How To Select The Right Barcode Label : A Guide
Nov 6
6 min read
1
17
0
Barcode labels are essential for precise inventory and asset tracking across numerous industries, such as healthcare, information technology, construction, education, retail, and more. They streamline operations by ensuring accurate data collection and management.
However, choosing the right barcode label for your organization is not always straightforward. Barcode labels vary widely in their compatibility with barcode printers, durability, and adhesive strength. Selecting a label that doesn’t align with your specific requirements—or that doesn’t work with your barcode printer—can lead to costly inefficiencies and delays.
To make the best choice, it’s important to evaluate several key factors. Considerations include the environment where the labels will be used (temperature, moisture, and exposure to chemicals), surface type (smooth, rough, or curved), and expected lifespan. These elements can help you avoid issues and find a barcode label that perfectly suits your operational needs.
Key Considerations for Choosing a Barcode Label
When choosing the right barcode label for your product, several factors come into play. Consider elements like temperature, chemical exposure, climate, surface type, and the expected lifespan of the label. Understanding each of these categories will help you avoid potential issues and ensure you select the most suitable label for your specific needs.
Surface
One of the key factors in selecting a barcode label is the surface type. The material's shape and texture—whether smooth, rough, or curved—affect how well the adhesive will hold. Different surfaces, such as paper, plastic, or metal, each have unique adhesion requirements, making it essential to choose a label that’s compatible with the specific surface of your product.
Size
One of the most important factors to consider is the label's dimensions, but size is also important if you want to maximize your savings.
Bonding Agent
Another important factor to consider when choosing a barcode label is the intended duration of use. Some barcode labels are designed for temporary applications, while others are meant to remain in place permanently. It's crucial not to use permanent bonding agents on labels that are only required for short-term use, as this could lead to difficulties when removal is necessary.
Labels Life span
If your label needs to be readable for an extended period, it will likely be exposed to wear, moisture, and chemicals. In these cases, a label with a longer lifespan requires higher resistance and durability. On the other hand, if the label is only meant for short-term use, it doesn’t need to be as robust, and a direct thermal paper label may suffice.
Suitability for Barcode Label Printers
Thermal barcode printing is the most dependable and widely used method for printing barcode labels. Thermal barcode printers are classified into two types: direct thermal and thermal transfer. Both print high-resolution barcodes, but they produce very different results and are chosen based on their intended use.
Direct Thermal
Direct thermal printing uses a special type of ink, rather than traditional ink ribbons, to create barcodes. When the ink is applied to the barcode label, the printer head heats up, triggering a chemical reaction that makes the ink visible. Since heat is the only factor that activates this process, the printed label is not durable enough to withstand high temperatures, moisture, or prolonged exposure to sunlight. Direct thermal printers produce high-resolution barcodes, making them ideal for short-term applications like packing labels. highlights how your choice of barcode label is directly impacted by the type of barcode printer you use, and vice versa.
Thermal Transfer
Thermal transfer printing works by heating a high-carbon ink ribbon, which then melts the ink onto the barcode label. This method produces more durable labels than direct thermal printing, making it ideal for long-term applications that need to endure tough conditions. Barcode labels printed using thermal transfer technology are resistant to smudging, scratching, moisture, extreme temperatures, and sunlight. Without this printing method, the label is more likely to degrade over time, resulting in errors and misreads.
Barcode Label Material Options
Each barcode label material offers unique benefits and limitations that dictate its best use. For thermal transfer printing, it's essential to choose a label that is compatible with the correct ribbon type. Using the wrong combination could lead to issues such as smearing or an inability to print clearly. Let’s take a closer look at various barcode label materials and the corresponding thermal transfer ribbons that work best with them.
Paper Barcode Labels
Under the right conditions, paper labels combined with wax ribbon printing materials can last a long time and are best suited for indoor use. The labels are best applied to a smooth, dry surface and be stored without exposure to extreme temperature and humidity conditions, liquids, and sunlight. Paper barcode labels are easily removed and degraded. Paper barcode labels are typically easy to scan and will not fade or rub off easily.
Paper barcode labels are commonly found on indoor parts, inventory, and assets, such as file folders and product labels.
Polypropylene Barcode Labels
Polypropylene barcode labels are a synthetic option that offers greater durability than paper labels, making them suitable for tougher conditions. When printed with a wax/resin ribbon, they produce a high-quality finish, which can be either clear or matte.
These labels are resistant to weather, scratches, and tears, and, in some cases, can withstand exposure to chemicals and oils. Polypropylene labels are ideal for rigid surfaces, offering water resistance but not full waterproofing. They are not recommended for products that will be frequently squeezed, stretched, submerged in water, or constantly exposed to humid or wet conditions.
With a lifespan ranging from six months to two years, polypropylene labels are generally twice the cost of standard paper labels.
Common applications for polypropylene barcode labels include: