FAQ – the place to find answers to common questions asked
What is the Blue wool reference?
The Blue Wool reference is used as a standard in the field of conservation to assess the lightfastness of works of art and other objects. The Blue Wool reference consists of textile samples that have been dyed with a specific blue color and exposed to light under controlled conditions. These samples represent different levels of photosensitivity.
The Blue Wool scale ranges from 1 to 8, with 1 being the most light-sensitive and 8 being the most light-resistant. Artwork and materials are placed side by side with the Blue Wool reference under exposure to artificial light. After a certain period, the color change on the artwork is compared to the change on the Blue Wool samples to assess how well the material withstands light exposure.
This system helps conservators and conservators make informed judgments about whether artworks and objects will be faded or damaged by light over time. It is an important part of the conservation process to preserve artistic and cultural treasures.
BS5609 is a British standard that sets out requirements for chemical resistance and durability of labels used on dangerous goods and chemical packaging transported by sea. Certification to BS5609 means the labels have undergone rigorous testing to maintain their legibility and adhesive properties even under extreme conditions such as prolonged exposure to salt water and sun.
The most common use of BS5609 certification is for labels on chemical containers and drums transported by sea. The certification is important to ensure that dangerous substances are transported in a safe and traceable manner across international waters. Labels that meet the BS5609 standard are widely used in industries where accurate and clear labeling is essential for safety and compliance with chemical logistics rules and regulations.
Small and flexible
The most common way is to use a mobile printer. Zebra has an entire mobile collection with the most basic printers like ZQ110 or mid-range printers like the ZQ300 series and the premium ZQ600 series. but if you want more durable labels, larger labels or your staff doesn’t want to replace the media so often. Small and flexible mobile printers intended for parking tickets, receipt printing, queue busting, and order fulfillment in e-commerce warehousing.
Mobile with a lot of options
Use desktop printers like a ZD420 with battery-pack to enable the use of larger roll capacity, thermal transfer labels, RFID labels, tickets, and so on. Use it in a car, on a picking carriage, or in temporary storage facilities.
Need a complete mobile workstation
With a picking carriage equipped with a power pack and power converter, we can enable your staff to print whatever labels you need, when you need them regardless of where the actual print would take place in your facility. The power pack is fitted with a charger to be used with a regular power outlet to make charging as easy as possible. The printer can be any brand or model. An additional upside of a picking carriage with a power pack is that you can add a rugged tablet like an ET55 and a scanner and have a complete workstation in your warehouse.
Read more about mobile printers here
Direct Thermal (DT)
The direct thermal technology is based on a heat-sensitive label stock and does not require a thermal transfer ribbon. This is highly recommended for applications where the label has a short lifespan, such a shipping and logistics labels.
The drawback is the sensitivity of the material to external factors such as moisture, water, sunlight, and chemicals and mechanical factors such as rubbing and scratching.
For applications with shorter lifespans, this is the best printing method.
Thermal Transfer (TT)
This technology is used in applications where the demand for a more resistant print is required.
In this case, the print is transferred from a thermal transfer ribbon onto the label, instead of having a heat-sensitive label stock. If the label will be exposed to external and mechanical factors such as moisture, water, sunlight, heat, chemicals, etc, the ribbon is required.
There could also be regulatory demands on the print due to different compliances so make sure you choose the correct combination of consumables. The choice of label stock and ribbon is set depending on the requirements for the specific application, so please consult a product specialist.
The drawback with this technology is a more expensive solution that besides the ribbon also requires a printer that supports the use of the ribbon.
Read more about our labels here
Why are my labels not sticking to the surface?
There could be several reasons why your labels are not sticking properly to a surface and the reason why is not as simple to figure out as it may seem.
Contamination or product content
It could be that the surface is contaminated or affected by external conditions like moisture, dust, oil, or water. Perhaps the material that you are trying to apply the label on is made from recycled materials containing silicone or wax? Perhaps the content of the container is affecting the packaging or plastic container.
External conditions
The conditions in which the labels are applied also make a difference. The adhesive could be affected If the surface is very cold or very warm.
Wrong adhesive
Some are not suitable for plastics, and some are not for paper. Some are sensitive to cylindrical containers,
and some to corners. Perhaps the labels have been stored under conditions outside the specified recommendations, like in a freezer?
Please make sure that the adhesive is selected for the intended surface.
Contact a specialist!
Our specialists can support you in all aspects, from the choice of material to the most suitable adhesive for your application.
Read more about our labels on here
All our printers are delivered with a free version of label printing software. Basic labels can easily be created using this software.
You may edit the size of the labels, and the font you would like to use. Attach pictures and other basic features. Please see below for more information.
Cloud label
- Sign up for a free 30-day trial to explore labeling in the cloud – works for windows and mac. Click here
TSC
- When you buy a TSC printer you will get a license with BarTender ultra light. Please contact us for more information
BarTender
- As mentioned above you a BarTender Ultralight license will be included when you purchase a TSC printer. If you would like to upgrade your license we may assist you with this. Please contact us for more information and pricing.
Zebra Technologies
- When you purchase a Zebra printer you may use ZebraDesigner – this is basically an ultra-light version of NiceLabel. You may only use Zebra printers with this software. If you decide to purchase a NiceLabel license you may use the labels you created with Zebra Designer in NiceLabel. Please contact us for more information.
NiceLabel
- If you are looking for more advanced software for your labeling needs then NiceLabel is the software for you. You may connect your database (for example Excel, MS SQL, or Access) in order to manage your label data more efficiently. If you would like to know more visit our website.
Read more here
Creating labels and connecting them to your database (Excel, text, CSV amongst many others) is fairly easy. Below are a few steps on how to connect your label to a database.
Depending on what license version you are using it might look a bit different.
1. Open NiceLabel, and create a new label.
2. Click on Dynamic Data Manager.
3. Click on Excel and follow the wizard.
The short answer is yes.
With NiceLabel automation you can print labels directly from your ERP without having to open any additional program. NiceLabel supports data in form of text files, excel files, serial port triggering, HTTP server triggering or directly connected to your database, and much more.
You can design your labels in NiceLabel with their powerful designer tool. Then save all your templates and let NiceLabel print automatically in the background. If you need help with designing labels or configuring automation we will of course be able to help you with this.
We will help you find the correct license and configuration for your need. If you want to try NiceLabel you may download NiceLabel and try it free for 30 days using this link
Read more about NiceLabel here
This depends on what software you have used previously. In most scenarios, there is a way to convert your old templates into NiceLabel. When using Nicelabel you can often remove many duplicate templates using smarter solutions with NiceLabel. We will be able to help you with that.
NiceLabel 5 or 6
When upgrading your NiceLabel solution from 5 or 6 to the most recent version there are tools available to assist you with this. Please contact us for more information on how to best do this.
Zebra designer
When upgrading to a NiceLabel solution from Zebra designer to the most recent version there are tools available to assist you with this. Please contact us for more information on how to best do this.
BarTender
If you use BarTender there is no way to directly convert your labels. However, we may be able to assist you in converting the labels for you. Please contact us for more information on how to best do this.
Other printing software
As long as you know what you want to print on your label we can assist you in creating a template for you. Please contact us for more information on how to best do this.
Read more here
All label printers no matter the manufacturer and model needs to be cleaned.
How often should I clean my printer?
- This depends on how and what you use your printer for. A general suggestion is to clean the printer each time you change the label roll.
If the printer is in a very dirty environment you may need to clean it more often.
What needs to be cleaned?
- Print head – dirt and leftovers from material may get stuck here and can damage the print head and can cause bad quality on your prints. It may also reduce the lifetime of the printer.
- Platen roller – dust, dirt and leftover materials will almost always be stuck here. It is very important to clean this every now and then.
Adhesive might also get stuck here and this can cause labels to get stuck or in worst case scenario it can damage the printer. So this is very important that you clean. - Remove dust, label materials leftovers and adhesive from the inside of the printers in need.
How to clean the printer?
- On the platen roller and the print head please use isopropyl alcohol. You may also buy dedicated print head cleaning pens. For more information please contact us.
Read more about our label printers here.
If your printer is acting weird, a calibration will usually do the trick and solve the issue. Below you will find instructions on how to calibrate your printer – if this doesn’t work on your printer please check the user manual. You may also contact us for further assistance.
Zebra printers
ZD400 Series
Verify that your printer is turned on and that media is installed. After that press and hold the pause and cancel button for 2 seconds. This will now calibrate your printer. For more details on how to calibrate your ZD420 printer please watch this please watch this video for instructions
If that doesn’t solve your problem you have to perform a manual calibration – please watch this video for instructions
You may also check Zebras product page for further information – https://www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads/printers/desktop/zd420t.html
GK/GX-Series
When the printer is turned on you should see a green LED around the “feed”-button. When you hold the feed button the LED will start flashing, when the LED has flashed twice release the button and the printer will now calibrate. The calibration is done when all the labels have been printed and the LED is once again green.
If that doesn’t solve your problem, you will have to perform an advanced calibration. Read below for more information.
When the printer is turned on you should see a green LED around the “feed”-button. When you hold the feed button the LED will start flashing, when the LED has flashed seven times release the button and the printer will now calibrate. The calibration is done when all the labels have been printed and the LED is once again green.
TSC printers
TDP series.
If the printer is on, turn it off. Hold the button on the lid, and at the same time turn on the power on the printer. The LED should start shifting colors. When the LED is showing a solid amber(orange) color you may let go of the button. The printer will now calibrate. The calibration is done when all the labels have been fully printed and the LED is green. After this, the printer is in dump mode. To exit this please press the button on the printer once. You should now be done.
MH Series
There are multiple ways to calibrate your MH series printer. Below is information on how to calibrate using the display on the printer.
First verify that your printer is turned on then click on display and then Sensor, first start with Auto Calibration and select the media type you are using (gap for most labels).
If that doesn’t solve your problem you may try a Manual calibration – read more in the user guide on page 61 –User Guide
Read more about our label printers Here.
Mac OS X
Yes it works, there is 3 different options
1. Buy a driver – since the manufacturer may not have developed their own printer driver. Contact us fore more information and pricing.
2. Install a printer using CUPS – read more below.
3. Install the printer in a virtual windows environment. For example parallells desktop or VMware fusion – read more below.
CUPS-drivrutiner
An advanced MAC user might know that there is something called CUPS, CUPS is using GNU. If you would like to know more please check this link
How to Activate CUPS in MAC OSX
1. Start the terminal and write ”username$ cupsctl WebInterface=yes”
(replace username to your username in MAC OSX)
2. Open safarí and write in the URL field “http://localhost:631/”
3. You can now install printers in the tab “Printers”
We can assist you with installating printers in your MAC environment, contakt us here: [email protected] for more information.
Are you using a virtual machine? Such as Paralles Desktop or VMware Fusion.
If that is the case you may install the printer on the virtual machine as you would on any other windows PC. If you got any questions please do feel free to contact us for further assistance.