Printing - Signs, Labels, Barcodes Contents: -----Banners/Signs -----Disk Directory Printing -----Bar Code -----Label Printing ================== -----Banners/Signs [ALPHABT] Alphabet contains a file for each letter, A-Z. Each file contains a full-page representation of the letter (turned sideways) so that by sending a string of these letter-files to the printer, you can make a banner. [AUTOFONT] AutoFont (REXXCOM Systems; $19) converts input text to a large font created with ASCII characters which can be printed or saved to disk. This can be used for creating eye-catching headings or for highlighting keywords within documents. Fonts created with AutoFont are easily combined with standard DOS text files. The program is menu driven, and very easy to use. A demo program is included. [BANNRIF] Bannerific 2.1 (Mission Technologies; $17) lets you produce large banners on your printer. All IBM PC keyboard characters may be used. The size of the characters produced on the printer is variable, and may be as large as the width of your computer paper. You can make vertical as well as horizontal banners on any printer. You can choose the height and width of each letter, so you can make banners many sizes. [BIGLET] BigLetters (Hoffmann, Robert; $0) prints out text in big letters formed with ASCII block characters. Output can go to the screen or a file. It doesn't have the font capabilities of BigText, but is easier to use. [BIG_TEXT] Big-Text 1.6 (Ford, Nelson, ASP; $15) prints text using large fonts created by combinations of characters from the IBM character set. Big-Text can be used for making signs, posters, name tags, etc. Several font files come with Big-Text, including a 6-line by 6-space character font created with IBM block characters and one created with IBM line-drawing characters. At normal printer settings, these fonts will print out one inch high. Instructions are included for creating your own fonts of from two to 20 printer lines high. Font files can be changed from within the text file. [DMBANNR] DM-Banner 2.1 (Morgan, Dwight; $10) prints large banners. One of the interesting features of this banner maker is that you can specify a line of text to be used in creating the letters instead of just a single letter. The author is no longer at the address provided in the documentation. [LARGE] Large (Nopper, Bruce A.; $25) is for the visually handicapped. This program reads a text file of up to 64K and displays it in characters that are four screen lines high. You can page up and down and jump to the beginning and end of the file. Unfortunately, the program doesn't do word-wrap, so words are split wherever the end of the screen happens to hit, making reading somewhat difficult. The user can optionally print the file on an Epson compatible printer at 40 characters per line. Users interested in this should also see BIGECHO and BIGTEXT, already in the library. [LINCBAN] Lincomatic Banner Maker (Lin, Sam; $0) will allow you to make fancy signs which can be printed on any printer. Unlike some other sign-maker programs, you can choose among many different fonts (KSET's) or even create your own. [POSTER] Poster will make a poster with large letters. You can use your current settings or change printer settings to meet your specifications. Easy to use. Requires BASIC. [POSTMSTR] Postmaster (Nissen Ventures; $25) is an easy-to-use poster program. It allows you to design your own 22"x 17" posters that print out on 10 pieces of paper which are then pieced together. It offers a variety of border styles, graphics, and fonts. [PRNTLORD] PrintLord (Nissen Ventures; $25) is a banner printing utility with picture printing capability. It contains dozens of pictures and four different fonts. It will print horizontally or vertically. The text and graphics are printed using an asterisk ("*") rather than true graphics, which means that it should work on any printer. The documentation is very sparse. It appears that you have to Ctrl-Break to exit the program. You have to view the picture files before defining the banner and refer to the pictures you want by number. [PPARTNER] PrintPartner (Acropolis Software; $20) is a PrintMaster work-alike that lets you make signs and banners with a variety of fonts and graphics, as well as full-page block calendars with your choice of fonts. The program includes 75 high-quality pictures plus a utility that will convert the hundreds of PrintMaster pictures in the PsL. It also has a very good selection of interesting fonts - 11 altogether. The only improvement we would suggest would be to add graphics to the calendar printing function. [QDBANNR] Quick & Dirty Banners (Michael McConnohie; $0) has a separate text file for each character. Each text file consists of a large representation of the character turned on its side so that when printed one after the other, the characters string together to form a banner. This one is similar to ALPHABET, above; it includes character files for about two dozen punctuation and other marks, such as the dollar sign. [SCRIBE] Scribe (Hansen, Mike; $24) prints text in your choice of several different type faces and sizes on an Epson compatible dot matrix printer. The text is entered on a scrolling page on the screen. A banner making program using the same type faces is included. With a mouse, several drawing functions are available for adding graphics. The output on our Epson LQ-850 is not very dark. Gaps were left in the output unless we switched the printer to the eight lines-per-inch mode. [SBANNER] Super Banner (Hammonds, Trevor; $?) It will make banners on your printer using your choice of three sizes and fill letters. -----Disk Directory Printing [DL48] DaLabeler 4.8 (Neal, Robert; $10) lets you print a disk directory listing on labels, including up to five lines of comments. The program is menu-driven and very slick looking. It can handle up to 66 file names on a label; edit the list of file names before printing the label and you can override the volume label. It supports 4"x1.5" labels in addition to 3.5"x15/16". The printer configuration file comes set up for Epsons, but can be easily modified to work with most printers. [DIRP] DirP (Fisher, Stanley; $0) is a "sorted directory on a label" utility which will fit on 3.5" disks. We like the ease with which this works: it reads the current directory and treats any text on the DOS command line as a heading line for the label. [DSK306] DiskList 3.06 (Gulf Sierra, reg. fee: $39) prints disk sleeve inserts showing directory contents. [DISKOVR] DiskOver 4.6 (Caleb Computer Consultants; $20) prints an insert for a disk cover listing the files on the disk, including the contents of ARC, ZIP and LBR files. [DSKLABL] Disk Label Maker 1.31 (Hwang, Eric & Associates; $15) is a disk directory label printing utility. It can read standard and high capacity disks and supports the two most popular label sizes. [DISKLIST] Disklist 3.0 (Gulf Sierra ASP; $25) prints disk sleeve inserts showing directory contents. It works particularly well on laser printers, including the ability to download users' soft fonts. It provides 33 formats that print from one to six columns of file names with options to include date, time and file size. It can print a border around a list to be cut out, or omit the border for labels. It can list the files inside most archive formats. Other features include support for Ink Jet printers and Windows. [DISKMAIL] DiskMailer 1.1 (Bryan E. Taylor; $20) creates floppy disk mailers and sleeves. A built-in editor is included to modify the information to be printed on the mailer. Output can be previewed on screen. [FOLDIR] FolDIR (Patton, Gavin S.; $10) will print a directory listing for a diskette on paper so that it can be folded to form a disk sleeve. FolDIR will print sleeves for 5.25" or 3.5" disks. [MASDIR] MasDIR (Stephan, Bob; $20) combines directory sorting, disk label printing and disk cover programs. It offers five ways to sort file names, four printing options without changing printer settings, and listing directory files in 2, 4, and 6 columns. [LMAKER] Label Maker 7.10 (Fort's Faceting, reg. fee: $25) will read the file names from a disk, allow the user to input a disk title and comments, and then print the information onto any of five different size labels. It supports Epson compatible dot matrix and HP LaserJet compatible printers. [PDD] Printed Disk Directory (Gilbert, Raymond A.; $0) is a utility to print a sorted directory listing in such a format as to allow the listing to be cut and inserted into the sleeve with the diskette. Assembler source included. [PLABEL] PLabel prints labels for diskettes on standard 3 1/2" x 15/16" mailing labels. It prints the volume label, diskette, today's date, and more. Depending on the number of files on the diskette, it may print just the file names, file names and extensions, or file names, extensions and file size. [PSSLBL] PssLbl 1.1a (Scott, Kevin A.; $25) is a menu driven diskette label printing utility, written entirely in assembler. It allows you to print labels of just about any size on just about any printer. You can have the filenames sorted before they are printed. You can specify numerous options that control such features as the size of the disk name when printed, whether leading zeros should be suppressed, whether trailing blanks should be suppressed when the filenames are printed. Virtual every print feature of the labels can be customized. [VOLTAG] VolTag 2.13 (Contech Systems; $10) is an application for printing informative, eye-pleasing labels for 3.5" diskettes. It graphically displays the amount of free space left on each diskette; it offers full Mouse support; up to 63 file names can be displayed on each label; and either the diskette title or the volume label (your choice) is printed along the "spine" of the label for easy identification of boxed or stacked diskettes. Requires DOS 3+ and an IBM Graphics printer or compatible. -----Bar Code [BARCODE] Barcode (Gavito, Michael; $25) prints bar codes (code 3 of 9) using most dot-matrix and laser printers, although on printers that are not Epson-compatible, you need to be able to enter the control codes from your printer manual into the program. [BCB] Barcode-Blobs 1.0 (GRAFTech Development Corporation ASP; $56) produces black and white PCX bar code graphics for use with any programs which can import PCX graphic files. Bar codes supported by the program include UPC A, UPC E, EAN/- IAN 8 & 13, Interleaved 2 of 5, Code 39, Code 128 A,B & C, Standard 2 of 5 and POSTNET/POSTNET ABC. [BARLABL] BarLabel 1.0a (The Data Factory; $39) provides a means of printing Barcodes, Carrier Routes, and +4 zip codes on a standard 3 1/2 x 15/16 mailing label. You must supply a database in either dBase III, SDF, and Comma Delimited format. Two sample databases are included. DOS 3.0+ and a dot-matrix printer are required. [BARLAB] Bar Label 39 1.5 (Costigliola, Charles; $20) is a bar code generation program that will produce dot matrix code 39 bar code labels. The bar codes, with a maximum length of 11-12 characters and an optional 24 character title line are printed on standard one across, 3-1/2" X 15/16", mailing labels. Supported printers include those compatible with the IBM Proprinter, Epson LX, and Star Micronics 1000 printers. [CODEMAKR] CodeMaker 1.3 (Quinbar, Kirk; $54) prints barcodes on dot matrix and HP laser printers. The program supports barcode styles 3 of 9, Int 2 of 5, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN8, and EAN13. Predefined quantity of the same label or a quantity of labels can be printed based on a starting serial number. Serial numbers and other data can be saved to a disk. Four predefined label sizes are provided; customized labels may be added. [GTLABEL] GRAFTech's Labels-Plus 3.0 (GRAFTech ASP; $56) is a barcode labeling program. It prints on over 300 different dot matrix printers including Epson, IBM, Okidata, Panasonic and compatibles. Support is provided for UPC Version A, UPC Version E, UPC/EAN/IAN 13, UPC/EAN/IAN 8, Interleaved 2 of 5, Standard 2 of 5, Code 39 and Code 128. Data may be entered through the keyboard or via delimited or fixed-position ASCII files. [POSTNT] PostNT 1.0 (Hochberg, Nelson; $25) reads a file of addresses, prints it on a dot matrix printer in any format and adds the U.S. Postal Office postnet bar code. Requires a dot matrix printer capable of graphics or a laser printer that will emulate a dot matrix printer. [UNDRBAR] UnderBar 2.2 (Binary Systems; $35) is a 2K TSR which prints a Postnet bar code under any address that has a zip+4 code or a delivery point bar code. This program is automatic and supports any word processor, mailing list, or database program that you use. It can also automatically determine the last two digits of the 11-digit Delivery Point Bar Code (DPBC). [UNIKEY] Unikey Bar Codes (Unikey Systems; $0) is a set of Bar Code printing programs, five of which print code 39 bar codes on nine-pin Epson-compatible printers and one of which is for HP LaserJets. [WONDERB] WonderBar 4.4 (Binary Systems ASP; $35) is a (2k) TSR that prints five and nine digit Bar Codes and also Zip+4 codes. It stays in memory and watches for your programs to print zip codes. When it spots one preceded by a caret mark ("^"), it switches your printer to graphics mode and prints a bard code. It will work with font cartridges and downloaded soft fonts. However, it will not work with programs that send graphics page layouts to the printer instead of characters. The program can only print 100 bar code labels without reloading the TSR, so it is not suitable for printing large jobs, but is useful for adding barcodes to the occasional letter envelope. -----Label Printing [AE] AE 1.0 (Anton Monroe, reg. fee: $0) is a simple envelope printing program for dot matrix printers. It can keep a record of up to 200 addresses and five return addresses. It also features text search and definable envelope sizes. Requires a 24-pin dot matrix printer with Epson emulation mode. [AUTOLABL] Autolabl! II (GuareGraphics; $15) is an all-purpose label making utility that is fully customizable. It will print mailing labels, custom disk labels, rolodex-style cards, and lists. It features save and recall of lists, choice of eight preset or user defined styles per line, easy transfer of data from list to list, previewing of lists, set text and text masking, and more. You can manually or automatically tag entries, then save them to disk. You can preview or print one label, all tagged entries, or an entire file. It can print all 255 ASCII characters on most dot matrix printers. This is a powerful program and is easy to use. [BOXLBL] BoxLabel (Beattie, Martin; $?) prints an address label for a box or package. It will print the top line of each address in Double Width mode. It is written and compiled for an Okidata with plug n' play but if you have Turbo Pascal, you can change the boldon, boldoff and wideon, wideoff constants to your printer's requirements. [DGLABEL] DGLabel 2.04 (Gillis, Dale E.; $10) is a label printing program that offers many options, including seperate font definitions for each line (eg: emphasized expanded on one line, tiny on the next) and the ability to store a line in memory for use on other labels or to store labels for later user. DGLabel can be used with all printers, though use of the different fonts will probably require an Epson compatible printer. [FLEXLBL] Flex(L)able 2.0 (Ford, Nelson ASP; $0) is a flexible, general purpose label printing program that should work with any printer. It also allows you to define and use any special features your printer may have, such as color, double-high printing, and different fonts. Features depend on the capabilities of your printer, but by way of illustration, with the Epson LQ, you can have your choice of 6, 7, or 8 lines per inch; up to eight different character widths and three different heights, for a total of 24 different print sizes; as many as 20 different print styles to choose from for each line; optional auto-centering of lines; optional auto-serializing; and more. Labels can be saved to disk. Sets of labels can be printed where one or more lines for each label can be entered from a disk file, such as a mailing list or list of disk names, and one or more labels printed for each name. [GENLBL] GenLabel 2.8 (Forrest, Rob; $5) is a simple but efficient program for running off a set of mailing labels. [GLM] Graphics Label Machine (Spicer, John A.; $20) prints labels with graphic images on the left side. It can use PrintMaster, Print Shop, or New Print Shop graphics, and a sample library of images is included. Features include a true WYSIWYG interface, eight different fonts, line justification, save and restore options, automatic printing of saved labels, and more. [KWKLBL] KwikLabl 3.4/A (John F. Cram, reg. fee: $10-15) prints small return address labels for the upper left corner of the envelope. You can make your own individual border design. [INADDRS] instantADDRESS 1.0 (KJL Software; $24) is an 8k TSR which will capture an address from the screen from within most programs and print it to an envelope or label in two keystrokes. [LABEL] Label 1.0 (Alexander G Orr, reg. fee: $0) is an address label program written in QBasic. Source code is included. [LABEL35] Label35 3.1 (Wong, Albert; $0) is an easy-to-use program that will produce attractive labels for 3.5" diskettes. [LMAGIC1, LMAGIC2] Label Magic (Albanese, Joseph; $25) is an excellent labeling system that generates professional looking labels in minutes, complete with graphic icons. Part of the program is a utility to let you create your own icons. There is more to this program than logos, however. You can do mailing lists with or without icons. If your printer can handle envelopes, you can print your logo and return address directly on envelopes. You can use it to print letterheads. You can also have alphabetically sorted directory entries. You can preview the label and icon on screen with Hercules monographics, CGA, MCGA, EGA, AT&T HiRes, or VGA. Where many graphics oriented shareware programs are weakest is in the number of printers they support because each type of printer requires different routines to print graphics. Label Magic is well above average in this regard, supporting the C.Tioh 8510, NEC 8023, Epson FX (and compatibles), Epson LX, IBM Graphics, IBM Proprinter, HP Deskjet and Deskjet Plus, HP LaserJet II, HP PaintJet, Epson LQ-2500 and Panasonic KX-P1124 printers. (Printer must use parallel port.) Requires 512k RAM and a hard disk or high capacity drive. DESQview compatibility. A mouse makes the icon editor easier to use, but is not required. Also included is TOLM, a utility for converting PrintMaster and Print Shop and New Printshop icons to Label Magic format. [LBLMATE] LabelMate 1.6 (GuareGraphics; $15) lets you put a Print Shop graphic on a label with five lines of text which can have any one of eight preset or user defined fonts or modes for each line. It handles labels from 1 to 5 inches long, prints a single label or entire file, and displays up to 14 graphics at a time. Graphics may be rotated, flipped, or inverted. New PrintShop graphics are supported. Requires a dot matrix printer and EGA/VGA. [MILABEL] MiLabel 2.5 (John M. Haro, reg. fee: $15) allows you to create labels and print them to an Epson or IBM dot matrix, or HP compatible LaserJet. [MRLABEL] Mr. Label (Thomas Gleason Software; $30-$60) is probably the best general purpose label printing program we have seen. Among its features are the ability to import data from text files, to address envelopes (individually or continuous feed, including the option of printing a return address at the same time!), to use any type font supported by your printer, to do underlining and variable line spacing, to center text automatically, to print reports, to print custom items, such as letterheads, price tags, ID badges, file folder labels, name tags, inventory slips, and to serialize labels. Mailing labels can be designed to any size, text positioning (including automatic centering), and with different fonts on each line. Label formats can be stored on disk and reused. The disk has several sample data files on it. Supports up to 9-across labels. Also prints rolodex cards, disk labels, and name tags. Other features include an easy-to-use, professional-quality text editor that lets you edit up to six lists simultaneously in a full-screen mode. It features search/replace and cut/paste capabilities and can read files up to the available memory of your machine. It also allows up to 10,000 copies of a label. Support is included for all laser printers, and the ability to print envelopes and Avery laser labels. Four styles of borders are also included. It can also print the new PostNet barcode on labels and envelopes. [PLVNL316] Plain Vanilla Labels 3.16 (Rosewood Software, reg. fee: $10) is a free-form label program. Features include indexing anywhere on any line of each label, powerful and fast search feature, easy data entry, macros, import/export of labels, and more. [PMSLBL] PMSLabel 1.4 (Hastings, Clint; $15) allows you to print mailing labels using graphic pictures from either PrintMaster or PrintShop. Features include multiple column printing, viewing of the graphics while selecting which graphic to print, a file requester to save typing in the graphic file names, multiple printer support, a default address to be printed, mailing list capabilities, loading of the entire graphic file into RAM, from one to five text lines per label, color, and a help screen. [PRTLABEL] PRTLabel (Mustang Software; $31) is a powerful and flexible label printing program. You can specify label size, number of labels across, and printer model. Over 55 printer configuration files are included, plus you can easily create a customized config file. You can use fonts such as condensed, double-wide, italics and others. A rather unique feature of PRTLABEL is that you can draw a border around your message if your printer supports the line drawing characters of the IBM extended character set. Labels can be saved and recalled. Labels can also be serialized. [PTLABEL] PTLabl3 (Mustang Software; $10) is a program for printing labels of any size. [SIMLAB40] Simply Labels 4.01 (SimpleWare, reg. fee: $39) prints custom free form labels. It maintains large lists and can print any size label. It handles mailing lists of several thousand names, disk labels, cassette jackets, numbered tickets, postcards, and more. Features include preprinted text, full-featured label editor, import from any file, up to 12 labels across, 9999 copies, envelopes, reports, sorting, searches, read dbase files, auto numbering, auto centering, and date and time stamps. [WIRELBL] Wire Labeler (Miller, Paul; $0) allows you to print custom-made labels for all your cables, such as those found in home audio and video systems, public-address microphone cables, 115-VAC power cables, etc. Requires full-page (8.5"x11") label material which can be ordered from Computer Label Company, 800-332-4223, (Calif.: 800-331-4223) for $20 per 100 sheet.