Not to hijack your thread, but what I'd like to know is how to send the
data to a Zebra USB label printer from VFP.
As to your questions....you can get paper labels or, in the case of
thermal-transfer, plastic (polyester). They are precut and sold on
"rolls" that, depending on your printer's capacity and the size of the
label (i.e., 4" long vs. 1/2" long), can be several hundred per roll or
several thousand.
Sizes vary quite a lot but of course the width will be determined by
your printer's design...the wider the print head, the wider the maximum
label size. Length is anywhere from 1/2" to several inches. Some label
suppliers offer a vast array of sizes while others tend to stick with
the most common and go for higher-volume (to offer lower prices).
You'll also need to decide (if you haven't purchased the printer yet)
between thermal label stock or thermal transfer.
Thermal labels are heat-sensitive paper labels that require nothing but
the printer's print head (heater) to activate the dark spots on the
label that will make up the character shapes. The problem is that
thermal label printing is not very happy outside a certain range of
operating conditions...ambient temperatures that are too high or too low
can cause poor printing. Also, if a thermal label is printed in good
conditions, and looks good, it can still fade enough to be unusable (as
in the case of barcodes) if the label gets too hot. For example, labels
on repair parts that are stored in the back of a service truck in summer
heat can become faded enough to be worthless. That's when you need to
switch to...
Thermal-transfer labels. They use a thin-film with a plastic coating
that is literally melted by the printer's heater to apply the printed
characters on the label...much like the old mechanical typewriters did.
Some of the thermal transfer ribbons are wax, and some use plastic
resin. The was ribbons are cheaper, but don't print as cleanly or
clearly and the print can fade and smudge with time and heat. The "gold
standard" is thermal transfer using plastic resin ribbons printing on
polyester labels. This is the highest cost per label solution, but it
really can't be beat for quality of printing, longevity, and durability.
Hope this helps. Hopefully someone will correct any of my statements
that are in error.
Mike Copeland
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Label Printers for use with VFP 9.0
From: Peter Hart <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Date: 10/16/2012 1:26 AM
Hi Dave
Thanks for the info. The ZM4 is available quite cheaply at my supplier. So
seems the way to go.
However I need to know about the Labels, what price printing per Label,
What size are they available in, How does the Customer peel the label of
(are they pre-cut on the roll or do you have to cut them manually) etc. etc.
Can I ring you some time. If so email me the number and best times.
Peter
Thanks to all the other respondents. As usual very informative.
-----Original Message-----
From: ProFox [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dave
Crozier
Sent: 15 October 2012 14:59
To: ProFox Email List
Subject: RE: Label Printers for use with VFP 9.0
...and I forgot to add that the Z4M is thermal so you can use standard
labels but need thermal ribbon which is cheap. I have set all the printers
up to print at 6" per second as opposed to the 10" per second that they are
capable of and this seems to be a good compromise on speed/longevity.
There is also an SDK for printing extended graphics but I have found driving
them with VFP9 no problem at all. Finally, they are also easy for operators
to reload, which is sometimes a messy and long winded job with most
dedicated label printers.
Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: ProFox [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dave
Crozier
Sent: 15 October 2012 14:55
To: ProFox Email List
Subject: RE: Label Printers for use with VFP 9.0
Zebra Z4M definitely.
Just don't use the native drivers, but the Seagull Scientific drivers
instead.
They are super quick, high quality and just work. We have 8 of them at the
moment running 24-7 and about 5K labels per printere per day. The only thing
is to set the label speed up correctly or you burn out the print head which
to replace costs more than you can get a new printer for.
Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: ProFox [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Peter Hart
Sent: 15 October 2012 13:59
To: ProFox Email List
Subject: Label Printers for use with VFP 9.0
Hi there
Can anyone suggest a good label printer for use with Visual FoxPro 9.0
I have an application which at the moment prints large amounts of labels,
using an OKI dot matrix printer, with the Alliance Members name and
addresses on them.
At the moment these are printed locally but the job is being moved to London
as the current records secretary is retiring. The Dot Matrix is always a
problem and I can't go to London at the drop of a hat, so they are prepared
to spend serious money for reliability of printing. Sending the addresses
and automatically printing the labels is a must.
TIA
Peter
Peter Hart Computers
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