Category: Guides

Barcode labels

1 Top Tips and Tricks for Printing Your Own Barcodes

Barcode labels are one of the most important ways to identify your products, assets, or employees. You can use them for inventory tracking, identifying products and more. They’re used in manufacturing industries, retail businesses, stock rooms and many other industries, varying across most sectors. Throughout this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how you can print better barcode labels at home with your own printer.

 

Barcode label on box

 

What are barcodes and why are they useful?

Barcodes are a series of lines and dots that can be used together to track an item, usually in a store or stockroom. It is a unique identifier made up of lines and spaces, which is used to identify products and services. The barcode acts as a quick reference tool for the cashier or worker to scan to identify the description and cost of an item with ease.

Barcodes perform many functions throughout different sectors, but they’re mostly used within retail. They help with inventory management, they allow stores to track customer loyalty cards for marketing purposes and they also help retailers identify specific problems with their supply chain.

Barcodes are a great way to track inventory and keep track of the goods you sell, or the goods that your company needs. They’re also used in many other industries where it is important to keep track of items being sold, including retail stores, grocery stores and even manufacturing companies. Barcodes allow for easy scanning by employees when entering new inventory into their databases.

 

Integrated barcode label

 

What label adhesive should I use for a barcode label?

While you can use a wide variety of adhesives or sticky labels as barcode labels, certain types will work better than others. The best solution for a barcode label is a matt white label which is solid white and has a non-glossy surface.

Due to barcode readers relying on the ability to scan the barcode to gather the information, it is important the label can be read clearly and quickly for efficiency. Barcode readers detect the difference between white and black printed areas on the label to gather the right information.

Therefore, the label needs to be matt to avoid any shiny surface reflecting light and interfering with the barcode detection which can prevent accurate results. You do not want to lose this label, therefore a permanent adhesive would be perfect for barcode labels to keep them secured on the products.

 

Printer Shipping Labels

 

What type of label should I use for a barcode label?

When it comes to which type of label you want for your barcodes, you need something simple, matt, white and the right shape and size for a barcode. Printer labels and direct thermal labels are both great for barcodes, however, if you’re printing them at home, printer labels are the best option due to their compatibility with inkjet and laser printers.

Manufactured using high-quality 70gsm paper with a permanent adhesive backing, printer labels are perfect for barcodes to be printed off at home. The permanent adhesive will keep them stuck to the product and avoid any stock with missing barcodes, and you’re able to order them in different sizes to customise how many barcodes you need.

What print settings should I use for barcode labels?

When printing barcode labels, you must consider the printer’s print setting because you need the best result possible so that the barcode reader can get accurate and quick results. Therefore, selecting a “Labels” or “Heavy Paper” print setting and increasing the quality as much as possible will benefit you the most.

What should I consider when choosing labels for my barcodes?

1. The colour of the labels needs to be white so the barcode reader can get accurate results.
2. Use a matt finish so the gloss does not reflect light.
3. A permanent or high-tack adhesive will prevent your products from losing their assigned barcode.
4. Printer labels are compatible with inkjet and laser printers, which are most common from at-home printers.
5. Print barcodes with the highest quality settings available to get the best results from the barcode reader.
6. You’re able to order various quantities in printer labels so you can print just the amount you need.

Are you in need of barcode labels?

The barcode is one of the most important inventions of our time. It is a simple code that can be read by a scanner and used to quickly identify products and services. Having barcode labels available to print at home is extremely efficient and beneficial. If you’re interested in ordering printer labels for your barcodes, feel free to contact us today!

At home printer

1 How To Print Labels at Home

When you’re running a business, it can be difficult to keep track of all the different tasks that need to be done.  Jobs such as invoicing customers, printing sales receipts and shipping labels can be daunting for new business owners.

If you’re starting a business from home, this guide is the perfect resource to assist you in printing labels at home and streamlining shipping tasks. 

What are printer labels?

Labels come in many shapes and sizes, meaning you might not know where to start when searching for the perfect label to suit your business needs.

When you’re first starting, the chances are you haven’t invested in any fancy equipment, meaning you need a simple label solution that can printed with standard InkJet or Laser printers. 

Printer labels are A4 sheets of plain sticky labels that can be used in everyday printers. We sell a variety of sizes to suit the needs of most businesses, ranging from 1 A4 label to 27 labels per sheet. 

Printer Labels Blank

 

What size label should I use?

The size of the label you need depends on what you’re using the label for, and how much information you need to include.

Printing labels 10 per sheet

Address Labels

If you’re using the labels for customer addresses, you don’t need too much space on each label. Our popular choices for address labels are from 8 labels per sheet – 21 labels per sheet printer labels. 

Shipping Labels

Shipping labels sometimes need to contain more information than just a customer’s address. Some mailing companies also require barcodes, mail mark tracking and other features to be included on the label. In this case, you have two options for labels.

Octopus integrated label

You could stick with printer labels but with a bigger size such as 2 – 6 labels per sheet. This gives you ample space to fit all the necessary information on the labels. 

Alternatively, if you wanted to print your customer’s invoice or delivery notes on one page, you could choose an integrated label. An integrated label is an A4 page with a label positioned at the bottom, that you can peel out and stick on the packaging. You then pack the rest of the A4 sheet with the delivery notes/invoice, streamlining the order process. 

What are the benefits of printing my labels at home?

Save money

Making your own labels is a creative way to cut costs. Printing your own labels can save you up to 75% off the cost of buying commercial labels when you factor in the cost of ink, paper, and printer maintenance. You may ensign a distinctive style that expresses your personality or brand using personalised labels, cutting the cost of a designer too.

Convenience

Additionally, you’ll appreciate how convenient it is to print any kind of label whenever you need to, without having to wait for someone else to do it for you. Printing your own labels is fantastic for so many reasons, with convenience being one of the key elements.

Print what you need

When you print your own labels, you only need to print the exact amount you need. This saves you from having too many pre-printed labels that may go to waste.

Versatile

You can print labels for any purpose: from shipping and labelling packages to personalising gifts with custom stickers. Printer labels are available for everyday use or even for your own business, as they’re a blank canvas. They’re able to bring your branding to life for various uses.

How to print labels at home

The first step in printing your own labels at home is getting high quality printer labels that are the quantity, shape and size you need. Depending on what you need them for, you may want to check the compatibility of your printer and if they’re right for your use.

When ordering printer labels to print at home, they will usually come with a template you can use. To get this template working you need to do as follows:
1. Click the ‘Download Word Templates’ link
2. You will see a message asking if you want to open or save the file – just click the ‘Open’ button
3. Once you have opened the template file, you’ll see it contains two Word Template documents. One has the label at the bottom, and one has the label at the top.
4. Double click the template you prefer, and the Word file will open
5. In Word select ‘File’ then ‘Save As’
6. Give the file a name that is relevant and easy to locate, then click ‘Save’
7. You’re now ready to go, although you’ll probably want to remove the text and image first and input what you want to print
8. Save the document to use in future versions

You are then able to use this template to print onto the printer labels you’ve ordered after placing them in your printer. Always make sure you print a test print to make sure it comes out correctly, then once you’ve printed onto the label, you’re able to just peel it off and use it.

Tips and tricks for printing labels at home

Write clearly
Type legibly! Writing or typing for labels can be a difficult process because if you don’t write precisely enough or you type too much, the ink can smear or get cut off. The best method is to stick to a template and use the right materials.

Use a guide
By using a template or guide when designing your labels, it will ensure that they will print correctly and look the most effective when printed. Templates can also help you when coming back to reprint specific designs, so you save time by just choosing the ones already done.

Use a label applicator
If possible, apply labels with a tool or dispenser rather than by hand to save time, as well as to keep your labels a lot cleaner and avoid the chance of ripping or creasing.

Check your printer’s settings
Most modern printers have features that let you significantly enhance the print quality you may get while working with various materials, located in the settings. For instance, most printers can include a “Heavy Paper” setting that is intended to process heavier materials, some have a setting just for “Labels.” Additionally, make sure your printer is set to print the right size document, depending on which labels you have and the country you are located in due to different regions having different sizes.

Don’t put labels through the printer more than once
Labels may be moved around rollers subjected to pressure or heat as they are fed through a printer. Therefore, if you run the label through the printer more than once, the print quality can become diminished, and the labels may start to curl up the more they are put through.

Make sure your labels and printer are compatible
Depending on the printer, some labels can be printed using only one method, such as inkjet printing or laser printing. If you use an incompatible printing method, the print just won’t stay in place.

Make sure you do a test print before starting
Doing a test run before you print your required labels is a must, to make sure what you want printed comes out perfectly. This can save you a lot of time and money if there is a mistake, with a simple alteration it can be fixed rather than having to reprint the whole batch.

Think about your design
When designing your label, you need to take into consideration the size and shape of the actual label you are using to print on. This will help you with the arrangement of the elements that you use in your design, bringing your brand and personality to life. Focus on the colour and meaning of your label, making it easy to read and understand so your audience can take the information in quickly and effectively. Depending on your printer, you may need to design to the edge of your label, or some may require there to be an edge, the best solution is stick to your template and do a test run before printing in bulk.

Are you in need of printing your own labels at home?

It’s now easy and affordable to print labels at home. Not only that, but with your own printer, you are able to make sure they are exactly the way you want them to be and right for your use. You do not have to worry about sending them off to someone else to print, or risking any mistakes made by other companies. If you’re after high quality printer labels to use at home, feel free to contact us today or visit our printer labels web page for more information.

 

Need help

Call us 0800 707 6567
or send us a message ✭

Creative design

1 The Ultimate Guide To Creative Label Design

Label design is an art form and very important within your business. It can be used to convey information about a product or impact the perceived quality of the contents it is stuck to. When done well, label design can help you stand out from the competition and generate more sales, or provide the right information to pack products effectively. However, label design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also a science that takes into account things such as readability, legibility, security and shelf appeal. If you want to stand out in today’s crowded marketplace, you will need to understand the importance of label design and functionality.

How big should my labels be?

Bigger is not always better, there is no need to go overboard with the size of your labels. It is easy to get excited about big, bold labels, but it is important to take into consideration what your customers may desire. Using accurate sizing is vital, as it allows room for the relevant information, and creates the perfect label for the product or designated area without drowning it. Functionality is key, so your labels need to be the right size so that customers can read them but are also not overwhelmed by them.

simple chanel perfume labels

What is the best font for my label?

The font is completely up to your company, and there are many factors to take into consideration. Firstly, you want the font to stay on brand to protect your brand identity and keep consistent. However, you need it to be readable, to keep the label informative for the reader.

Fewer fonts are fine and can be better. A single font is easier to read and it makes your brand look more cohesive and unified. When you pack a label with too many fonts, the message can become confusing or difficult for consumers to decipher. Keep your fonts easy on the eyes when it comes to reading texts, and keep your logo and text separate.

mi solo package branding labels

What colours should I make my labels?

Colour is a powerful tool in design, and it is important to use it wisely. You need to consider how the colour of your label will affect what people see and how they interpret your product. Using colours that match the product and are appropriate for your target audience will create an easier connection between the product and the consumer.

Avoid using colours that don’t fit in with your branding or the purpose of the product. For example, if you are creating packaging labels, red would be the obvious choice due to connotations of urgency and importance. Take into consideration colour theory, ask yourself if the colour represents what you’re trying to communicate and portray.

Using images in label design

Images are another important part of label design, but they need to be used correctly. If you want to use images on your label, make sure they’re done in a way to enhances the design or provides information.

Images can be used to enhance the design, helping an image-based product stand out from its competitors and improve user experience by adding visual appeal or meaning to otherwise bland text labels. Images can also be used to help customers identify the product. Having clear pictures on printer labels can be useful as they can supplement text-based descriptions with visual information that makes it easier for people to understand.

Wine bottle label design

The benefits of a well-designed label

Advertises your business
Products sold with labelled stickers help advertise their brand, especially compared to products that are sold unlabelled. Having your branding and brand name on the label will promote it right away from the first interaction with the customer.

Informative
A well designed label, fit with the right information is able to inform the user easily. It could be to inform readers about the product, or to inform them of the direction of use when taking care of packaging, such as packaging labels.

Protects your branding
Utilising design on labels allows you to protect your branding. Using your branding guidelines when creating the label will provide you with an on-brand label, keeping it cohesive and consistent with your businesses brand identity.

Improved delivery
All purchases, especially in e-commerce, need multiple labels through the journey from purchasing, to warehouse, to destination. This ensures that they arrive on time and to the right place with the utmost efficiency. With a customised and well designed label, your product and packaging will stand out, making it less likely to get lost in transit and carried with care.

Improved efficiency
Effective and creative labelling looks professional and can provide information and help the parties involved in the supply chain on how to handle your package properly. By providing the right information and instruction on your package, missing packaging or damaged returns can be avoided at an easier rate. Therefore, labelling your products properly with a well designed label can help build your success rate in deliveries.

Don’t forget the details

Use a high quality printer or printing service, as you want to make sure that your label has the best quality possible. Use a secure printing process also, from integrated labels or direct thermal labels, make sure the labels you choose are printed using a secure printing process. This allows the labels to be much better quality and provide a longer and more durable product.

Are you in need of labels?

Creativity, information and security are important parts of label design. The labels with innovative and creative elements embedded into them appeal to customers much more. Achieve optimum results by using the appropriate colours, shapes, fonts, images and more. If you’re looking for high quality labels, check out our large selection today and make sure to contact us for any further information required.