Rotation Of Barcode Effects Its Print Quality

Description

Bar code print quality varies in relation to the rotation of the bar code or print orientation

Solution

Thermal transfer printers are designed with a series of elements in the print head that are heated as needed. If a bar code prints in a "picket fence" orientation (parallel to the print head), individual elements are steadily heated for a length of time, dependent on the height of the bar code.
When printing in a "ladder" orientation (perpendicular to the print head), a number of elements in a row are turned on and off quickly which compromises the quality of the bar code and over time may cause excessive head wear.
Some possible work-arounds:

1. Use a thermal transfer printer that has a mouth wide enough to print your bar codes in "picket fence" orientation.

2. Select File > Label A label is a design area on the computer screen where a label format is created or edited. Setup > Label Options ( or F6 > Label Options) in Design Mode and decrease the print speed, adjust head temp, etc.