Printing Barcode. First Workshop for IT Staff on Barcodes and GRIN-Global.

1. I L R I C A M P U S , A D D I S A B A B A E T H I O P I A
NOVEMBER 22, 2016
First Workshop for IT Staff
on Barcodes and GRIN-Global
Edwin Rojas (CIP)
Genebank Data System Manager
Programing Language
Printing

2. Agenda: Barcode KIT
• Printing barcodes with ZPLII

3. Barcode KIT Concepts:
Barcode Types, Symbologies, Label Information
Machine-readable: Is the barcode that represent information interpreted by the scanner.
Human-readable: Text in numeric or alphanumeric with different font types and sizes.

4. Barcode is a machine-readable representation of information
This representation is a symbology; when is scanned the
symbology enabled the information to be read accurately
Barcodes: Definition
Code 128 Data Matrix

5. Barcode KIT Concepts: Symbologies
Barcode is a machine-readable representation of information.
This representation is a symbology; when is scanned the symbology enabled the
information to be read accurately
Barcode
Types
Symbologies Description
1D (linear) Code 39 Can encode both numeric and alpha data
Code 128 For a wider selection of characters arose than Code
39
2D Data Matrix
A Data Matrix Code is a two-dimensional (2D) code
that consists of black and white modules. Capacity to
recover 20-30% of data
Though usually for small size items
For asset tracking, identification and data-driven
applications, traditional Data Matrix Codes are
generally the best choice.
Data Matrix Code can store large amounts of data for
encoding, making them appropriate for a wide variety
of applications.
QR
A QR Code is another type of 2D code that consists
of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a
white background. Capacity to recover 20-30% of
data
Can encode long numeric data, alpha data and raw
data like photos (binary).
QR Codes can be useful when software programs are
not available through a scanner, but can be reached
through a website. By scanning the QR code, the
data is then transferred to the site where it is entered.

6. Barcode KIT Concepts: Symbologies
Barcode 2D parts
Recognition area (red color): To identify the symbology and inform
the decoder how to decode it (like version, masks etc).
Black and White Modules
Smallest: 21x21 modules
Largest: 144x144 modules
Black Modules
Smallest: 10x10 modules
Largest: 177x177 modules
QR and Datamatrix both can be used free of any licensing or royalties.

7. Barcode KIT Concepts: Print Technologies
Dot matrix Laser Thermal transfer or
Direct Thermal

8. Barcode KIT Concepts: Print Technologies
Direct Thermal
• Thermal printing is classified as either direct thermal or thermal transfer
• Direct thermal printing is an old technology, originally designed for
copiers and fax machines, that utilizes chemically coated paper
• Advantages:
• Direct thermal printing produces sharp print quality with good scannability.
• Direct thermal is ideal for applications requiring only a short shelf life—meaning the
label image does not need to last very long. Shipping labels and receipts are ideal
applications, for instance.
• Direct thermal printers are simple to operate compared to most other print
technologies, with no ink, toner or ribbon to monitor or replenish.
• With no supplies to replace other than the material to be printed, long-term
maintenance costs remain low.
• Direct thermal printers, like thermal transfer, are typically built more durably than dot
matrix or laser printers, allowing reliable operation in genebanks. Shorter label
image life limits their applications compared to thermal transfer printers.
Label

9. Barcode KIT Concepts: Print Technologies
Direct Thermal
Label
• Limitations:
• Direct thermal printing is extremely sensitive to environmental conditions such as
heat and light (fluorescent and/or direct sunlight)
• Direct thermal paper remains chemically active after printing. Because of this,
thermal labels, tags or ticket stock are often top-coated to resist UV light exposure,
chemicals and abrasion.

10. Barcode KIT Concepts: Print Technologies
Thermal Transfer
Ribbon
Label

11. Barcode KIT Concepts: Print Technologies
Thermal Transfer
• The thermal printhead transfers the ink onto the label surface, where it
cools and anchors to the media surface. The polyester ribbon is then peeled
away, leaving behind a stable, passive image.
• Advantages:
• Thermal transfer delivers high definition text, graphic, and bar code print
quality for maximum readability and scannability.
• Thermal transfer printing produces longlife image stability.
• Long-term maintenance costs are low compared to dot matrix and laser
printing.
• Thermal transfer technology can print on a nearly unlimited variety of
media stock layouts
• Thermal transfer printers are typically built more durably than dot matrix
or laser printers, allowing reliable operation in industrial and genebanks.
Ribbon
Label

12. Barcode KIT Concepts: Print Technologies
Thermal Transfer
Ribbon
Label
• Limitations:
• Since thermal transfer printers require ribbon, supply costs are
higher than direct thermal.
• Thermal transfer printheads last longer than direct thermal.
• Single-pass thermal transfer ribbon can be wasteful if little is printed
on it.
• To obtain optimum print quality in thermal transfer printing, the
ribbon and media substrate MUST be compatible. Otherwise, the
heat from the printhead could melt the ribbon onto the label causing
internal printer problems.

13. Barcode KIT Components: Label types
Type 1
Square labels for
seed envelopes or in
vitro vessels
Stick-ins labels for
pots
Self-tie labels for field
Square labels for
crossing plants in
greenhouses

14. Barcode KIT Components: Label types
Type 2
Type 3

15. Barcode KIT Components: Label installation

16. Barcode KIT Components: Label
3. Labels with Barcode: Germplasm Identification
Stick-ins Label
(Pointend end Label)Self-tie Label
Self Adhesive Label

17. Selection Criteria for Labels
IML Provider

18. Barcode KIT Components: Ribbon
4. Ribbon for Barcode n Thermal Transfer : Germplasm Identification Supplies
Stick-ins Label
(Pointend end Label)
Self-tie Label
Self Adhesive LabelProduct: Ribbon Wax (20USD)
Model: 5319 PERFORMANCE
Manufacture: Zebra Product: Ribbon Wax/Resin, 3200 PERFORMANCE (35USD)
Product: Ribbon Resin, 5095 PERFORMANCE (65USD)
Manufacture: Zebra
Product: Ribbon Wax (20USD)
Model: 5319 PERFORMANCE
Manufacture: Zebra

19. Barcode KIT Components: Ribbon Installation

20. Barcode KIT Components: Printer Sensors

21. Barcode KIT Components: Printer Sensors
Printer Type Media Sensors Print
Technology
Desktop printer:
Media thickness: 0.05 to 0.25 mm
Transmissive media sensor
and reflective media sensor
Direct thermal and
thermal transfer
Mobile printer:
Media thickness: 0.05 to 0.16 mm
Transmissive and reflective
media sensor
Only direct thermal
Transmissive sensor: To detect start/end of label using visible inter-label gaps, notches or pre-punched holes
Reflective sensor: To detect start/end of label when reaches a black mark appearing on the reverse side of the label stock

22. Barcode KIT Components: Software to print
Printing on your Desktop from Excel Files.
Zebra Designer Pro = $275

23. Barcode KIT Components:
Desktop Printer
5. Desktop Label Printer: Print Identification
General features: Good quality print for text and barcode, robust
printer, support 1D, 2D & RFID encode, long life image stability, low
maintenance cost, support different labels layout and thickness
Product: Desktop barcode printer
Manufacture: Zebra
Model: Series ZT410 , Cost: 1500USD
Device specifications in compliance with CIP standards :
Print method: Support thermal transfer and direct thermal
Resolution with 300 dpi (12 dots/mm)
Label thickness <= 225 micron
Maximum Print Width: 4.09"/104 mm
Support broad range of barcode symbologies: Linear and 2-Dimensional
Support RFID: Supports tags compatible with UHF
Rugged metal frame and case for demanding activities
Many connectivity choices including USB, wireless 802.11 b/g, Ethernet, parallel and Bluetooth
Media types: black mark, continuous, die-cut, fanfold, notched, perforated, tag stock
Label sensors: Transmissive and reflective media sensors
Capacity to print: Text, images and barcodes
Memory 256 MB RAM memory (4 MB User Available)
Memory 512 MB Flash memory (64 MB User Available)

24. Barcode KIT Components:
Desktop Printer
5. Desktop Label Printer: Print Identification
Pre-cut Self Adhesive
Labels
Self-Tie Labels Pointed End Labels Continue Self Adhesive
Labels

25. Barcode Print Technologies:
Languages Printing
Language Printing
ZPL or ZPLII
EPL
CPCL

26. Barcode Print Technologies:
Languages Printing – ZPL II

27. Barcode Print Technologies:
Computer output and printer input options
Computer output
options
VB Source Code Printer input
options
Direct to
Parallel Port
Open “LPT1” For Output As #1
Print #1, strCommands
Close #1
Shared
Parallel Port
Open “pc_nameprinter” For Output As #1
Print #1, strCommands
Close #1
Print Server
WiFi or
network card
Open “120.110.80.50” For Output As #1
Print #1, strCommands
Close #1
Direct to
Serial Port or
Bluetooth
Open “COM1:” For Output As #1
Print #1, ChangeFormat(strCommands)
Close #1
Note: COM6 for Bluetooth
++
+

28. Barcode Print Technologies: Tools
Tool Method
Zebra
Designer
Software
LPT1, USB, COM,
Bluetooth, IP address
Printer Driver
Windows Icon
Text file
^XA
^LH10,10
^FO50,70
^ADN,45,30
^FDWelcome to Addis^FS
^XZ
Excel Macros VBA Macros
VS 2015 or
2008 C#
USB memory
support in
Zebra Printer
ZT410
Export ZPL
Commands in a text
file

29. Exercises to printing barcode labels
Go ahead

30. Thanks
and Spark your Imagination !

31. The International Potato Center (known by its Spanish acronym CIP) is
a research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato,
and Andean roots and tubers. CIP is dedicated to delivering sustainable
science-based solutions to the pressing world issues of hunger, poverty,
gender equity, climate change and the preservation of our Earth’s fragile
biodiversity and natural resources.
www.cipotato.org
CIP is a member of CGIAR
CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its
science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the
CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.
www.cgiar.org