Barcode Southwest specializes in helping companies find the best match between labels and barcode printers.  Labels are available in all shapes, sizes, and materials. We know that selecting the right labels and barcode printers for your company can be difficult. Therefore, we have generated some tips to help your Houston, TX company determine which labels and barcode printers best suit your application.

Labels and Barcode Printers

Label Size and Application

As stated, labels are available in the color, size, and shape, to match your application.  When designing labels be they Drum, Pallet and/or Product, Houston, TX companies must determine where the label travels from start to finish.  A typical path may start with your order entry department and move to its final destination, your customer.

• order entry.
• production.
• inventory.
• shipping.

When determining what labels and barcode printers are best for the company, here a few questions you should consider:

• Will this label be used in an indoor or outdoor environment?
• How might weather effect the performance of this label?
• What is the size of the container?
• What is the shape of the package?

Matching Label Size To The Container

Drum Labels

If your product is stored in a drum, and identification labels are required, ask yourself:

• Is the drum plastic or metal?
• At what temperature(s) and in what environment(s) will the label be applied?
• What are the humidity/condensation level(s) in the environment?

These questions are critical as the label adhesive may react differently with each variable and each industry. Most drum labels come in one of two shapes:

• square.
• rectangular.

The size of the Drum Label may determine whether or not your labels meet the requirements for an auto-apply equipment.

Drum label sizes may range from 5″ x 7″ to 8.5″ x 11.”  Because of the larger the size, you can print more information AND a larger UPC barcode. The type of label material will depend upon where the drum or container will be stored and/or its final destination.

As for the type of label materials, Houston, TX companies may prefer to use a synthetic material (rather than paper) because it will work best for extremely humid and cold conditions. Barcode Southwest recommends the TSC TTP-2610MT or the TTP-286MT industrial printer for drum labels.  The 2610MT prints labels that are 6″ wide while the 286MT prints labels that are 8″ in width.

Pallet Labels

Pallet labels are usually applied to the pallet or the stretch wrap surrounding the cartons on a pallet. The most common “stock” sizes range from 4″ x 6″ to 4″ x 8,” and occasionally 4″ x 10.”  Also, pallet labels are available in colors such as the following:

• white
• blue
• yellow
• pink
• green
• red

Houston, TX manufacturers may use color labels to mark the day or month of production. Therefore, we recommend the TSC TTP-2410MT barcode printer or the Zebra ZT 410 thermal printer.

Unlimited Label Formats

Product Labels

Certainly, customers can print product labels with a barcode thermal printer.  Customers can print on either blank or pre-printed labels.  This customer preference depends on the desire for a company logo or an attractive preprinted label of their choosing.  Finally, the customer is able to “imprint” the variable information on their labels.  This “imprint” may consist of the following:

• product name.
• ingredients.
• nutritional facts.
• cooking instructions.
• UPC.

Imagine having a product line of 10-500 items and ordering only ONE blank or preprinted label.

Label Design Made Easy

Designing custom label formats is quick and easy when you use Bartender Software by Seagull Scientific.  Creating the images for basic shapes such as squares, rectangles, or circles is also easy.   Does your label format require consecutive numbering? Bartender Software can do that.

Additionally, the size and shape of your product label depends on the container shape and size. Examples of Houston, TX industries that print their own product labels include the following:

• meat processors.
• fertilizer manufacturers.
• feed mills.
• retail.

Because the image of your company is critical, and depending on the size you need, we recommend a 300 DPI thermal printer for this application.  The TSC 346 MT is an excellent choice.

We offer free consultation and equipment demonstrations to help answer questions about your labels and barcode printers.   Call Customer Service at 888-764-9965 to discuss these and other solutions regarding your printing and labeling needs. Or, fill out this contact form.

Barcode Southwest is a premier supplier of barcode printers and labels for a wide range of industry applications.  We supply to clients all over the Southwest region of the U.S., including, but not limited to, Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.

Happy printing 😊

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Posted 11/19/2018  By Lucy

Barcode Labels and Printers for Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.