1. Printer Technologies: Thermal vs. Laser vs. Inkjet
Choosing the right printer is critical for barcode scannability and long-term label durability:
Direct Thermal (DT)
Uses heat-sensitive paper without ink or ribbon. Perfect for short-term shipping labels (Zebra, Rollo, Dymo). Sensitive to sunlight and heat.
Thermal Transfer (TT)
Melts a resin/wax ribbon onto polyester or paper labels. Extremely durable, waterproof, and chemical-resistant for product labels and asset tags.
Laser & Inkjet Office
Standard office printers using adhesive Avery sheets (5160, 5163). Economical for small batch runs and inventory tests.
2. Resolution, DPI & Sizing Requirements
- Minimum DPI: Print barcodes at a minimum of 300 DPI (or 203 DPI for thermal label printers) to ensure narrow bars have clean, razor-sharp edges.
- Scale Factor: In your browser print dialog, always set the Scale to 100%. Never select "Fit to Printable Page", which distorts bar ratios.
- Contrast: Always print pure black (#000000) bars on a solid white (#FFFFFF) background. Never print red bars (red laser scanners cannot read red ink).
Generate Avery & Thermal Label Sheets
Format and print custom sheets with product titles, SKUs, and prices.