Anyone printed barcode labels?

Goof · 1 May 2018 at 17:22

Hi all,

I'm looking for a little advice printing barcodes via a thermal roll printer. I've created an item inventory in csv and converted them using a barcode font, so I've managed to run off individual labels. Result!

Only problem is, it'll print one of each label, when I've got up to a dozen of some items and printing them one by one will take forever. I used LibreOffice to do this, registering the csv as a database. Question is, can the quantity field be tied up to number of items printed in any way?

Or is there an easier way/software to do this?

BlackMaster · 1 May 2018 at 20:03

I've not used LibreOffice and it’s been decades since I used OpenOffice / StarOffice.

I'm assuming you are doing code 39 type barcodes, which does not required any encoding other than putting * at the front and end of what you are barcoding. You need to send a separate print command for each label you wish to print as a 'page'. In Excel you could set the print area for the size of each page and send it that way. Or write some macro / VBA code to send the print jobs as a batch to the printer.

If you have a large / expensive thermal printer, it may also have a method of printing the barcodes directly from reading a text file. You'll have to check the manual on that one. If it’s a small printer than most likely not.

Goof · 1 May 2018 at 20:24

Thanks BM - it's a Citizen CL-S521 (not specifically for barcodes, so I don't think it'll have direct functionality).

I'm not exactly using 39 type, I've just sequentially numbered stuff to contain 1) a unique number per manufacturer 2) unique number per item
So e.g. the mid digit is maker, end digit is item;
00010001
00010002
00010003
00020001
etc

I think I know what you're getting at with the VBA code (though it's also beyond my limited excel "expertise" :rolleyes:

)...but this would essentially mean having each item on a different sheet? If so, I don't think that'd work as there are so many items (500+) and I'll continually add to them.
I did consider the possibility of listing each manufacturer under a separate sheet but I'm not sure that'd solve it either.

BlackMaster · 1 May 2018 at 23:36

The Citizen printer usually comes with Bartender software, which you can download from their website. You can create a label template and link it to an Excel document or an ODBC data source. Have a look at this YouTube link:

I've used similar software in the past, but not Bartender itself. This should point you in the right direction. However it may turn out you need the Pro version of the software. In that case another solution may be better suited.

Staying with the Excel sheet, you could have a data sheet where you keep the data in a table like structure and have a 'form' / label sheet. The form\label sheet would display the single label and populate like a template by passing an ID value, with the formulas doing a vlookup and populating the fields you need etc. Then you could have a simple recorded macro to add one to the ID field and press print. Then all you need to do is just repeat the macro.

Goof · 2 May 2018 at 13:17

Thanks again BM, on the right track but, sure enough, the basic version doesn't have the option to link to DB!

Edit: Magic, have just sussed it using the Pro version on trial and it quantity links to the DB too!
This s/w is an eyewatering £325 though and I only need it for very basic functionality, so I'll still need to hunt for an alternative if anyone could recommend anything...

BlackMaster · 3 May 2018 at 21:21

Not sure how else to help without converting your project to a Microsoft Office / VBA based solution.

If it’s for work purposes and the Bartender Pro makes the job easier & faster etc then your boss may agree to pay for it. It’s worth giving him or her the options. On the other hand if your finding you are needing or wanting to do these types of solutions often, then having a go at learning the macros or high level coding can be very rewarding.

Goof · 4 May 2018 at 10:54

Yes, I know what you mean Blackmaster, it's for a new little business I'm starting but I don't have the budget for that (and, though I've learned a little HTML etc in the past, I unfortunately don't have time to delve into VB now!).
I was 9/10's of the way there just on Libreoffice, so I'll either persist with that or keep an eye out for software similar to Bartender at a more affordable cost!