Barcode Labels

You can generate barcode labels in My Vision Express for any inventory item. In addition to the barcode label buttons throughout the inventory listing and transaction screens, there are two screens in the program that are dedicated to this process.

As its name indicates, the Frame Barcode Labels screen (File > Inventory > Transactions > Frame Barcode Labels) allows you to print barcode labels for frames. The Barcode Labels screen (File > Inventory > Transactions > Barcode Labels) will let you generate barcode labels for everything else. On this last screen, selecting “Other” from the ‘Type’ drop-down box, will let you search for items in both the services and other inventories.

On either screen, you would start by searching for the items that you want to label. You can then click on the appropriate items and the default count of one will be defaulted in the ‘Labels’ column of their record. If you needed more than one label for any given item, you could override the count on that column for it.

Once you have specified the labels that you want to print, click Apply at the lower right hand corner of the screen. The labels will be displayed on the Preview tab and you can print them by clicking Print.

Barcode labels can be printed on labels of most sizes. Specialty barcode labels are also supported. Frame labels are compatible with Arch Crown Labels and Datamax printers. For more information, visit Arch Crown website at www.archcrown.com or call their toll free number at 800-526-8353.

When printing to Datamax printers, set the labels in the printer as detailed in Table 3. Also the printing speed should be marked to 1.00 in/sec or slower for the printer’s label sensor to detect the label beginning. These settings can be changed under the Datamax printing preferences. To view or change these settings click on the Windows Start button and then go to ‘Control Panel > Printers and Faxes’. Right-click on the Datamax printer and select ‘Printing Preferences’ from the pop-up menu. Under the ‘Page Setup’ tab specify the settings for the label type that you are using. If the barcode prints beyond the right or left side of the label click Edit to change the exposed liner widths. Under the ‘Options’ tab it is very important that ALL the speeds are set to the minimum (i.e. 1.00 in/sec).

 

The quality of the printed image can be changed by changing the Print Head Temperature under Options tab.If the print is too dark or too light you can change the print head temperature. Higher temperatures may darken or sharpen the image.  However, too high of a temperature setting may blur the image, or even melt the ribbon onto the label stock, so this value should be adjusted gradually and within the limits suggested by the manufacturer for the stock and/or ribbon in use. Please refer to Datamax printer driver help file to read more about the print head temperature.

If, after printing a label, blank labels are generated; the ribbon may be blocking the label sensor on the printer or the printer itself is not properly calibrated. The ribbon goes OVER the small silver roller, UNDER the black composite piece, and OVER the other silver roller.

If the barcodes are printing over the label edge, click on the Windows Start button and then Control Panel > Printers & Faxes. Right-click on the Datamax printer and select ‘Printing Preferences’ from the pop-up menu. Under the ‘Page Setup’ tab click Edit and move ‘Expose Liner Width’ left to move the label to left or vice-versa.