For distribution companies, fulfillment operations, and just about any business with a warehouse or shipping operation, the fourth quarter of the calendar year is the busiest season of the year. The big driver, of course, is consumer activity related to everything from back-to-school spending to holiday shopping, which drives an increase in shipping volume that is felt in just about every corner of the economy.

Of course, a Q4 spike in business activity is nothing new. What’s unique, however, is adapting to the seasonal demand in the face of post-COVID supply chain disruptions and labor shortages. Many forecasters thought these challenges would be in the rear-view mirror by now, but anyone paying attention to the real world knows they are with us for the foreseeable future.

That means business leaders need to focus on the productivity and resiliency of every area of their operations, including the seemingly mundane printer workflows that are essential to so many businesses. After all, if your printers can’t meet demand—even for want of something as simple as a ribbon or labels—shipments will grind to an inevitable halt.

We recommend that every business takes two specific steps to prevent unexpected printing obstacles from becoming a barrier to productivity. These steps are especially important as volume spikes in Q4, but given the ongoing reality of supply chain and labor challenges, they’re steps that will pay off all year around for most businesses.

Step 1: Get a Handle on Ribbon and Label Inventory

Few things stall shipping operations faster or more completely than running out of ribbons or labels. At a minimum, running short of supplies will slow you down for at least a shift or two. If you’re lucky, your supplier will be able to get you back up to speed in a day or two. But two years of ongoing supply chain disruption has taught us that ribbons and labels could be backordered just when you need them.

The reality of today’s supply chain requires a different approach to mission-critical supplies. At a minimum, shippers should expand their reserve/reorder thresholds to create a larger cushion of mission-critical ribbons and labels. Sure, reordering earlier means investing in more inventory, but that’s a small cost to pay if it keeps your operation humming.

Giving your business a slightly bigger inventory reserve is the minimum you should consider. In many businesses, it makes sense to work with your suppliers to create a blanket or yearly order with quarterly shipping plans. Tri-State Business Systems works closely with manufacturers like Zebra to put together make-and-hold programs that help ensure the specific ribbons and labels you use will be available when you need them.

Step 2: Match Your Ribbons and Labels to Your Applications

When it comes to printer supplies, one of the most common problems we see is customers using thermal printer ribbons and labels that aren’t the best match for their applications. There are literally hundreds of ribbon formulations in the marketplace, but they aren’t all compatible with specific types of labels. And, even when you are using compatible ribbons and labels, the specific combination might not be the best fit for your application.

Using the wrong ribbons and labels can create a range of problems. The most obvious is label lifespan and durability. This generally isn’t a big issue for labels that have a relatively short lifespan, such as shipping labels. But it can be a significant problem for special-purpose labels that need to stay in circulation for long periods of time (e.g., labels on UL-Listed electronics) or labels that are exposed to extreme conditions (e.g., weather, chemicals, etc.). These are problems that usually result in the need to reprint and reapply labels, which is an unnecessary labor expense that makes it even more difficult for warehouses and distributors to cope with already tight labor conditions.

It’s also possible that you’re using ribbons or labels that unnecessarily slow your printer productivity. Our partners at Zebra recently shared the experience of a multi-site distribution operation that was using a ribbon/label combination that allowed for about 50% faster label printing in one of their facilities. Adopting the same ribbon and label solution at the company’s other facility saved 20 hours a week of printer time—that’s two and a half shifts where an employee could focus on something other than printing. With labor as tight as it is now, it makes sense to look carefully at these areas of operation to see if you can find similar savings from something as simple as changing printer ribbons and label stock.

If printer supplies like ribbons and labels are critical to your productivity, contact Tri-State Business Systems for help working out a supply strategy that ensures you always have the tools you need to succeed. We are a Zebra Certified Supplies Specialist, which enables us to provide nationwide service and support for Zebra printers and supplies.

Barcode labels seem simple, but they’re business critical. The right label conveys a quality brand, scans easily, stays adhered, and helps make sure the right products get to the right customers. But many companies buy the wrong labels and pay the hidden costs later:

• Reprinting and reapplying labels because they fall off or won’t scan
• Workflow interruptions caused by barcode labeling and printing issues
• Replacing expensive printheads too often

Do these headaches sound familiar to you? If so, there’s a better alternative: Zebra and TSBS!

Get Better Results with Quality Zebra Supplies

Genuine Zebra supplies are pre-tested and manufactured with the right composition to deliver the best possible adhesion, scannability, durability, and printhead lifespan.

• Minimize print downtime and unexpected printhead failure
• Ensure high-quality, durable, and scannable printing
• Improve your operational productivity and efficiency
• Lower your total cost of printer ownership
• Ensure brand consistency and customer satisfaction

Unsurpassed Selection and Quality

Zebra has a complete selection of labels and supplies, including more than 500 stock products and over 1,000 combinations for virtually any format, printing requirement, or the environment. When you choose Zebra, you get high-quality, reliable labels, ribbons, and supplies for the most demanding requirements—including indoor/outdoor use, sunlight and moisture exposure, chemical and abrasion resistance, and much more.

Order Once for the Whole Year

With our Tri-State “Stock and Ship” program, you can buy your Zebra supplies with a single, annual order. Order once and we’ll send your supplies on a fixed schedule. If your demand is suddenly higher, contact us and we’ll promptly ship your next supplies sooner.

100% Guaranteed Printhead Protection

If you use Zebra printers and agree to use genuine Zebra supplies exclusively, you get guaranteed protection against unexpected printhead replacement costs. If you have a printhead that fails prematurely, it will be replaced at no charge!

Learn More and Request a Quote

Getting started with Zebra supplies is easy. Contact our supplies experts at Tri-State Business Systems for a free consultation and quote.

p: 908-359-8001
e: sales@tri-statebussys.com

Choosing a barcode label or a printer ribbon can seem like a simple choice. Many buyers just choose a standard paper label or go with the least expensive option.

But things aren’t that simple when it comes to most real-world labeling use cases, where you need specialized labels with the right materials, adhesives, and printer ribbon to ensure that your labels stay adhered and readable in your environment.

For example, if you’re labeling utility equipment that’s stored or used outdoors, you need high-quality synthetic labels that can withstand sunlight, moisture and extreme temperatures, so your labels stay adhered, don’t fade, and you can still scan, track and read warnings and other critical information printed on them.

Similarly, if you’re labeling chemical drums, you need labels with highly durable yet flexible materials and the right adhesives so they remain adhered to curved surfaces. And your labels might also need to withstand harsh outdoor exposure, a rugged indoor environment, or even the chemicals your drums contain.

This is why our label experts at Tri-State Business Systems always recommend Zebra labels for virtually every barcoding and labeling application. Zebra has been the global leader in barcoding and labeling for over 50 years, and it has earned that reputation by innovating and manufacturing labels of the highest quality and durability.

Zebra has over 1,000 different label and supplies combinations, and each matches the right label materials, adhesive, and printer ribbon to deliver unsurpassed print quality, adhesion, durability and performance in specific real-world applications.

Zebra produces labels and printing supplies for everything from the simplest warehousing and packaging needs, to the most challenging and brutal outdoor or industrial environments. From value-range solutions to UL and CSA-approved polyester labels and resin ribbons for cryogenics, Zebra’s portfolio offers the most comprehensive range of high-performance labeling solutions you’ll find anywhere. And they all undergo extensive research and development, quality assurance, and pre-testing to ensure you get the results you need.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what sets Zebra apart in these and other areas:

Zebra’s Label and Supplies Quality Assurance

Zebra has quality processes and pre-testing in place to ensure the highest print quality and performance of all its labels and supplies. Its quality standards include:

• ISO 9001:2008 certified quality processes
• Consistent label materials with absolutely no substitutions
• Computerized vision inspection systems
• Color matching software and equipment

The Zebra Pre-Testing Process

Zebra’s supplies research and development team pre-tests all of its label materials and supplies, putting labels through stringent tests and analysis. This includes:

• Extensive pre-testing on Zebra Printers
• Assessment of printhead wear
• Verification of adhesive strength specifications
• Pre-tests for different environmental factors
  • Indoor/outdoor
  • Low/high temperatures
  • Abrasion
  • Chemical

Unsurpassed Label and Supplies Selection

When you purchase Zebra labels and supplies, you have access to a large selection of quality, pre-tested supplies manufactured by the thermal industry experts. Zebra offers more than 1,000 combinations of labels, tags, receipts, wristbands, and ribbons, including over 500 stock products. And sample rolls are available for all stock Zebra labels.

Custom Label and Supplies Solutions

If there isn’t an existing Zebra label and supplies combination that fits your exact application, Zebra’s R&D team can quickly specify, develop and produce the right solution based on your needs.

Prompt and Reliable Production and Shipments

Zebra is one of the largest thermal converters in North America and has extensive manufacturing capabilities and automation. With multiple supplies facilities across the U.S., Zebra ensures reliable and quick delivery, and the company even has full contingency/disaster plans to ensure uninterrupted shipments.

There’s also a ZipShip program for all stock Zebra labels and supplies, where products are on the shelf and ready for immediate dispatch, with a minimum order quantity of just one box.

Blanket and Make-and-Hold Orders

Since Zebra has such extensive and expansive manufacturing capabilities, you have a number of options for how you can order and receive your labels and supplies. For example, you can buy your supplies with a single, annual make-and-hold order through our Tri-State and Zebra “stock and ship” program.

Through this program, you order once per year and we’ll send your supplies on a fixed schedule. If your demand is suddenly higher, you can just contact us and we’ll ship your next supplies sooner.

Ultimately, we can work with you to set up the exact label ordering or re-ordering process that suits your needs, where it’s a bulk, blanket order for an entire year or a phased system with regular shipments on demand or on a regular schedule.

Guaranteed Printhead Protection

If you use Zebra printers and agree to use genuine Zebra supplies exclusively, you get guaranteed protection against unexpected printhead replacement costs. Zebra replaces your printheads at no charge, which can add up to thousands of dollars in savings!

Exploring and Ordering Zebra Labels and Supplies

To learn more about Zebra labels and supplies, download our Zebra labels and supplies selector guide, and contact our team at Tri-State Business Systems for recommendations, guidance, and to learn how to order Zebra products at great prices. Contact us now through our https://tri-statebussys.com/contact-us/ , or call us at 908-359-8001.