Consignment Software Labels and Tags

All Labels - Sheet and Thermal

There are 3 software programs involved in the printing of a label: BCSS, Windows and the printer:

1. Programs don't send print jobs to the printer but to Windows which sends the instructions to the printer. BCSS will send the print job that is specified on the labels screen. The settings must be correct and 'Thermal' must be set for Label Style.
2. Windows must transfer the instructions correctly. If a different label was used previously, close/reopen BCSS to break the handshake with Windows. Otherwise Windows may continue to send instructions to the printer based upon the previous label settings.
3. The printer must interpret and execute instructions correctly. Printers are miraculous pieces of equipment that may be perfected in years to come. The printers we have to work with today are homes to Gremlins and they are subject to faulty manufacture, aging and breaking, making it necessary to 'control' them with 'tweaks'.

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Price-Label-Printing Options

Designate the information to be printed on labels. Smaller labels have less printable area and won't accommodate all options.

View the options for sheet labels and thermal labels.

Go to File > Program Setup > Inventory.

Disposal Codes

Price tags may be printed with 'secret codes' so employees will know to destroy, donate or return unsold items. Check 'Show disposal code for unsold items on labels' and set the codes here:

Barcodes

(This feature is available in BCSS Deluxe, Diamond and Virtual.)

Printing Labels and Tags with Barcodes

1. In Program Setup (Printers tab, bottom center), this box must be checked:

   

Click on Labels then Inventory -



2. With 'Quantity Greater Than 0' checked, labels will be printed only for items in inventory:
   

   

3. Check 'Label Quantity = Item Quantity' to print a number of labels equal to the quantity in stock:
   

   

4. The Disposal Code, Date In and Discount Schedule can be turned off/on in Program Setup (Inventory).

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Bar-Codes on 8.5" x 11" Sheet Labels

Barcodes may be printed on adhesive medium labels or non-adhesive hang tags using a standard ink printer. There isn't enough room to print them on small price labels.

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Medium Adhesive Price Labels with Barcodes

Below is an image of a Medium Label (actual size: 2 5/8" x 1") showing (from top to bottom) the optional Disposal Code ('re' for Return), the Barcode, the Bar-Code Number, Description (A Children's Item), Price and Client ID-Item # (Consignor TempleG - Item 1).

The labels are '3 across on the sheet and 10 down' - Avery #5160 (laser), #8460 (ink/bubble jet), #4144 (dot matrix) available from office supply stores.

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Non-Adhesive Hang Tags with Barcodes (actual size 4 1/4" x 1"):

This example includes:

• Client ID-Item ID (WinfO-1: Client Winfred and her first item)
• Disposal Code (re)
• Category (Fiction)
• Details (Life and Times)
• Description (A Book Entry)
• Date In (11/26)
• Discount Schedule ($40, $36, $34, $32 with the first price being the original price)
• One User-Defined Group (Author is the 'Group'. Rowling is the 'Group Member'.)
• Barcode and the Bar-Code #

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Determine Which Labels to Print

The method for determining which labels to print is the same for all labels:

1. Select Labels:

2. Select Inventory:

At the bottom of the page, check 'Barcodes on Sheets':

Click the Print-Price-Labels Button.

The next screen will present a list of print options:

1. Print Open Barcodes (barcodes not yet assigned to inventory items) - Print unused barcodes. Attach them to items then add items into inventory (including barcodes).
2. Manually Enter Barcodes to Print - Type barcode numbers in the Bar-Code Fields
3. Print Barcodes With Filters - 'Filters' refers to settings made on the Labels and Tags screen for selecting items for bar-code labels.
4. Manually Enter Item ID to Reprint - Type Item IDs in the Item ID fields
5. Select Barcodes to Print - Select barcodes from a list of barcodes

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Print Settings

After completing any of the 5 options above, a Print Settings screen will present options for Page Layout (in inches).

The Print Settings window is only for the barcode labels which have different requirements for labels/tags without barcodes. It takes measurements in inches and computes row space. It also computes whether the number of columns specified works with the margins.

The default settings are correct for most ink printers.

• Top Margin .1
• Bottom Margin .5
• Rows 10
• Row Space 1
• Left Margin .3
• Right Margin .5
• Columns 3  (This setting should be changed to '2' for 2-across hang tags.)

If label do not print correctly, make adjustments as needed.

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Test Print

Print one sheet of labels on a blank white sheet of paper (not a sheet of labels). Place that page over a blank sheet of labels, square them and hold them up to light to verify that the print aligns with the labels.

If the labels are printing correctly, shut the printer off and turn it back on to clear the print job. Repeat the printing steps above and print only one sheet of labels for a second verification. If that's OK, add more sheets of labels to the printer tray and finish printing.

Note: It might be better to feed one sheet of labels at a time to avoid the risk of paper jams, out of ink and other unsuspected interruptions to printing.

If labels are printing incorrectly -

1. Turn the printer off to stop the printing process.

2. Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Printers. Click on the listing for your printer. Click on 'Document' then Stop Printing.

3. Turn the printer back on and clear the paper.

4. Change settings on the BCSS Labels screen to add or omit labels.

5. Use the Label Margins Adjustment Settings to properly align print position (and record these numbers for future reference): Most ink printers use margin settings (Left) 350 and (Top) 800-850. For 'All-in-One' fax/printer/copier/scanners, try settings of (Left) 350 and (Top) in the 1900 to 2100 range. For the Hewlett-Packard All-in-One: 1500

If labels are too far to the right (with a left-margin setting of zero), try a negative number.

(Large changes in these values are necessary to see noticeable changes in print position.)

6. Repeat these steps until the labels are printing correctly. Record the label-settings values off the computer.

Partial Sheet of Labels

If a partial sheet of labels is being used, count the number of used labels on the sheet and set Print Labels from # to the next highest number. This will tell BCSS to skip the first used label locations and start printing on the first available label on the sheet. Remember to feed the partial sheet of labels with the used section first. Another method is to print only full rows of labels (if fewer than 30) then feed the unused end of the sheet of labels first to print the remaining labels.

The problem some printers might have is feeding a partially-used sheet correctly. An option is to print a number of labels that matches the number of labels remaining on the sheet and feed the sheet, unused end first.

Repeat Labels

For those addressees that are used repeatedly, consider downloading Microsoft's Address Labels Template from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC011832781033.aspx?CategoryID=CT102530721033. Enter the addresses once and save the file. Print the file as more labels are needed and/or store the printed labels in folder.

Tip:

If only a few labels are needed or the clients for whom labels are needed can't be grouped or isolated using the available settings, edit each record by adding some unique text to the User Text field. Enter the word 'label' for example, then for report settings, enter 'label' (no quotes) in the User Text field. Only records marked with the unique User Text 'label' will be included.

This can also be done using the User Date field. Enter the same date for each person then in report settings check User Date and enter the unique date. Only those with that date in their User Date field will be included.

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Windows Print Setup

The next screen is Windows Print Setup. The settings should be:

When settings are correct, press OK to start printing.

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Troubleshooting Barcode Printing

See Instructions

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Colored Tags

Colored tags are available in sheet and thermal labels.

Some stores use colored tags so shoppers and store personnel can know how much aged items should be discounted. As one store explains, "We use five different color tags including pink, blue, yellow, white and orange. Every Wednesday we begin tagging fresh items with a new color. To make room for new arrivals, we take items off the sales floor that have been for sale for at least 4 weeks. We know which ones to remove by the color of their price tag."

These is an example of colored 1" x 4" sheet hang tag:

...and a 2-part colored 1.19" x 3.38" thermal hang tag:

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Print Multiple Thermal Labels or Hang Tags for One Item

Print Multiple Thermal Labels when Adding One New Item

1. Press F3 to open the new-item screen.
2. Enter information about the item.
3. Set the quantity to the number of items being added OR the number of labels needed. (If there's a difference between the two, set the # of labels needed, print them, then change the quantity to the actual number of items in inventory.)
4. Select Save, Print a Thermal Label.
5. On the next screen, CHECK 'Label Quantity = Inventory Quantity'.
6. Don't change any of the settings on the screen.
7. Press Print.

Print Multiple Thermal Labels for an Existing Item

1. Locate the item in the Inventory Work Area.
2. Double click on the item's listing to open the edit-item screen.
3. Set the quantity to the number of labels needed. (If there's a difference between the actual number of items in inventory, print the number of labels needed then change quantity back to the actual number of items in inventory.)
4. Select Save, Print a Thermal Label.
5. On the next screen, CHECK 'Label Quantity = Inventory Quantity'.
6. Don't change any of the settings on the screen.
7. Press Print.

Print Multiple Thermal Labels Using Batch Enter

1. Open either Batch Consignment or Batch Buy Outright.
2. Enter information about items.
3. At the bottom of the screen, check 'Label Qty = Item Qty'.
4. Do not use any of the buttons listed as 'for sheet labels only'.
5. Press Thermal.

If there are several items on the batch screen and 'Label Qty = Item Qty' is checked, the number of labels printed will match the quantity for each item entered. If there are exceptions, change the quantity here to the number of labels desired, print, then edit those inventory records to correct the actual number of items in inventory.

Print Select Labels for One Client

1. Click on Labels then Inventory.
2. Select the Consignor from the drop-down menu.
3. Check the Item ID Box and enter the Item's ID # (not the entire Consignor ID) in both the From and To Fields.
   

   

   
   (For example, the Consignor ID for Gary Morrison might be 'Morr'. The first Item ID would be Morr-1. Only the numbers of the item range are entered in the From and To Fields.)
4. Select Label Style:
   

   

   For thermal labels (with Diamond or Virtual), select 'Thermal Labels' and press 'Print Price Labels'. The printer should begin to print the number of labels stipulated.

   For barcode labels on sheets, click on Print on the ensuing screen.

   For all other sheet labels, click on Print Price Labels:

   

5. Preview the labels in the print preview screen and print if correct.

Bar codes may be turned off for (not printed on) labels (In Program Setup, Printers, uncheck 'Check this box to include barcodes on appropriate price tag widths').

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Print 1 Label or Tag

If a new sheet of labels is being used, determine which label(s) to print by making settings on the Labels Screen.

To print one or a few labels on a partially-used sheet of labels, make the appropriate settings on the Labels Screen to determine which labels to print then enter the number of the next available label on the sheet in the field to the right of 'Print Labels From #' and feed the partially-used sheet into the printer with the used end first. Example: If 11 labels have been used, enter the number 12. BCSS will begin printing on the 12th (next available).

An alternate way is to feed the unused end of the sheet into the printer.

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Print 1 Label (or a few) Using Diamond or Virtual

One of the advantages of thermal tags is that they can be printed one at a time or by the thousands without concern for next label available, paper jams, out-of-ink errors, etc.

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Grouping Labels

Print labels for a specific group (like utilities companies) by creating an Inactive Client Record for each member in the Group and marking each record with unique User Text.

Example:

It's time to pay bills and you need a mailing label for the phone company, the utility company, the landlord, etc.

Create a Consignor record for each company to be included in this group. Remove the check in the box for 'This Consignor is Active' and enter some unique text in the User-Text field, like 'utility' (without quotation marks):

Marking the records as 'Inactive' will prevent them from appearing in lists and reports for 'Active Clients Only' IF 'Include Inactives in Work Area List' is UNCHECKED in Program Setup > Clients.

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Print Labels for the Group

Click on Labels to open the Labels screen.

It is not necessary to check 'Inactive Only' but enter 'utility' (without quotation marks) in the User-Text field:

and click Mailing Labels on Avery Stock to print:

Labels will be displayed on a 'Print-Preview Screen'. Use the Printer Icon to go to the Windows Print Setup screen:

If undesirable names appear or if some are missing, close this screen and change the settings to add or delete names, then preview again.

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Sheet Labels

This video is about printing sheet labels. The methods and settings will be similar for printing thermal labels:

https://vimeo.com/119959746

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Adjust Print Position

Go to File then Program Setup then Printers:

Select Wide Format for ink printers or Narrow Format for dot matrix printers.

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Select the Inventory Tab in Program Setup.

Choose desired options, keeping in mind that smaller labels do not have room for all options:

Here's a link to an explanation of disposal codes.

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Print Adjustment - Address and Price Labels - Laser or Dot Matrix Printers

Access screens for printing address or price labels by selecting Labels:

Select Clients (or Buyers in BCSS Diamond and Virtual) to print Address Labels or select Inventory to print Price Labels.

Make settings on the page to define which labels should be printed. (Note that when applying ranges for time, item #s and prices that the boxes must be checked for the filters to apply.)

In the boxes on the lower-left of the screen, change settings for Left and Top. Increase the values for 'Left' to move print on the sheet to the right and/or increase values for 'Top' to move print down on the sheet.

Large changes are necessary to significantly change print position.

Some printers will require a negative number for correct printing. (The value could be as much as -300 to -900.)

Record correct settings for future reference. (Settings will be lost if Windows or BCSS are reinstalled.)

The default values are: Left: 350; Top: 300; Row Space: 13.

Change settings for Row Space to increase/decrease the distance between printed lines. With some printers the value of 1.49 is necessary when the last row of labels won't print as they should.

Most ink printers use margin settings (Left) 350 and (Top) 800-850.

• For All-in-One fax/printer/copier/scanners: Left: 350 Top: 1900 to 2100
• HP Printers in General: Left: 350 Top: 500-800
• HP All-in-One: Left: 350 Top: 1500
• HP J4580 OfficeJet: Left: -800 Top: 850

When the correct settings have been determined, record the settings (off of the computer) for future reference.

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Detailed Labels

This is the Detailed Label (actual size 2 5/8" x 1") with all available options (Item ID (CannS-1), Disposal Code (re), Category (Memorabilia), Details (First Script), Description (Buy Outright Example), Date In (07/07/2016), and Discount Schedule):

Toggle these options on/off in Program Setup on the Inventory tab.

Detailed Labels are printed with ink printers and Avery # 5160 labels, or inkjet printers and Avery Label # 8460, or dot matrix printers and Avery Label # 4144 - 3 across - 10 down - 30 labels per sheet. Labels are available from most office supply stores.

To select this label in BCSS, on the Inventory Labels Screen, for Style, select 'Detailed Labels on Avery Sheets'.

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User-Defined Groups can be printed on hang tags.

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Hang Tags are non-adhesive tags on perforated 8.5" x 11" sheets (2 across, 10 down, 20 labels per sheet). They are available in colors from Shelf Tag Supply, 800-851-8980, https://www.shelftagsupply.com/labels-and-cards/card-sheets/add-to-cart?ItemSKU=SL1X4.

Print Hang Tags with BCSS Intro, Deluxe, Diamond or Virtual and a ink Printer.

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