Considering Field Types
After you select a supply size, the next step in designing a format
is to decide what information you want to print on the label. For
example, you may want to print your company name, price of an
item, and a bar code that combines information from other places.
Everything you want to print falls into one of the following
categories.
Field Type Description Examples
Text Contains letters, numbers, or
symbols you want to print.
item number, item description,
department number, price, date
Non-Printable
Tex t
Holds data for use later, such as
for merging into another field.
The printer does not print
non-printable text fields.
city, state, and zip code to be
included in a bar code
Bar Code Used for printing bar codes that
can be scanned.
item or serial numbers, zip codes,
information you don’t want to
have visible to customers
Constant Text Prints fixed characters that print
without changing.
company name, company address
Line or Box Highlights or separates items. line marking out the regular price,
border around the supply
Graphic Contains a bitmap image or a
compliance label overlay.
logos
All of the above field types except graphics
are discussed in Chapter 3. See Chapter 5,
"Creating Graphics," for information on
including graphics in your format.
Getting Started 1-9