Changing the field size and other attributes

About this topic

When designing a label format, you can change the size of the fields to make the label more readable or to fit more information on the label. This topic describes how to alter the size of a printed text or barcode field.

Before you start

If you have not already done so, already:

•	Load the label format that you want to modify. See Loading a label format in the Label Editor.

•	Make sure you understand how the fields are positioned on the label. See Positioning the fields on the label.

•	Consider the label size when planning the format: 0.0635 by 5.08 cm (0.25 by 2.0 in).

 

If you increase the field size too much, the printed field may not fit on the label. If you decrease the field size too much, the printed field may not be readable. For example, barcode symbology that is too small may appear as a thin line of dots and dashes.

 

Changing the size attributes of a text field

To change the size attributes of a text field:

1	In the Label Field Data table, click the entry in the Attributes column for the field that you want to edit. The row is highlighted.

2	Click the attribute entry once more. The Edit Values dialog box opens.

 

3	In the Edit Values dialog box, type the values for the relevant parameters in the Sizing area, and then click OK.

The available parameters change depending on the format selection.

 

Font type	Parameter and description
Bitmap fonts: 12x12, 16x16, 16x32, OCR‑A, OCR‑B	• Horizontal magnification. Specifies the x-axis magnification of the text block. • Vertical magnification. Specifies the y-axis magnification of the text block. Range: 1–10 The magnification factors are multipliers, for example, a value of 2 is twice as big as 1. The different bitmap fonts are different sizes at a magnification of 1. Therefore, the reasonable range of magnification values varies for each of the bitmap fonts.
Vector fonts: Droid Mono, Droid Mono Bold, Swiss721, Swiss721Bold, Monospaced	• Point size. Specifies the height of the font in 0.01 in (0.0254 mm). For example, a 6-point font will be 0.06-in (0.15 cm) tall. The width is scaled to match. • Horizontal scaling (%). Allows you to make the font narrower or wider without changing the font height.

Note: The Label Editor preview box does not reflect the size change. To see the effect, print a test label.

4	To check your changes, see Checking the attribute changes.

Changing the attributes of a barcode field

To change the attributes of a barcode field:

1	In the Label Field Data table, click the entry in the Attributes column for the field that you want to edit. The row is highlighted.

2	Click the attribute entry once more. The Edit Values dialog box opens.

 

3	In the Edit Values dialog box, type or select the values for the relevant parameters, and then click OK.

 

Make sure the barcode size allows for sufficient blank margins (quiet zones) on each end of the barcode to ensure readability by a barcode reader.

 

 

Parameter	Description
Sizing	Use the sizing parameters to change the barcode size.
• Height	Specifies the height of each bar in 0.001 in (0.0254 mm). The overall barcode width is scaled relative to this value. For example, if Height = 150, the barcode is 0.150-in (0.38-cm) tall.
• Narrow bar width	Defines the width of the narrowest bar in the barcode in 0.001 in (0.0254 mm). The overall barcode width is scaled relative to this value.
• Bar width ratio	Defines the ratio between the narrow and wide bars in the barcode. For example, a ratio of 3 means that the wide bar is three times the width of the narrow bar.
• Row height	Defines the height of a single row in a 2D symbology.
• Symbol aspect ratio	Defines the ratio between the height and width of the barcode.
• Dot size	Data Matrix only. Defines the size of the dot in the 2D code. The overall height and width of the barcode are scaled to this value.
• Columns	Micro PDF417 only. Defines how many columns are used (1-4) to display the data. The column number combined with the narrow bar width sets the width of the symbol. The printer adds more rows of data (height to the symbol) as more characters are added.
Error level	PDF417 only. Defines an error level.

4	Click Upload format to printer, and then check your changes using the following procedure.

 

Verify that your barcode reader can read the barcode in the label format before doing a production run.

 

Checking the attribute changes

To check the attribute changes:

1	In the Label Editor tab, click Print test label, or press the green button on the device.

If after increasing the size of the field, the field does not print, check where the field is positioned on the label. The field may now be positioned off the edge of the label.

 

The printer does not always scale barcodes and fonts consistently. If you change a text field’s magnification, always perform a test print to make sure that you can still read the text. If you change a barcode field’s magnification, perform a test read of the barcode using a barcode reader.

 

Saving the changes

You must upload the changed format to the printer before the revised or new label format is available for printing.

To upload the format changes to the printer:

1	In the Label Editor tab, click Upload format to printer.

To save the format changes to an XML file:

1	In the Label Editor tab, click Save format to disk.

2	In the Save As dialog box, specify the file name and the file storage location, and click Save.

Related topics

 

For information about...	See...
Designing label formats	Creating and editing label formats
Performing a test print and apply operation	Performing a print-and-apply test
Performing a test barcode read	Documentation for your barcode reader
Setting the parameters for the label content	VWorks Automation Control User Guide