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5. Note the relative darkness value and the print speed printed on the best test label.
6. Add or subtract the relative darkness value from the darkness value specified on the configuration
label. The resulting numeric value is the best darkness value for that specific label and print speed
combination.
7. If necessary, change the current darkness value to the darkness value on the best test label.
8. If necessary, change the current print speed to the speed value on the best test label.
Table 3 Visual Darkness Descriptions
Print Quality Description
• Too dark • Labels that are too dark are fairly obvious. They may
be readable but not “in-spec.”
• The normal barcode bars increase in size.
• The openings in small alphanumeric characters may
appear filled in.
• Rotated barcode have bars and spaces run together.
• Slightly dark • Slightly dark labels are not as obvious.
• The normal barcode will be “in-spec.”
• Small character alpha numerics will be bold and could
be slightly filled in.
• The rotated barcode spaces are small when compared
to the “in-spec” code, possibly making the code
unreadable.
• “In-spec” • The “in-spec” barcode can only be confirmed by a
verifier, but it should exhibit the following visible
characteristics.
• The normal barcode will have complete, even bars and
clear, distinct spaces.
• The rotated barcode will have complete, even bars and
clear, distinct spaces. Although it may not look as good
as a slightly dark barcode, the barcode will be
“in-spec.”
• In both normal and rotated styles, small alphanumeric
characters look complete.
• Slightly light • Slightly light labels are, in some cases, preferred to
slightly dark ones for “in-spec” barcodes.
• Both normal and rotated barcodes will be in spec, but
small alphanumeric characters may not be complete.
• Too light • Labels that are too light are obvious.
• Both normal and rotated barcodes have incomplete
bars and spaces.
• Small alphanumeric characters are unreadable.