Printing UPS labels from Preview: Zebra 2844 and HP DJ 5740

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Level 1

5 points

Printing UPS labels from Preview: Zebra 2844 and HP DJ 5740

Hello. Trying to print labels from preview as I did in 10.4.11, the labels print with green color in some areas that the UPS guy tells me is unscannable.

Also, when printing to the Zebra 2844, using Leopard's driver and printing from Preview, or directly from the web image, the scan lines come out looking sort of pixellated and also don't scan, I am told.

When I print from Endicia (a postage program for Mac with a built-in driver, the USPS labels are sharp and crisp and scan perfectly.

Mac G4 Dual 1.25 ghz tower running 10.5.3. Built-in printer drivers (Leopard).

Any illumination you care to shed on this issue would be sincerely appreciated.

Best,

James Reid
Northern California

G4 1.25 mhz. dual MDD (FW); Pismo G3/500 PB, Mac OS X (10.4.8), Palm T3 PDA

Posted on Jul 17, 2008 1:31 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 18, 2008 5:28 AM in response to James Reid1

Problems printing UPS labels in Leopard under Preview is a known issue. I have alerted UPS to the issue, and requested they develop a solution for us Mac OS 10.5 leopard users. In the mean time it appears the only way to print out a clear label, is to use a graphics program and resize the .gif label and adjust it's resolution. let's hope there is better solution soon!

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Answer 2

James Reid1 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 18, 2008 8:19 AM in response to MacAssemble

Dear MacAssemble:

Thanks very much for your reply. Yesterday I tried right-clicking on the UPS label image from their website. Then I opened that image in Preview (copy from clipboard) and selected appropriate formatting in the "Print" dialog box. I also printed out the entire label via Java and printed it out on the inkjet (HP 5740). I put both labels on the package and later snagged the UPS man.
"Did that label scan?" I asked him, having written on the thermal label "Did it scan?"
He laughed and said, "Yes, it scanned fine."
It still looked funky-- kind of pixellated and not completely sharp, but it did scan. I told him to hotline me (I'll write my phone on each label) if he had trouble in the future. We'll see.
So, you open the label in Gimp or PS and increase the resolution? I tried increasing the res on the 2844, but it resulted in an image to large to fit on a 4"x6" label.
Do you suppose the problem is Preview or the graphic format used by UPS itself. As I mentioned, Endicia works great, but, of course, Preview is not involved-- it prints directly to the Zebra. Trouble is, more than half my packages going out are UPS.
In every case, thank you very much for your response. I've searched the net and discussion groups for some weeks just to confirm this problem, and found nothing. So at least now I know I'm not crazy (well, at least in this area). Thanks.

Best,

James R.
Sierra Foothills
Northern California

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Answer 3

Jul 18, 2008 10:27 AM in response to James Reid1

James,

I just tried to print a new label and it printed almost perfectly! I took a screen shot of my settings: http://macassemble.com/UPS2844Settings.jpg
The quality was extremely good, and fit the size of the label quite well. One difference is that on this label I did NOT choose to include a barcode for my custom reference #1 (makes for a shorter label). Look at the screen shot, and try out those exact settings and see how it works for you.

-Issac

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Answer 4

Jul 18, 2008 10:39 AM in response to MacAssemble

Forgot to mention a few things:

The label was created at UPS.com (right click/control click) the pop-up of the label to be printed and saved to my computer (gif image.) I then opened it in Apple Preview.app and simply chose "Print" specifying the settings as seen in my screenshot linked to in the last post.

I also tested all barcodes (including the 2D one with a bulls-eye in the center) and they all scanned perfectly.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 5

Jul 18, 2008 10:40 AM in response to MacAssemble

Forgot to mention a few things:

The label was created at UPS.com (right click/control click) the pop-up of the label to be printed and saved to my computer (gif image.) I then opened it in Apple Preview.app and simply chose "Print" specifying the settings as seen in my screenshot linked to in the last post.

I also tested all barcodes (including the 2D one with a bulls-eye in the center) and they all scanned perfectly.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 6

Jul 24, 2008 2:58 PM in response to James Reid1

Although the resolution could be better, this tip has allowed me to finally print UPS labels for my home based business vs. using a regular printer and then cutting to size. A big help!

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Answer 7

James Reid1 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 11, 2008 2:09 PM in response to James Reid1

On UPS's website, create a label.
Then hit "print".
Now right-click and select "copy."
Open Preview and hit command + n
Label opens very large in Preview.
Print this with your thermal printer.
It will scan OK.

See threads in this discussion for screen shots and further comments.

Thanks to all who participated in this solution.

James R.

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