Order FAQ
Q: Can you provide OEM or ODM service?
A: Yes, both OEM or ODM services are welcome.
Q: What format of design file should be provided by you?
A: AI,PDF, Corel DRAW, CAD ( we need vector files )
Q: How to get a sample?
A: We could offer a few samples from our previous orders for free just with freight prepaid;
For customized samples as design, sample charge would be necessary according to the samples material, and printing colors.
Q: What kinds of payment methods do you accept?
A: You can make the payment by T/T bank account, Western Union, PayPal, cash, etc:
Q: How do I place an order?
A: Welcome send us an email to info@graphicoverlaysz.com, the material, size, design file and expected quantity would help us to check the cost, once, you would receive a reply in 24 hours once we confirm all the details
For more details, welcome contact us freely.
FAQ Guide
Whenever we make a purchase, we often encounter barcodes, but they are frequently overlooked. However, barcodes are essential for ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of our economy, benefiting small enterprises as well as major multinational corporations.
1. What are barcode labels?
Barcode labels are common symbols that store information in a format readable by machines. They are extensively utilized for identification, tracking, and inventory management across a range of industries and uses. Label design involves the creation and printing of labels containing barcodes and pertinent information. A meticulously crafted label can enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and security of barcode scanning and data handling processes.
2. How do barcode labels work?
The functionality of barcode labels relies on the symbology of the barcode itself and a scanner capable of interpreting the symbols and converting them into valuable information, often related to an item’s source, cost, category, and whereabouts.
By scanning the barcode, the scanner automatically inputs the stored information into a system, typically a database of some sort. This technology has delivered numerous advantages to businesses, facilitating the establishment of interconnected global distribution networks and enabling major corporations like Walmart to maintain accurate product stocking and pricing worldwide.
Moreover, it has emerged as an indispensable tool for enhancing asset tracking and operational efficiencies for small and medium enterprises, as well as healthcare facilities and governmental organizations. Businesses leverage barcodes in various ways, including:
1) Monitoring Inventory
A fundamental inventory management system comprises software and a barcode scanner or mobile device. Each inventory item, whether it’s a product for sale, supplies, or raw materials, is affixed with barcode labels. When an item is taken out of stock, simply scanning the barcode deducts the count in the inventory tracking software, eliminating the need to manually input an SKU and reducing the risk of human errors commonly seen in grocery stores.
2) Tracking Assets
Every business, regardless of size, possesses IT assets and fixed assets. Barcoded asset tags are affixed to each asset, allowing for easy check-in and check-out using asset tracking software. This method enhances accountability and simplifies audits.
3) Utilizing Barcodes for Return Mail
By incorporating a barcode on the return-mail registration postcard that corresponds to the product’s serial number, you can instantly track registered serial numbers. This eliminates the need for customers to locate and transcribe lengthy serial numbers.
4) Integrating Barcodes in Mail Merges
For company events, consider adding barcodes to RSVP cards to track responses accurately, without the challenge of deciphering handwritten responses.
5) Incorporating Barcodes in Invoices
Include a barcode representing the customer number or individual invoice number on invoices. Upon receiving payments, the barcode facilitates easy identification of the customer account or invoice number, preventing issues like misapplying payments to incorrect accounts or invoices.
3. Types of barcode labels
There are two main types of barcode labels: linear, also known as 1D, and 2D. The most familiar type is the UPC (Universal Product Code), which falls under the linear barcode category and consists of two components: the actual barcode and a 12-digit UPC number. The first six digits of the barcode represent the manufacturer’s identification number, followed by five digits indicating the item number. The final digit, known as the check digit, assists the scanner in verifying the accuracy of the scanned barcode.
Linear barcodes can typically encode alphanumeric characters, allowing for the representation of various text information, excluding specific special characters depending on the barcode type. On the other hand, 2D barcodes are more intricate and can store additional information within the code, such as price, quantity, web addresses, or even images. Unlike linear barcode scanners, 2D barcodes require image scanners to extract the embedded information. Devices like mobile phones with built-in cameras, such as iPhones and Android phones, are capable of scanning 2D barcodes through their camera functionalities.
The introduction of 2D barcodes has significantly broadened the scope of barcode applications. With the capacity to hold more data and be easily readable by consumers through their mobile devices, 2D barcodes offer functionalities beyond asset and inventory tracking. Today, 2D codes, notably QR codes, can store up to 7,000 digits or 4,000 characters of text, enabling companies to share information, websites, and videos with consumers, aid healthcare facilities in medication monitoring, and integrate data with various software programs like MS Office, MS SQL Servers, and other databases and files. Explore a free QR code generator to create custom QR codes for your business.
4. What are the factors that influence barcode label design?
When crafting barcode labels, several key factors come into play to ensure optimal design and functionality:
1) Barcode type
The type of barcode chosen, whether it’s linear, matrix, stacked, or composite, impacts the design based on factors like information capacity, label size, scanning environment, equipment compatibility, and industry standards.
2) Barcode size
Barcode dimensions directly influence readability and print quality. Finding the right size is crucial to ensure accurate scanning, considering the barcode type, printer resolution, scanner distance, and label proportions.
3) Barcode placement
Strategic placement of the barcode on the label is essential for visibility and accessibility. Avoiding edges, corners, or folds that could hinder scanning, and ensuring a convenient position based on label shape, scanning method, and application environment is key.
4) Barcode color
The contrast between the barcode and background color significantly impacts readability. Optimal color choices enhance scanning accuracy, with high contrast or complementary colors improving performance based on barcode type, printer and scanner settings, and lighting conditions.
5) Barcode quality
Barcode quality, encompassing clarity, consistency, and adherence to standards, is vital for reliable scanning and data integrity. Maintaining high quality through verification tools, software checks, and visual inspection ensures optimal barcode performance.
By carefully considering these factors in barcode label design, businesses can create labels that not only meet industry requirements but also enhance the functionality and usability of barcodes across various applications.
5. What to consider when choosing barcode labels?
There are things you need to consider when choosing barcode labels:
1) Environmental Resistance
Top-notch barcode labels are built to endure extended exposure to UV radiation, harsh chemicals, frequent abrasion, extreme temperatures, numerous freeze/thaw cycles, moisture, salt spray, and various environmental obstacles.
2) Surface
Optimal adhesion is achieved on smooth and pristine surfaces, while rough surfaces present a greater challenge, potentially requiring the use of rivets or screws to affix barcode labels securely. It’s crucial to factor in the surface material as metal and plastic surfaces exhibit distinct adhesion properties.
3) Size
The size and X-dimension of barcode labels play a crucial role in maintaining barcode accuracy and readability by machines. In a linear 1D barcode like Code 39 or Code 128, the X-dimension represents the width of the narrowest bar within the symbol. In 2D symbols like Data Matrix or QR Code, the X-dimension refers to the dimensions of a single cell, encompassing both its height and width. Our team at Express offers standard X dimensions and expert guidance on selecting the appropriate label size to uphold barcode quality and reliability.
6. How do barcode labels help businesses?
Barcode labels play a pivotal role in enhancing business operations and boosting profitability. While the barcodes themselves are essential, it’s the underlying systems that truly drive efficiency and cost savings for businesses.
Consider the case of the Arizona Cardinals scoreboard team, who integrated an asset tracking system utilizing barcode technology to monitor all components crucial for a seamless game day experience. This initiative resulted in a remarkable saving of over 500 hours annually, showcasing a significant improvement in efficiency.
Whether you run a small business or struggle to locate essential equipment like projectors, implementing barcode labeling and asset tracking can streamline processes and contribute to substantial time and cost savings for your business.
7. Conclusion
Crafting effective barcode labels necessitates meticulous planning, meticulous attention to detail, and strict adherence to industry best practices in label design, printing, and data encoding. By harnessing the capabilities of barcode label printers and following the expert advice provided in this comprehensive guide, businesses can create top-tier barcode labels that elevate efficiency, precision, and productivity in inventory management and tracking endeavors.
Whether generating labels for retail merchandise, shipping parcels, or asset monitoring, the implementation of these techniques will guarantee that barcode labels function as dependable assets for streamlining business processes and fostering success.
