Color Label Solutions

Color Label Solutions
www.colorlabelsolutions.com

Sunday, September 27, 2020

Mi Nueva C6500P

Gracias a mi grupo que habla Español y mis sinceras disculpas por cualquier error gramatico que quizás encuentren en este blog.  


Cuando recibí mi primera impresora Epson C6500P.

La C6500P En La Caja
La C6500P En La Caja 

Al probar esta nueva tecnología de Epson, y después de abrir la caja pensé que quizás encontrarían mi experiencia un poco interesante. Igualmente, pueden encontrar mi publicación de introducción en las impresoras de la serie C6000 de Epson, también de interés: https://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2019/09/new-c6000-series.html

Después de sacar la impresora de la caja, inicié la impresora primeramente sin instalar la tinta y trate de instalar el controlador, pero tuve problemas instalando el controlador. Me di cuenta que la instalación tenia que hacerse en el panel de LED en la misma impresora y no por medio de el controlador en la computadora.  C6500 Driver: https://epson.com/Support/Printers/Label-Printers/ColorWorks-Series/Epson-ColorWorks-CW-C6500P/s/SPT_C31CH77201 .  La inicialización tomó mas o menos unos 20 minutos. (mas tiempo que la impresora Epson C3500) Después de terminar el proceso de la iniciación, ya pude instalar el controlador sin problemas.  Después de todo este proceso, aprendí que el proceso de inicialización consume aproximadamente 50% de la tinta que la impresora inicialmente tiene. (similar a la Epson C3500). 

C6500 Driver
C6500 Driver


Al final del proceso de inicialización, trate de verificar la versión de la “firmware” para ver si estaba al día. Desafortunadamente encontré que no estaba al día. No me sorprendió mucho esto porque estas impresoras son completamente nuevas. Lo bueno es que pude encontrar la última versión de la “firmware” en la misma página web de Epson, donde se encuentra el controlador de la impresora.

C6500 Firmware Update
Instalación de la última versión de la “firmware” para la impresora C6500

Encontré el proceso de actualizar la “firmware” muy comparable y similar a mi barata impresora Epson Multifuncional WorkForce 4720.

Una vez que logré instalar el controlador y la última versión de la “firmware”, decidí imprimir unas etiquetas de papel mate. Para mí fue muy fácil colocar el rollo de etiquetas de papel usando los ejes. Si alguna vez han usado la impresora LX2000, se darían cuenta que el proceso de la impresora C6500 es mucho más fácil. (Por favor visite mi poste anterior donde comparo la LX2000 con la C7500 y consulte la sección donde se coloca el papel).  

Carrete de papel para la C6500
Carrete de papel para la C6500

Para el papel mate, seleccioné la opción de calidad normal;

Configuración del papel para la C6500
Configuración del papel para la C6500

Adicionalmente, cambié el perfil de la tinta en la opción de ajustes más avanzada a la configuración más oscura. Les recomiendo que hagan este cambio en la mayoría de sus trabajos de arte y aplicaciones.

Perfil de tinta para la C6500
Perfil de tinta para la C6500

Finalmente, asegúrese de configurar el cambio a "Rebobinar" si no está utilizando la función de Despegar y Presentar:

Después de configurar el cambio de impresión en la C6500
Después de configurar el cambio de impresión en la C6500

De lo contrario, la impresora le indicará que tiene que quitar la etiqueta.  Si no se cambia esta configuración, la siguiente etiqueta no le imprimirá correctamente. Usted puede mover un poco la etiqueta ligeramente y la siguiente etiqueta le imprimirá sin problemas.

Encontré la calidad de impresión y la velocidad muy buena. (aproximadamente la misma que la de LX2000)

 
Etiquetas de papel mate para la C6500
Etiquetas de papel mate para la C6500

Después de imprimir las etiquetas usando papel mate, decidí cambiar las etiquetas a papel brillante. Imprimí utilizando estas dos opciones. Calidad y Calidad Máxima.  Con un poco de atención, observe las diferencias en la barra verde y tal vez en el bloque rojo. Yo noté una ligera diferencia en los colores, pero muy poco.  Francamente, mi opinión es que no creo que la gran mayoría de las personas van a utilizar la opción de la Calidad Máxima.
Etiquetas de Papel Brillante para la C6500
Etiquetas de Papel Brillante para la C6500

Usando la opción de Calidad Máxima, en un papel brillante por ejemplo, puedes obtener la más alta y máxima resolución, pero con la velocidad más lenta que ofrece la impresora.  Por favor mire el video para que vea la diferencia cómo se imprimen dos etiquetas.  


Bueno, después de imprimir unas cuantas etiquetas, intenté probar la función que tiene la impresora C6500 de despegar la etiqueta automáticamente. Cambié la configuración del controlador a la “Aplicación Manual”; coloqué el respaldo de la etiqueta en el lugar donde la etiqueta se despega. La función de Despegar y Presentar funciono perfectamente!

La característica Despegar y Presentar de la C6500P
La característica Despegar y Presentar de la C6500P

Ninguna otra impresora de etiquetas de color ofrece esta increíble función. Si usted tiene operadores en una línea de trabajo, imprimiendo y aplicando las etiquetas a mano, esta función le ayudara aumentar su productividad.  Por favor tenga en cuenta que esta función de Despegar y Presentar no tiene sistema de cortar la etiqueta.

Después de usar la función de Despegar y Presentar, probé la nueva forma de reemplazar el color de tinta plana en el controlador Epson. Con esta función, la impresora automáticamente puede reemplazar un color por otro.  Usando la utilidad en la configuración de la impresora (en la sección de datos acumulados), establecí un nuevo valor en los colores RGB para poder reemplazar un color existente.

Configuración de color de tinta plana de la C6500
Configuración de color de tinta plana de la C6500 


A continuación, usted puede seleccionar el color en la sección definida en el controlador:

Configuración de color de tinta plana en el controlador de la C6500
Configuración de color de tinta plana en el controlador de la C6500 


También se puede cambiar los colores de la impresión final sin cambiar la ilustración o el arte. En la imagen de abajo se puede mirar como el bloque azul tiene un color diferente. Una vez más, no tengo conocimiento de ninguna otra impresora que ofrece esta capacidad.

Reemplazo de tinta plana en la Epson C6500. Da te cuenta en las diferencias de los colores azules C6500
Reemplazo de tinta plana en la Epson C6500. Da te cuenta en las diferencias de los colores azules C6500

Esta característica parece funcionar solamente con trabajos de arte y ilustraciones que se han creado con el sistema RGB y no con el sistema de CYMK.  Espero tener más información acerca de el reemplazo de color de tinta plana muy pronto.

Después de hacer diferentes pruebas con esta impresora, trate de alimentar el papel usando el ingreso posterior de etiquetas de gran tamaño como 8.375" x 13.875". Concluí que la C6500P es un reemplazo perfecto para la impresora Epson C831. Con grandes etiquetas y la habilidad de abrir el gabinete y poner estas etiquetas por detrás, encontré esto muy conveniente.
 

Usando el ingreso posterior para etiquetas de gran tamaño para la C6500 

Usando el ajuste Sintético en la opción de Impresión Calidad Normal, encontré que la velocidad de imprimir fue más rápida de lo que yo esperaba; probablemente más rápida que la impresora C831.  Mírame imprimir una etiqueta larga aquí en este video:



Y también encontré la calidad de imprimir las etiquetas mejor de lo que yo esperaba en comparación a la impresora Epson C831.


Calidad de etiquetas para tambores imprimidas con la C6500P
Calidad de etiquetas para tambores imprimidas con la C6500P


Después de probar estas etiquetas para tambores, decidí tratar la función de Despegar y Presentar usando etiquetas de tamaño de 8.375" x 13.875". Descubrí que la función de Despegar y Presentar funciono muy bien!

Despegar y Presentar usando etiquetas para tambores de gran tamaño con la C6500P
Despegar y Presentar usando etiquetas para tambores de gran tamaño con la C6500P

Esta grande etiqueta se pegó un poco en el respaldo donde la etiqueta se despega, pero se soltó sin problemas cuando le jale suavemente. La función de Despegar y Presentar me parece una opción perfecta para las etiquetas de tambores químicos.  Les sugiero a los propietarios de impresoras C831 de Epson, que observen y consideren la nueva impresora C6500P de Epson tan pronto come les sea posible.

En general, encontré mi experiencia con la nueva impresora C6500P de Epson muy positiva.

Alta calidad de impresión, operación fácil, características únicas como Despegar y Presentar, reemplazo de tinta plana e ingreso posterior para etiquetas de gran tamaño hacen que la impresora C6500 de Epson sea una gran alternativa a otras impresoras como la Primera LX2000, LX900 o LX1000; de VIP como la VP485 y la VP495; o de Neuralabel, la 300x.  Definitivamente, si usted tiene una de estas impresoras, debería seriamente considerar la posibilidad de reemplazarlas con la Epson C6500.
 
Después de todo, no probé varias de las nuevas características; como el controlador para las computadoras MAC, administración remota de impresoras o puerto de I/O. Pero no pierda cuidado, haremos estas pruebas y más en un futuro no muy lejano. Recuerde de ver mi publicación poste acerca de la impresión con ZPL aquí:  

Si encuentran las características de las impresoras C6500A o C6500P de interés, por favor póngase en contacto con nosotros. Siempre haremos lo más posible en ayudarles con la educación de esta nueva tecnología y demostrarles lo fácil que es aprender como imprimir sus propias etiquetas.
 
Guy Mikel con Beatriz, Tony y Grace
855-962-7670

Monday, September 14, 2020

On-Demand Color Print & Apply

On-Demand color print and apply has been an elusive quest during my years of working on labels.

C7500 Label Applicator
C7500 Label Applicator

In the past, I’ve written about one system that was installed with one of our customers that Filled, Capped, and Labeled in one operation:




Now, Precision Automation, (https://precisionautomationinc.com/) has deployed what they call “FULL COLOR PRINT and APPLY LABELING SYSTEM”.  Watch the video of the deployment of this on-demand color print and apply system here (be sure to check out the video).

Precision Automation Company, Inc. provides high quality Automation Systems, Contract Machine Work, Fabrication, Machinery, Controls, and related services that improve productivity in their customers’ manufacturing and product handling processes.  Based in New Jersey, Precision Automation has operated since 1946.

 

According to Frank Jablonski, of Precision Automation, “we deployed two separate applications for this customer.  One was to apply label to Jugs on both front and back, which you see in the first part of the video.  In addition, we applied a second applicator to apply on-demand color labels to cartons which you see at about the 50 second mark.  In fact, we set up a third applicator to apply preprinted Flammable labels to the same cartons immediately after the product labels were applied.  Overall, this deployment of the Full Color Print and Apply Labeling System was very successful.

 

Arca Evolution 160 Label Applicator
Arca Evolution 160 Label Applicator

When asked about the loose-loop, label applicator, Frank said, “we use the Arca Evolution 160 Label Applicator, which was mounted on a customized stand and can dispense at up to 164 ft/minute. The labeling frequency can reach up to 800 labels/minute and it is accurate within 0.2 inches.” 


C7500 Label Printer
C7500 Label Printer

Continuing, Frank said, “for the system, we use the Epson C7500 which uses inkjet technology to print quality customized color labels for products or containers that require intricate designs. This Epson printer can easily be swapped out with a spare to keep the system up & running.”

 

From my experience, the C7500 is really the only color label printer with the capabilities to be integrated into a print and apply label solution.  The C7500 comes with a GPIO port to enable the applicator to communicate with the printer.  This capability is vital for any printer integrated with a printer applicator.



Similarly, the C6000P and the C6500P from Epson have been built to enable print and apply; especially print one, apply one systems.  Earlier, we launched the PAC-5 for print and apply one label at a time.  Learn more here: https://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2020/03/pct5-color-label-printer-applicator.html 

During our conversation, I asked Frank, why move to print and apply color labels on-demand?  Frank responded, “On-Demand color gives our customers lots of flexibility in their label production.  No longer are our customers beholden to label manufactures.  You can print what you need, when you need it; and become in essence your own label manufacturer.  Plus, on-demand color print and apply enables our customers to print variable data at the same time they print the labels.  Print and apply color labels on-demand improves the labeling workflow for many of our customers.”
 
If you want to print and apply color labels on-demand, be sure to contact us to discuss your requirements and possible solutions.  We look forward to working with you.
 
Guy Mikel
855-962-7670

Monday, August 31, 2020

Color-Codes

Color-Coding is one of the key applications for a color label printer.
 
Color-Coded Food Labels
Color-Coded Food Labels

And recently, I read a saw a video from ColorDyne, a competitor as we don’t resell their printers, on one of their customers, Soli, color coding their food products.  See it here:

In the video, Brown Dudley, owner of Soli, says he needed to color-code his labels for several reasons. First, Brown says the color-coded labels keep it simple for his customers.  Soli codes their labels based on protein; seafood is blue, vegetarian/vegan is green.  Plus, Soli printed in large text the total calories, to make it easy for their customers to select the correct dish for them.  Color coded labels are a tool for customers to decide, on their own, which dish is best for them.

Second, on-demand, color-coded labels are flexible.  Prior to on-demand color, Soli purchased preprinted labels which are totally inflexible.  Soli needs to make changes on the fly; including developing new dishes.  With preprinted labels, Soli was constantly stuck with label stock, creating waste and obsolete inventory.
 
Third, on-demand, color-coded labels are affordable.  In the video, Brown says his preprinted labels were costing as much as $0.90 each in the small quantities need for each SKU.  Now Soli is paying only $0.19 each per printed label.

Foodie Fit Label
Foodie Fit Label

In November 2018, we published a post on our customer, Foodie Fit, who is using the exact same application.  Read it here:  


In the post, Andrew Kowal said, “As we rotate our menu every other week, it’s impossible to use preprinted labels.  Large minimum order quantities and obsolete labels make purchasing preprinted labels not feasible for us”.

What is interesting to me is Soli seems to be paying significantly more per label than our customer, Foodie Fit.  In the post, the estimated ink cost was only $0.013.  And Foodie Fit’s latest actual cost for either their 16.75” or 19” long labels from us is a small percentage of total mentioned by Brown in the video.  It seems we are saving Foodie Fit money compared to Soli. (FYI: I don’t know if Brown was including labor and overhead costs to determine label costs).

 
Brite-Lab Label
Brite Labs Label

Beside applications for food, we have written about many other color-coding applications.  One market where color seems important is cannabis.  In these posts, Brite-Labs uses color for strain identification, as did Georgetown Cannabis some time ago. We have several cannabis companies using print on-demand color labels for strain identification.

Rebar Tags
Brooklyn Rebar Tags

A completely different color-coded application is building products; with Brooklyn Rebar. “We use both solid colors and different color hash marks for each of the locations on a project.  For most projects, the solid colors are sufficient.  When we need more locations, we use different color hash marks.  We find the color coding helps our customers and us internally to reduce errors and increase our productivity”, said the Project Manager.
Read more here:



QuickScrews Labels
QuickScrews Labels

And another building products post on color-coding is our customer, Quickscrews.  In the post, Mark Buechler said, “And the colors and icons make it easy for our wholesalers and customer to select the correct fastener.”

Tyson Tools Labels
Tyson Tools Labels

Closely related to building products are tools. Here is a post from a million years ago on color-coding tool labels


Pleasant Mattress Tags
Pleasant Mattress Tags

Color-coding can benefit Manufacturers as well; especially on the shop floor.  Learn how Pleasant Mattress uses color codes in manufacturing and in their shipping.  
In the post, Russell Raymond said, “the color codes prevent potential errors.  If a shipping error is made, the incorrect color sticks out.  The color-coding labels in our operation saves us time and potential costs.”

And one of the first posts I ever was a part in creating involved logistics; again from a million years ago.  Read how Tubelite uses color for staging and shipping.  In the post, Scott Moray said, “Because we can identify shipment materials for any particular day, we require less time to load and unload, allowing our internal personnel and drivers to be more productive.”
 

CES Tags
CES Event Tags

A market where color-coding and variable images are important is trade
show event badges.  In this post, our customer CompuSystems, adds pictures and attendee type color-code to badges during the largest tradeshow in the world. 

The video by ColorDyne is a good reminder of the benefits or color-coding labels; but many different industries, not just food, can benefit from this application of on-demand labels.  Contact us on how color-coding would benefit your operations and sales.
 
Guy Mikel
855-962-7670
info@colorlabelsolutions.com 

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

G-Band Wristbands

Wristbands.  Some of my earliest efforts in printing involved print on-demand color wristbands.

G-Band Color Wristband
G-Band Color-Print On-Demand Color

For example, here is a post on wristbands for events from September 2011.

And here is an event in October 2012 that I printed wristbands for the organizers.

Now we have a great print quality, lower priced wristband available to sell; our G-Band Color.


G-Band Color Wristband
G-Band Color Wristband

According to Jacki Block, Product Manager, Healthcare Consumables and Wristbands, “our new wristbands are not only less expensive, but offer many benefits that other bands don’t.  First, our G-Band color are chemical resistant; especially resistant to alcohols which are very prevalent in healthcare situations.


G-Band Color
G-Band Color

Second, our G-Band Color are one-size fits all.  Most other bands are sized to fit adults or children.  With one-size fits all, you can reduce the amount of inventory of wristbands at each print station, making printing much simpler.
 
Third, you can adjust the adhesive fitting and closing tags easily to make for a very comfortable fit.
 
Fourth, at 1.25” x 11”, the G-Band Color offers lots of “real estate” to print images, color codes, barcodes and variable data for the user of the wristband.
 
But most important, our G-Band color are less expensive; even less than traditional direct thermal bands.  In addition, we do offer volume discounts.”
 
In my research, I found Zebra wristbands from many different vendors; all were much more expensive.  For example, I found similar Zebra Z-Bands at CDW for $242.99 for 6 rolls of 200; or $0.20 each. Our G-Bands are much less expensive.

G-Band Color Eliminates Color Bands
G-Band Color Eliminates Color Bands

In addition to saving money, on-demand color printing enables health care facilities to reduce the number of bands per person.  Jacki says, “with the capabilities of on-demand color, a healthcare operation can set color codes for allergies, latex allergies, DNR, etc. to eliminate the number of bands placed on an individual patient.  These color codes not only save money, but improve the comfort of the patients.”


According to Jacki, “The G-Band identification wristband is designed for comfort and ease of use. The unique adhesive fitting and closure system makes it easy to fit the G- Band to any wrist size.”


G-Band Color Instructions
G-Band Color Instructions
STEP 1: Before applying to patient’s wrist, first remove the backing from the small fitting tab (1) on the back of the G-Band.
STEP 2: Place the G-Band around the wrist, with the fitting tab (1) at the bottom, facing towards you.
STEP 3: Bring the bottom of the G-Band up around the wrist, and affix the
fitting tab to the underside of the G-Band at a location where the G-Band fits correctly and
comfortably around the wrist.
STEP 4: Remove the backing from the larger closure tab (2) on the back of the G-Band. 
STEP 5: Affix the closure tab (2). For user comfort, make sure the closure tab is centered on the surface of the G-Band with no exposed adhesive on either side.   Press on the closure tab to assure positive adhesion.
 
After the closure tab has been affixed, do not attempt to re-open it.  The closure tab is equipped with tamper-evident slits that are designed to tear if the wristband or closure has been opened or tampered with.
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In addition to healthcare, wristbands can work as Visitor ID badges; with color codes for negative tests for Covid-19 for example.  Further, color codes can be printed on wristbands for every type of visitor and days for access.  Color is an easy variable data option to make it easy for anyone to check quickly and easily.

Other unique ways to use wristbands include plant wraps, shipping ID’s such as suitcases, cleaning schedules for healthcare devices, and Product ID’s (instead of labels).  Wristbands would work in any application that requires a non-tear wrap around an item or person.
 
To print wristbands, we recommend the C3500 printer.  We’ve sold thousands.  Purchase a C3500 printer here.

For improved print quality, consider the C6000A.  I found the print quality using the G-Bands from the C6000A to be outstanding.  Plus the price is right!


G-Band Direct Thermal Wristband
G-Band Direct Thermal Wristband


In addition to the G-Band Color, we also have comfortable and affordable Direct Thermal bands called G-Bands; with a 1” x 11” size.  In addition, we offer a second type of Direct Thermal band, the G-Band Ultra as well.  Jacki says, “The G-Band Ultra is made using 3 ply versus 2 ply on the G-Band. In addition, the Ultra band is made with tapered ends that help prevent hair and skin from sticking to the band.  We created the Ultra band in conjunction with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.”


G-Band Ultra Direct Thermal Band
G-Band Ultra Direct Thermal Band


Contact us if you want to save money on your DT wristband purchases.  We can help reduce your wristband costs significantly.
 
At Color Label Solutions, we’re all about print on-demand color.  Consider moving your wristband printing to color; saving you money and time as well as improving end user comfort.
 
Guy Mikel
855-962-7670

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Printing Black

 I’ve said many times in the past that black is the most difficult color to print.


 Some time ago, I wrote how gloss poly seemed to produce the best black colors:


And later, I showed how our new whiter matte poly was producing better blacks during one stop of a Northern California road trip:


What I have not discussed before, is how artwork and the creation of black in the art changes the color of the print output.

 

According to Tony Molina, the inhouse Graphic Artist for Color Label Solutions, “most artwork today is created in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Quark and other software.  In this software, many people believe that 100% K (black) is the best way to produce this color.  However, 100% K is not really black and can be somewhat flat.”

 

According to Phil Forbes in this article in PackHelp:

 

"Turning all these percentages (C,M,Y,K) up to 100% will give you black that's kind of dull, washed out and not very black at all.”

 

Rich Black


As an example of the differences in black color print output, we received recently artwork to test print.  When printed initially, the black was not very “rich”.

 

RGB Values Not Zero
RGB Values Not Zero


By opening this file up in Photoshop and using the Color Picker function, Tony found the RGB values 35, 31, and 32; but the K% was 74:

 

RGB Black
RGB Not Zero


According to Tony, “using RGB values that create at least a 90% K value will create rich black colors. Make the R, G, B values 0 will create a black color that meets the 90% K requirement.  In the above referenced article, the author, Phil, has the C,M,Y, settings at 60, 60, 60.    You can have any combinations you want as long as all 4 primary colors are used and the black is 90+.”

 

Here Tony changed the colors in the same artwork to get a better black produced.


RGB Zero Black
RGB Values Zero



And this color produced a much richer black.

 

RGB Zero Black
Richer Black


To check this myself, I opened up BarTender and created a simple black square.  Once I selected black, I found that this software creates this color following Tony’s recommendation: Zero for R, G, B.

 

RGB Values 0
RGB Values Zero



And when I printed on our matte poly, the black color print output looked great.

 

BarTender Zero Black
BarTender Color Picker Black

The color picker in BarTender does not offer a C,M,Y,K option.

 

The bottom line; how you create black color in artwork makes a big difference in your print output.  One caveat: different printers and label media also make a difference in print output.  For example, we’ve found the black from the Memjet-based Afinia L801 or L901 printers produce darker, richer black colors generally when compared to the Epson printers; regardless of the artwork.  The dye-based inks in the Afinia printers produce very nice blacks.  Although the pigment-based inks in the Epson printers can produce great looking black colors, artwork and labels are more important in getting the print output you desire.

 

If you need help with your label printing or even label artwork creation, contact us.  We’ll help you get the quality and look you want with your on-demand label printing.

 

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com