Guide To Adding Barcodes To Safety Markers
With the increased demand for asset information to be accessible (and validated) regularly, inventory tracking software and barcodes have become necessary for companies to keep up in today’s market.
On top of the consumer demand, there are many advantages of using barcodes in your outdoor asset identification. Using scanning devices to read barcodes not only reduces the amount of human error in your record-keeping, but it makes the task of asset inventory faster and more efficient.
Before you adopt barcodes in your asset identification program, keep the following in mind:
1. Barcodes Must Have High Resolution
You want the corners of the bars and letters that make up your barcode to be crisp and not rounded. The resolution of the barcodes should be a minimum of 300 dpi (though 1,000 dpi is ideal).
2. Barcodes With Voids Must Be Rejected
Voids can occur when there are errors during the printing process, or when fading occurs over time. These voids break the bar lines in the code, making it unreadable. Even voids that seem minor will disrupt scanning.
3. Marker Materials Must Be Tested For UV Resistance
When your application requires a durable outdoor solution, this point is especially important. Demand that your label materials have proven test results that show resistance to UV degradation.
4. Barcodes Must Lie Flat
When laminates and base films are improperly matched, they often will curl. Curling can cause the marker to lift from the adhered surface, making the barcode difficult/impossible to read. Using thicker liners, adhesives and base films reduce the potential of curling.
5. Barcodes Must Match Your Reading Equipment
Although seemingly obvious, all too often barcoded assets are created only for people to discover later that their barcodes aren’t compatible with the scanners. Match the minimum bar width with the aperture of the scanner.
6. Fonts Must Be “Smooth”
Avoid coarse, jagged fonts and opt for smoother options.
7. Consider Back-Slit Liners
Even the most nimble-fingered linemen have a hard time removing back liner from a label without a peel tab or back slit. It’s best to use a heavy liner.
All of these considerations are fundamental to your barcodes functioning as expected. However, keep in mind that your barcodes are only as reliable as the material they’re printed on.
Contact Electromark For Outdoor-Durable Barcoded Asset Identification
It’s essential to discuss with your asset identification manufacturer what type of application and environment your barcoded assets will be exposed to and for how long. These factors will determine what material would be best for your application.
Here at Electromark, we can add a barcode or QR code to any of the label materials we offer, including Metalphoto®. If you’re unsure on what would work for your application, our team can help figure out the best option for your project.