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Label Printing

User Guide

Generate and print customizable labels with barcodes and QR codes for archival records, library items, museum objects, and gallery artworks.


Overview

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|                     LABEL GENERATOR                          |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                             |
|   SELECT              CONFIGURE           OUTPUT            |
|      |                   |                  |               |
|      v                   v                  v               |
|   Choose             Customize          Print or           |
|   Record             Label Options      Download           |
|                                                             |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Supported GLAM Sectors

The Label Generator automatically detects your record type and provides sector-appropriate identifiers:

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|                    SECTOR DETECTION                          |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                             |
|  ARCHIVE       - Archival records with identifiers          |
|  LIBRARY       - Books/serials with ISBN, ISSN, Call Number |
|  MUSEUM        - Objects with accession/object numbers      |
|  GALLERY       - Artworks with identifiers                  |
|                                                             |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

How to Access

From a Record

  1. Navigate to any record in the system
  2. Access the label generator via URL: /label/[record-slug]
  Record View
      |
      v
   /label/[slug]
      |
      v
   Label Configuration --------------------------------+
      |                                                |
      +---> Configure Options                          |
      |                                                |
      +---> Preview Label                              |
      |                                                |
      +---> Print or Download                          |

Label Components

What's Included on a Label

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|                    LABEL COMPONENTS                          |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                             |
|  TITLE           - Record title (toggleable)                |
|  REPOSITORY      - Institution name (toggleable)            |
|  LINEAR BARCODE  - Code 128 barcode (toggleable)            |
|  QR CODE         - Links to record URL (toggleable)         |
|                                                             |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Barcode Sources

Select which identifier to encode in the barcode:

Archive Records

Source Description
Identifier Primary reference code
Title Record title (fallback)

Library Items

Source Description
ISBN International Standard Book Number
ISSN International Standard Serial Number
LCCN Library of Congress Control Number
OpenLibrary ID OpenLibrary identifier
Barcode Library barcode number
Call Number Shelf location code

Museum Objects

Source Description
Accession Number Museum accession number
Object Number Catalogue object number

Step-by-Step: Printing a Label

Step 1: Open the Label Generator

Navigate to /label/[record-slug] where [record-slug] is the URL slug of your record.

Step 2: Select Barcode Source

Choose which identifier to encode:

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|  BARCODE SOURCE                                              |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                             |
|  [Select Source                                      v]     |
|     - ISBN: 978-0-12345-678-9                               |
|     - Call Number: QA76.73.P98                              |
|     - Identifier: LIB-2024-001                              |
|     - Title: Introduction to Programming                    |
|                                                             |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 3: Configure Label Size

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|  LABEL SIZE                                                  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                             |
|  Small (50mm)   - Compact labels for small items            |
|  Medium (75mm)  - Standard labels (default)                 |
|  Large (100mm)  - Large labels for boxes/folders            |
|                                                             |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 4: Toggle Display Options

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|  DISPLAY OPTIONS                                             |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                             |
|  [x] Linear Barcode    Show Code 128 barcode                |
|  [x] QR Code           Show QR code linking to record       |
|  [x] Title             Include record title                 |
|  [x] Repository        Include institution name             |
|                                                             |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 5: Preview and Print

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|  PREVIEW                                                     |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|  +------------------------+                                 |
|  |   Meeting Minutes      |                                 |
|  |   1985-1990            |                                 |
|  |                        |                                 |
|  |   National Archives    |                                 |
|  |                        |                                 |
|  |   |||||||||||||||||||  |                                 |
|  |   ADM-BOARD-1985-001   |                                 |
|  |                        |                                 |
|  |   [QR Code Image]      |                                 |
|  +------------------------+                                 |
|                                                             |
|  [Back]  [Print Label]  [Download PNG]                      |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Output Options

Click Print Label to open the browser print dialog: - Labels are optimized for print with hidden navigation elements - Works with standard label printers and sheet printers

Download PNG

Click Download PNG to save the label as an image file: - Requires html2canvas library - File named: label-[record-slug].png


Label Sizes Reference

Size Width Best For
Small 50mm (200px) Small items, folders, CDs
Medium 75mm (300px) Standard boxes, books
Large 100mm (400px) Large boxes, oversized items

Barcode Types

Linear Barcode (Code 128)

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ADM-BOARD-1985-001
  • Industry-standard barcode format
  • Scannable with handheld barcode readers
  • Encodes selected identifier

QR Code

+----------------+
| ## ## ## ## ## |
| ##    ##    ## |
| ## ## ## ## ## |
|    ##    ##    |
| ## ## ## ## ## |
+----------------+
  • Contains URL link to the record
  • Scannable with smartphones
  • Provides quick access to full record details

Sector-Specific Behavior

Library Items

When a record has library metadata (ISBN, ISSN, etc.), the system: - Auto-detects as "Library Item" - Prioritizes ISBN as default barcode source - Shows all available library identifiers

Museum Objects

When a record has museum metadata, the system: - Auto-detects as "Museum Object" - Prioritizes Accession Number as default barcode source - Shows object numbers and accession data

Archive Records

Default behavior for standard archival descriptions: - Uses Identifier as primary barcode source - Falls back to Title if no identifier exists


Common Uses

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|                    USE LABEL GENERATOR FOR:                  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|  Box Labels         - Identify storage containers            |
|  Folder Labels      - Mark individual folders                |
|  Spine Labels       - Library book spines                    |
|  Item Tags          - Attach to physical objects             |
|  Location Labels    - Mark shelving locations                |
|  Asset Tags         - Track digital media carriers           |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Tips for Best Results

+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
|  DO                            |  DON'T                         |
+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
|  Test print on plain paper     |  Print directly to labels      |
|  first                         |  without testing               |
|                                |                                |
|  Use high-quality label stock  |  Use low-resolution printers   |
|                                |                                |
|  Match label size to physical  |  Use oversized labels for      |
|  item                          |  small items                   |
|                                |                                |
|  Include QR code for quick     |  Rely only on barcodes for     |
|  lookup                        |  detailed information          |
|                                |                                |
|  Ensure good contrast for      |  Print on colored backgrounds  |
|  scanning                      |                                |
+--------------------------------+--------------------------------+

Troubleshooting

Issue Solution
Barcode not scanning Ensure adequate print resolution and contrast
QR code not working Verify record URL is accessible
Download not working Browser may need html2canvas library loaded
Wrong identifier shown Select correct source from dropdown
Label too large/small Adjust label size setting

Desktop Printers

  • Paper size: A4 or Letter
  • Quality: High or Best
  • Margins: Minimum

Label Printers

  • Compatible with Dymo, Brother, Zebra
  • Select appropriate label size
  • Enable cut after print if available

Need Help?

Contact your system administrator if you experience issues with label generation or printing.


Part of the AtoM AHG Framework