A true bar code Film Master is a
(first-generation) negative or positive
"plate-ready" photographic film image of a bar
code manufactured in conformance with strict
international UCC/EAN specifications. Film Masters are
used when individual bar codes are printed by
conventional packaging and label printers using offset
lithography, letterpress, flexography or other wet ink
printing processes. The bar code then gets printed on the
package or label at the same time as the other
(typically) black ink text and graphics. The PIPS logo on
every Film Master you purchase is your assurance of a
true, high-quality Film Master, not just a bar code
"image on film".
The
use of dependably
accurate PIPS AccuMaster™ Film
Masters assures that printers retain the fullest measure
of the allowed UPC/EAN printing tolerance for bar/space
deviations, a fundamental factor directly affecting
overall printed symbol "scannability". Each
PIPS AccuMaster Film Master is individually scanned and
verified for strict conformance to customer specifications and relevant application requirements,
including the critical UPC/EAN Film Master bar/space
tolerance of +/- 0.0002" (two ten-thousandths
of an inch). Not all "Film Master" suppliers
meet these strict standards or go to the additional
expense of performing 100% post-production inspection and
verification. There is a reason we do. Consistently
accurate and readily scannable bar codes are fundamental
to reduced cost and increased efficiency in
manufacturing, distribution, inventory control and sales
tracking throughout the world -- and grow more so
everyday.
"Out-of-spec" bar codes
routinely result in lost business and severe
back-charges, not just polite warnings and requests for
improvement "next time". (There may be no next
time). The cost of any penalty or corrective action is
typically hundreds or even thousands of times more than
the price of a proper Film Master. Since suppliers vary in their ability to meet
these strict bar/space tolerances, customers may wish to
specify that their supplier include with every Film
Master an industry-standard bar/space Film Master
verification print-out indicating "Symbol in
Spec".
PIPS AccuMaster™
Film Masters are usually shipped the day received (or
typically within 24 hours) and are available for same day
pick-up or delivery in New York City.
Moreover, as a member of The Axicon Group (a worldwide
federation of select bar code specialist companies
dedicated to first-class Film Master production), we also
offer same-day and next-day Film Master delivery in more
than 20 countries around the world.
