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4 Ways Zebra Labels Escape Danger

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At the crux of enterprise, success is an efficient labeling system. Controlling inventory movement from door to dock, labels hold the potential to maximize accuracy and productivity, two indispensable factors for today’s operations. Studies estimate return costs may reach well over $550 billion in 2020 alone, with wrongly-picked orders comprising almost a fifth of returned orders.  In other words, the time to establish labeling efficiency is now. 

Zebra Labels Improve Overall Productivity

Zebra Labels Improve Overall Productivity

While they only account for 5% of your operations’ expense, labels can be enhanced to improve overall productivity. Testing innovative technology for over two decades, Avalon Integration partners with Zebra Technologies to safeguard operations from inefficiency with quality labels and printing supplies. Engineered to maximize productivity and visibility, Zebra’s RFID labels give you the leading edge on today’s market changes by facing the top four labeling dangers with unprecedented ease.

  1. Made survive any environment – Designed with pretested materials, all Zebra Certified Consumables endure rigorous testing and inspection to make sure they remain functional beyond the moment of application.  
  2. Customizable to fit the desired size – Because no two businesses are the same, Zebra’s RFID labels can be customized with your choice of material, size, antenna, and inlay. Plus, with ZipShip, labels are ready to ship within 24 hours, reducing sudden label shortages.
  3. Customizable to function on metal applications – Create a metal-friendly RFID application with Zebra’s ZT411 industrial printer to bring the benefits of RFID locationing into previously uncharted applications.  
  4. Compatible with secured enterprise-devices – In addition to rugged labels, an efficient labeling solution requires enterprise-grade technology that protects data. Fortified by Mobility Extensions (Mx), Zebra handhelds such as the MC9300, TC7X, and TC5X preserve data security with government-grade encryption and reliable security patches provided through LifeGuard.

Not Like the Rest

Zebra Labels Not Like the Rest

Zebra Labels are Not Like the Rest

  • Regulatory fines
  • Lost customer loyalty
  • Missed compliance standards
  • Product shrinkage
  • Wasted warehouse space
  • Increased product returns

Eliminate the dangers of faulty labels with Zebra Certified Consumables. Plus, get free printhead replacements when you make Zebra your exclusive consumables supplier through the Printhead Protection Program.

Discover how Zebra’s RFID technology can help protect your operations when you contact us for a free labeling assessment with our industry experts and implement efficiency down to the smallest details.

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Your Traceability System is No Game

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$30 million dollars – That’s the average amount companies expect to lose in one single recall. As technology continues to advance and consumers become more conscientious of their decisions, safety compliance standards and guidelines continue to evolve across multiple industries, from healthcare to manufacturing to agriculture. In-depth scrutiny measures have contributed to a 10% increase in recalls between 2013 and 2018 in the food industry alone. While increasing recalls don’t necessarily mean products are becoming more unsafe, they do create a higher demand for reliable traceability systems to handle the high recall influx.

  • One out of four children’s products were recalled in 2018.
  • Over 1.3 million cars were recalled in 2019 alone.
  • The USDA reported 97 Class I (based on “reasonable” chance of health issues) food recalls in 2018.
  • As of February 2020, there have been 20 drug recalls issued by the FDA.

To better serve consumers, each product must be traced throughout the supply chain and beyond.

Equipped with both tested expertise and enterprise-grade technology, Avalon Integration optimizes traceability with Zebra’s best tracking technologies. From versatile rugged handhelds to pretested consumables, track and trace your inventory with technology made for complete visibility in and out of the warehouse.

Meet the Dream Team for Efficient traceability

Efficient traceability can be a valuable asset in any industry. From counterfeit prevention to batch numbering, traceability can give you insight into inventory composition and movement through complex workflows. To increase consumer safety and lower costly risks, we recommend automating previously manual data entry systems. By optimizing your data-entry process with Zebra Rugged Tablets and certified consumables, you can integrate accurate visibility that facilitates efficient tracking.

Why Rugged Tablets?

Why Rugged Tablets for Traceability

Streamlining data capture and workforce connectivity through one device

Zebra’s latest line of rugged tablets are built to handle tough environments and adapt to multiple uses. Integrate barcode scanning, unbroken connectivity, and simplified data sharing all through one ergonomic device. Lowering operational costs sustainably, L10 tablets carry high-performing functionality by:

  • Preserving up to 24-hour uptime with hot-swappable batteries
  • Housing Zebra’s versatile Mobility DNA apps which augment productivity
  • Streamlining data capture and workforce connectivity through one device
  • Adapting to your space constraints with 3 form factors (XSLATE, XPAD, XBOOK)
  • Sustaining long-range connectivity so even your remote team members stay connected

Download our e-book to learn more. 

Why Zebra Tags?

Why Zebra Tags for Traceability

Zebra Tags can be tailored for specific applications

Tested for continuous performance beyond the moment of application, Zebra certified labels preserve your inventory’s crucial data, making it easier for your team to scan and share information. Plus, because they can be tailored for specific applications, labels can be matched to fit:

  • Size and color requirements
  • Temperature durability for direct or thermal transfer printing
  • RFID inlay requirements
  • Individual compliance codes 
  • Perforation styles
  • Front and backside printing

As a Zebra Premier Solutions Partner, Avalon provides customized tools to optimize your tracking and inventory management systems. Speak with our visibility specialists today for a free assessment of your inventory management solution and integrate crucial visibility back into your operations. 

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Reach out to Raymond: Why Can’t I Just Buy Cheap Labels?

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Labeling expenses don’t account for even 10% of operational costs, but nevertheless, they are essential to your supply chain. While seemingly unimportant, your labels can dictate whether or not your products make it past the loading dock since they carry crucial information such as delivery addresses, compliance standards, safety instruction, identification, and more. By choosing poorly made cheap labels, you run the risk of setting up operations for disaster. 

Portrait of Raymond Scipioni

Portrait of Raymond Scipioni

Simply put, operations screech to a halt without labels. If labels peel easily or smudge under heat or abrasion, crucial asset information is lost creating delays, bottlenecks, and out-of-stocks. All of these can lead to heavy fines, missed delivery dates, and loss of revenue. To prevent these issues, we recommend assessing your labeling operations.

How do I know my label is poorly made?

Poorly made labels often show tale-tell signs before application. Because they are not made with quality materials, nor are they tested before application, inferior labels tend to:

  • Leave behind residual fiber pileup, which clogs printers and distorts information.
  • Overwork or distort printheads, leading to premature printhead failure.
  • Leak adhesive from inconsistently manufactured rolls.
  • Fade under extreme temperatures and humidity.

If your labels present any of these signs and more, then it is time to switch to a better alternative.

How do I spot a good label?

Zebra Quality Labels Are Designed for Your Warehouse

Zebra Quality Labels Are Designed for Your Warehouse

Quality labels such as Zebra’s Certified Consumables should be made from quality materials that withstand both application and storage environments. Moreover, proper labels should be certified to meet compliance standards of whichever industry they will serve; otherwise, your inventory runs the risk of being sent back to the warehouse. Lastly, quality labels maximize your printer lifespan, reducing bottlenecks, printer downtime, and frequent IT visits.

Can I just buy the most popular label to resolve printing issues?

There is no one-size-fits-all labeling solution because the application and budget requirements vary greatly from business to business. There are also different compliance standards certain kinds of products (like food for example) need to follow.  Non-compliant labels can prevent or delay your product from reaching the consumer, forcing them to look elsewhere. For example, suppliers can pay fines up to $500 per late order or more from major retailers. Fortunately, Avalon offers Quality Compliany Zebra labels of all types, which gives you the ability to customize label composition, size, color, and many other factors to create a system that fits into your workflow.

Where can I find better labeling alternatives?

As a Zebra Premier Solutions Partner, we work with a wide variety of labeling solutions. Plus, with Zebra labels, you can work with us to create a cost-effective labeling system with both quality consumables, durable printers, and enterprise-grade scanners.

To start your labeling assessment, reach out to Raymond Scipioni and maximize your label’s efficiency with our vast portfolio of quality consumables, designed to meet your application requirements while exceeding your expectations.  

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9 Ways Quality Labels Maximize ROI

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If time is money, then it’s fair to assume no one wants to spend more time than necessary working with faulty labeling systems. From scraping misprinted labels to reprinting incorrect tags, inefficient labeling systems can drain time -and money- from your supply chain. While many factors can impact label efficiency, Avalon Integration focuses on a cost-effective and durable solution: Zebra Certified Printing Supplies. 

Thoroughly pre-tested for continued performance, Zebra’s quality consumables aggregate several unmatched benefits that simplify workflows. Ready to face wear and tear, Zebra labels go beyond eliminating extraneous labeling costs by reducing ownership costs in nine budget-friendly, eco-conscious, and brand-centered ways.

1. Maximize Printer Lifespan and Insure Zebra Quality Consumables

Maximize Printer Lifespan and Insure Zebra Quality Consumables

Designed with printers in mind, Zebra’s consumables are careful as they run through your printer, reducing printhead wear and premature printhead failure, which could cost productivity loss with surprise downtime. 

2. Reduce Return Charges from Inaccurate Work Orders

Reduce Return Charges from Inaccurate Work Orders

In 2016 the United States Postal Service reported 140 million returned packages, contributing to approximately $113 billion spent in returned online purchases. Inaccurate labels impact work orders since barcode information may not be readily legible. Made with resilient coating, Zebra labels remain legible throughout your supply chain.

3. Faster Replenishment

Faster Replenishment

Erase replenishment wait times since Zebra keeps over 400 synthetic labels and tags ready to ship within 24 hours. Maintain continuous uptime with rugged labels crafted for hard-to-label applications.

4. Print Only the Labels You Need

Print Only the Labels you need

The average American can use up to 650 pounds of paper per year. Though small, reducing the number of unnecessary labels printed can impact your company’s carbon footprint. Eliminate wasted paper with Zebra’s Continuous label to use up label surfaces intelligently.  

5. Create Strong Labels Without Harmful Plastics and Papers

Create Strong Labels without Harmful Plastics and Papers

Cheap plastics and threads leave behind printer-clogging debris and can result in an easily torn label. Count on long-lasting label performance when you design rugged labels. Use over 300 pretested materials and create a label suitable for your environment in and out of the warehouse.

6. Lessen Product Shrinkage with Trackable Labels

Tracking Labels

The longer labels last, the more visibility your supply chain maintains. Monitor and manage your inventory’s movement with labels that survive the industrial landscape. Plus, label shelves and aisles to further boost the visibility of your valuable assets.

7. Implement worker safety with printed visual cues and direct quality control

Implement Worker Safety with Printed Visual Cues and Direct Quality Control

Maximized visibility is not only beneficial to your customers. Create visible compliance labels and safety signs with color labels. Using Zebra’s IQ Color technology, give your labels a new level of versatility as they direct quality control, work in progress, and more.

8. Streamline workflows to lessen worker stress

Streamline Workflows to Lessen Worker Stress

Aisle, rack, and floor labels can work in conjunction to direct workers through your warehouse with minimal confusion. Furthermore, unadulterated barcodes drive down worker stress as they lead to more first-time successful scans.

9. Secure On-Time Deliveries with Shipping Labels That Last Outs

Secure on Time Deliveries with Shipping Labels that Last Outs

As e-commerce sets a new standard for delivery, your customers expect faster shipping rates. Therefore, shipping labels must be accurate and durable to withstand wherever field services take them, for missing/wrong shipment orders can stain customer satisfaction, possibly costing customer loyalty.

Don’t waste time with inferior labels. Boost your ROI with Avalon Integration’s labeling solutions. Speak to our warehousing experts for a free label assessment to find a solution that perfectly fits your needs.  

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You are What You Eat…And That’s Why You Need Compliance Labels

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Labels matter. Such a small statement is constantly put to the test in supermarkets across the nation since labels serve as the deciding factor in allowing foods to fall into customers’ hands. Equipped with an extensive list of requirements and regulations, government organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) studies product labels to make sure foods contain what labels say. As a result, inaccurate labels can cost more than ink and time.

The 2012-2018 litigation between POM Wonderful and Coca-Cola serves as a prime example of the damage a little label can cause. Minute Maid’s 99% apple-based Pomegranate Blueberry Juice could have cost over $10 billion in settlements for POM’s lost profits. Furthermore, inaccurate packaging can also impact storage and transportation, leading to spoiled goods and lost inventory, which can also result in recalls and illnesses. To avoid the pitfalls of navigating through compliance labeling, Avalon Integration helps minimize labeling costs and errors with versatile Zebra Certified Consumables, designed to expand asset visibility while meeting application requirements.

Protect Assets with Compliance Labels

Protect Assets with QLN420 Compliance Labels

Protect Assets with QLN420 Compliance Labels

Food processing labels have been subject to scrutiny for decades. As new trends emerge, warehouses and distribution centers must keep up with new compliance practices while updating labels to reflect changes. Adaptable and durable, Zebra Certified Consumables help secure proper handling with three top benefits:

  • Expanded label longevity: Tested for both high humidity and extreme cold storage Zebra labels retain legibility in harsh environments without smudges, allowing your workforce to better handle and store your inventory.  
  • Label customization:  Using over 300 pretested materials, Zebra labels can be designed to fit your application requirements. Change color, shape, text, and graphics to design custom labels that best represent your inventory and safety codes. 
  • Faster replenishment – Sourced from four labeling converter facilities, Zebra labels can be shipped quickly to any location within continental North America, so if a reprint is needed, new labels are readily available. 

Identification labels will only become more predominant with the appearance of new foods and best-practice policies. Implement efficiency and adaptability into your workflow when you start your labeling solution with Avalon Integration and maximize visibility and customer trust with a labeling system that values your customers as much as you do. 

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3 Questions You Need to Ask Before Choosing Direct Thermal Printing

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Dramatically cutting down wait-times for faster outputs, direct thermal printing is often a favorite when it comes to optimizing productivity. Without using inks and toner, direct thermal printers stand as both a fast and cost-effective solution to most industries’ printing needs. However, even this innovative solution may deteriorate over time if the proper supplies aren’t used. 

GK420D Showing Media Being Removed After Using Direct Thermal Printing

GK420D Showing Media Being Removed After Using Direct Thermal Printing

Enhancing efficiency from the inside out, Avalon Integration understands the inner workings of thermal printers and the need for quality consumables, which is why we encourage companies to ask their labels three basic questions before committing to direct thermal printing.

  • Can You Handle Heat? – Unlike transfer thermal printing, direct thermal printing creates copies by printing directly on the media through heated plates pressing against heat-sensitive paper. Heat-resistance is a key element in selecting quality printing supplies for your thermal printer since weaker supplies may damage printheads, leading to premature printhead failure.
  • Can You Handle Light? – Although direct thermal printing requires fewer supplies to operate, printed media may darken over time if continuously exposed to light. To preserve data, make sure labels are stored properly and consider choosing an extra coating for longer applications.
  • Can You Handle Time? – From traffic tickets to retail receipts, data should remain legible and functional after being printed. Inadequate labels may smear, rip, or simply lose adhesiveness over time if they aren’t made with the necessary rugged materials.

If your labels answer now to any of these questions, it might be time to switch your label solution to a new dependable one.

Have it All with Zebra Printing Supplies

ZQ630 Showing Cold Storage Print Label with Direct Thermal Printing

ZQ630 Showing Cold Storage Print Label with Direct Thermal Printing

Meticulously tested to withstand the latest innovations in direct thermal printing, Zebra Printing Supplies always answer “yes” to all three questions. Maximize operational efficiency with labels engineered for success in every application.

  • Meet application requirements with ISO 9001:2008 certified materials
  • Get consistent results since we always use the same quality materials run-to-run
  • Ensure label efficiency with environment-resistance labels 
  • Increase printer lifespan with less leftover debris and glue clogging printheads
  • Design labels to match your brand identity and company needs

Printing supplies should never harm your printer. Experience the efficiency of direct thermal printing without the hassle of printhead failure when you enroll in Zebra’s Printhead Protection Program. Qualify for free printhead replacements when you make Zebra your exclusive quality supplier.

If you find yourself asking you labels too many questions, such as “did that come out right” you can download the infographic by clicking here, then start uncovering the lasting benefits of Zebra Certified Consumables with Avalon Integration. Start your order today with our label experts to maximize your consumables’ performance with the latest printing technology.

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