Prevention comes from correction, to prevent the recurrence of everything you corrected. In reality, it’s more effective to consider the process variables and control them. Charting materials and settings is worthwhile. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and other routine maintenance are also important. Major equipment repairs can change results. Tracking these events over time helps identify what changed and when, and how to adjust.

Solutions Can Be Problems

Barcodes are images that are designed with software. Some brand owners insist on retaining control over the design software, and that can be a solution and a problem. Best practices dictate the

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software be optimized to the print process, particularly for print gain. A brand owner unaware of this important configuration setting is not controlling this variable—quite the opposite.

The printer has variables too, whether a sophisticated flexographic, offset or digital press, or a humble thermal transfer printer. These include upstream supplies such as print stock and inks. Changing suppliers adds variability to results. Predictable results come from stable processes and procedures. Even then, the most you can expect is reduction of variability—but not its elimination.

Monitor and Prevent

Monitoring supports prevention. Most variables are never eliminated. Monitoring tracks minor changes in a process, and provides insight into how much and how rapidly changes are occurring.

Barcode print quality is tracked using attributes in a standard. Each attribute measures and grades a particular aspect of the barcode. A barcode verifier does the measuring and grading. Why a standard? Because there are many different types of scanners. A standard is the only way to predict how a barcode will scan when using a laser, wand, CCD or digital imager scanner anywhere in the world.

Standards Predict Performance

The barcode print quality standard is an effective way to identify why a barcode fails.  What is the offending attribute? Controlling that attribute prevents a recurrence.  Tracking the performance of each attribute with a verifier establishes a benchmark and a trajectory if an attribute or attributes change as a press run proceeds. The rate of change over time predicts when the barcode will fail; prevent a failure by making adjustments to control it.

Non-ISO Failures

Well-printed barcodes can fail due to other causes:

  • Lamination

Matte-surface laminates blur images, making critical sharp edges soft and indistinct.

  • Placement on label

Barcode and other images can migrate during printing. If the barcode is close to an edge, a quiet zone can be violated, rendering the barcode unscannable.

  • Placement of label on package

Locating a label too close to, or even around a package edge can cause the barcode to fail.

  • Abrasion

Damage to a barcode image can make it unscannable.

  • High temperature

Thermal labels remain sensitive to heat even after they are printed. High heat can cause the barcode image to fade until it is undetectable.

Anticipate Problems to Prevent Them

Print quality is one of the most important aspects of barcode quality, and a verifier is the best tool for measuring and grading it. Improper placement, handling and storage can damage an otherwise valid barcode. Variables at each step of package handling must be monitored, understood and controlled to prevent the recurrence of past problems.

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3db Barcode Testimonial

Our company (an advanced software company) recently worked with Barcode Test to source a barcode verifier.  Not long ago, we were awarded a contract requiring products to be marked with IUIDs in accordance with MIL-STD-130.  For that standard, marking labels must pass a verification test that evaluates many variables (contrast, size, clarity, syntax, modularity, and more).  After a thorough search, we reduced our options to a select few.

In our search for a verifier, the Axicon line caught our attention.  Barcode Test is our regional reseller for this product.   From the beginning, they were very prompt with their responses.  We ended up having a quick call with John Nachtrieb to go over our needs.  John was extremely easy to work with and provided a lot of great information.  He was very knowledgeable on the matter and was quick to offer up a demo unit (free of charge).

Upon receiving the demo verifier and testing it, a few questions arose.  John joined a call with us and answered all our questions.  Ultimately, the Axicon verifier wasn’t the best fit for us, so we shipped the demo back.  John was completely understanding.  A few weeks later, Barcode Test reached back out with another possible verifier for us to try.  While they didn’t sell that brand, they just wanted to help us find the best option that met our needs. They even offered to send us the unit that they have in-house to see if it worked to our liking. 

Barcode Test is truly a great company to work with.  Their service and willingness to help the customer are far beyond what you typically get from other companies.  They are experts in barcode quality assurance and seem willing to help in any way they can (even if that means not getting a sale and recommending another option that better fits the customer’s needs).  If anyone is in the market for barcode verification/scanning services or products, I would highly recommend giving Barcode Test a call.

Regards,

Production Manager