Top 3 Tips for Extending the Life of Your Thermal Barcode Label Printers
And why printhead replacement plays a critical role in the total cost of ownership of barcode printers
When your barcode printers aren’t working, they hurt worker productivity, cause delays in your supply chain, and result in unreadable barcodes. Before you unnecessarily purchase a new barcode printer, however, it’s important to understand the real root of the problem. Malfunctioning printers are often a result of not selecting the proper barcode labels or barcode printer ribbon, which can lead to a high volume of repair costs and shortened lifespans. While choosing cheaper options may save your budget in the short-term, they will ultimately cost you more in repairs and barcode printer replacements in the long-term.
The reality is, improper or low-quality barcode label materials are a primary culprit of a printing solution’s less-than-satisfactory performance. Having the right, high-quality labels, tags, ribbons, and printheads is critical to prevent printer downtime. Keep reading to discover how you can choose the best materials to keep your printers up and running for longer.
1. Take the Time to Select the Right Barcode Labels for Your Environment
It’s important to remember that barcode label selection will significantly influence barcode label printer performance and the total cost of ownership (TCO) for your entire printing solution. Barcode labels intended for manufacturing, distribution, and fulfillment environments will likely differ from those used for retail, field service, or healthcare environments. If you are in the retail supply chain, a poor quality, unreadable barcode can cost you a chargeback and an unhappy customer. For this reason, it is crucial to choose barcode labels that are appropriate for the application for which they’re being used.
However, choosing superior barcode labels for your environment is just one half of the puzzle. The best quality barcode labels can help to prevent adhesive buildup on printer parts and premature printhead failures. These printing mishaps can disrupt operations at a massive scale, causing indefinite downtime and wasteful spending on barcode printer repair.
2. Guarantee Consistent, Premium Print Performance with High-Quality Barcode Printer Ribbon
Thermal barcode labels are another crucial component of your industrial label printer performance. They are a necessary component when printing with thermal transfer labels, making for an efficient process. However, inferior thermal barcode labels are a catalyst to various complications. Low-grade ribbons can cause poor print quality, failures in labeling, and damaged printheads, leading to hikes in barcode printer repair costs, and ultimately, lost profits.
Premium thermal barcode labels ensure consistent, reliable print performance. You can also expect durable, readable, and scannable label prints, prolonged printhead life, and a reduced TCO on your barcode printer solution investment. It’s essential to partner with an expert organization who is well-versed in barcode printer ribbon and their use across industries and specific applications. They can help you choose the correct barcode label and ribbon for all of your enterprise’s unique labeling needs to ensure your barcode printers are safe from potential damage.
3. Save On Repairs With Honeywell’s Printhead Replacement Program
The printhead is the most critical component of your industrial label printer and one of the most delicate. While choosing the correct barcode labels and barcode printer ribbon is essential to the longevity of your printhead, eventually it will fail due to normal wear and tear. Fortunately, with Honeywell’s Printhead Replacement Program, you can save on barcode printer repair costs. Users of Honeywell print media and supplies can have printheads for select printers replaced free of charge when they’ve reached the end of their lifespan.
Honeywell printers perform better and last longer when the correct, high-quality media and supplies are used. Honeywell’s world-class lab measures critical components such as:
- Tensile strength and tear resistance to ensure durability
- Adhesive bond strength to prevent edge lift after the product is applied
- Opacity of the face-stock for optimal sensor performance
- ANSI Grade A verification to verify that each and every code is reliable
The program is an excellent way to save money on printheads as it has no cost to you to enroll. Additionally, you’ll reduce the TCO of your printer solution, and ensure the highest quality printed labels.
When it comes to saving on barcode printer repair costs, prioritizing superior quality is key. While it may require more capital upfront, it will guarantee saved costs down the road. High-quality barcode labels, barcode printer ribbons, and printheads will ensure less money spent on service repairs and work to extend the lifetime of your barcode printers, ultimately preserving your investment.
Decision Point has industry insights on how your company can reduce barcode printer repair costs. From partnering with other industry leaders like Honeywell for their Printhead Replacement Program or offering manufacturing support on selecting barcode printers, DPS can assist in all areas of your business. Contact one of our team members today to request more information.
This blog is sponsored by Honeywell. For industry-leading performance, the Honeywell industrial label printer family is the smart choice. Be sure to browse their entire product selection or contact Honeywell for more information.
