AstroNova QuickLabel QL800, User Manual

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QL-800 User Guide 45
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Designing and Printing Labels
Designing Labels
This section describes several factors you should consider before you start designing labels.
Label Media Type Overview
This section describes the types of label media you can use with the QL-800 printer.
• Reflective Mark Media - Reflective mark media has black cue marks printed on the on the
back of the label liner. These marks are read by a sensor on the printer to determine the
starting point of new labels.
During the die cutting process for this type of label, the matrix can be removed and called
“matrix out” or left intact and called “matrix in” material. Labels with matrix in allow you to
print colors over the label edge.
• Gap Media - Gap media has spaces between each label resulting from the removal of the
matrix during the die cutting process.
When the matrix material is removed and the liner exposed, the die cut labels are separated
by gaps. These gaps are read by a sensor on the printer to determine the starting point of
new labels.
• Continuous Media - Continuous media does not have reflective marks. It also does not
have die cuts, and therefore contains no gaps. It is a continuous sheet of label material
affixed to a liner.
Choosing Design Software
You can print to the QL-800 using any design software with printing functionality. There are
many graphic design software applications available, and the programs you choose will depend
on your desired workflow and design requirements.
Design software is available from QuickLabel and other software vendors.
• CQL Pro from QuickLabel - This software product, developed by QuickLabel, makes it
easy to create barcodes and position text and graphics on a label.
• Third Party Applications - There are a variety of graphic design programs available from
other software companies such as Adobe and Corel. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and
similar professional image editing programs provide advanced tools for creating your
artwork.
A common scenario is to use a mixed approach to designing labels. For example, you may want
to edit a photographic element in Photoshop, create a logo in Illustrator, and then place both
into a CQL Pro file for final layout and printing.