PRINT
IT
RESELLER.UK
INDUSTRIAL PRINTERS
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Industrial printing specialist
Printronix Inc. has launched a new
line of industrial-grade thermal
label printers for customers in
manufacturing, retail distribution,
transportation & logistics.
The T8000 Thermal Printer series
features a completely new architecture,
developed over two years at a cost of
$3 million, that, according to Printronix,
exceeds the requirements of the most
demanding users.
An important aspect of the new printer
is an optional, fully integrated Online Data
Validator (ODV) that can be fitted to the
printer to verify 1D and, soon, 2D barcodes.
Printronix Thermal Products General
Manager Plamen Petkov says that barcode
validation can save businesses significant
sums of money.
“Many customers are required either
by mandate or by the internal compliance
requirements of their customers to verify
every single barcode before it ships. We
have built a fully integrated unit that
allows us to read that barcode, verify the
data, strike out a barcode if it’s non-
readable and reprint it,” he said.
He added: “Most retailers are subject
to charge-backs of $3-$5 if a barcode on
their goods is not readable. In the case of
a large retailer, a small percentage of non-
readable barcodes can add up very quickly
to huge amounts of fines and fees.”
Next generation architecture
The T8000 series is underpinned by a
new architecture based on an ARM A9
processor that offers 40% faster print
speeds (14 IPS); up to five times greater
Barcode printing on the move
In addition to launching the T8000, Printronix has moved into a new
product area with the introduction of its first portable thermal printer.
A natural extension to Printronix’s stationary printers, the M4L meets
demand for on-the-spot label printing in logistics and warehouses. For
example, when breaking down pallets, new barcode labels will need to
be printed to reflect changes made. Instead of going back to a central
station, the M4L lets workers print labels on the spot, saving time and
increasing productivity. The M4L is available in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
versions, with a dual antenna for increased range. It can be carried
by hand or mounted on a forklift and has 30% more battery capacity
than competitor products.
processing power for a
quick first label out;
improved integration with
other applications; and
eight times more memory
capacity than previous
products.
Petkov says that the
one of the most impressive
features of the new architecture
is its ability to maintain print
quality even at high speed.
“Many companies can claim high print
speeds, but what they don’t often mention
is the fact that print quality deteriorates
as speed increases. Printronix can print a
label that is as good at 8 IPS as it is at 14
IPS. We have received incredibly positive
feedback from customers saying ‘We
couldn’t believe that the printed quality is
as good at 14 IPS, the highest speed, as it
is at 6 and 8 IPS’,” he said.
Ease of use
Allied to the T8000’s enhanced
performance is a new industrial design
that combines greater ease of use with
rugged, reliable operation, from the full
metal enclosure to an optional rugged
printhead for humid or dusty environments
that costs a little more than a standard
cartridge but lasts twice as long, giving a
clear TCO benefit.
Helpful features include the side-
loading of consumables, a large viewing
window for supplies monitoring, a snap-in
printhead and a large 3.4in colour display
with easy navigation keys.
IT administrators are able to monitor
and manage printers remotely from a
Printronix launches next generation barcode printers
Raising the bar
in barcode printing
central IT console. A virtual panel
replicating the operator panel on a remote
device enables them to control printers
anywhere in the world via a PC screen.
Plug and play
For plug and play simplicity, the T8000
series supports seven emulations,
including, for the first time on a thermal
barcode printer, PostScript and PDF from
any ERP environment. This means that any
enterprise with a mixed environment of
printers, including laser and inkjet devices
in warehouse environments, can swap
an existing printer for a T8000 and not
have to install middleware or modify their
software or applications in any way.
Other noteworthy enhancements
include the ability to print in temperatures
of -5°C to 0°C without the need for a
heated enclosure – an accessory that
normally costs around $1,000; and the
option of mobile power carts with twice
the battery capacity of third party solutions
for printing flexibility in large warehouses
and manufacturing environments.
Summing up the benefits of the T8000,
Petkov said: “We are introducing the best
thermal barcode printer in the market,
with the highest level of performance.
We are introducing the first thermal
barcode printer that can print PostScript
and PDF and connect as a true plug and
play device into any ERP environment,
without the need for middleware and extra
integration. We are introducing the first
thermal barcode printer that can scan 2D
barcodes with an enhanced Online Data
Validator. And we are introducing the best
enterprise suite in the marketplace, with a
virtual panel that allows IT professionals
to set up a printer remotely and manage
it as if they were right there on the
manufacturing floor.”
IT staff
can control
printers
anywhere
in the world
via their PC
screen.
Plamen Petkov,
Thermal Products
General Manager,
Printronix
Printronix:
T8000 Thermal Printer
