[ic] Linux label printers
Duane Hinkley
duane at downhomewebdesign.com
Thu Jan 20 22:21:12 EST 2005
Jon wrote:
>>>>Maybe printing a TIFF or PDF isn't where it's at for the Zebra. USPS
>>>>has a third option to create a custom label. That seems like the one
>>>>that's suited for printing like this. You could use custom ZPL or EPL
>>>>that way.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>If you have one of these custom label files from USPS I should be able
>>>to at least test it through my Zebra. I assumed PNG, Brian says
>>>ZPL or EPL... in any case it works.
>>>
>>>
>>Good idea. I'll see if I can get USPS to tell me if they have a
>>ready-to-go custom label available.
>>
>>
USPS does have custom labels. I'm developing a CPAN module for it now
for and Interchange client. It's due this weekend to the client. I'll
post my code when it's finished.
>>
>>
>>>>This has me thinking about using an airbill pouch, laser printer, and
>>>>8.5x11 instead of the Zebra. I could print the PDF from a browser and
>>>>not have to mess with ZPL/EPL or trying to integrate the driver-less
>>>>Zebra into the workflow. If anyone wants to compare the merits of
>>>>airbill pouches and thermal labels, I've got some ideas on that. Let
>>>>me know.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>Are the paper, pouches and ink free like the thermal labels ?
>>>Seems more time consuming to deal with sticky pouches
>>>and folding paper then to simply peel and place the thermal labels.
>>>To me those were compelling to choose the thermal option
>>>not the mention the issues of printing a clear bar code.
>>>
>>>
>>I debated this in my head yesterday and couldn't quite come to a conclusion.
>>
>>
>
>I did the exact same thing, but perhaps my reasoning was a bit different
>then yours... read on.
>
>
>
>>Thermal Pros:
>>- free labels
>>
>>
>
>My thought was at least 10 cents per package, but I could be really off on that
>one.
>
>
>
>
>>- small label footprint
>>
>>Pouched Paper Pros:
>>- one printer instead of two (less setup, less maintenance, simplicity)
>>- if shipping internationally, the pouch makes it easy to include the
>>necessary documents
>>
>>
>
>I haven't done international so didn't consider this.
>
>
>
>
>>- more securely affixed (sometimes when I get packages returned to me,
>>FedEx has covered the label in a clear sticker to keep it on, and when
>>I track FedEx packages it sometimes says that the label had to be
>>replaced)
>>
>>
>
>I've never had this happen to me but then again I'm only domestic :(
>
>
>
>
>>- thermal labels have to be carefully and vigorously applied where
>>there are no tape creases, pouches do not
>>
>>
>
>Not had this problem either, but if the thermal label messes up I just
>reprint the same label since I save a copy of the image just for this
>purpose.
>
>
>
>
>>- just as professional looking (I never would have thought this was
>>true but I got a package from Fat Possum Records and they do it this
>>way and it looked very professional)
>>
>>One other thing is the possibility of really customizing the label
>>sheet of paper. A color laser could print all kinds of things on
>>there. The only problem with this is I'm not sure if you could set up
>>a custom label through a laser printer. It seems like the printer
>>might have to have barcode abilities built-in. There must be some way
>>to print barcodes on a laser printer though.
>>
>>
>
>As far as bar code printing to me it is just ink, but when I mentioned this
>as a possibility to FedEx they were not to happy about it because the
>quality of the print can degrade which affects their ability to scan.
>I could see this especially true as I'm sure I would always want to
>refill cartridges. If you're not authorized to use the FedEx server you
>will have to before you can create live labels and that process requires
>submitting a number of sample labels that you print.
>
>Jon
>
>
>
I also have a FedEx CPAN module (Interchange ready) that provides the
FedEx labels. I passed Fedex certification testing with it and they are
ultra critical on the labels. For me they were most critical on the
size of the Ground label (down to a 10th of an inch). They accepted
label on paper from an HP Deskjet and had no problem. So they should
accept it from a Zebra.
I also have all 200 International and Domestic addresses included in the
test scripts for the FedEx module. So no need to reproduce that data if
you need it.
>>- Grant
>>
>>
I've done this label process for one client and finishing it for another
in the next week. The one client is using Fedex and printing the label
from his browser onto a Deskjet printer. FedEx has been excepting them
for several months. I don't think there's any need to go through the
hoops to get that Zebra working.
Sincerely,
Duane Hinkley
Down Home Web Design, Inc.
(208) 424-0572 Fax(208) 587-0738
duane at downhomewebdesign.com
www.downhomewebdesign.com
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