[ic] Linux label printers

[Duane Hinkley]

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