Barcode Equipment and Labeling Solutions

Tips and Reviews Covering Barcode Scanners, Printers, Labels and Equipment

Fast and On Demand LX900 Color Label Printer

Better and faster then ever. The new LX900 printer by Primera is the fastest and most economical to operate in the industry today. By utilizing the latest in high resolution inkjet technology this printer produces brilliant, colorful labels for your products, and any other packaging needs. Now with individual cartridges for each color of ink, you are not throwing away good ink when a color runs out.Primera-color-label-printer

Customers had issues with the older model because it was slow and used one cartridge for black and one cartridge for color. If cyan ran out but there was plenty of yellow, the entire cartridge had to be changed wasting any other colors left.

With this change, evidence is there that Primera really listens to the customer. The all new printing technology called Imaging Perfection™  delivers razor sharp text, graphics and the most photo realistic printing possible. The color droplet size is just 4 pl and black is 5.5 pl which is the smallest available on any industial grade color label printer. Resolutions are up to 4800 dpi where the other brands are 1200.

So, what is the real speed of this printer? Well, in draft mode for a full color label, it is 4.5 inches per second. Okay, we do know that draft mode is much different then actually printing normal quality in normal mode. To get that great quality in normal mode for your full color labels, this printer prints up to almost a full 2 inches per second. Not bad.

Primera ink cartridgeWith 4 separate ink cartridges, you have the ability to print at least 16.7 million colors, and that should cover the color range for most.

So what are most people using this printer for? Well, short run specialty products are a real niche. Proofing before going to press on longer runs, full color box end labels with all of the required bar codes, test marketing labels, contract manufacturing, private label goods, and promotional labels are just to name a few.

There are also many different inkjet qualified label and tag materials to use in this printer. White and clear polyester and white BOPP are highly water, tear, smudge and scratch resistant. There are also economical water resistant paper labels available in a high gloss, matte, or semi gloss finish. Custom sizes are also available. So get busy thinking about all the applications you can put this printer into service for. Here are a few ideas:

Baked Goods
Candles
Candy and Confectionary
Cleaning Supplies
Chemicals
Coffee and Tea
Cosmetics
Desserts, Pies and Cakes
Gifts and Gift BasketsPrimera color labels
Gourmet and Specialty Foods
Honey
Jams, Jellies and Preserves
Juices and Ciders
Nuts
Oils (essential and olive)
Organic and Natural Foods
Personal Care Products
Pet Foods
Produce
Sauces and Salsas
School Stickers
Soaps and Shampoos
Spices and Herbs
Syrups
Vitamins, Supplements and Nutriceuticals
Water Bottles
Wine, Beer and Spirits

Be sure to add your ideas in the comments below.

The Future of RFID

The future of RFID

In recent years, RFID technology has boomed around the world, and even during harsh recession times, the RFID industry has remained strong. In fact, the RFID industry has been so resilient during the recession that it has in fact grown stronger while most industries have fallen prey to harsh economic times.

In 2009 alone, the RFID market grew to $5.5 billion, having almost tripled in the last five years. Largely based on government, military, identity card, financial card, passport and other projects/contracts, and legally mandated requirements such as animal tagging, this market is recession proof, and continuing to grow rapidly.

RFID technology is fairly simple, as well as cost efficient. With relatively inexpensive components, RFID based solutions are affordable and efficient, and can offer innovative solutions to common workplace problems.

The reason the RFID market has remained so strong during these trying times is fairly simple; RFID technology allows companies in many industries to cut costs and save money. So when the world began to sink into a recession, many companies began to look for RFID based solutions to cut down costs, and boost efficiency.

Currently the United States has more active RFID projects than any other country in the world, with the UK and China making up the top 3 countries that currently employ RFID projects or technologies, or have planned to do so.

RFID tags have been used in many industries, from construction, shipping, airlines, manufacturing and many more. I believe it is safe to say the RFID tag use will only continue to grow and prosper in coming years, as newer RFID technologies have continued to open the doors to new possibilities.

If your company is currently using manual inventory, or could benefit from an automated inventory management, an RFID system could be a great addition to your current methods.

Whether you currently use RFID technology or not, in coming years there will only be more. RFID tags have already become a commonplace in some industries, and will continue to prosper as companies look to cut costs. Be sure to stay updated on the newest upcoming RFID technologies here at Adazon!

Click-n-Ship Labels

Click-n-Ship Labels

There are tons of reasons why you should print your own shipping labels from home, whether you use Ebay to sell old household items, or even if you’re just mailing holiday packages across the country, making your own shipping labels in house saves time and money.

You know those long lines at the Post Office, especially around holiday season? Well if you print your own shipping labels, you can skip that line for now and forever. With the help of simple click-n-ship labels, you can now weigh, label and ship all of your goods  right from your house. You can even schedule a USPS mailman to pick up your packages in advance!

Printing your own shipping labels is easy, and with the right tools its can be a lifesaver. Many customers have commented on how cheap Adazon’s shipping labels are. Adazon has the highest quality and lowest price on all shipping labels, whether its by the pack (250 sheets) or by the case (1,000 sheets) Adazon has it all.

Do you already print your own shipping labels? Well this article still can save you time and money! Most companies that allow you to print your own shipping labels charge monthly fees, or expensive software fees. Many other label producers often charge ridiculous amounts for their shipping labels too.

If you would like to begin printing your own shipping labels, or if you would like to start saving money on the shipping labels you already print, make Adazon your next choice. Adazon has the best pricing, quality and customer service that can’t be beat.

RFID Enabled Cabinets Can Save Time and Money

RFID Enabled Cabinets Can Save Time and Money

As part on an ongoing project to cut down on supply costs, Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, Ga has begun to implement their new WaveMark RFID Asset tracking system. This tracking system, consists of 18 RFID-enabled cabinets, as well as an interrogator in each room with a cabinet.

The idea behind the system is simple; by using real time inventory alerts and updates from RFID Chips, the hospital hopes to begin purchasing its supplies in bulk quantity, in attempt to cut down on costs. Currently using the manual inventory system that was previously in place, most supplies had to be purchased in small quantities, driving individual supply costs up.

The RFID real time tracking solution has helped ease many of the hospitals everyday tasks that would otherwise have to be done by busy staff members. By eliminating the need for a staff member to manually take inventory, the hospital can now save time and money by easily checking inventory on a real-time computer.

With many important supplies needed for surgeries and operations, it was imperative that the inventory tracking system be reliable and accurate. Another great benefit of the real-time inventory is the ease of ordering supplies before they run out. With up-to-date inventory, predicting when items should be needed will also be easier.

WaveMark has currently installed RFID-enabled cabinets in the hospital which includes five in the catheterization lab and eight in individual procedure rooms. Each cabinet contains a 13.56 MHz reader compliant with the industry standards, as well as an antenna on each shelf. Every room in which the cabinets are installed also has a separate RFID interrogator (allowing employees to sign out a product, and record the procedure and patient for which it will be used) connected to a computer and touch screen. The hospital also has an RFID-enabled tagging station, to link RFID numbers with individual products when they are received or used.

When an employee needs an item from a cabinet, s/he walks to the separate reader stationed in the room, inputs data identifying the employee, along with the patient who will use that product, and then reads the item label’s ID number. The worker can then view a dashboard indicating which items are currently in storage on each shelf. If an object is removed, the cabinet’s interrogator is no longer able to longer read its unique ID number, and the system updates that item’s status as having been used by a specific patient. If a staff member fails to enter data identifying herself or the patient, and if the item is simply removed from the room, an alert is sent by the WaveMark reader to the back-end server, so that the appropriate employees can be notified by text or e-mail. The dashboard then displays the item as missing. On the other hand, if the product that has been checked out for use with a patient is returned to the shelf, the system updates that information, indicating it has not been used and is again available for use with another patient.

This is another great example of how RFID chip technology can help your company save time and money via asset tracking. RFID technology use has been increasing steadily in recent years, and has proven to be one of the most effective asset tracking methods. If you’re looking to cut costs, keep a real-time inventory, save valuable employee working time, then it is time to look into an RFID solution for your inventory tracking needs.

Holiday Shipping Labels

Holiday Shipping Labels

It’s that time of the year again, with Christmas and other holidays around the corner you might find yourself going crazy running to the post office to mail all of your holiday gifts and cards. Looking for a better way to send all of those cards, gifts and holiday cheer? Adazon click-n-ship labels offer a time and money saving solution for all of your holiday shipping needs.

With Adazons click-n-ship labels, you can print your own shipping labels and stamps from your own printer, ending those trips to the post office. All you need to print your own shipping labels are, an Inkjet/Laser printer, and your choice of sizes of Adazon’s shipping labels.

At Adazon we are able to offer the lowest prices available on your shipping labels, stop overpaying from Stamps.com or other competitors that charge up to 75% more! Holidays are already a time of generous spending and giving, why pay more than you already have to?

By printing your own shipping labels, you can prepare all of your packages to be picked up by your mail carrier of choice, as well as time. Printing your own shipping labels isn’t a difficult task either. Simply add the shipping labels to your printer’s paper tray, enter the shipping information on your shipping program, click, print, ship and you’re done!

Add some extra cheer to your holiday gifts and packages with Adazons holiday labels as well! Adazon is offering discounted holiday labels for a short time to help you save even more! Our personalized custom holiday labels go great on any gift or package that you send this season.

So before you get in the car and make that trip to the post office again, consider all the time and money you could save from printing your own shipping labels from home. Adazon always offers direct manufacturer pricing as well as same day shipping. Call the experts at Adazon for all of your label needs today!

RFID Tags Help Dress You

RFID Tags Help Dress You

For those who view shopping as a daunting task, picking out your clothes might just get a little easier, thanks to RFID Tags. Students at Carnegie Mellon University have invented the Smart.Mirror, a device designed to help give you fashion ideas or tips while in the dressing room.

The Smart.Mirror uses the RFID Tags already located in most clothing stores by scanning the tags as you enter the dressing room. Once the tags have been scanned, the Smart.Mirror knows what clothes you are wearing or trying on, and attempts to offer advice to the best of it’s ability on what other clothing might look well in addition, or what else is fashionable currently.

How does the Smart.Mirror work? Once all of the RFID tags in the clothes you brought have been scanned into the Smart.Mirror system, a touch screen display allows you to view your fashion options, which will be generated by a program.

With fashion constantly changing, the Smart.Mirror could be a great tool for sales in the future too, with the ability to suggest fashionable clothing items to customers. The Smart.Mirror has the ability to stay up to date and in tune with “what’s cool and what’s not” when it comes to fashion.

The Smart.Mirror will not replace in anyway the average store clerk. Instead, the Smart.Mirror will complement the clerk. Costing roughly $1,000 per year, the technology in the Smart.Mirror is affordable. This is in part due to the low cost and affordability of RFID tags and other RFID equipment.

Although currently there is only one prototype Smart.Mirror, already the results are positive and feedback has been positive and strong. If the pilot program continues with similar results, don’t be surprised if next time your in a dressing room, the room offers you ideas on what to wear.

How To Apply Your Labels or Pressure Sensitive Nameplates

How To Apply Your Labels or Pressure Sensitive Nameplates

 Whether you print your own labels, or if you purchase them from a supplier, there are a few things you should know to make sure your labels will adhere how they are supposed to. The most common reason labels do not maintain their adhesion is due to elements present on the application surface, such as grease, oil, wax, moisture, silicone, mold and dirt.

A few easy steps to remember that will keep your labels sticking correctly. First, before picking up those labels, make sure that you clean the surface where your labels will be placed very thoroughly with and industrial cleaning solution, or isopropyl alcohol. This will remove any unwanted impurities, and allow a strong adhesion from the labels to their surface.

After you’ve cleaned your application surface, it is time to put your label on your desired surface. Be sure to handle your labels be the edges once you have removed the protective liner, and avoid touch the exposed adhesive.

After you have applied your label firmly, be sure to use a finger or a roller to get all excess air out from under your label.  Always remember to clean the surface of your equipment before placing your labels even if the equipment is brand new, because even new equipment can still have impurities on the surface.

When storing your labels, it is best to store them in a cool, dry location, as the labels will retain their adhesive properties longer if stored under the correct conditions. Be sure to keep those labels out of high humidity and direct sunlight, as those will corrode away at your adhesive over time.

By following these easy steps, you can be sure that your labels will properly adhere to their respective surfaces saving you time and money.

Zebra Thermal Printers Improve Police Ticketing Efficiency

Zebra Thermal Printers Improve Police Ticketing Efficiency

Nobody likes to see those red and blue sirens in the rear view mirror, but it does happen to the best of us. Getting a ticket is never a good experience, but the slow process of creating a citation and filling out the forms and submitting the ticket can take police officers quite some time, delaying you further from your destination. In the Chicago area, some of the police forces will soon begin to try a new method of issuing citations; via thermal printer.ZebraRW420

Six Chicagoland counties, Kane, Will, DuPage, Cook, DeKelb and McHenry will soon be switching over to an electronic citation system that will save time money and resources on all involved parties. The way this new electronic system is designed to allow police officers to enter and access all necessary date via laptops in the squad car, and then allow them to print the citation on the Zebra RW 420 mobile thermal printer.

Although this is not the first time a thermal printer idea was brought up for squad car use, the Zebra RW 420 is a small, compact mobile printer at only 6” in length, these printers can easily fit anywhere in the squad car. The old printers that were used were too bulky, and often jammed and had many technical issues. These Zebra mobile printers are rugged enough to withstand drops, shock and other interferences that would come up.

After turning to Zebra for rugged, reliable mobile printers, the police departments picked up QuickTicket citation software from the Advanced Public Safety (APS).  With the swipe of a drivers license, a police officer will now be able to access your driving and personal records, issue a citation and print that citation in only a few short minutes.

This ticketing solution will also be applied to other sectors of the cities citations, such as parking & towing.  With all the detailed information printed out immediately, both the officer and the alleged offender will quickly both have all the information needed for their respective purposes. The QuickTicket software will even allow multiple languages for urban areas with multi-cultural and lingual citizens.

Along with saving money wasted on extra paper, Officers will also be able to clearly read the tickets, a common issue that can clog the phone lines of a station. With the citation process taking less time, the police officers will have more time to patrol and do their job, while getting citations issues in less time.

I believe it is safe to say that this trend of using mobile thermal printers will only grow among police departments across the country, as it saves all parties involved time, money and other valuable resources.

“Fingerprinting” RFID Tags

Fingerprinting” RFID Tags

In recent years, RFID tags have been a growing trend in many sectors of business worldwide, as RFID tags have allowed more efficiency out of companies who have begun to use them. RFID tags could soon even be in your passport or drivers license, as they can store such information on small chips that would be scanned at the border or airport upon exit or entry to the United States. Using a new method developed at the University of Arkansas, engineers have found a way to “fingerprint” your RFID tags, allowing you to distinguish originals from clones.

Radio Frequency Identification tags are used in many industries, and provide a wide range of services. RFID tags have been used in hospitals to help monitor patients, in airlines to track luggage, by construction companies to track equipment and so much more.

With all the great things RFID chips have done, and will doing in the months and years to come, there are a few major problems with the RFID solution. One of the biggest issues in the industry is RFID tag security. Hypothetically, lets say you have an RFID chip in your Passport. Contained in that RFID tag could be your name, address, social security info, places traveled and other personal information. Currently, if somebody were trying to steal you identity off a RFID tag, they simply would require basic RFID knowledge, a cheap RFID Tag reader and a computer.  From there, the thief could simply look at all of your information, take down what he or she wants or even clone your RFID tag and copy all of your private information onto another copy/clone.

The reason the engineers at Arkansas refer to the system as a fingerprint, is because they have discovered that individual tags are unique, not because of the data or memory they contain, but because of radio-frequency and manufacturing differences.

A passive RFID tag harvests its power from the RFID reader, which in turn sends radio frequency signals to the tag. The tag, which consists of a microchip connected to a radio antenna, communicates back to the reader. Working to determine the best placement of RFID tags on packages, engineers  measured tags’ minimum power response at multiple frequencies.

The researchers did this by using an algorithm that repeatedly sent reader-to-tag signals starting at a low power value and increasing the power until the tag responded. Radio frequencies ranged from 903 to 927 megahertz and increased by increments of 2.4 megahertz. These measurements revealed that each tag had a unique minimum power response at multiple radio frequencies. Moreover, power responses were significantly different for same-model tags, which means that even tags of the same make and model containing the same information can still be uniquely identified.

This is an important discovery, as the security of businesses, government/military and consumers needs to always be a top priority, especially for such a growing industry. RFID tags have only become more useful, and will continue to grow more secure and useful.

RFID Tags Prevent Lost Luggage

Lost luggage becomes a thing of the past thanks to RFID!

Have you ever had an airline company lose some of your luggage while on vacation or business? Well you’re not alone, and after many years of painful losses, airline companies have found a solution that might just be the answer. By taking advantage of  existing RFID technology, airport and airline companies will use RFID tags on their high speed conveyor belts to ensure every piece of luggage stays on track.

With lost luggage comes angry customers, as well as an average $100 per lost piece of luggage. Especially during these trying economic times, airlines have tried to find a solution that is economically feasible, while delivering results that can make a difference.

Other methods have been tried, such as manual inventory, GPS technology and even simple barcodes, however none have been as effective as the RFID tags. So far during this trial-benchmark period, the RFID tags have been 99.9% effective at correctly monitoring luggage. With an almost near perfect trial, it is clear that RFID tags provide the perfect method of baggage inventory.

RFID solutions are affordable, and can be easily set up and run. RFID tags are small microchips that contain antennas, and when these tags pass under the scanners, a computer program will keep an electronic inventory of everything passing through.

Although these RFID tags have not been implemented yet nationally, I believe it is safe to say with such a high rate of effective tracking, low cost, and ease of use, you can be sure to see more airports taking advantage of this great technology.