Labels and printers
Ask your label supplier for samples so you can test which labels work best for the conditions in cold rooms, tissue culture chambers, screen houses and field.
Selecting the right labels
Label size
Selecting the right label size makes a big difference. Use labels that provide enough space to print text in large font size (for better legibility) and big barcodes that are easily scanned from distance.
Printing method
Direct thermal
You see this type of printing every day: the receipt from the supermarket uses direct thermal printing. Heat is applied to the label, resulting in readable text and graphics. Sunlight and other sources of heat affect the label, eventually making it not readable.
Labels have short durability due to the nature of direct thermal technology.
Direct thermal labels best suited for distribution, viability and seed health testing.
Thermal transfer
Thermal transfer labels are best suited for labeling containers in long-term storage and for use in the field where they will be exposed to heat and rain.
These labels are much more more durable, but more expensive. Both label stock and resin are required for thermal transfer printing.
A good combination of label and resin is required. Ensure that the print doesn't smear!
Glue
Labels need to stick well to the surface of the container and the glue should tolerate the conditions where the label will be used. Heat, humidity and temperature are also important factors to consider.
Any printer compatible with ZPL will work with GGCE.
Desktop and mobile printers
Desktop printers commonly support both direct thermal and thermal transfer printing, while mobile printers generally support only direct thermal printing.
Connectivity
LAN/WLAN
Most label printers can be connected directly to LAN with an Ethernet cable. Newer models can also connect to WLAN. In both cases, the printer will be accessible to all devices on the same network.
Configure your DHCP server to assign your printer a fixed domain name and perhaps a static IP address.
Bluetooth
The current generation of mobile and some desktop printers support Bluetooth 4.0+ (BTLE). Older generations generally support Bluetooth Classic. Both protocols are supported by the Label Printer app.
Wired (USB)
If your printer cannot be connected directly to LAN you can connect it to a desktop computer with a USB (or even RS232) cable. Register the printer with your computer and use the printer driver provided by the manufacturer.