MORE INFORMATION ON BARCODE PRINTERS

1. Thermal Transfer vs. Direct Thermal: What is the difference?
2. Label volume: Number of labels printed per day.
3. Software
4. Interfaces
5. Print Resolution
6. Memory
7. Label Size
8. Ribbon Size
9. Additional Options
10. Replacement Printheads


1. Thermal Transfer vs. Direct Thermal: What is the difference?
THERMAL TRANSFER:
Heat transfers an image from a ribbon onto a label or tag. This produces images that are CRISP and PERMANENT, on paper or synthetic labels. Use Thermal Transfer labels when your project requires labels to last longer than 6 months (up to 20 years in the average retail or warehouse environment,) or when labels will be exposed to extreme temperatures for any given period.
*All of Uline’s offered printers can print thermal transfer except for the H-1932 and H-2550 and H-5271.

DIRECT THERMAL:
Heat from the printer is what creates images on direct thermal labels (no ribbon is necessary). Direct thermal labels are specially treated so that an image will appear when heat is applied. This is more of a TEMPORARY, LESS-CRISP image designed for shipping labels or labels that will only need to be in use for 6 months or less. Direct thermal labels may show surface scratches with too much handling, and will fade or yellow upon exposure to sunlight, heat or age.
*All of Uline's printers can print direct thermal labels.

 

2. How many labels will you be printing?
• 100 - 500 labels per day - a DESKTOP printer is recommended: (H-2550 or H-2526)
• 500 - 1,500 labels per day - a light duty industrial printer, is recommended: H-4029
• 1,500 - 3,000 labels per day - a heavier duty industrial printer is recommended: H-5149
• 3,000 - 5,000 labels per day - the heaviest duty industrial printer is recommended: H-2525

 

3. Software:
Barcode printers need software to create labels. Programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel, and most other Windows-based programs can be used to design labels. The H-2527 Bartender software package is a more comprehensive program that Uline offers for label design.
A few features of the software:
• Contains over 100 templates, including standard labels, compliance labels and shipping labels.
• Easy wizard-driven design help.
• Capable of accessing information from standard window-based databases.
• Please request a demo disk of H-2527 Bartender (good for 30 days) to determine if this software fits your needs.

 

4. Interface: What connection do you have available on your PC system?

TYPE DESCRIPTION
Parallel Sends an 8-bit information stream to the printer
Serial Sends data to the printer one bit at a time
USB Plug and play
Ethernet Technology for local area networks (LANs)
*See individual printer for interface type available

The ZebraNet PrintServer II (H-1149) is also available as a tool for connecting your existing printer to a network via Ethernet. This external option plugs into your printer's parallel port, and is compatible with all Zebra desktop and industrial printers. Click here for more information on the H-1149 ZebraNet PrintServer II.


5. Resolution:
Resolution refers to the standard of the image printed. This depends on how many dots per inch (dpi) the printhead can print. All standard Uline printers are 203 dpi. This is an industry standard resolution for barcode printers. If higher resolution is required, see H-3991, H-5120, H-1152, H-5150 or call for a quote.

 

6. Memory:
There are two types of memory: RAM and Flash.
1. RAM (short-term memory): This is the necessary memory that "absorbs" the label image from the PC and quickly downloads the label image from the computer. This enables the PC to move on to other tasks. The larger the label, the more RAM necessary.
2. Flash (long-term memory): Flash memory permanently stores information on the printer such as commonly used label formats or fonts. All Uline printers include flash memory.

 

7. Label Size:
All Uline printers have a maximum print width of 4.09". Minimum print widths vary between 1 and 1.5”, depending on the model. If printing on a wider or narrower label is needed, please call for quote.

 

8. Ribbon Size:
The ribbon width must be wider than the label width.

 

9. Additional Options:
All the Uline printers are available with or without special options. Some available options include:
CUTTER: Printer will cut between each label and drop them into a tray. (H-5151)
LABEL PEEL: (Also referred to as "peel off") Backing paper is automatically peeled away from the back of the label. The printer will print a label, peel the backing and present it, one at a time. Industrial printers (such as the H-5149) can rewind the backing paper onto a core inside the printer with the rewind option below.
REWIND: INTERNAL- Industrial printers will rewind labels back onto a core inside the printer, (up to a 5-6" diameter.) This option is also designed to be used with the label peel option above to take up the backing paper neatly onto a roll. (H-5152 and H-1155)
EXTERNAL- Unit outside printer will rewind labels onto a core. This can be used to rewind entire rolls of labels, up to an 8" outside diameter.
300 DPI: H-5120 and H-1152 industrial printers have a 300 DPI printhead. Replacement printheads are also available, see section 10 below.
MISC OPTIONS: Network cards/adapters (10-baseT, 10-Base2), printers with additional memory, Twinax or coax (for AS/400 or IBM system connectivity), additional cables (printers only include a parallel).

 

10. Replacement Printheads:
Replacement printheads are available for all of the desktop and industrial printers which Uline offers.

REPLACEMENT PART MODEL NO
H-970:   203 DPI replacement printhead H-1159
H-972:   203 DPI replacement printhead H-1158
H-5149: 203 DPI replacement printhead
300 DPI replacement printhead
H-5207
H-5208
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