USPS-L-3216 24 Digit Tray Label Tutorial

This tutorial outlines how to create USPS 24 Digit IM™ Tray Labels (including flat tub and sack labels) with IDAutomation's Code 128 Barcode Fonts, Label Software and other various barcode generation products. This tutorial should be used with USPS-L-3216 for additional formatting and placement specifications. USPS-L-3216 specifies ISS Code 128 to be used as the barcode type, which is compatible with all Code 128 products IDAutomation offers.

Tutorial: 
Determine the data that is to be encoded in the barcode label, referred to in IDAutomation documentation as the DataToEncode. Tray Labels consist of 24 digits of numbers in various formats. This tutorial will use the number 123456781123456123123451 that was obtained from page 7 of USPS-L-3216A.

Determine which product to use to generate tray labels. IDAutomation offers easy to use Barcode Label Software, which is a stand-alone application. Additionally, IDAutomation offers Barcode Fonts and Barcode Components, which can be easily integrated into an existing application or print process.

Barcode Label Software Tutorial

1. To easily generate labels, IDAutomation suggests the Barcode Label Software. Within IDAutomation's Barcode Label Software, choose to create a new label. The label used in this example is also available for download.
2. Data will be encoded in the barcode as a single value, which is made up of constant and incrementing values combined. In this example, data will be implemented as a VB script formula with constant and variable fields data as defined on page 17 of USPS-L-3216A according to the following chart.
    

   Field Name	Field Size	Data	Field Type
   DestinationZipCode	5	12345	Constant
   CIN	3	678	Constant
   ProcessingCode	1	1	Constant
   MailerID	6	123456	Constant
   SerialNumber	8	12312344	Incrementing
   LabelType	1	1	Constant

3. Ensure no objects are selected on the label and choose Edit - Properties, which opens the label properties dialog. Add the field names from the chart above with appropriate data. Choose the "Rename Field" link to rename each field so it may be properly referenced within the label. Make sure the SerialNumber field is an Incrementing Number.
   
4. Choose the Linear Barcode icon, right-click on the barcode object and choose Properties.
5. Choose the Value tab. Change the Value Type to Formula and enter the following VB script:
   LabelField(DestinationZipCode) & LabelField(CIN) & LabelField(ProcessingCode) &
   LabelField(MailerID) & LabelField(SerialNumber) & LabelField(LabelType)
   
6. Right-click on the Linear Barcode object and choose Properties. Choose the Size tab; change the X Dimension to 15 mils, the height to .72 inches and other specifications according to USPS-L-3216.
7. Choose Apply. The barcode should appear with the correct number below it. Since the specification requires that spaces exist between some fields of data, this text interpretation must be disabled and created manually with a text object.
8. In the Text tab, choose No Text to disable the text interpretation from the barcode.
9. Create a text object below the barcode. Right-click on the text object and choose Properties. Choose the Value tab, choose the Value Type of Formula and enter the VB script of LabelField(DestinationZipCode) & LabelField(CIN) & LabelField(ProcessingCode) & " " & LabelField(MailerID) & " " & LabelField(SerialNumber) & LabelField(LabelType)
   Notice the spaces added in this script to separate the fields.
   
10. The barcode should be complete. The data may be changed accordingly. As the label is advanced, the serial number should change in the text object and in the barcode. After a successful print job, the serial number field is advanced to the last printed label, so that the same number will not print twice. This unique serial number memory functionality is provided in all versions of the IDAutomation Barcode Label Software.
11. Format other items required in the label according to USPS-L-3216 or the latest equivalent specification. Test scan the result with the IDAutomation USB Scanner or other Compatible Scanner. In some cases, the printed result of the barcode itself may be larger or smaller than what appears on the screen. This is because the software has to perfectly match the pixels of your printer to the barcode itself and is normal.

Barcode Font Tutorial:

1. IDAutomation's Code 128 Barcode Font was created according to ISS Code-128 specifications and may be used on any operating system to create precise, device independent barcodes. When using fonts, each system making use of the symbol must have the font installed until it is printed or saved as an image. The font may be easily used in a Word mail-merge or another existing application. If this is the product of choice, download or purchase the font.
2. Once the font is installed, examine the list of Font Encoders (Font Tools) and implement the appropriate encoder. For purposes of USPS-L-3216 Tray Label implementation, only the Code128C function will need to be utilized. The encoder is necessary to properly format the data to the font itself and calculate the checksum character as required. This tutorial will use the Crystal Reports UFL as the Font Encoder.
3. Follow the Crystal Reports Tutorial to create a Code 128 Barcode with the font. To format the font properly and encode the data, use the formula editor and enter a formula that creates the correct result using fields from the chart referenced in step 2, for example: IDAutomation_Code128c ( {USPS-L-3216A.DestinationZipCode} & "6781" & "123456" & {USPS-L-3216A.SerialNumber} & "1")
   Name this field USPS_Tray_Label. Substitute database fields and constants within the formula example as needed.
4. Add the USPS_Tray_Label field to the report. Edit the font properties of this field and select the IDAutomationC128L font at 16 points. This will produce a barcode that is 13 mils and .75 inches tall for USPS-L-3216 requirements.
   
5. Create an additional text field for the human-readable area below the barcode as detailed in Step 12 of the Crystal tutorial and step 9 of the Label Software Tutorial.
   
6. Test scan the result with the IDAutomation USB Scanner or other Compatible Scanner.

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