It’s hard out there for a barcode label.

That goes double for labels on pallets and packages moving through warehouses, fulfillment centers, and shipping operations that aren’t exactly warm and cozy. Fast-moving conveyors, constant pushing and shoving, the occasional tumble, and a range of other indignities degrade not only their looks but threaten their performance, too. And, if the rough handling doesn’t get them, dust, dirt, condensation, and a host of other bad actors are always lurking, trying to ensure they never scan again.

A trip through the supply chain might leave labels torn, smudged, covered with shrink-wrap or tape, and just generally degraded in ways that your barcode workflows never imagined. So, if you want to keep things moving, you better have barcoding tools that make the most of sub-optimal conditions, i.e., the real world.

Rugged environments require rugged solutions, and one place to start is with the barcode itself. But is one barcode format really more rugged than any other?

In many supply chain applications, the answer is yes, there are certain barcodes that are better suited to deliver results. One of these tougher-than-the-rest barcode formats is PDF417.

PDF417 is a high-density, 2-dimensional barcode format that can store a large amount of data in alpha/numeric, binary, and graphic formats. The name PDF417 is derived from the fact that it’s a portable data file (PDF) made up of four bars where each bar is 17 units long.

Like most 2D barcodes, PDF417 can pack a lot of information into a small space, with a theoretical upper limit equivalent to 1800 ASCII characters. Real-world factors limit data to the practical storage capacity somewhat, but that still allows for plenty of data for just about any distribution or track-and-trace application.

Most importantly, the PDF417 format uses built-in error correction that allows the barcode to endure a level of damage without causing data loss or impacting scanability. The level of error correction built into a specific PDF417 barcode can be varied depending on the amount of damage the label is expected to receive, giving users the ability to build additional damage tolerance into their solutions.

These capabilities create such a robust barcode format that major shippers like the US Postal Service and FedEx have adopted the PDF417 format for their postage and shipping labels.

But, even when you’re using a robust barcode format, you’re going to need ultra-rugged scanners that can withstand the same challenging conditions.

That’s where Zebra’s DS3600 Ultra-Rugged Barcode Scanners come into play.

The DS3600 series includes seven ultra-rugged scanners that are built to withstand the unique conditions and rough handling that are routinely encountered in industrial environments. Drops to concrete, spills, dust, heat, cold, rain, snow, and more — Zebra understands your scanners must survive them all. That’s why DS3600 scanners are the only devices in this class that are dust-tight, spray-proof, and waterproofed to IP68. Cordless models even include an IP65-sealed cradle for a complete rugged cordless solution.

The lineup includes corded and cordless models, plus models for standard or extended range, high-density barcodes, direct part marks, and just about any other warehouse application.

Zebra packed the DS3600 Series with the PRZM Intelligent Imaging Technology that has made their barcode technology the industry leader. Virtually any barcode format can be scanned in almost any condition — scratched, dirty, poorly printed, direct part marks, high density, and even under shrink-wrap or frosted condensation. The result is first-time, every time scanning performance that eliminates rescanning and other barcode-related slowdowns.

From robust barcodes to ultra-rugged scanners, Tri-State Business Systems can help you build a barcoding solution that can stand up to the toughest conditions.

As a long-time Zebra partner, we’ve seen customer after customer benefit from the value, performance and reliability of Zebra’s industry-leading industrial label printers. If you need 4- or 6-inch labels for shipping, product identification, RFID or just about any other application, Zebra’s lineup of ZT400, ZT500 and ZT600 Series printers deliver proven performance and lasting durability in just about any application, from the manufacturing floor throughout the entire supply chain.

But what if your label printing requirements run a little bigger? What if you need a full 8.5-inch print width or a printer than can handle a roll of 8-inch-wide labels for chemical drums, large-format product identification or other applications where the typical 4- or 6-inch label just isn’t large enough?

That’s where Zebra’s 220Xi4 Industrial Label Printer shines.

The 220Xi4 offers crisp, high-resolution thermal-transfer or direct-thermal printing that can accommodate 8-inch labels for a variety of industry-compliant large-format labeling requirements.

Most importantly, the 220Xi4 is all-Zebra right to the core. Like every other Zebra Industrial Printer, it is built to support mission-critical labeling requirements day after day and year after year under the toughest conditions. The 220Xi4 features rugged, all-metal construction. This includes a durable metal printhead mechanism that’s engineered to deliver outstanding print quality over the long haul, reducing or eliminating downtime associated with other printers that require more frequent printhead replacement.

All of the 220Xi4 printer’s operating mechanisms are designed to block out dust and dirt that are the bane of lesser printers, but all-to-common in the industrial environments for which the 220Xi4 is designed. It even features a clear bi-fold media door that gives you a clear view of remaining labels while allowing for a narrower opening radius that makes it a better fit for tight spaces.

Easy to Integrate

Like every Zebra printer, the 220Xi4 large-format label printer is designed to be easy to integrate into your operations, requiring minimal IT support. In addition to heavy-duty construction that reduces downtime, it ships with a variety of ZebraLink™ software tools that make it a snap to configure, use and maintain, including:

• Zebra Setup Utilities — A Windows application that makes it quick and easy to set up and configure the printer right out of the box.
• ZebraDesigner and ZebraDesigner Pro — Simple Windows WYSIWYG label design applications with basic and advanced features for virtually any label application.
• ZebraNet™ Bridge Enterprise — Centrally manage Zebra printers from a single PC screen anywhere on your global network.
• ZebraNet Utilities — Provides enhanced printing, conversion and administration capabilities; message management; and more.

Other features that streamline integration include a large, easy-to-read front panel that simplifies setup, a variety of network connectivity options, and built-in support for a wide range of barcode symbology’s.

The220Xi4 even offers a wireless connectivity option that frees users up from the expenses and headaches of running new wired connections to each installation.

If your label printing requirements run a little bigger than the usual shipping labels, contact Tri-State Business Systems to learn more about Zebra’s 220Xi4 8-inch Industrial Label Printer.

Label printing is a basic function in most warehouse and shipping operations. From carton, pallet and shipping labels, to RFID tags, your label printing workflows are easy to take for granted. Until, of course, they turn into a bottleneck. When that happens, it’s a sure sign that your business is ready for new printers.

Here are some of the most common reasons many warehouses and distribution operations need new label printers:

• More capacity: It could be something as simple as a rise in demand that’s overtaxing the capacity of desktop label printers.
• Too much downtime: The warehouse environment can be a rough place—too rough for many printers.
• Time-consuming device management: As equipment gets old, it requires more and more IT support, and it gets harder and harder to integrate with other systems.

Whether you’re dealing with one of those factors or a combination, it may be time to upgrade to industrial label printers that are purpose-built for warehouse and shipping applications. This one step will give you higher capacity, boost durability to reduce downtime, and make it far simpler for your IT team to manage your printers and integrate them with other systems.

The industrial printer space offers many choices. Direct thermal vs. thermal transfer. Output capacity. Label width. Print speed and resolution. RFID capability. Media handling options. At first, the choices can seem overwhelming, but they’re actually a good thing, because they give you the ability to select a printer that’s tailored to your exact requirements.

Our experience has shown that most warehouse and shipping operations can simplify the task of selecting an industrial label printer by focusing on the lineup from Zebra Technologies. From entry-level models that offer affordable performance and durability, all the way up to high-performance models that deliver maximum print speeds and a range of options, Zebra offers durable, high-capacity industrial printers at a range of price points to meet virtually any requirement.

Zebra’s industrial printer lineup includes both direct-thermal and thermal-transfer industrial printers. That makes it easy to choose the right printing method based on the lifespan, durability, and other characteristics of the labels needed for your applications. And Zebra offers a range of entry-level, midrange, and high-performance printers in both the 4-inch and 6-inch print class. Finally, no matter which Zebra industrial printer you choose, Zebra understands you don’t have time to battle downtime, so every Zebra printer is engineered to perform for years to come.

Here’s a brief overview of two models from Zebra’s top-selling industrial printer lineup.

Zebra ZT510 Industrial Printer

The ZT510 has been engineered to strike the ideal balance between performance and value, delivering the core features you need in an industrial printer at a cost-effective price point. It offers a 4-inch print width for thermal transfer and direct thermal printing applications at speeds up to 12 inches per second, which makes it perfect for medium duty applications. It’s built with a metal frame for added durability and long-lasting reliability in warehouse environments.

Zebra ZT600 Series Industrial Printers

The ZT600 Series includes the 4-inch ZT610 and the 6-inch ZT620 industrial printers. Both models offer direct-thermal and thermal-transfer printing at 203 or 300 DPI. The ZT610 also offers enhanced high-resolution printing at 600 DPI. Maximum prints speed reaches 12 inches per second with the ZT620 and 14 inches per second with the ZT610. Both models feature a metal frame and bi-fold metal media cover with an enlarged clear viewing window that makes it easier than ever to keep track of print media. Built-in thermal management eliminates the need for vents or cooling fans, blocking dust and debris for trouble-free operation even in challenging environments. RFID capability is available as a field-installable option with both the ZT610 and ZT620.

To learn more about the benefits of upgrading to industrial label printers and explore Zebra’s full industrial printer portfolio, please contact your Tri-State Business Systems representative today.