Sage 100

Printing out bar codes in Sage 100 2013. From one form, 24 pt Code128Wide produces codes that are scanned properly by the bar code reader. Same font/size, same field size on a label prints codes that cannot be read properly by the same scanner. Any ideas?

I've seen this many times when it scans from a laser print but not from a thermal print. If that's the case here, you can try different printer drivers, darkness settings, etc. on the thermal printer. But the easiest fix I have encountered is to use a purchased set of barcode fonts, like IDAutomation, instead of the free 128 and 39 fonts.

Actually I see this more with thermal than laser. The thermal will print bar codes as images when using windows fonts like azalea. Most cases the laser will print the barcode better and allow for scanning since the resolution is much higher than the thermal. If using a thermal you should use the printer driver barcode font. Prints faster and will allow for scanning.

One other thing to check - white space around the bar code.

@BethBowers - do you mean not enough white space? The fields are each on their own line on the label and centered.

@PhilMcIntosh are you using the BarCode128 function to print the one barcode but not using it to print the other?

Yes, @PhilMcIntosh - had an issue with one client where I had to really move everything away from the label because the guns kept scanning scatter around the label.

In addition to what Todd said, the thermal printers also have such trouble when using the wrong type material for the print head. One comment you made indicates that you are in the first case using paper and in the second case using Label sheets or something of that nature. If so try printing the label on the plain paper to see if it scans.

Another thing to look at is the printer driver. i know Zebra has a specific printer driver for a printer model and they also have a generic printer driver. stay away from generic printer drives. when loading the printer use the specific driver for that model exactly. another along with Beth would be make sure the printer driver has the right margins for the size label. if a crystal label you may have to turn off the printer in the crystal form so there is no printer assigned. if it thinks its laser if will have the wrong margins for the label printer.