Wasp Barcode Inventory Control - Manual (Page 28)

InventoryControl Printable Help
printers. Thermal transfer printers that work like an ink jet or laser printers that print by transferring ink
from a ribbon to the label paper (stock). Direct Thermal printers do not have a ribbon but use heat to print
onto a special label stock. The thermal transfer printers are more expensive to operate but can print on a
wider array of label stock and the labels last longer in various kinds of environments. Direct thermal
labels are cheaper but may fade if exposed to friction, heat or direct sunlight. Most barcode printers will
print both thermal transfer and direct thermal. You want a printer that will do both because what you are
using the label for will determine if you should use thermal transfer or the direct thermal. You may need
both kinds of labels available for printing.
For all kinds of organizations, you may want to consider using the cheaper direct thermal labels for
identifying individual items because you will put them on the packaging of items that will be discarded by
the consumer or on item tags used to identify the item at removal time. Use the cheaper label stock when
it will be used and discarded. It is often cheaper to reprint a few labels on the cheaper stock if one label
is damaged than to use the more expensive stock. You should label your warehouse locations with
labels that will last and can take some abuse because you don't want to have to continually reprint and
replace these labels.
If your labels contain information you want to be permanent, such as serial numbers, you should use
thermal transfer labels on a high quality label stock or, perhaps, polypropoline and a resin ribbon. The
importance of the label will determine what stock it is printed on. A serial number that you use for returns
or contract maintenance needs to be readable for a long time.
If your labels will be exposed to heat because of the device they are attached to or through exposure to
the sun you should use thermal transfer labels. For most locations ina fleet vehicle you should use
thermal transfer.
If the majority of your labels are disposable any cheap stock will work fine. Often the major issue is how
to apply the label to the item so that the scanner can read the barcode. Make sure the barcode is
attached to a flat surface in a place w here it will not get scratched or damaged.
Before you label your locations you need to come up with a numbering scheme for each location and
item. In InventoryControl there are two fields that describe where the item is: Site and Locations.
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