, labels and ink are needed.
 Media
types, including labels, tags, and tickets, are purchased depending on
type of printer: Inkjet, Thermal Transfer or Direct Thermal. Direct thermal
printing will not be successful if plain labels are loaded into the printer;
heat sensitive paper is necessary.  Ribbon
is only needed in Thermal Transfer printing, and it must be compatible
with the model of the printer being used. For inkjet printers, as with
regular desktop inkjet printers, the compatibility between the ink cartridges
and the model of printer is very important.Software Requirements & Device Drivers Some software applications only work with specific barcode printer drivers, so it is advisable to check with the software manufacturer to determine the compatibility of a specific barcode printer with your software. Accessories & Options Most barcode printers are available with options for either a manual tear bar, auto cutter, or auto peel for delivering the label, tag, or ticket. This is purely a preference depending on usage & needs.  Another
option is gap sensing vs. black mark sensing within the printer. Gap sensing,
which requires labels without color variation, involves a beam reflecting
off the label. When there is a gap in the label the beam does not reflect,
and the printer knows it is a new label. Black mark is essentially
the opposite and requires labels with black stripes. The beam of light is
shot from inside the printer and when it hits, the black is absorbed instead
of reflected, letting the printer know it has reached a new label.
Label rewinders are an accessory to consider when purchasing your barcode
printer. This machine gives you the option of loading your labels onto
a new core to be used on another machine. It allows for controlled, passive
rewinding to ensure the printed labels are not damaged between steps and
can easily be loaded onto another machine if needed.  Environment
& Functionality
When considering a barcode printer, there are a number of factors concerning environment and functionality. Questions to consider include:
Barcode Printer Types:  Desktop
Barcode PrintersDesktop barcode printers are small user friendly barcode printers that are ideal for printing a low to medium volume of labels. Major factors when considering desktop printers are type of printer; Thermal Transfer, Direct Thermal (or both), size of labels, and speed of printing. These printers work well in shipping & receiving, retail, and healthcare environments. Recommended Products: Zebra 2824 or Cognitive Advantage DLX.  Industrial
Barcode PrintersIndustrial barcode printers are the workhorses of barcode printers. With some printers having the capability to work around the clock, there's no job too big for these bar code printers. Options to consider when deciding on an industrial barcode printer are durability, memory capacity, and multifunctional printing ability. Recommended Products: Cognitive Ci & Cxi Series or Zebra S4M  Ink
Jet Barcode PrintersInkjet barcode printers are ideal for low volume and high resolution label printing. These printers create an environment for color label printing that can be done in-house instead of sending out to a professional print shop. Recommended Models: Primera LX810 Color or Primera LX400 |
           
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Print
heads are used for both types of thermal printing, but be sure to reorder the
correct print heads for your printer model. 
