ZebraDesigner™ Pro™ User Guide 13857L-003 Rev.
© 2011 ZIH Corp. The copyrights in this manual and the software and/or firmware in the printer described therein are owned by ZIH Corp. and Zebra’s licensors. Unauthorized reproduction of this manual or the software and/or firmware in the printer may result in imprisonment of up to one year and fines of up to $10,000 (17 U.S.C.506). Copyright violators may be subject to civil liability.
Contents 1 • Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contents of the package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table of Contents 4 • Designing Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Using Label Setup Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Select a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table of Contents Working with Variable Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dynamic Data Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Database Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Link Label to Text Databases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using Text File Wizard . . . .
Table of Contents Notes • ___________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________
1 Introduction Contents Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contents of the package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction Welcome Welcome ZebraDesigner software is a family of labeling software products that offers a complete bar code printing solution to label printing users. ZebraDesigner offers an easy-to-use interface and meets any label design and printing requirement for efficient label printing solutions to users in retail, logistics, health care, chemical, automotive, and other industries.
Introduction About this Manual About this Manual Overview The ZebraDesigner Pro User Guide helps you design and print labels quickly. The User Guide contains the following sections: Introduction: This chapter will introduce you to ZebraDesigner Pro. Installation and Activation: This chapter will show you how to install and activate the labeling software. Setting up ZebraDesigner software: This chapter will show you how to set up and customize software to your preferences.
Introduction About this Manual Notes • ___________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ ________________________
2 Installation and Activation Contents System and Software Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ZebraDesigner Editions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installing ZebraDesigner Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation and Activation System and Software Requirements System and Software Requirements ZebraDesigner Editions To run ZebraDesigner, you need at least the following: • Pentium-based computer with at least 64 MB of RAM. • One of these 32-bit or 64-bit Windows operating systems: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008. • Hard disk with 100 MB of free disk space. • CD-ROM drive. • Support for OLE DB database drivers.
Installation and Activation Installing ZebraDesigner Pro 4. Click Next and confirm the License Agreement. 5. Follow the prompts of the Installation Wizard and enter the relevant information. Note • For ZebraDesigner Pro, you may be prompted to activate the product when you run it for the first time. Define Setup Options To continue installation, do the following: 1. Click the Next button. 2. Specify the program group you want to use for ZebraDesigner Pro. 3.
Installation and Activation Activate ZebraDesigner Pro Activate ZebraDesigner Pro Activate ZebraDesigner Pro to obtain all features. If you do not complete the activation process, ZebraDesigner Pro only runs in DEMO mode. Note • ZebraDesigner does not require activation. It is free software, but available with less functionality than ZebraDesigner Pro. To activate the software, do the following: 1. Start ZebraDesigner Pro. The Warning dialog box appears. 2. Click the Activate button. 3.
3 Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software Contents User Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the Keyboard and Mouse Effectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interface Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . System Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface User Interface Start the software by clicking on the desktop icon or selecting it from the Start menu: Start > Programs > Zebra Technologies > ZebraDesigner Pro 2 > ZebraDesigner Pro 2 This is the ZebraDesigner Pro main window, with a blank label design displayed.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Using the Keyboard and Mouse Effectively When selecting objects, use the Ctrl key to adjust object’s anchoring point by clicking the object placeholders. If you have a Wheel Mouse, you can use the wheel to scroll the label up and down. Holding Ctrl when rotating the wheel adjusts zoom factor, and Shift scrolls the label left or right.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Interface Reference Mouse Wheel support If you have a mouse that has a wheel in place of the middle button, you can use it to speed up zooming and scrolling: • Turning the wheel scrolls the label up or down. • Holding Shift and turning the wheel scrolls the label left or right. • Holding Ctrl and turning the wheel zooms the label in or out.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Ctrl + move the object with cursor keys Fine tuning the position of the object Shift + cursor keys Fine tuning the dimensions of the object, resize width and height in very small steps Right-clicking the object Opens pop-up menu with shortcuts to commands.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Save This command saves the active document in the current label file. If no file name has been defined yet, you will enter the Save As dialog box. The Save command can also be accessed directly by click the button. Save As Select this command when you want to name a new label or when you want to copy an existing label under the new name or to another folder or drive. The default folder to save the labels is My Label in My Documents.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Print and Print Preview Menu Print and Print Preview From the File menu, use the Print and Print Preview commands to print the labels on your printer and to simulate the production of the labels onscreen. Previewing the label allows you to check that all objects are positioned correctly without spending time and wasting labels. In the Standard Toolbar, you can click the button.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Figure 3 • Print dialog box General: Use this dialog to enter the values for prompted variables. The entries are displayed in the table. The first column displays the prompt text of the variable. You can enter the values for variables in the second column. The third column will display the formatted values (based on the variable format). Select records: This dialog displays when a database is being used.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Record Selection The Record Selection dialog box is available only if you have a database linked to your label and have specified that you want to select records from the database. The purpose of the Record Selection dialog box is to be able to instruct the application not to print all records from the database, but only the records that you will select.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface You can select the multiple records using standard Windows shortcut with Ctrl key. Press and hold the Ctrl key, use the mouse to select records one after another, or you can check each selected record in the beginning of the line. Put a check mark in the checkbox. Only the records that have a check in the checkbox will be printed. Use Space key to toggle the selection/de-selection of marked records.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface The list of defined filters is also visible below the table. You can remove the filter(s) by clicking the button or temporary disable the filter by ticking the button next to the filter definition. If you want to make more modifications to the filter(s) used on the table, click the Customize button to open a separate dialog box with detailed control over filters. If you prefer to have more structural overview on the filters, you will like this option.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Cut This command is used when you want to remove selected element(s) from the label. Note that the first element is selected by clicking it. When you want to select additional elements, you must press and hold down, the Shift key while clicking each additional element. The cut elements are stored in the internal clipboard and can be re-inserted on the label with the Paste command.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Paste Link Using the Paste link command establishes a link between labeling application and the source application for the contents of the clipboard. The link information is saved in the source file; only the location of the information in the source file is saved. The link data shows in the graphic form. Double clicking a Paste-link object will place you into the original source Windows application for that object.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Links On the screen this command shows a list of all links between the active label and other applications in your working environment. When you insert an object on the label with the Paste Link command, you will see this link in the list. The links can be interrupted. This means that the changes made in the source document will not be made on the label.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Zoom Out Zoom out command shows a wider view of the label. The - (Minus) key on the numeric keypad can also be used. Each time Zoom out is selected, the displayed picture becomes 10% smaller. Zoom When using the Zoom command, you can define the optional zoom factor you need. You can choose any zoom factor from 5 to 3000. Figure 5 • Zoom dialog box In the Zoom dialog box you can select the different ways of zoom.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Toolbars Standard Toolbar Buttons in the standard toolbar provide shortcuts to frequently used commands for working with the software. Design Toolbar The design toolbar provides you with the shortcuts to the frequently used design actions on the label. By default, the design toolbar is docked on the right side of ZebraDesigner window. You can use the design toolbar to: • Change the color of label objects.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Picture Use this tool to define the picture object. Rectangle Use this tool to define the rectangle object. Line Use this tool to define the line object. Ellipse Use this tool to define the ellipse or circle object. Inverse Use this tool to define the inverse object. Object Menu Select After you select the Select command in the Object menu or click the in the Toolbox, the arrow cursor appears. button Use this command to select objects on the label.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Rectangle After selecting the Rectangle command in the Object menu or clicking the button in the Toolbox, the cursor with the rectangle symbol appears. Thickness: Defines the width of the object borders. Note • The valid values for thickness depend on the printer being used on the label. Not all values are acceptable for all printers. Print as Graphics: This option lets you print the object as an internal printer element, or as graphic elements.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface RFID tag The button is used to enable programming of RFID tags embedded into the labels. Database Menu Database Menu ZebraDesigner Pro allows you to use databases, in which your data is stored. Database types can be: • ASCII (text file) where fields are fixed-length or are separated with the delimiter. • Microsoft Excel database. • Microsoft Access database. • Existing ODBC data sources.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface All other commands are hidden to minimize the length of the menus. Printer Tools Printer Tools allow you to send specific commands directly to the printer. These commands are simply pre-programmed strings of commands that you would be able to enter in the Direct Communication interface.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software User Interface Font Downloader This command starts the Zebra Font Downloader, which is used to download fonts to the printer’s internal memory. Downloaded fonts perform in the same way as internal printer fonts, optimizing printing by reducing the amount of needed communication sent to the printer.
Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software System Folder Help Menu Content This command opens the content file for this help. About This command displays the application version information and name of the user that has installed and registered the application. System Folder The labeling application uses its system folder for storing files needed to run the program. The location of the folder varies depending on the Windows operating system used.
4 Designing Labels Contents Using Label Setup Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Select a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Select the Label Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Designing Labels Contents (Continued) Working with Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Using Text Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Using Bar Code Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Using EAN.UCC 128 Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Designing Labels Using Label Setup Wizard Using Label Setup Wizard Overview With the Label Setup Wizard you can define the dimensions of the label and change printer setup. It consists of a few simple steps. Select a Printer Figure 7 • Label Setup Wizard - Selecting printer If you want to set the printer parameters, select the desired printer, and click the Properties button.
Designing Labels Using Label Setup Wizard Figure 8 • Label Setup Wizard - Print Mode Standard Print Mode This is the usual print mode, where the printer sends all of the information to the printer and prints it immediately. Store label template and recall it for printing This setting allows the user to store the fixed data on the label to the printer’s internal memory and only send the variable information to the printer during the print operation.
Designing Labels Using Label Setup Wizard Select the Label Stock Figure 9 • Label Setup Wizard - selecting label stock If you use one of the standard predefined label formats, you can specify it here. Stock Type: Select the type of stock. Stock name: Select the stock from the list. Stock information: The information about label dimensions, printer settings, and background images as defined by the selected stock.
Designing Labels Using Label Setup Wizard Define the Page Size Figure 10 • Label Setup Wizard - choosing Label Dimensions Select the page size for your labels. Automatically set from label dimension: ZebraDesigner printer drivers will automatically size the label dimensions. Select page size: You can also manually define the page size. To continue, click Next.
Designing Labels Using Label Setup Wizard Select the Label Orientation Figure 11 • Selecting label layout Orientation: Select the label orientation. Look at the screen and printer layouts to see how the label will be printed from the printer. Print directions: Click the Rotated option to rotate the label 180 degrees, when printed. To continue, click the Next button.
Designing Labels Using Label Setup Wizard Define the Label Dimensions Enter the label dimensions in this dialog box. Note • If you selected the label stock in the previous step, the values for dimensions are entered automatically. Figure 12 • Label Setup Wizard - defining the label format Width, height: Define the label dimensions. Margins: Define the label margins. Rows, columns: Define the number of labels in horizontal and vertical directions. This option is commonly used with office printers.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label Designing a Basic Label Overview In this section you will learn how to design a simple label file with fixed and variable objects. The variable objects get values from several sources. You will learn how to: • Provide object values with a keyboard prompt. • Obtain object values from a database. • Preview the label on the screen. • Print the label.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label Create a Basic Label Create a New Label To create a basic label, do the following: 1. Open ZebraDesigner Pro or ZebraDesigner. 2. From the File menu, select New or click the button in the Standard Toolbar. Each time you create a new label, a Label Setup Wizard will start to help you set up the label and connect to the printer. Note • You can leave the Wizard at any time and accept the default settings for the label by clicking the Finish button.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label Define Label and Page Dimensions 1. If you want to use the label stock, select your choices in the Select Stock window.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label 2. Click the Next button. A new window opens to define the label dimensions manually. Figure 16 • Selecting page size 3. Leave the Page Size option at Automatically set from label dimensions (default) and check Automatic Sizing. 4. Click the Next button.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label 5. Select the label orientation and print direction. Figure 17 • Selecting the label layout 6. Click the Next button. A new window opens.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label 7. Enter the label width and height. Figure 18 • Defining label dimensions Note • To change the unit of measure from centimeters to inches or other supported units, click on the button with unit of measure below the label preview in the dialog box. 8. Click the Finish button. A new empty label with the settings you selected is created. Enter Fixed Text 9. Click the button in the Toolbox. The text cursor appears on the screen.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label 11. Type SAMPLE and click the Finish button. Figure 20 • Entering content for text object 12. Click on the text object to select the object. 13. Using the Text Toolbar, change the font for the text object. Choose Arial font, 28 point size, and bold style. Using format options in the text toolbox: 14. To change the position and size of the text object, select the text object and drag the object with your mouse to the desired position.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label The screen should show the following: Figure 21 • The text object is placed on the label Object Positioning Guidelines Guidelines are available to assist you in positioning objects on the label. The functionality of guidelines is similar to grid, but they allow you much more freedom regarding positioning, moving, and combining positioning delimiters.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label Insert Bar Codes Now you will add a non-changeable Code128 bar code on the label. 1. To insert the bar code, click the button in the Toolbox. 2. Move the cursor to the desired position on the label and click the mouse button. The Barcode Wizard dialog box with object properties will open. 3. Enter the value 1234567890 for the bar code contents. 4. Click the Define button. Edit Bar Code dialog box opens. 5.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label The label should now show the following: Figure 23 • Label with text and bar code objects Insert Pictures The ZebraDesigner Pro works with BMP, PCX, GIF, WMF, JPEG and many other popular graphic formats. 1. To insert the picture, click on the button in the Toolbox. 2. Move the cursor to the desired position on the label and click the mouse button. 3. The Open dialog box will open allowing you to browse for a picture on your hard drive.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label Save a Label Always save your label during the design process. To save a label, do the following: 1. Click the button. 2. Type in the name of the label. For example, type label for the name of the label. The name of the label appears in the program caption. Use Alignment Tools You have placed the objects on the label. Now you want to make sure they are aligned on the horizontal center of the label.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label Use Drawing Tools Now you will insert a line to separate a text object from other objects and a rectangle around the picture object. 1. From the Toolbox, select the button and move the cursor to the required starting point of the line. 2. While drawing the line, press and hold down the mouse button. Move the mouse to the end position of the line and release the button. The Line object is placed on the label. 3.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label Add Variable Fields Overview You may want to print a label on which the data changes for each label. ZebraDesigner Pro offers different variable fields (counters, date/time fields, operator’s input from the keyboard) that you can use with text, graphics, and bar code objects. For this example, a new label was created. The steps in the following topics explain how to create a label that contains a prompted field, a counter, and date/time fields.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label A dialog box with the Variable Wizard opens. Figure 28 • Creating new keyboard input variable field Note • Some of the entries in the image are only available in ZebraDesigner Pro. 3. Type Lot Number: to define the prompt that the user will see at print time. 4. Click the Finish button. The text object is placed on the label and linked to the new variable.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label Create Serialized Data Variable Fields (Counters) Now create a counter field on the label. The value of that variable field automatically increases by one on every label. Typically, the counter increases by 1 on each label. For example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. You can also define different incremental steps. 1. To display a list of available variable types, click the arrow in the button in the Toolbox. 2. Select New Counter from the list.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label 4. Leave everything as default so that the counter will always start from 1 and increase by one on each label. 5. Click the Finish button. The new variable is linked to the text object on the label. Note • The use of hardware counters in linked fields is only supported in EPL printers. Using hardware counters in any other printers will result in the counter being removed from the list of linked fields.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label Create Date and Time Variable Fields Content of the variable field can be filled automatically with the date or time stamp from the computer clock or printer clock (for supported printer models). 1. To display a list of available variable types, click the small arrow next to the button in the Toolbox. 2. From the list, select New Date Field. A dialog box with date properties opens.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label 4. Click Finish. To place a time field on the label: 5. To display a list of available variable types, click the small arrow next to the button in the Toolbox. 6. From the list, select New Time Field. 7. Click on the label where the counter should be placed. 8. Leave everything as default and the time will be used on the label using the format as defined in your Windows operating system.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label 9. Click Finish. The new variable is linked to the text object on the label. The date and time fields are updated when you preview or print the label. In this example, the values come from your computer’s system clock.
Designing Labels Designing a Basic Label Use Prefix or Suffix Options You can add a prefix and suffix to each variable field on the label. Both are added to the value when you preview and print the label. To add the suffix to the variable field on the label, do the following: 1. To display a list of available variable types, click the arrow in the button in the Toolbox. 2. From the list, select New Keyboard Input. A dialog box with variable properties will open. 3.
Designing Labels Designing an RFID Smart Label 6. Click Finish. 7. Click on the label where you want to position the Keyboard Input field. The text object is placed on the label and linked to the new variable. When you preview or print the label, the suffix kg will be appended to the entered value on the right side. Designing an RFID Smart Label Overview The concept of RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) can be simplified to that of an electronic bar code.
Designing Labels Designing an RFID Smart Label Create RFID Smart Label 1. Click on button in the Standard toolbar. Label Setup Wizard will start. 2. Select the printer that supports RFID smart label printing. 3. Click on the Finish button. You will see that RFID Tag command is enabled in the Toolbox on the left side of the label design environment. Figure 33 • RFID Tag is available for use 4. Click on the RFID Tag option in the Toolbox and define the data you want to encode into the RFID tag.
Designing Labels Designing an RFID Smart Label Encode RFID Tag The RFID tags embedded into the label are usually of two types: ISO tags, which encode blocks of data; or UHF tags, which can encode one string of data. 1. In the Toolbox to begin encoding the data, click on . The RFID tag dialog box opens. Figure 34 • Encoding contents for RFID Tag 2. Select the type of the RFID Tag you want to use from the list box on the top of the dialog box.
Designing Labels Designing an RFID Smart Label 6. Type in the value you want to encode into this block. Repeat the process for other blocks. 7. Click on the OK button. A schematic view of the RFID Tag antenna will open in the label background identifying the definition of the RFID data on the label. 8. You can continue designing the smart label with non-RFID data as described in the previous sections.
Designing Labels Designing an RFID Smart Label Support for RFID Tags With the labeling software you can program RFID tags of different manufacturers. It is important to use a ZebraDesigner printer driver. You cannot program RFID tags, if you do not use the ZebraDesigner Driver. ZebraDesigner Driver will let the labeling software know which types of RFID tags the printer supports. Not all tag types are always available. The kind of RFID tags that will be available depends on the selected printer model.
Designing Labels Designing an RFID Smart Label Data type: The data can be encoded as ASCII string or as HEX encoded string. Locked: If you set the block as locked, the data will be permanently encoded into the tag. You will not be able to erase this block to re-program it with some other value. Use this option with caution! RFID Tag Locking Tag locking is not available for all tag types, printers, and drivers. If the Locking Settings...
Designing Labels Designing an RFID Smart Label RFID Tag Data Read: This property is set to Yes, if you have the printer and/or the tag type that allows the extraction of the encoded data. You can extract all or part of the data encoded in the RFID tag and use it with the label objects. Tag Settings: This section provides more control for RFID programming. Antenna offset: To achieve better programming accuracy use this option to define the offset for the antenna in the printer.
Designing Labels Change Printer Settings Change Printer Settings Change Common Printer Settings When you start designing a label, tell ZebraDesigner Pro what printer to connect the label to. Each label file remembers the printer settings for the selected printer driver on the label. This example shows you how to change the printing speed and darkness. To change the printer settings, do the following: 1. From the File menu, select Printer Settings. The window with the printer settings opens. 2.
Designing Labels Change Printer Settings Change Dithering Options Dithering is a process of converting color or gray scale pictures to black and white pictures that can be printed on thermal printers. Thermal printers normally cannot print color images and can either print a dot on the label or not. There are no intermediate shades of gray.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Using Toolbars Use the Standard Toolbar Click on the buttons in the standard toolbar to execute the following actions: Create new label Open existing label Save currently opened label Cut the selected objects to clipboard Copy the selected objects to clipboard Paste the objects from the clipboard Undo last action Redo last action Access to the print functionality. Click on the small arrow in the toolbar for more commands Access to the zoom functionality.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Use the Toolbox To use the Toolbox, do the following: 1. Click on the icon in the Toolbox to select the object. 2. Move the mouse over the label. Notice how the cursor has changed. 3. To place the selected object, click on the label where you want to place the object. Some objects have additional shortcuts on the right side of the icon.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars 4. To change the size of the text, click on the list with font sizes and select the appropriate size. You can also click on the and buttons that will increase/decrease the size of the font to the next size. Note • You can also change the fonts size directly on the label by resizing the text element with a mouse. 5. To format the text bold, italic, or underline, click on the appropriate formatting buttons.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Working with Objects Defining Objects Define the Text Object To place the text object on the label, do the following: 1. In the Toolbox, click the Text button. 2. Click the position on the label where you want to place the object. The Text Wizard dialog box opens. 3. Define the contents for the text object. 4. To advance to the next step of the wizard, click the Next button. 5. Follow the onscreen instructions in the next steps. 6. Click the Finish button.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Define the Picture Object To place the picture object on the label, do the following: 1. From the Toolbox, click on the Picture object. 2. Click on the label where you want to place the picture. The Graphics Wizard dialog box opens. 3. Browse for the picture on the hard disk, then click the Open button. Note • To edit the object later, select it, and then double-click it. The wizard or dialog box with properties appears.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Define the Ellipse Object To place the ellipse object on the label, do the following: 1. In the Toolbox, click the button. 2. Click the position on the label where you want the upper-left position of the object to be set. 3. Drag to the bottom-right direction until the object size is correct. 4. The other method of positioning the object on the label is selecting the Ellipse tool and then clicking the label.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Using Text Wizard Text Wizard Figure 37 • First screen of Text Wizard The Text Wizard guides you to define all parameters for the text object. Fixed text: Select this option if you would like to have a fixed non-changeable content of the object. If you select this option, you can enter the text directly in this dialog box. Variable text: Select this option if you would like to have variable content in the object. Defining the content is defined in the next step.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Text Wizard - Choosing Variable Text Figure 38 • Text Wizard - Choosing variable text Note • The Database, Visual Basic expression, Linked Fields, and RFID tag contents field types are only available in ZebraDesigner Pro. Select the type of the variable field you want to use. The next page of the wizard depends on your selection here.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Text Wizard - Keyboard Input Use this variable type when you want the operator to enter a value of the variable from the keyboard before printing the specified number of labels. Figure 39 • Dialog box for Text Wizard when Keyboard input option is chosen Prompt text for this variable field: Fill in the message that will be shown to the user when he enters the values for the variable field.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Text Wizard - Counter On this page of the wizard, you define the counter variable. Figure 40 • Dialog box for Text Wizard when Counter option is chosen Starting Value: Set the starting value for the counter. The counter will increment or decrement from the starting value. Available counters: When adding a text object, the user is prompted to define whether this will be a fixed or variable value object.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Text Wizard - Counter Continuation Step: Define the step for your counter. The counter will increase by this number on every label. Change value every labels: Define the number of label when the counter will change value. Rollover when reached: Enter the value, which when reached, will cause the counter to reset the value to the starting value. Use the printer’s internal counter: Enable this option to use the internal counter built into the printer.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Text Wizard - Date Field Define the properties of the date field. The field will get the value from the computer clock. Figure 41 • Dialog box for Text Wizard when Date field option is chosen Format: Select the format for your date from the list. You can also enter a custom format. Date offset: You can add a certain number of days, months, or years to a current date and print that date instead of the current one.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Text Wizard - Time Field Define the properties of the time field. The variable field will get the value from the computer’s clock. Figure 42 • Dialog box for Text Wizard when Time field option is chosen Format: Select the format for the time from the list. You can also enter a custom format. Time Offset: The time offset settings allow the time field to be offset from the system clock. Enter the duration for which you wish to increase or decrease the time on the label.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Text Wizard - Database Variable field linked to a database gets the value from the specified database field. Figure 43 • Database Properties dialog Define: Click this button to open the database wizard that will help you define the link to the database. Field: Choose one of the available database fields as a source for the variable field. Length: Define the maximum length of the string in the variable.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Text Wizard - Linked Field Select this type of field to merge the contents of selected variable fields into one field. The selected input variable fields are combined values and used as the value for the current object. Note • Concatenated linked fields used with EPL-based printers can only be used with the Export to Printer function. Figure 44 • Linked Element dialog Available objects: The drop down menu contains the list of all defined variable fields on the label.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Text Wizard - RFID tag Unique ID Printers with RFID functionality can program RFID tags embedded in the labels. Each RFID tag has a unique ID number that was programmed into the tag during the manufacturing process. The Unique number cannot be altered, but the RFID-enabled printer can read it. RFID tag Unique ID functionality allows you to read the unique ID number from the RFID tag and use the content with the selected bar code object.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Text Wizard - Visual Basic Expression Select this type of field to manipulate your variable fields with the Visual Basic function. The result of the expression will be used with the current object on the label. You can define one-line expressions that must follow Visual Basic programming syntax. Look at the samples in the dialog box for ideas of what can be done with the Visual Basic script. Figure 46 • VB Expression dialog Expression: Enter the Visual Basic expression.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Text Wizard - Prefix and Suffix The variable element can have prefix and suffix values. The prefix text is placed in front of the variables value. The suffix text is placed at the end of the variables value. Figure 47 • Setting Prefix and Suffix string for the variable text element Note • If you leave the edit fields empty, the prefix/suffix will not be used. Prefix and suffix can be used in situations where they are required only if the variable has a value set.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Using Bar Code Wizard Bar Code Wizard Figure 48 • First page of Bar Code Wizard The Bar Code Wizard guides you to define all parameters for the text object. Fixed bar code data: If you would like to have fixed non-changeable content for the text object, select this option. If you select this option, you can enter the text directly in this dialog box. Variable bar code data: If you would like to have variable content for the text object, select this option.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Not printable: If the object is marked as not printable, it is visible on the label during the label design, but is not printed. Bar Code Type: Click on the Define button to select the bar code type you want to use on the label. Bar Code Wizard - Choosing Variable Bar Code Select the type of variable field you want to use. The next page of the wizard depends on your selection.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Bar Code Wizard - Keyboard Input Use this variable type when you want the operator to enter a value for the variable from the keyboard before printing the specified numbers of labels. Prompt text for this variable field: Fill in the message that will be shown to the user when they enter the value for the variable field. Value is required: User is require to enter a value for this field, if checked.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Bar Code Wizard - Counter On this page of the wizard, you define the counter variable. Starting Value: Set the starting value for the counter. The counter will increment or decrement from the starting value. Note • You can enter only digits for the starting value. Prompt for value before print: Click this option to enable entering the starting value of the counter when you start printing labels. Enter the text that will be shown to the user before printing.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Bar Code Wizard - Counter Continuation Step: Define the step for your counter. The counter will increase by this number on every label. Change value every labels: Define the number of labels, when the counter will change the value. Rollover when reached: Enter the value, when reached, will cause the counter to reset the value to the starting value. Preview: Shows the first 10 values of the serial number.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Bar Code Wizard - Date Field Define the properties of the date field. The variable field will get the value from the computer’s clock. Format: Select the format for your date from the list. You can also enter a custom format. Date offset: You can add a certain numbers of days, months, or years to a current date and print that date instead of the current one. Preview: The printer will print the date as shown in the Preview field.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Bar Code Wizard - Time Field Define the properties of the time field. The variable field will get its value from the computer clock. Format: Select the format for your date from the list. You can also enter a custom format. Time offset: You can add a certain numbers of hours, minutes, seconds to a current time and print that time instead of the current one. Preview: The printer will print the time as shown in the Preview field.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Bar Code Wizard - Database Variable field linked to a database gets the value from the specified database field. Define: Click this button to open the database wizard that will help you define the link to the database. Field: Choose one of the available database fields as a source for the variable field. Length: Define the maximum length of the string in the variable. If the field in the database contains more characters, they will not be printed.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Bar Code Wizard - Linked Field Select this type of field to merge the contents of the selected variable fields into one field. The selected input variable fields are combined values and used as the value for the current object. Note • Concatenated linked fields used with EPL-based printers can only be used with the Export to Printer function. Available objects: The combo box contains the list of all defined variable fields on the label.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Bar Code Wizard - RFID tag Unique ID Note • This feature is only available with ZebraDesigner Pro. Printers with RFID functionality can program RFID tags embedded in the labels. Each RFID tag has a unique ID number that was programmed into the tag during the manufacturing process. The Unique number cannot be altered, but the RFID-enabled printer can read it.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Bar Code Wizard - Visual Basic Expression Select this type of field to manipulate your variable fields with the Visual Basic functions. The result of the expression will be used with the current object on the label. You can define one-line expression that must follow Visual Basic programming syntax. Look at the samples in the dialog box for ideas of what can be done with the Visual Basic script. Expression: Enter the Visual Basic expression.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Bar Code Wizard - Prefix and Suffix The variable element can have prefix and suffix values. The prefix text is placed in front of the variable’s value. The suffix text is placed at the end of the variable’s value. Note • If you leave the edit fields empty, the prefix/suffix will not be used. Prefix and suffix can be used in situations where they are required only if the variable has a set value. If the variable is empty, the prefix/suffix will not be printed as well.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Step 1: Choose the application identifier Figure 49 • GS1-128 Wizard: Choosing application identifier The dialog in the first step of the Wizard allows you to select the GS1-128 bar code data structure. Each bar code is composed of one or more Application Identifiers and the corresponding data. Choose one of the Application Identifiers in this list. You can add, edit, or delete Application Identifiers from the bar code later in the process.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Figure 50 • GS1-128 Wizard: How check digit should be applied If you have selected an Application Identifier with data that includes a check digit (for example, AI (01) - GTIN, Global Trade Item Number), then first you have to select how the check digit will be applied. The possible options are: 11/29/2011 • Automatic calculation: Check digit will be calculated by the application. • Check digit to be entered with data: Manually enter the data and check digit.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Step 2: Application Identifier Input Type Figure 51 • GS1-128 Wizard: Where the data for AI is obtained from When the Application Identifier is selected, the data source must be defined. These are the possible options: • Fixed: The application identifier will have a fixed value on every label. • New variable: The application identifier will be linked to the variable and have variable value on each label. You will define a new variable.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Step 3: Enter the value for the Application Identifier (AI) Entering fixed value for the application identifier. Figure 52 • Entering fixed value for the application identifier If you selected a fixed value in the previous dialog box, you should enter a value for the Application Identifier here. The Wizard will let you know about the required data format for this AI and how long the AI value should be.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Figure 53 • Creating new variable for the application identifier If you selected new variable values in the previous dialog box, a new variable field will be created. You will have to provide some information about the variable being used. Calculate the Check Digit To select how the check digit will be calculated, do the following: 1. Enter the check digit with the data and the software will validate it. 2. The software can calculate the check digit.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Step 4: List of selected application identifiers Figure 54 • Listing the selected application identifiers This is the last step of the GS1-128 Wizard. Here you can add, edit, or delete Application Identifiers and define a separator. Application Identifiers selected: In this field all selected application identifiers for the bar code are listed in the order of creation. You can change the order with the arrow buttons.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Selecting Bar Code Type Settings for Advanced Bar Codes GS1-128 Bar Code This bar code is combined from one or more input values and standard AI’s - Application Identifiers. Each AI must be followed by the standard values. These values can be fixed or variable. When you select the GS1-128 bar code, the Bar code data field in the Bar code Wizard dialog box is disabled. To define the contents of the bar code, click the Next button.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars PDF 417 2D Code General tab X expansion factor This option defines the X expansion of the bar code symbol. Y expansion factor This option defines the height of the bar code symbol. Security tab According to the standard, you can select among 9 levels of security. Higher security levels allow more reliable reading regardless of errors, but the bar code symbol is bigger.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Details tab ECC Type Error Correction Codes define the security level. You can select one from the standard levels in the pull-down menu. Format ID This option defines which character set will be used in the bar code. You can select one of the formats with the following filter. 01 and 11 0..9, space 02 and 12 A..Z, space 03 and 13 A..Z, 0..9, space 04 and 14 A..Z, 0..9, space,.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Edit Bar Code Dialog Box This dialog box is displayed when you click the Define button on the bar code dialog box. On this dialog box you specify the type of bar code you want to use on the label and all additional advanced settings: how the bar code should be generated, if the check digit should be automatically calculated or not, and various other options.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Ratio: This is the ratio between narrowest and widest bar in the bar code. It is locked for the majority of bar codes, but it can be changed for some. Base object width: Shows the width of the narrowest bar in the bar code. Print bar code as graphics: Select if bar code should be converted to a picture and sent to the printer as image or should the printer print bar code as an internal element.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars You can choose whether you want to input the check digit value, or let the program calculate it for you: Auto-generate check digit: Check digit is calculated by the software. You enter the bar code data only. For example: when using EAN-13 bar code, you enter the first 12 digits; check digit in the 13th place will be calculated and added automatically. Verify the provided check digit: Use this command when you want to enter the value for the check-digit.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Contents mask sets the custom format of the human interpretation.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Details Tab On this tab, you can define advanced settings for the bar code. Note • Not all of these options are available for all bar codes and printers. Include quiet zones: Check this field if you want the bar code to have some white space in the front and in the end for increased readability. Descender bars: Some bars of a bar code will be longer than others.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Supported Bar Code Types Bar Code Group Bar Code Types EAN and UPC EAN-8, EAN-8 + 2-digit supplement, EAN-8 + 5-digit supplement, EAN-13, EAN-13 + 2-digit supplement, EAN-13 + 5-digit supplement, EAN-14, DUN-14, UPC Case Code, UPC-A, UPC-A + 2-digit supplement, UPC-A + 5-digit supplement, UPC-E, UPC-E + 2-digit supplement, UPC-E + 5-digit supplement, UPC-E(1), GS1-128, SSCC, Bookland, Addon 2, Addon 5 Linear Interleaved 2 of 5, ITF 14, ITF 16, Code 39, Code 39 Tri
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Edit Objects To edit the properties of the object, do the following: 1. Double-click the object on the label. The dialog box with object properties opens. Note • You can also press the Enter key while the object is selected. 2. Make modifications to the object properties. 3. Click the Finish button. Move Objects To move the object on the label, do the following: 1. Select the object. 2. Click on the object with the left mouse button. 3. Hold the mouse key down. 4.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Aligning Objects First you have to select objects that you want to align. Note • All objects are aligned relative to the first selected object. Then click appropriate buttons in the Design toolbar to align selected objects to each other. If Align toolbar is not visible (by default it is located on the very right side of the window), enable the Design toolbar in the Toolbar option in the View menu.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Rotate Objects To rotate the object, do the following: 1. Select the object. 2. In the Design Toolbar, click the button. The object will be rotated 90° clockwise. Note • If the Design toolbar is not visible in the application, enable the toolbar in the Toolbars section in the View menu.
Designing Labels Using Toolbars Grouping Objects You can work with individual objects on the label, or you can group the objects into a group of objects. When you group two or more objects into a group, the objects behave as one single object on the label. In some cases the grouping feature will make the label design easier. To group objects on the label, do the following: 1. Select two or more objects on the label. 2. Select Group from the Design Toolbar.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Working with Variable Data Dynamic Data Overview You may want to print labels on which the data changes for each label, for example, counter, serial numbers, date, and time. To accommodate changing data, ZebraDesigner Pro can be used to format labels using the variable fields. Variable fields can be used with text and graphic objects. There are several types of variables you can choose.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Before you can use the data from the database, you have to link the database on the label. During this process, the database fields get connected to the variable fields on the label. When you start printing labels, every variable field will automatically get the value from the linked database field. Each record in the database is used on a single label. Note • Database functionality is only available in ZebraDesigner Pro.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Select the Database File Figure 59 • Database wizard – Selecting database file Enter the full path name of the database file in the edit box or use the Browse button to find the file on your computer. Note • You can only browse to the databases that are stored in the files. If you use databases through ODBC or OLE DB drivers, you will have to set up the connection parameters in the ODBC Data Sources administration in the Control Panel.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Select the Desired Fields Figure 60 • Database wizard – Selecting fields On this page, you can select the fields you want to use on the label. All fields in a table are selected by default, but you will probably want to deselect some of them, especially if you have a large table. Variables will be created for each selected field and can later be attached to objects.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Select the Records to Print Figure 61 • Database Wizard – Selecting which records will be printed Select the desired option for how you want to use the records in the database. By default, the option I want to print all records from the table is set and all records in a table will be printed one at a time. Each record will be printed only once. If you do not want to print the entire database, you can select which records should be printed.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Select Variable Quantity from the Database Field Select a field in the database that contains the label quantity information. The database record will be printed on as many consecutive labels as the selected field contains. Note • Make sure to select the field that has been formatted with the numeric data.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Connect to a Database ZebraDesigner Pro offers a Database Wizard that guides you through the necessary steps to connect the database to a label. To connect your label to a database using the Database Wizard, do the following: 1. In the Standard Toolbar, click the button. 2. Click the Browse button and point to the text database SAMPLE.TXT in the Samples folder. Figure 63 • Selecting the text database 3. Click the Next button.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Format the Data with the Text File Wizard Because text files do not contain structural information like real databases do, you must define the fields and their data structure. When you use the same text database again, you won’t have to define the structure again. 1. Choose the data type for the selected text database. The fields are delimited by comma so you must select the Delimited option. Figure 64 • Defining the type of the text database 2.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data 3. Review if ZebraDesigner Pro has properly auto-determined the format of the text file. The delimiter must be set to Comma. Figure 65 • Defining the fields in the text database 4. Click the Next button. 5. Accept the default field names and click the Next button. 6. Review the text database structure. The field names and their maximum lengths are displayed. 7. To close the Text File Wizard, click the Finish button.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data 2. Specify what records and how many you want to print: Select the options I want to select which record to print and I will enter label quantity for each selected record. Before printing labels, the table with the records will open, and you will be able to select the records you want to print and the quantity of labels for each record. Figure 67 • Specifying what records from the database will be printed and in what quantity 3. Click the Next button. 4.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data 6. Select I want a text object for each selected field and click the Finish button. Figure 68 • Each field from the database will be linked to a text object The label will show several text objects. Every field from the database is linked with the text object on the label.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Use Print Preview to Select Data and View a Label Now you will simulate label printing using print preview. 1. In the Standard Toolbar, click on the button. 2. The Print dialog box opens with the Quantity of labels set to Variable quantity (entered for each database record).
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data 4. Select the records from the database you want to print and enter the number of labels you want to print for each selected record. Figure 70 • Record selection dialog box 5. Click the OK button. You will return to the Print dialog box. 6. Click the Preview button. Now you can preview the labels on the screen. Note that the text objects on the label change for each new record. 7.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Print a Label When you are certain that the label design is correct and the label preview shows the correct values from the database, you can start sending the labels to the printer. To print a label, do the following: 1. In the Standard Toolbar, click the button. The Print dialog box will open (same as the print preview dialog box). 2. Click the Select Records button and select the records you want to print and specify the label quantity for each record.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Using Text File Wizard Text File Wizard When the input database file is a plain ASCII text file or formatted CSV (Comma Separated Values), Text File Wizard will be started within Database Wizard and it will guide you through the steps of text data acquire. The main difference between a real database and a text file is in their data structure information.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Choose Fixed if you know that your data fields always occupy the same number of characters. Start import at row option is useful when you do not want to import some rows at the top of the file. You may want to use this option when the text file contains a header on top of actual data fields. Set the Fields Figure 73 • Database Wizard –Setting separator and delimiter In the second step of the Text File Wizard, you have to set the fields in the text file.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Format the Fields Figure 74 • Database Wizard –Formatting the fields In this step of the Wizard, you can review the field names and lengths. If necessary, you can modify them. You may use more recognizable field names so you can distinguish between them more easily. When you are finished with Text File Wizard, the structure information of the used text file is stored to a separate file with an extension of .SCH (Scheme File).
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Work with Visual Basic Expressions Visual Basic expressions allows you to manipulate the data values on the label. Input to Visual Basic can be fixed values or variable fields from the label. The output is always a data value that is used as content for the current object. The expression is a one-line Visual Basic script. You can use up to 100 characters for your expression. Note • The multi-line commands like "if..then..else..
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Using Expression Editor The labeling software has a simple text built-in editor. You can use it to design your own simple Visual Basic scripts. The Expression editor is a programming text editor with constant access to command reference of the script language you are currently using. The Expression editor lets you edit your scripts and expressions with ease. The Load and Save buttons allow you to import / export Visual Basic scripts from / to external text files.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Using Printer Real Time Clock (RTC) When the printer selected on the label has a built-in Real Time Clock (RTC), you can use the time or date fields from the Real Time Clock with text objects on the label. The available time and date formats are defined in the printer driver. To use the time field from the printer RTC on the label, do the following: 1. In the Toolbox, click the Text button. 2.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Available Date Formats The date fields can be printed in various formats. In this field, you define how the date will look. You can select some of the predefined date formats or enter you own. When defining the formats, the following notation is used: D Number of the day in a month. Can occupy one or two characters. DD Number of the day in a month. Always occupies two characters (leading zeros will be added as necessary). M M is number of the month.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Available Time Formats The time can be printed in various formats. In this field, you define how the time will look. You can select some of the predefined time formats or enter you own. When defining the formats, the following notation is used: h Hours in 12-hour format (AM/PM will be added if they follow the time). Can occupy one or two characters. hh Hours in 12-hour format (AM/PM will be added if they follow the time). Always occupies two characters.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Using Contents Mask The contents mask is very useful when you must display the input data differently on the label. With contents mask, you can reformat the data to suit your needs. Contents Mask is available in the Human Readable tab in bar code properties. The mask character will be replaced by the actual data and any other used character will be used as-is.
Designing Labels Working with Variable Data Notes • ___________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________
5 Printing and Previewing Labels Contents Preview Pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Preview and Print a Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Optimize the Printing Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Printing and Previewing Labels Preview Pictures Preview Pictures When you place a picture on the label, in design mode it is always shown in color-depth as defined in the picture. However, when previewing the labels on-screen, the preview of the pictures depends on the dithering option set in the printer driver. All color pictures (except WMF and EMF files) are converted to monochrome images. The illusion of colors and shades of grey is accomplished by varying the pattern of dots.
Printing and Previewing Labels Optimize the Printing Speed Optimize the Printing Speed There are many factors that affect the printing speed. By following the guidelines below you can dramatically increase the speed of printing: • If your printer supports parallel and serial ports, use the parallel port. Your computer can send data to the printer over a parallel port much faster than over serial port. • Use the printer’s internal fonts instead of Windows’ true-type fonts.
Printing and Previewing Labels Optimize the Printing Speed Notes • ___________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
A Technical Support Contents Online Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Technical Support Online Support Online Support You can find the latest builds, updates, workarounds for problems and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) under the Support section on the Zebra Web site. If you cannot solve the problem on your own, please contact your local vendor or representative offices listed in the topic Contact Information.
Technical Support Contact Information Contact Information Technical Support via the Internet is available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Web Site: www.zebra.com Self Service Knowledge Base: www.zebra.com/knowledgebase Online Case Registration: www.zebra.
Technical Support Contact Information Notes • ___________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ ________________
B Glossary of Terms Auto translation Bar code interpretation in human readable characters. Darkness The print-head temperature defines the print darkness. The higher is the temperature, the darker is the printout. (thermal printers only) Descender bars Longer first and last bar in the EAN 13 bar codes. Quiet zone The empty place before and after the bar code symbol. This is necessary for the bar code reader to properly read the bar code.
Glossary of Terms Notes • ___________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________
Index Numerics 12-hour time format 144 24-hour time format 144 2D-Pharmacode 118 32-bit Windows 8, 12 64-bit Windows 12 8-bit 111 A A.
Index Backspace key 25 Bar Define button 113 Bar Code 31, 140 selecting 31 Bar Code button 77 Bar Code group two-dimensional 118 Bar Code Object 77 Defining 77 Bar Code Wizard 92 Bitmap 121 BMP 54 Bitmap Windows 75 BMP 121 Bookland 118 Border Size 112 Browse button 125, 129 use 125 Build Expression 90, 102 C Calculating 108 Check Digit 108 Cancel button 113 clicking 113 Captions 33 Cascade 35 Category Working Window 141 CC-A/B 118 CC-C 118 CD 12 CD-ROM 12 Change 72, 73 Dithering Type 73 Speed 72 Chan
Index Create 27, 46 New Label 46 Create Database Connection 33 Create Date 61 Create Keyboard Entry Variable Fields 57 Create New 27 Create Serialized Data Variable Fields 59 CSV 137 Ctrl 17, 18, 24, 26, 118, 141 Holding 17, 18, 118 pressing 26 CTRL key 14, 17, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 40, 120 hold 24 holding 17 use 17 CUR 121 Customize button 14, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 40 Cut 26 D D/M/YYYY 143 Darkness 72 Data 130 Format 130 Data Matrix 112 Data Type 137 Choosing 137 Data View 28 Database Field 128 Database File
Index DUN-14 118 E EAN 114, 117, 118 EAN 13 bar 155 EAN bar 117 EAN.UCC 128 118 EAN.UCC 128 bar 104, 110 select 104, 110 structure 103 EAN.UCC 128 Bar Code 110 EAN.
Index Grid 29, 55 Snap 29, 55 Group 13, 118 ZebraDesigner Pro 13 Grouping objects 122 GS1-128 118 GTIN 105 Guidelines Object Positioning 52 H h 144 Halftoning 73 Hh 144 hh 144 Hold 17, 18, 24, 118 Alt 17 Ctrl 17, 18, 118 CTRL key 14, 17, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 40, 120 Shift 17, 18 Human 115 Human Readable 145 Human Readable Tab 115 I ICB 121 ICO 121 Identifier Input Type 106 Identifiers 109 If.then.
Index Leave 46, 48 Page Size 47 Wizard 46 LEFT 140 LEISURE.
Index Open 19, 25, 72, 73, 90, 102, 140 choosing 25 Dithering 73 Expression Builder 90, 102 Microsoft 90, 102, 140 Options 72 Visual Basic 140 Open button 19, 54, 78 clicking 19 Open dialog 54, 78 Open ZebraDesigner Pro 46 Optimize 149 Printing Speed 149 Options 72 Open 72 OR 14, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 40 Overview 45, 57, 128 P Package 8 Contents 8 Page Dimensions 47 Page Size 42, 47 Defining 42 Leave 48 Part>| 92 Paste 26, 27 activate 26 Paste Link 14, 26, 27, 28, 40 Paste Special 14, 26, 40 Paste-link 27 c
Index R S RAM 12 MB 12 Real Time Clock 86, 88, 142 merging 142 surrounding 142 Recent Windows 12 Recently Used Files 25 Record Selection 14, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 40 Record Selection dialog 23, 135 Rectangle 31, 32 selecting 32 Rectangle button 78 Rectangle Object 78 Defining 78 Rectangle tool 78 selecting 78 Redo 25 Refer 140 Microsoft 140 Related Topics button 57 Replace 141 Resizing 120 Objects 120 OLE 27 Result 26 Return 135 Print dialog 135 RFID 89, 101 tag locking 70 tag settings 70 tag support
Index Set 91, 131, 134, 138 Comma 130 Fields 138 Prefix 91 Variable 134 Settings/All Users/Application Data/Zebra/ ZebraDesigner Pro 36 SETUP.
Index Unselect 23 UPC 118 UPC bar 114, 117 UPC Case Code 118 UPC-A 118 UPC-E 118 Use 14, 17, 20, 102, 125, 142, 149 Browse button 125 Ctrl key 17 DEMO 14 Font Downloader 149 Label 20 Visual Basic 102 Use Alignment Tools 55 Use Drawing Tools 56 Use Prefix 64 Use Print Preview 134 Select Data 134 Use Space key 14, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 40 User Guide 9 Using 17 Keyboard 17 Using Contents Mask 145 Using Data 124 Using Database Wizard 124 Using Design Toolbar 76 Using Expression Editor 141 Using Label Setup
Index Z Zebra Technologies Corporation 153 Zebra Web site 152 ZebraDesigner 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 42, 46 install 13 ZebraDesigner CD 8 ZebraDesigner Edition 12 ZebraDesigner Pro 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 33, 42, 54, 57, 11/29/2011 72, 123, 128, 129, 131, 134, 148 Activating 14 group 13 installing 12 ZebraDesigner Pro CD 12 ZebraDesigner Pro DEMO 14 ZebraDesigner Pro User Guide 9 ZebraDesigner window 30 Zoom 28, 29 Zoom dialog 29 Zoom In 18, 28 Zoom Out 18, 29 13857L-003 167
Index 13857L-003 11/29/2011
Zebra Technologies Corporation Zebra Technologies Corporation 475 Half Day Road, Suite 500 Lincolnshire, IL 60069 USA T: +1 847 634 6700 Toll-free +1 866 230 9494 F: +1 847 913 8766 Zebra Technologies Europe Limited Dukes Meadow Millboard Road Bourne End Buckinghamshire, SL8 5XF, UK T: +44 (0)1628 556000 F: +44 (0)1628 556001 Zebra Technologies Asia Pacific, LLC 120 Robinson Road #06-01 Parakou Building Singapore 068913 T: +65 6858 0722 F: +65 6885 0838 http://www.zebra.com © 2011 ZIH Corp. 13857L-003 Rev.
