Label Printing

Overview

For label printing, we use NiceLabel.

NiceLabel is a software suite for designing and printing labels, commonly used for barcode, RFID tags, and automated label printing.

Read the full NiceLabel user guide

Printing Workflow

Before proceeding, let’s review the printing workflow in our system.

1. We select a bundle or individual piece to print from the bundle page and send the print command.
2. The backend receives the request and inserts the scan or piece group:
   • Bundle print: Insert a single scan group and create one entry for each piece in that bundle in PieceGroup using the same ScanGroupID.
   • Piece print: Insert an individual scan group for each piece and create a single entry for that piece in PieceGroup with its ScanGroupID.
3. After insertion, all data is sent via HTTP request to the NiceLabel server, which handles the printing.

Deployment

For deployment at a new client, get the necessary setup, label, and automation files from the shared drive.

We will use these files to set up the NiceLabel server and configure it to work with our system.

The shared folder should contain:

1. NiceLabel setup file

2. Generic TSC printer driver setup

3. Label and Automation template files

Follow the steps below for deployment:

Printer Setup

1. Go to the search bar and search for “Printers & Scanners”, then open it.

2. If the printer is already visible in the list, it means the drivers are already installed. If so, you can skip the next steps and move to the next section.

3. If the printer is not visible, download the printer driver (from Google or the shared drive for TSC printers).

4. Connect the printer to the computer before installing the driver.

5. Run the driver setup and follow the instructions to install the printer.

6. After installation, go back to “Printers & scanners” settings and check. The printer should be visible now.

NiceLabel Server Setup

1. Run the NiceLabel setup file from the shared drive and follow the installation instructions.

2. Open the Nicelabel Designer Software. It will ask you to activate software or apply for free trial.

3. Click on “Activate”. A window will open with fields such as name and email.

4. Select “Offline activation” at the bottom of the first screen.

5. After this license key field will be visible. Enter the license key and click the “Activate” button.

6. Now the Nicelabel software should be activated and you can start using it to design labels and set up automation.

Files Setup

Design Files Setup

1. Copy the entire “NiceLabel” folder from the shared drive to “My Documents”.

2. If the folder already exists, check if the sub folders (Labels, solution) are empty. If the sub-folder are empty, you can safely replace it with our new one. If not, copy the files from the shared drive and paste them in the existing folders

3. Next go to this copied folder, then in Labels folder, there should be two label files. One is for bundle printing and other is for piece printing.

4. Open both files.

5. If you are asked to select the printer, select the desired printer.

6. If it does not ask you to select a printer in first step, right-click the opened label screen. Go to document properties and the desired printer at the top.

7. Save both files after selecting the printer.

Automation Files Setup

1. In the “Solution” folder inside “NiceLabel”, there are two automation files: one for bundle printing and one for piece printing.

2. Open both files one by one. Click on configuration from the top most menu and then click on “Deploy Configuration” below it.

3. This will open that job in “NiceLabel Manager”.

4. Click on the Start button in the top right of the opened window.

5. Print form the SooperWizer Portal and verify that the labels are printing correctly.

Note

After all of the above steps, the system should be ready for label printing.

We can only print from the PC where we have set up the NiceLabel server.

To allow printing from other devices on the network, a static IP is required for the host device.

Additional Configuration (Optional)

The settings below may vary depending on the printer model.

Please refer to the printer manual for model-specific instructions.

We primarily use the TSC TE200 printer, so it is used as the reference here. Other printers typically have similar configuration options.

Before continuing, remember that all our design labels are isolated from the printer setting. Any change in printer setting will not effect our label printing. This allows the printing to continue working correctly even if the printer is changed.

Increase Printer Speed and Darkness

1. Open the label design file.
2. Right-click on the label design area and select Document Properties.
3. Click on the Printer Settings button.
4. In the new window, go to the Stocks tab.
5. Adjust the printer speed and darkness as needed.
6. Increasing the speed may reduce print quality, so adjust the darkness accordingly.

Print Multiple Labels in a Single Row

1. Open the label design file.
2. Right-click on the label design area and select Document Properties.
3. In the window, find the Label Count option.
4. Increase the Horizontal Label Count to the number of labels you want to print in one row.

Troubleshooting

Printer is not printing labels

1. Ensure the jobs are running in the NiceLabel Manager software. If not, start the jobs and try printing again.
2. Check whether a red light is blinking on the printer or if any error message is displayed on the printer screen.
3. If red light blinking then ensure height and width in the label file are correct and match the label stock in the printer.

Prints Are Misaligned or Outside the Label

1. Check that the width and height of the label in the label file are correct and match the label stock in the printer.
2. Calibrate the printer. Every printer have its own calibration process, you can check the printer manual for instructions or find resources on youtube.
   1. For TSC TE200 printer turn the printer off.
   2. Press and hold the feed button and turn the printer on while holding the feed button.
   3. Keep holding the feed button until the light starts blinking red, then release the feed button.
   4. The printer will feed some labels and then stop. Now try printing again.

Printer showing Paper Jam Error or Red Light Blinking:

1. Verify that the label dimensions in the label file match the label stock in the printer.
2. Check that the label reel in the printer is no moving while printing the labels. IAdjust the reel holders to keep it stable.
3. Restart the printer and test again.

Prints are coming empty:

1. The ink reel will be missing or installed by its wrong side.