Why 2D Scanners Are the Wave of the Future 

Advanced imaging technology is now a necessity for your business, whether you scan driver’s licenses, parts, shipping labels, or products. One of the best and most efficient ways to get the most from your business is to use 2D scanners.

You’ll find more businesses using 2D scanners because they can capture vast amounts of data—far more than 1D scanners alone. With more data comes more possibilities to improve in areas like customer service and productivity.

Zebra Technologies has designed 2D scanners purpose-built for every industry. These scanners provide you with more visibility over your entire operation, traceability from end to end, and the ability to take mobile payments and scan multiple barcodes in less time.

Let’s take a look at why 2D scanners are the wave of the future:

Improve Productivity

2D scanners have advanced scanning capabilities that allow them to outperform older models. Whether you need to scan close-up or at a distance, these scanners can capture barcodes with remarkable efficiency, which allows your workers to accomplish more in less time.

2D scanners can capture barcodes on the first try just about every time. They can read any data in any condition, including barcodes which are tiny, curved, torn, damaged, dirty, poorly printed, or under plastic.

With many 2D scanners, you can also decrease processing time by extracting information from barcodes simultaneously. For example, instead of having to scan multiple barcodes in one location one-by-one, a single trigger pull allows you to capture all those barcodes in one attempt instantly.

Many Zebra scanners now have omnidirectional imaging capabilities, which allow you to scan with an entirely new level of freedom and flexibility. You can read barcodes from any direction. With these scanners, you no longer need to align the device with the barcode, as you’ll capture your data just by having the scanner in the general area.

Capture More Information

2D scanners are versatile; they can read other types of barcodes. They are great to use if you need to decode more complex barcodes like DataMatrix, which contain many bits of data.

They have other uses, too. For example, you can instantly verify age with a single scan of a PDF417 barcode on a drivers’ license. And if you are using QR Codes, a 2D scanner can read those.

These uses can help you discourage theft and fraud, reduce liability, speed up processing times, and many other applications.

Improve Customer Service

While improving productivity and gathering more information are essential reasons to use 2D scanners, you can also serve your customers better. You can capture pictures, signatures, and documents with 2D scanners, making it easier for your customers to do business with you.

Customer service also extends to the checkout line for retailers. You can scan more than one barcode at once at the traditional checkout place or use a wireless scanner to check people out anywhere in your store. 2D scanners can be found on cell phones and iPads and tablets, giving your associates greater flexibility in your store.

The Future

2D scanning technology will only continue to evolve. With 2D barcodes, you can capture more information and interpret it in whatever way is best for your business. Contact Tri-State Business Systems today at 908-359-8001 to learn more about which 2D scanner would be the best fit for your business. www.tri-statebussys.com or sales@tri-statebussys.com

A label isn’t just a label. A lot can go wrong when you decide on using the wrong label for your application. Label failure often happens because people choose to use cheaper supplies, even when they’ve invested in a top-of-the-line printer.

The truth is that even the best printers can’t save you from having the wrong label. And when you do, productivity and efficiency can plumet. Plus, you’re looking at creating a host of problems for your customers.

Here are the types of failures that can occur when using the wrong label:

1. Poor Print Quality

Cheap labels can often lead to print quality issues. It’s easy to think it might be a printer issue, but if you can’t read a label, it might be the label or applicator itself.

If you do have a print quality issues, you can try making adjustments on your printer, including calibrating your Zebra printers. You should also review the media size and print preferences like margin values, darkness, etc. Finally, you should check your printer speed and make sure. If you are getting partially printed labels, this could be a significant factor.

•  Adhesive Failures

Is your label not sticking to the box? Most likely it’s an adhesive issue. Adhesive failures can happen for many reasons. First, you must select the right type of Adhesive. Zebra has more than ten types, for example, so you can find the one that’s specific to your application.

If you have an adhesive failure, you can first look to see if there is contamination. Grease, oil, or other contaminants can create a layer that prohibits your label from sticking correctly to its surface. All of your equipment and surfaces should be cleaned regularly.

Other issues include your environment (temperature, etc.) and your application technique. All should be reviewed if you are using high-quality labels and not getting the performance you expect.

• Scanning Issues

Labels that look good may still have problems in the field. One area that can cause headaches for you is print scanning issues. There are many potential problems and solutions for this issue.

Here are a few situations you might encounter. Your barcodes may look good on the label, but when scanned, they read poorly or outright fail. Labels can also look good but be too dark for the scanner. You could have the incorrect darkness setting, or the print contrast ratio is incorrect.

• Incorrect Label Life

It’s important to know the proper label for your situation when you think about label life. For example, high-quality thermal transfer printed labels will outlive direct thermal printed labels. You have to know how long your label must last if you are using direct thermal labels.

If you are producing labels that must survive for an extended period, or have to withstand harsh conditions like sun, extreme temperatures, etc., you must consider that. If you don’t, you’re setting your label up for failure. In all of these cases, make sure you use thermal transfer labels.

However, if your label will likely have a short lifespan and will likely be indoors with no exposure to elements, direct thermal labels should work fine. You also must pay close attention to any laws in your industry. Patient privacy, for example, requires direct thermal since you do not want private information surviving indefinitely.

Tri-State Business Systems can help you avoid label failures by helping you find the right label for your situation. We recommend Zebra Technologies printing supplies because their labels have an extensive testing process. Zebra sends every label through a 23-point inspection and doesn’t use substitute materials to make them. You won’t find better labels on the market. Give us a call, and we can discuss your situation today.

Contact Tri-State Business Systems @ 908-359-8001 www.tri-statebussys.com or sales@tri-statebussys.com

If you’ve ever had problems with your labels, you know what a frustrating situation it can be for you and your customer. When businesses use the wrong label supplies, they’ll find labels falling off packages or fading too quickly. Sometimes, the labels are illegible when printed, or your data gets corrupted in the process, and you have to print the entire order again.

When these types of problems occur, they can often be attributed to using the incorrect label for the application. This can happen when businesses use the least expensive printing supplies when it comes to labeling needs.

What you might not realize is there’s a big difference between cheap labels and premium ones. That difference can have a significant impact on your business, including avoiding the situations above, or saving money by having to replace printheads less often.

Tri-State Business Systems recommends Zebra Technologies printing supplies for many reasons. Not only does Zebra produce top-of-the-line printers, but it also invests in creating the best printing supplies on the market. Zebra uses a 23-point inspection process for all of its labels, which are made from high-quality materials. Labels are put through a rigorous and extensive testing process, and no substitute materials are used to make them.

Zebra’s supplies provide optimal performance in its printers. They’ll save you money in the long run because they reduce the wear on your printheads and perform well in any application.

There are multiple combinations of adhesives and face stocks, and each combination has particular features and functions. Here are examples of the types of Zebra’s labels and what applications they are best used for:

Paper Labels:

Z-Perform Paper Labels are standard white labels on smooth white face-stock. They are mid-range labels that are available in thermal transfer and direct thermal. They are suited for most basic applications. However,

Z-Select Paper Labels are premium labels that are bright white, and ultra-smooth. This label is the most rugged of the paper materials. It is resistant to scratches, rubbing, and other disasters that accompany most shipping and packing applications. This label is also available in direct thermal and thermal transfer stock.

IQ Color Paper Labels also use a standard material, white smooth paper face-stock that can print colors on demand in designated areas. These also come in standard and removable adhesives. 

Polysynthetic labels:

If you require a label for a more rugged environment, polysynthetic labels are the best fit. Polysynthetic labels are often used outdoors in nurseries, garden centers, lumber yards, etc. They are also a good fit if you need something to withstand water, wind, snow, sleet, heat, cold, direct sun, and other environmental conditions. 

Polyolefin face-stock will withstand scratches and smearing. It can survive in temperatures up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and up to 6 months in the outdoors. You can select from material that is flexible or semi-rigid. It is used on rough surfaces, and the flexible version works well on curved (or any non-flat) surface. This product is only offered in thermal transfer.

Polypropylene is a white face-stock and is considered in the mid-range level of the synthetics.  It has less flexibility for the use of curved surfaces but will withstand scratches, smears, and temperatures up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Polypropylene will last 1-2 years in most outdoor or harsh environments.  Some people refer to it as “Kimdura” or plastic. It comes in a variety of adhesives, standard, high tack (very sticky), and removable.

Zebra’s Polyester labels are called Z-Supreme. They are the highest performing and most expensive of the materials. The labels are composed of polyester material (not paper) and are scratch and smear resistant. Its top feature is that they are very resistant to harsh chemicals making if valuable in chemical manufacturing plants, areas that are frequently wiped down with chemical cleaners or disinfectants. It is also resistant to temperatures of up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and will last up to 3 years outdoors. It is thermal transfer only and is also available in white, silver material, and clear material. It also offers standard, high tack, and removable adhesives. This is also known as Z-Xtreme in a matte finish.

Next is Z-Ultimate, which, like the Z-Supreme, is also a polyester material.  However, this material has a glossy finish that has the highest scratch and smear resistance of any of the materials. It can withstand washing with mild chemicals and will also last up to 3 years in an outdoor environment. This product is thermal transfer only and is available in white, silver, and clear. It also offers standard, high tack, and removable adhesives.

The final synthetic label is a polyimide which is designed for very high-temperature environments (up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.)  This label is often found in parts of engines due because of its high heat tolerance.  This label is thermal transfer only and is available in a matte finish (white only), or in a glossy finish; white, yellow, blue and green.

Zebra has innovative solutions for every type of labeling need. Contact Tri-State Business Systems at 908-359-8001 www.tri-statebussys.com sales@tri-statebussys.com so we can help you avoid having any problems the next time you need to print labels.