Barcode Equipment and Labeling Solutions

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

Stamps.com Labels

December 7, 2009 – 2:58 pm

Stamps.com Shipping Labels

If you or your company currently uses 4×6 shipping labels, you might be overpaying considerably. These labels can be used as shipping labels, and are printed from your Inkjet/Laser printers. These labels are easy, low maintenance shipping labels that you can make from home. Just simply add these shipping labels into your Inkjet/Laser printer, fill in your shipping information, print and ship!

stamps.com labels

stamps.com labels

By printing your shipping labels from your Inkjet/Laser printer, you can save time and money that would otherwise be spent going to a local post office or shipping store. These labels will work will all major postal companies, and can be read universally by barcode scanners. These labels print clear and hassle free. Just click – print – ship and you’re done!

 These 4×6 shipping labels come packaged four labels per sheet, and 250 sheets per pack, making a total of 1,000 labels, and use permanent adhesives, so you can be sure your shipping labels will be intact no matter where they are shipped to.

Need more than 1,000 labels? Adazon also sells full cases of shipping labels, and will provide same-day shipping and the best pricing available on all of our labels. Don’t be fooled into over-paying for your labels.

Adazon offers the best pricing on shipping labels available! Some websites and stores charge considerably more for the same shipping labels! Other competitors, such as Stamps.com sells their 250 sheet pack for over $120!  Adazon offers the SAME shipping labels at only a fraction of the competitions cost, at only $33! That is almost a 75% price difference for the same labels!

Adazon ships most labels same day, and has every label to meet your labeling needs. If we do not carry the label you need, we also custom made labels to meet ANY needs or specifications.

Don’t be fooled by other online label retailers, only Adazon is able to provide warehouse direct prices on all of our labels. Adazon offers huge savings and fast service that cannot be beat. For all of your shipping label and other label needs, contact the barcode and label experts at Adazon.

By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Label Information, Custom Labels, How to Information, Laser Printer Labels | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Holiday Labels

December 7, 2009 – 1:10 pm

Holiday Labels from Adazon

It’s that time of the year again, and as the holidays approach be sure to check out Adazons new customized holiday labels! Our new customizable labels feature your choice of holiday graphics, as well as your customized name on each label! Brighten the holidays of those around you with Adazons customized holiday labels.holidaycoupontwitterPromo

 Whether for holiday cards, gifts or just for the added holiday spirit, Adazons customized holiday labels are sure to leave a great impression on all!

Our professional labels come in multiple sizes, all with permanent adhesive. These labels are made from paper, and are made individually for each customer. These labels can be customized to your family name, business, or other name of your choice! All you provide is the name you would like on your holiday labels, and we’ll do the rest.

To make this holiday special even better, for a short time if you visit Adazon on our Twitter or Facebook, you can take advantage of an extra 10% off of your customized holiday labels using our holiday special coupon code! Be sure to take advantage of this great offer, because it is only here for a short time! Visit Adazon today for all of your label needs!

By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Label Information, Custom Labels, Custom Labels Chicago, Fun Labels, How to Information, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Optimizing Digital Plate Production

December 1, 2009 – 1:09 pm

Optimizing Digital Plate Production

If you or your company has invested in digital platemaking, you know the importance of having high-quality plates, as well as consistency during production. To achieve these goals, there a few steps you can take that might just make your printing process more efficient. And cutting down on costs is always a useful tool, especially during recessionary times when budgets are tight.

First, before considering imaging anything at all, you must check your plate’s carbon mask density to ensure all UV light is blocked out during the exposure process. Your goal is to have a black density above 3.5 density units.

Then you must check your laser optics, to ensure the laser is in focus to allow the sharpest possible image. This is important especially when printing small fonts or pictures, because having a clear image allows smaller fonts. With more required out of your labels today than ever before, more information is being printed on labels, especially for multi-lingual labels, medical, food and other labels. The more clear your font, the smaller the font can be while still being legible.

Storage of your plates is also a very important factor in your digital printing process. Use extreme care and caution when handling the plates to ensure they are not scratched or damaged. You should store your plates in a light and heat controlled environment, and minimize light, dust and heat exposure, as these will wear down the plates.

Consistency during the exposure process is also another great way to ensure high quality results, as a standardized exposure process is sure to cut down on errors, as well as increase productivity.

By following these simple steps, you can start saving time and money with your digital press. Remember that consistency and standardizing procedures also cuts down on the chance for human error.

By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Equipment Ideas, Barcode Industry, How to Information, New Barcode Equipment | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Stanford Hospital improves Patient Safety using bar coding

November 30, 2009 – 12:37 pm

Stanford Hospital improves Patient Safety using bar coding

Internationally acclaimed Stanford Hospital & clinics are some of the most advanced and respected medical facilities in the United States today. Often known for the high level of patient care, as well as treatments of rare, complex disorders have made the Stanford medical facilities one of a kind. And with the help of some bar code scanners and some bar code labels, Stanford medical has been able to stay state-of-the-art with their technology, further improving their excellent service.

Already well known for their pioneering in the departments of Cardiac care, Cancers, Neurosciences, Organ transplants and more, as part of Stanford medical has sought out another way to enhance its patient care. Bar coding patients, medicine, equipment and more.

The Stanford hospitals have recently installed the Epic Electronic Medical Record System, (EMR) that allows them to keep all of the Stanford doctors and nurses connected via Bluetooth at all times. So far, over 1.3 Million medications have been delivered to patients using this system, and with little or no error.

By switching over from the traditional clipboard-style, method of patient care to the new electron bar coding system, Stanford has already seen noticeable advantages, and the patients have too. While improving staff accuracy, reliability and overall efficiency as well as improved overall quality of care. Stanford medical patients have also spoken out, stating they too have noticed an improvement in overall quality of care.

One of the most important benefits that the electronic system has provided has also been patient safety. The bar coded system help identify errors or questions before medications are administered, as well as checking to make sure the patients current medications are at correct levels and are not being mixed with other medicines, an often dangerous problem.

The Stanford medical facility is another great example of how bar codes and bar code scanners can help  improve efficiency and overall quality to any business of any kind.

By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Equipment Ideas, Barcode Industry, Barcode Label Information, Barcode Scanners, Latest Barcode Scanners | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

What They Don’t Tell You In The Barcode Scanner Manual

November 13, 2009 – 12:09 pm

Have you ever plugged your blue tooth barcode scanner into your computer with a keyboard wedge, taken the scanner off the base station, scanned a barcode and all looks good, except the barcode does not scan into the computer? You try scanning the barcode on the base station to re-sync the scanner to the base station, then you try unplugging the base station from the computer, and it still does not work.

Barcode Scanner Fix

Barcode Scanner Fix

After many tries, you then turn to the manual to see if there is a barcode you need to scan so the device is activated and you see you have done everything right. The scanner scans and displays the correct data in the handheld, the base station makes the right sounds, but the information does not populate the field in your computer. What do you do?

You are not going to find this in the manual, but from experience all is not lost. All you have to do is take the cable that connects the base station to the computer and disconnect it from the base station. Not the computer as you would think. When you do this, it clears the base station and resets it as you reconnect the cable. Then sync the handheld with the base station again and the keyboard wedge should now work perfectly.

This is a simple solution to a common problem that can cause a lot of headaches in your business. My hope is that this will also save some time for others that find this same issue. Good scanning!

By John Barth | Posted in Barcode Equipment Ideas, Barcode Scanners, How to Information | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

RFID Enhanced Drivers Licenses Replace Passports

November 12, 2009 – 2:31 pm

RFID Enhanced Drivers Licenses Replace Passports

Only six months ago, the Secretary of state for Michigan began taking applications for RFID chip enhanced drivers licenses. Since then, over 80,000 applications have been received, and the trend is growing. Why are so many people in Michigan switching over to these high-tech drivers licenses? The main reason: to replace their passports.

The enhanced drivers’ licenses are embedded with a small Radio Frequency Identification chip, (RFID) and an antenna so they can be scanned quickly by an electronic RFID reader. Contained in these paper-thin chips is the same information that would be found on your passport, as well as your basic drivers’ license information.

RFID Chips can vary in size, and can store different volumes of information. These chips can only be read by RFID scanners within the antennas range, which in the case would only extend a few feet around the ID. RFID chips are being implemented in various institutions around the world to improve efficiency and to save time and money.

What this means for the citizens of Michigan is, for a small fee of $45, they can now get an RFID equipped drivers license that will be accepted as a passport, and can be used to leave and re-enter the United States by land or sea (This license is not yet acceptable for international flight because it is not federally approved yet for security reasons). With the enhanced drivers’ license, citizens can come and go from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and many other Caribbean countries with ease.

Instead of the traditional passport, where customs officials would have to verify authenticity, possible background check, stamping etc, all that will be done to cross the border is scan your drivers’ license.

Not only should this make traveling in and out of the country less stressful, but it should also speed up the process as a whole. US Customs and Border protection support the enhanced license, saying that the new system is faster and provides all necessary information to agents on the spot.

If this trend continues, I would not be surprised to see more states around the country offer enhanced drivers’ licenses, and possibly even a federally approved replacement for the passport for all citizens, although no such plans are currently being taken.

This is another great example of how RFID technology can be applied to make our everyday lives just a little bit easier. For more information or questions related to RFID technology, contact the experts at Adazon.

By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Equipment Ideas, Barcode Industry, Barcode Scanners, New Barcode Equipment | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Food & Beverage Labels

November 9, 2009 – 1:50 pm

Food & Beverage Labels

                 Whether you’re at the local grocery store buying food, or beverages, sauces, condiments or other foods, you will see labels on it all.  If you own a local deli or store of your own, you know that every product you sell or buy has a label. In today’s world, one of the largest and most diverse users of labels are the food and beverage industry, and to become a part of that industry there are a few key points you must know before you should start putting labels on your product, or while purchasing products from others.

Within the food and beverage industry, each product has not just one, but multiple labels on the product. Each of these labels provides information that is useful or even required to help the consumer decide which product fits their needs best.

The most noticeable and common of labels, the product label, (also referred to as the prime label) is usually the promotional label that would have the company logo. For example the product label for a bottle of Coke would be the main red and white logo on the front that says Coca-Cola. The product label plays a critical advertising role, as the product logo is the most noticeable label on a product, and is often joined by graphics or artwork to help convince consumers to buy. This label is the equivalent to your companies billboard, so make sure your sending the message you want your customers to see.

Although maybe not as visually appealing, the Secondary labels of products are often quite important, although they may not make or break a consumer’s decision when comparing products. Examples of secondary labels are: nutritional information, preparation information and safe handling instructions.

A more commercial type of label that you might see everyday is the Promotional label. Promotional labels can range from instant-redeemable coupons, neck-hangers, fluorescent labels and other similar labels that attempt to try in consumers.

There are also labels on products that are designed to help the producer or seller, such as Logistic, legal and functional labels. Functional labels such as safety seals, temperature indicators or date labels are often on products, but do not provide any aesthetics to the product. Logistic labels are often used to track shipments, inventory control, bar coding and other types of labeling that help ease product control. Often times these labels can be barcode labels, or upc codes. Legal labels (also called Regulatory) are often state or federally required labels that provide important information, such as allergic warnings, hazardous chemicals etc.

Knowing as much as you can about labels can help make your labels stand out from the rest, and even if you don’t make or need labels, knowing what kinds of labels are used for can be great information to know while browsing or shopping the next time around.

For more information on labels, or to learn more about how to create or order labels, upc codes and more.

By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Custom Labels, Food Labels, How to Information, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

RFID Chips Help Improve Asset Tracking

November 5, 2009 – 2:15 pm

Using RFID To Track Your Assets

Due to our current global economic situation, many companies around the world are doing everything they can to cut their costs. One of the growing trends lately in an effort to save money has been improving asset tracking. There are a few major issues that have arisen from poor asset tracking, including high cost, low efficiency, low reliability and poor overall performance.

Until recently, most asset tracking was done by hand, for example construction companies would have to send workers to sites and have them copy down the serial numbers one at a time and take manual inventory. When items were unable to be located, say human error, or maybe they were covered in snow or out sight, companies would have to re-order new parts and would now have extra, unnecessary and costly inventory.

Other alternatives to manual inventory were explored, such as Global Positioning Satellite equipment, however that as well had poorer than expected results. GPS equipment is large, expensive and fragile. It wouldn’t be economically sound to purchase GPS beacons to track inventory with the high costs associated, especially in these times of tighter than normal budgets.

An answer to the asset tracking problem has been found, and is now being implemented by companies all over the world. RFID or Radio Frequency Identification chips, work similar to a GPS system, but instead of satellites relaying the information, local antennas on the chips act as the wireless communicator.

RFID chips are very small, some even smaller than your pinky nail, and are very cost-effective. When coupled with an RFID Asset tracking program, such as AssetTraxx, companies can now cut down the time and costs of tracking their assets or inventory in more than half.

With real-time updates, the RFID chip will update with your every step. What that means, is that no workers will need to run around with a clipboard and pen. Simply place the small RFID chip on your asset, and you will have a low-cost, high efficiency, real-time asset tracking system.

No matter where you are located or what your business is, if you have assets that could be better managed and require real-time tracking, RFID chips offer a stress-free solution that can help save you time and money.

By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Industry, Barcode Software Ideas, How to Information, New Barcode Equipment | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Net Flex Flexible Ribbon

November 3, 2009 – 10:03 am

Net Flex

iimak has introduced a new Thermal Transfer ribbon for flexible packaging coders, the new Net Flex wax/resin for near edge thermal transfer printers. This new ribbon features anti-static formulation, and delivers blacker, bolder print with greater durability and with print speeds up to 24 IPS.

The new Net Flex ribbon is compatible with near edge printers and coders, such as Markem, SmartDate, and VideoJet DataFlex, Norwood, Jaguar, Linx and Zodiac. The Net Flex ribbon prints at the coder’s standard darkness setting, so the user does not have to make adjustments on their thermal transfer printer. The Net Flex ribbon performs well at lower darkness settings, and has a new anti-static design to reduce static discharge to allow faster packaging lines.

The new smudge resistant ribbon can be printed on a wide range of uncoated and top coated packaging films. Some great applications for this ribbon are Snack products, Dairy, Coffee, Frozen goods, produce, Medical and Pharmaceutical as well as health and beauty products.

This new ribbon is also available in a variety of colors, including Black, White, Silver, Red, Royal Blue, Shamrock Green, Orange, Wine, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow. And for high heat resistance, try NET Resin IQ!

Some of the tech-specs for the new Net Flex ribbon are:

Leader Strip Color: Red

Maximum Print Speed: 24 IPS

Film Thickness: 4.5 Microns

Total Ribbon Thickness: 7.1 Microns

Reflection Density: 2.0 ( Macbeth Scale)

Ink Melting Point: 63 Celsius / 145 Fahrenheit

Storage Conditions:  -5 Celsius to 40 With 20-85% Humidity

By Tommy Schweller | Posted in About Thermal Transfer Ribbon, Barcode Industry, New Barcode Equipment, Thermal Bar Code Printers | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Consecutive Numbered & Barcode Labels

October 26, 2009 – 11:18 am

Consecutive Numbered & Barcode Labels

Initially developed to help speed up grocery store checkout speed, consecutively numbered, barcode labels and variable data labels have since become a large part of our retail industry.  Now a staple point of any company who needs to ship their products, and keep accurate inventory, barcode labels have exploded into one of the greatest business tools availible.

From the first barcode scanned over 35 years ago on JuicyFruit gum, barcodes have become a large part of our retail industry, and having products without barcode labels of some kind on them are simply at a disadvantage. To get a registered barcode label for your company, please register with GS1 US, the Barcode regulator. More information on creating a unique barcode can be found in our article “How to Create a Barcode”.

Once used just to speed up checkout times, reduces errors and to improve inventory management, barcode labels have now become a commonsight on almost any product in our market today. All you need to look for to find a barcode, are black and white lines accompanied by numbers on the back of your product.

Consecutively numbered labels have many uses, commonly they are used for parking permits, inventory management, electronics, medical equipment and more. A consecutively numbered label can come in varying sizes, materials and adhesives for different jobs.

Variable Data Labels can be utilized for other unique jobs, some that may require labeling, but perhaps not sequential labeling. There are instances where random barcodes might be used, or numbers that or too large for normal.

Barcode labels have a huge variety of uses and applications, and only more are sure to come. If you feel that your business would benefit from better inventory management and fewer errors with sales, get the barcode labels you need today from Adazon

By Tommy Schweller | Posted in Barcode Equipment Ideas, Barcode Industry, Barcode Label Information, Barcode Scanners, How to Information, New Barcode Equipment | Tagged , , | Comments (0)