| Barcode Labels are tags which have encoded data | | | | computer. The information on the tags may include |
| stored in them. Their purpose is to identify and list | | | | sizes, data fields and colors depending on the |
| inventory items of a large business that has a vast | | | | requirements of the order being placed. After the |
| number of goods in stock. The tags can be | | | | creation of the tags, a specialized paper with an |
| distinguished by the kind of base materials, known as | | | | adhesive backing is used to print them out. |
| stock, which is used to print them on. Currently, labels | | | | Special standalone printers have been specially |
| are available on the market in a number of adhesive | | | | designed to print the tags, and laser printers are also |
| backings. It is possible to order tags in different | | | | employed and they give good quality output. After the |
| customized sizes and shapes. | | | | tagging of the inventory items is completed, the tags |
| These tags are made of vinyl, paper, plastic or metal | | | | are them added to the index of the company's |
| and are attached to an item's surface by means of | | | | database. Special scanners must be used to decode |
| their adhesive under surface. Two methods are used | | | | the tags. These scanners are small devices and they |
| for numerical data encoding on the tags. The first | | | | decode the tags to retrieve both data and numerical |
| technique is the line bars. A number of vertical lines of | | | | information. |
| different thicknesses can be used to encode data with | | | | Both fixed and hand held scanners are used. |
| the use of a specific barcode program. The | | | | Businesses which have the needed expertise and |
| information is encoded by varying the number, the | | | | equipment are able to design barcode labels in house. |
| spaces between and the thickness of the vertical lines. | | | | This would be the ideal approach for businesses with |
| The second technique used is the 2-dimensional | | | | a vast number of inventory items. It is also possible for |
| patterning of dots of different thicknesses placed on a | | | | a company to customize their tag designs to meet |
| square or rectangular frame. | | | | their specific needs. Businesses temporarily in |
| The human eye is not able to decode the numbers | | | | operation and smaller businesses are able to buy |
| coded by these two techniques. These barcode labels | | | | preprinted tags from the marketplace. These are |
| are constructed with special software using a | | | | usually available in groups of hundreds. |