SunCoast Barcodes - SunCoast Barcode Solutions

Above is an example of an SSCC barcode. More information can be obtained from either the attached GS1 brochure or directly from GS1

This   barcode is generally required by the larger grocery chains and is used   to improve the efficiency of their warehouse management  system as  part of their EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) system.

The  SSCC barcode contains information about both you as a  supplier as well  as your product, the production use by date, and in  the simplest form a  serial number that is unique to should to shipping  unit.

It  is imperative that the serial numbers are absolutely  unique otherwise  it is likely that your shipment will be rejected  at your cost.

The  first component of the SSCC barcode is your  manufacturing ID which is  generally 7 or 9 digits. The next component is a serial reference number  (see above).

Note there is only one acceptable format from the date code which is YY MM DD.

Much   of the information that is to be inserted into the barcode can also be   obtained from a database. Most of the label design software programs   have the ability to connect to multiple data sources, from something as   simple as a text file right up to an SAP database

The serial number can be of any format but must need the minimum number of digits requirement.

The  label format usually used for the logistics industry is 100mm X 150mm.  It is important to respect the recommended label format and size of the  barcode to ensure that your product is delivered correctly.

For more information about SSCC barcodes click on the link below

Thermal  transfer ribbons come in a multitude of formats. Variations include the  ink layer make up which can be wax (generally for use on paper labels),  wax/resin combination or full resin which is suitable for use on  synthetic labels. These are generally designated as B110A for paper  labels and B110C for synthetic labels

Thermal  transfer printing is a digital printing process in which material is  applied to paper (or some other material) by melting a coating of ribbon  so that it stays glued to the material on which the print is applied.  It contrasts with direct thermal printing where no ribbon is present in  the process. It was invented by SATO corporation around the late 1940s

Thermal  printing (or direct thermal printing) is a  digital printing process  which produces a printed image by selectively  heating coated  thermochromic paper, or thermal paper as it is commonly  known, when the  paper passes over the thermal print head. The coating  turns black in  the areas where it is heated, producing an image.  Two-colour direct  thermal printers can print both black and an  additional colour (often  red) by applying heat at two different  temperatures.

As a small  business owner have you ever wished that you could print high quality  colour labels for your products and give them the same professional look  as products manufactured by "Big Business".

Small  businesses these days increasingly find that their labelling costs are  spiralling out of control. To get a cost effective unit price it is  necessary to order large quantities of labels which can impact on  storage capacity, cash flow and the ability to change quickly to meet  ever changing consumer demands.

On  the one hand it is cheaper to produce a large quantity of labels at a  time but this has drawbacks in that it does not allow for custom  products, test run products or give the small business owner the ability  to custom package products on behalf of a major customer if required.  Also there could be the issue of wastage of labels that have been  printed for products that are no longer required or available. This can  seriously impact on the business bottom line.

The  Primera range of colour inkjet printers gives small business the  ability to compete, not only in the realm of product quality,  ingredients and price but also in the visible impact area.

The LX500 is the entry level printer is the range and is suitable for a small home business with a faily low product output.

The  LX500 produces gorgeous,   professional-quality labels for all your   short-run, specialty products.   It’s ideal for industries such as   gourmet foods, wine,   personal care and natural products. It is also   perfect for a host of   other uses such as proofing before going to   press on longer runs.

The next step up is the LX1000 and the LX2000 which gives the SME operator a competitive  advantage when it comes to labelling quality. Both printers use Color Shield, pigment inks which have been tested under extreme conditions, including exposure to UV light and repeated salt spray and immersion. All for a fraction of the cost of buying a large number of labels,  warehousing them and perhaps disposing of them should change be  required. Finally with these printers you can print 1 label if required.

The thermal  printhead is the most sensitive and expensive component to replace in a  thermal printer. The printhead should never be touched with the fingers  and especially not with anything sharp such as a screwdriver or scissors  as the head can be destroyed completely. Thermal  printers, just by the fact of using paper for the printing process, are  exposed to paper dust. Also if the printer is working in an environment  that is exposed to the elements –such as a warehouse which is open to  the outside world or is situated in a dusty or wet environment the  potential for damage in multiplied.

There  are many symptoms that indicate that the printhead needs a clean. The  photo below shows the print before and after cleaning the printhead

To  ensure the longest life for your printhead it is recommended that it be  cleaned regularly. The cleaning process should be made a part of the  routine and as it is a simple process involving just 1 minute so there  is no reason that this function can’t be carried out say at the  beginning or end of each day

The card is printed in two phases. Firstly the card design is printed by Dye Sublimation onto a transparent film. The printed film is then fused to the plastic card using a high temperature bonding method producing superb cards. The Evolis Avansia  ID card printer is suited for high security card printing and can  produce high quality prints which extend over the edge to ensure the  highest quality print. The Avansia is a dual sided card printer which  has the option of many encoding upgrades including MAG, mifare and non  contact cards.

Retransfer  technology (reverse transfer) maximizes print quality with the Avansia  being able to produce 600 dpi resolution. The Avansia card printer also  has a built in flattener that applies pressure on the card to ensure a  flat surface. This is important as it allows this  machine to produce the highest quality cards which are also completely  flat. This machine can print  140 single sided cards per hour, has a  high capacity card feeder tray can hold 250 cards and the printer   consumables print 500 prints per roll so you can print your cards   without interruption. Robust build quality reflected in a 3 year  warranty and life  time warranty on the print head. The Avansia can  print on all types of  cards (PVC, PET, Polycarbonate, ABS etc..),  including smart and  contactless.

What is Dye Sublimation?