• Contact Us
• Components
• Systems
• Benefits
• Learn More
• FAQ
• Other Solutions

Pre-printed vs. On-Demand

A common debate for companies considering barcode printing is the value between using pre-printed labels from a third-party versus on-demand printing with their own barcoding system. Pre-printed labels are useful when your application requires only a few identical labels, often with a lot of colors or graphics. However, companies that start with pre-printed labels quickly discover their limitations. Besides restricted flexibility, the use of pre-printed labels prevents companies from including variable customer data or combinations of text and barcode information.

As a result, most companies find the financial commitment of on-demand barcodes worth the initial investment because of the added value from printing customized information on each label. For many applications that require high-volumes, the added cost of pre-printed labels quickly outweighs the cost of the entire printing system. To the surprise of many barcoding newcomers, most companies that order pre-printed labels also have their own barcoding systems. The pre-printed labels are ordered with the necessary color, graphics or standardized text and are then fed through a barcode printer to receive custom information. Luckily BarcodesInc can provide both options.

Barcode Printing Technologies

The variety of technologies available for barcode printing can be overwhelming, so here are some basics about each of them.

Dot Matrix Printing
Dot matrix technology uses a hammer or pin to transfer pigment from a ribbon onto the substrate. Due to the inaccuracy of dot placement and low resolution of the printing technology, these printers are nearly unusable for barcoding. Dot matrix printers are easy to find and inexpensive to purchase, they can print on virtually any type of form, check or document. However, they print low to medium density barcodes that may not meet certain end-user guidelines while often resulting in ink bleeding. They also cannot print graphics and they tend to print quite slowly.

Ink Jet Printing
Used primarily for printing barcodes and readable data on cartons or packages at very high speeds, ink jet printers spray ink onto the label surface in either a continuous stream or one drop at a time. However, ink jet printing is not acceptable for most barcoding applications. It is often unable to produce barcodes with acceptable accuracy since most inks used tend to streak, run or blur and pricey scanning devices must be carefully chosen to ensure reliable barcode reading.

Laser Printing
The laser printer works much like a photocopier - it projects controlled streams of ions onto the surface of a print drum, resulting in a charged image. The charged image then selectively attracts toner particles, transferring the image onto the paper substrate. After the image is transferred to the media, the heat and pressure of the fuser cause the image to adhere to the media. Laser printers are good at producing plain-paper documents that require barcodes and can double as a document printer when not being used for barcoding. But, laser printers are not well suited for industrial or individual-product labeling operations.

Direct Thermal Printing
Direct thermal printing utilizes heat-sensitive media that blackens as it passes under the printhead. Because they print without a ribbon, direct thermal printers are noted for their simplicity. Direct thermal printed labels typically have a considerable shelf life but are not well suited for environments that expose them to heat, long periods of direct sunlight or abrasion. Because of this, thermal labels, tags or ticket stock are often top coated to resist these elements. Direct thermal printing produces sharp print quality with good scannability.

Thermal Transfer Printing
Thermal transfer printed labels are easily identified by their crisp, often glossy printed surface. This clarity is achieved by using a thin ribbon roll that is heated by the printhead and melts onto the label to form the image. Thermal transfer technology is not only impervious to heat and moisture, but the image cannot be rubbed off, making the printed labels the most durable available. And, because the color and density is determined by the ribbon and the printer's resolution, this method produces consistent, reliable printing on every label.

Barcode Print Technology Matrix

Technology	Print Quality	Scanner Readability	Initial Installation Cost	Long-Term Maintenance Cost	Materials Waste
Dot Matrix	Fair	Low	Low/Moderate	Moderate/High	High
Ink Jet	Moderate	Low/Moderate	High	Moderate/High	High
Laser	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate/High	Moderate/High	High
Direct Thermal	Moderate/Excellent	Moderate/Excellent	Moderate/High	Low	Low
Thermal Transfer	Excellent	Excellent	Moderate/High	Low	Low

Barcode Printing Case Studies

	Picking and Printing on the Go
	Automated System Keeps Inventory Accurate and Updated
	Mobile Printers and Computers Help Improve Efficiency and Service

How can we help you?