Barcode Printing Problem

[626F62]

ok printing from our own software that sits on UNIX...
the Printer is a Zebra QL320 Wireless Label printer

problem is, when it prints barcodes they are not able to be scanned...

from just looking at the barcodes they look good, maybe just one of the bars at the end looks a little like a jagged line...

the info sent to the printer is ok as sending it to another works, but this problem is happening to 2 printers (all the same make and model and age!)

any ideas??

 

[Amos43]

Sounds like a badly designed printer. Just send it back and buy a different one.

Maybe they use the wrong ink.

 

[Gloryhound]

Problem could be with the software selection of barcode and weather it is scaled correctly.
Here is a few questions to ask yourself.

does it operate normally with other printers?
Is the correct standard of barcode selected?
Is the data that generates the bar code correctly formatted?
Is the scale of the barcode image in the right dimensions range?
Is the Printing software compatible with the Printer?

 

[626F62]

thanks for the help

to answer your questions...

we have 3 of these printers (identical) same lable to the others works... the printer has worked in the past... the size does seem normal...

the only thing that does seem off is if you look REALY close at the lines they look a bit rough, i didnt think a discrepancy that insognificent would cause it not to scan!

it has been replaced but it would be good if i got i knew what the problem was...

thanks again

 

[attrofy]

Some of the Zebra printers we have had in the past required a dump mode before they would start acting properly. There were two forms of dump mode - a semi-soft dump that is entered when you power on, and hold the feed button - the lights blink four or five times and change color (usually from green to red). These modes can be entered and exited rather easily, and if never exited from dump mode can have some strange results when printing "normal" bar codes.

Secondly, there was a "hard dump mode" - usually required a *.bat file to be sent to the printer (as if it were being printed) - but we were using Windows in a Pick environment. I would contact Zebra's tech support before going too expensive. They are usually quite helpful (and surprisngly knowledgable - a rarity for any tech support these days) and can often help with recalibration files (sort of what the hard dump mode was about).

 

[626F62]

thanks attrofy

you are on about the LP2844 and the likes, but the QL320's are different... thanks anyway tho, and if anyone needs help on thos kind of Zebras (especially the LP2844 i have had alot of dealings with them)

last thing tho attrofy, when i ring Zebra they say they dont have a tech support they give me numbers of other companys that have a technician who has been trained on Zebre... and they are not really very good... do you know the number you rang??

thanks

 

[attrofy]

hmmm...let me do some searching. I haven't worked there for a few years. I do recall a similar experience - and often worked with our distributor for RMA's and warranty parts. I thought we had used Zebra's tech support for programming issues - but I could be mistaken....

 

[attrofy]

I am drawing a blank. I thought it was Datamax[/link}, but I believe that was a different thermal printer we had. Then Data Logic was poping in my mind, but that was the scanner we had before switiching over. Then I got thinking through the Eltron support we had, as they were a predominate Eltron distributor before Zebra bought them out, but a few quick web searches didn't produce anything familiar. In short, I am drawing a blank. If I can get in touch with someone where i used to work, I will let you know what I find out.

 

[626F62]

thanks for your efforts Attrofy... and yeah Datamax are a different pain in my life HA HA.