Diversified Labeling Solutions

BARCODE  LABELS

Custom barcode labels. 

custom-label-products-barcode-labels

 CUSTOM Barcode Labels

 

Meet all of your customer’s BARCODE needs.

Since their appearance in grocery stores in 1974, barcode labels have evolved to become an indispensable data management tool for a wide range of industries. As a leading barcode label manufacturer, DLS has the capabilities and expertise to provide whatever type of barcode label your customer needs. When you partner with DLS as your barcode label supplier, you can offer stock and custom barcode labels in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and material, with variable print and static barcode options.

barcode-labels-for-retail-healthcare-electronics-and-shipping

 Uses of Barcode Labels

Barcodes are an affordable option for organizations in almost any industry to track and capture information about products, assets, inventory and even people. Some of the uses of barcode labels include:

  • Retail Pricing
  • Warehouse Organization
  • Transportation and Logistics
  • Manufacturing Work in Progress
  • Shipping and Receiving
  • Healthcare
  • Laboratory

 

  • Product Identification
  • Event Management
  • Travel
  • Marketing and Advertising
  • Schools and Libraries
  • Asset Management
  • Track and Trace Identification

 

 Types of Barcode Labels

  

Most people are familiar with the traditional barcode pattern of white and black parallel lines like we’re accustomed to seeing on products in the grocery store. But modern barcode labels can actually utilize a wide variety of symbology. Most barcode labels will either be one-dimensional (1D) or two-dimensional (2D).

types-of-barcodes

 

 

 

one-dimensional-warehouse-label

One-Dimensional (1D) Barcode

1D barcodes are the most well-recognized barcode types. These linear barcodes represent data by varying the widths and spacing of parallel lines. The amount of data contained in a 1D barcode is relatively limited, but often these barcodes are attached to a secondary database that provides additional information. Types of 1D barcode include:

  • Universal Product Codes (UPC)
  • EAN Codes
  • Code 39
  • Code 128
  • Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF)
  • Code 93
  • Codabar
  • GS1 Databar
  • MSI Plessey

two-dimensional-warehouse-label

Two-Dimensional (2D) Barcode

2D barcodes are graphical images that store information on both the horizontal and vertical planes. 2D barcodes can be smaller than 1D barcodes, and store a larger amount of data—without the need for a secondary database. Other advantages of 2D barcodes include the ability to very quickly scan items, often from farther away. Types of 2D barcodes include:

  • QR Codes
  • Datamatrix Codes
  • PDF417
  • Aztec Codes
  • Maxicode

 

 

If your customers aren't sure what type of barcode symbology they will need, our DLS label specialists can help you find the right barcode label. The specific type of barcode your customer will need for their labels will depend on a number of factors including:

  • Industry: Some industries mandate the use of specific barcodes and standards. For example, government entities such as the Department of Defense have strict requirements for barcode symbology. Other industries won’t mandate a certain symbology, but widespread industry adoption will dictate what type of barcode is needed. For example most retail barcodes will be UPC.
     
  • Type of Data: Do your customer’s barcode labels need to store only numbers, numbers and letters, or additional information? The type of information stored will help determine the type of barcode label.
  • Amount of Data: Some barcodes contain only a small amount of alphanumeric data, while newer 2D barcodes can store a significant amount of information.
     
  • Are Barcodes Attached to a Database: Even barcodes that only contain a small amount of data in the barcode itself can provide significantly more information when attached to a secondary database.

 Static or Variable Printed Barcodes

  

Do your customers need thousands of the same barcode label, or will they need each individual barcode label to be unique? DLS can provide both static and variable printed barcode labels.

With fixed, or static, barcode labels, each label that is printed is identical. An example of the need for static barcodes is a customer who needs thousands of identical UPC labels.

 

Variable printing allows for each label that is printed to be unique. Variable barcode data can identify specific products, product groups or packaging units—making them uniquely identifiable. Variable data barcodes are especially useful in applications where it is necessary to identify, track and authenticate products along the entire supply chain.

 

Variable barcode labels are often printed with sequential numbers, or they can be drawn from a database of values. In addition to the barcode itself, variable printing allows the opportunity to print additional unique values including variable text, batch codes, date codes and even design elements.

 

When you partner with DLS for your customer’s variable barcode labels, we will work with you to ensure that your customer's variable data is properly formatted.

variable-printed-barcode-labels

label-products-custom-labels-variable-imaging-and-barcoding-barcodes-numbers-diversified-labeling-solutions

 DLS Supplies the Right Barcode Label for Your Customer’s Application

When you work with DLS as your barcode label supplier, you can be assured that your customers will have the best label for their specific barcode application. As a leading label manufacturer, we work with all the major raw materials suppliers and have access to just about any facestock and adhesive combination available. Our label experts will work with you to determine the best label material, adhesive, coatings and print method for your customer. Some of the information that will help us provide the right barcode label includes:

 

  • Will your customer be printing their labels? If so, what printer will they be using?
     
  • What will the label be applied to? Is the object a unique shape or a material that will require special adhesive?
     
  • How will the label be read? Type of scanner? Distance between label and scanner? Manual or automated scanning?
     
  • Will the label be exposed to certain environmental conditions such as UV, extreme temperature, moisture, physical abrasion, chemicals or solvents?
     
  • How long does label need to last?

 Barcode Label Verification

barcode-scanning

DLS understands the importance of legible, accurate barcodes. Our barcode verification processes ensure the scannability, accuracy and compliance of your customer’s barcode labels. Our inline barcode verification utilizes a high-speed, high-resolution camera and special software to check and grade barcode labels as they are printed. Detailed reports can also be generated for traceability, process control, and compliance. With DLS, you can be assured that your customer’s barcode labels will be accurate and meet industry standards.

 Barcode Labels and RFID

Barcodes and RFID are both used to track and capture information about products, assets and inventory. Both are used in applications such as tracking goods through the supply chain and managing inventory in retail stores. So what is the difference? And which one is right for your customers? When determining which type of auto-ID data capture system is better, the answer is a resounding… IT DEPENDS.

 

As both a barcode and RFID label supplier, DLS makes it easy to provide the solution that works best for your customers. We have the industry expertise and production capabilities to provide the Auto-ID labels your customers need.

 

There are a number of considerations that will determine which system is most appropriate for your customers. In some cases, it may even be appropriate to use both barcodes and RFID. Our label experts can help you and your customers with this decision.

 

You can also learn more about the similarities and differences between these Auto ID labels and how you can help determine which is right for your customers in our post on Barcodes vs RFID.

smart-label-rfid-and-barcode

 Print-On-Demand Barcode Labels and Supplies

blank-thermal-barcode-labels

Are your customers printing their own barcode labels? DLS can help you provide the following supplies for most makes and models of barcode printers:

As a leading AutoID Label supplier, our label experts have the expertise to match the labels and supplies to your customer’s printer model in order to find the right product and avoid downtime.

 Industrial, Desktop & Mobile Barcode Printers

tsc-barcode-printers

DLS is the genuine OEM media supplier for TSC and Printronix Auto ID printers. Worldwide, major industries lean on TSC and Printronix Auto ID to service their supply chain and barcode printing requirements. With a proven 30-year track-record in providing supply chain solutions, they manufacture a robust line of industrial, desktop and mobile barcode printers. Learn more at tscprinters.com.

top