![]() ![]() Have you replaced your print head recently? Are you cleaning it regularly? If not, your printer may just need a little TLC. Speed compromises quality, so although your printer may be capable of 300 dpi, it may not be capable of that quality when running at 12 inches per second. If your printer meets dpi requirements but bar codes still aren’t performing, or performance seems to be worsening over time, the operation or maintenance of your printers could be the culprit.ĭoes your printer have multiple speed options? Are you always running it at the highest speed? If you answered yes to both of these questions and you’re experiencing scanning problems, you may want to try lowering the speed of your printer. There is really only one situation where image resolution can become an issue and that’s you have really small labels and are trying to store a lot of data. 300 dpi is considered standard and is suitable for nearly all applications. Most printers are capable of at least 200 dpi image resolution, if not 300 dpi. By that we mean it’s capable of printing the resolution you need (in most cases it will be). Image quality is determined by your printer-both its specifications and how it’s being operated and maintained.įirst you want to make sure you have the right printer for the job. Now it’s time to look at your barcodes and their relationship to your application and environment. There are 2 major application and environmental factors when it comes to scannability: image quality as well as dirt and damage. ![]() So, you have the right equipment, and your employees are fully trained to use it but you’re still having consistent scan issues. Your bar code labels aren’t suited to your application or environment Once you’ve taken the time to familiarize yourself with your scanner, provide your team with training on proper use and any additional tips or tricks you discovered as you experimented with the scan angle and distance. Since environmental and label construction factors may have an impact as well, experiment with angle and distance recommendations to find an ideal method. If you suspect operation issues could be responsible for your scan problems take some time to review the specs and user manual of your scanner. ![]() Another scanner might be designed to read bar codes from further away to allow for quick scanning of items as they pass through a workflow on a conveyor belt. For example, one scanner may be best suited for close range, or even contact scanning because it’s intended for use cases where items will be handled closely. Keep in mind that different scanners are designed with different scan distances (or depths of field) to accommodate different use cases. In this case, our reader can read 5mil bar codes at a distance between 2.5″-6″, but it can read a 10mil bar code between 1″ and 14.5″. This image displays the ranges at which your scanner can read bar codes of different sizes. Your bar code scanner’s manual should contain an image that looks something like the one depicted above. If they aren’t, depending on the most suitable resolution for your application you may want to look into reprogramming your scanner, ordering a new scanner, or trying a different type of barcode. It’s a good idea to check in with your scanner and/or bar code supplier to ensure your equipment and bar codes are compatible. There are many ways to program a bar code scanner and not all of them will work with your bar codes. ![]() If your scanner is neither old, nor set to read the incorrect bar code language, your issue may have to do with programming (or one of our later talking points). We should note that turning on auto-discrimination isn’t always the best solution, in fact we recommend against it in certain situations! So, if you have been advised to disable auto-discrimination, or, see that your scanner is only enabled to pick up certain bar code languages, ensure the settings allow your scanner to pick up the bar code language you are using. Check to see if auto-discrimination is enabled, if not you might want to try enabling it. One thing to check for is auto-discrimination. Once you’ve determined you have a suitable scanner, or if your scanner has worked in the past but has suddenly stopped, you can move onto the settings. Is it linear or 2D? Although you’re unlikely to come across a bar code scanner incapable of reading 2D bar codes nowadays, some older models may only be able to read linear bar codes. Is your scanner older? If so, consider what type of bar code you are using. Your scanner isn’t suited to your bar codesįirst, you need to ensure you have the right scanner for the job. ![]()
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