August 19th, 2019
If you've added new items to your collection—like we discussed last week—you might need to print some new barcode and spine labels. Here's some information on how to easily choose and customize your labels using Alexandria Reports!
Go to Reports > Copies > Labels and you'll find a list of spine and barcode labels. There are lots of options... so which one should you use?
Label options
Copy Labels (3x10). COMPanion part number V0055. Typically these work as your barcode labels. But you can print anything else on them, such as envelope labels.
Copy Labels (4x20). COMPanion part number V0036. These are much smaller labels, which makes them good for study program indicators.
Copy Labels (5x10). COMPanion part number V0034. These spine labels are a bit wider than the V0032 labels. They look better when you have longer call number segments, but fewer total segments.
Copy Labels (8x6, Tall). COMPanion part number V0032. Use these spine labels if you have several lines in your call numbers, as these are a bit taller than the V0034 labels.
Copy Labels (8x6, Tall), Variable. These are just like the 8x6 Tall report, but with a twist. The new variable options allow you to choose the number of rows and font size to get that perfect spine label.
Copy Labels (8x6, Wide). COMPanion part number V0032. These are the same label sheets as the 8x6 Tall, but it prints the information from a different orientation, so you get wider (but shorter) labels.
Copy Labels (8x6, Wide), Variable. The variable version of the 8x6 Wide labels, which allows you to choose the number of rows and font size.
Custom label reports
All of the label options listed above are custom label reports, meaning they support advanced options to help you get that perfect label. What specifically can you do with custom label reports?
Customize the Data. Choose what gets displayed on each label row, such as your site name, barcode number, call number, author, or any custom text.
Bold. Make the entire text of the label easier to read or differentiate certain parts of the data by bolding it.
Align. Print your call number text in the middle of your spine label, or on the left. Or on the right. Your choice.
Choose the Font Size. Use one row per line of data to fit more information, or double up and choose large rows for larger font.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Print some spine labels
- Choose the label report that best fits your needs.
- Customize your Selections. For example, say you wanted to include copies added over the last three days. You'd simply enter the date range for the last three days for the Copies added selection.
- Under Options, sort the report by how you have your items stacked up, or by something like Title.
- If you have spine labels already, remember to set up the data and rows of this report to match your current labels as closely as possible. If this is your first set of labels, make those important formatting decisions!
- Click Create Saved Report if you'll need to print more of these labels in the future. Now you won't have to keep setting all the right selections and options each time!
- Run the report.
- In Operations Management, download the report PDF and open it.
- Print a test page first. Put normal paper in the printer, and choose to print only page 1 of your pdf. Once you're satisfied with how it looks on regular paper, try out a single sheet of labels. Adjust as necessary. Remember to set sizing to 100% in the print pop-up window. (And take a look at our other troubleshooting tips.)
- Once everything is good to go, print page 2+ (no need to print page 1 again!).
If you need any help printing your labels, call us anytime at 1.800.347.4942!
These steps are for Alexandria version 7, which has a lot of cool label features. Still on version 6? Learn about switching to 7!
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13 Comments
Anonymous
How do I change the font size on spine labels?
Myra
Hello! In any custom label report in version 7, go to the Options tab, select the line of data, then use the Size dropdown on the right. That lets you choose between Small and Large.
Or if you are on version 7.19.2 or later, there are Variable label reports for 8x6 spine labels, which let you choose the exact font size.
Read more on this page: Custom Label Reports ARCHIVED.
Anonymous
Where can I find the option to skip rows when printing barcode labels? For example if I have printed labels before and want to start on row 3, label 3?
Myra
You can go to the Options tab and enter the number of Labels to Skip. For example, if your label sheet is 3x10, then in your case you would enter 8 to get it to start on row 3 label 3. (You might want to print a test sheet on a plain piece of paper just to test it!)
Anonymous
Where is the options tab? I cant seem to find it.
Thank you!
Morgan AUTHOR
Once you go to Tools > Reports and select a report from the list, you'll find the Options tab at the top of that report's customization pane to the right of the Selections tab.
Anonymous
Thank you so much!
Anonymous
I use blank spine labels from Demco. I used the Spine Labels Left Large choice from Version 6. What label choice is closest to what I used before?
Myra
Hi! Please refer to the Reports Conversion v6 to v7 for Copies > Label reports to figure out which report matches the one you used. Then you can customize how the data shows up on that report
Anonymous
How do I print labels for just a few items that need replacement labels? I don't need them all.
Myra
You'll want to make a Selection for those items. It's probably easiest to Show Additional Selections and select by a barcode list, if it's a few specific copies that need labels.
Anonymous
Ho do I get the spine labels to print in landscape mode? I chose Wide (8x6), and it seems right on the sample on the options screen (1" down, 1 5/8" across) but then when I run it, it puts it on a portrait page and cuts off labels. Even when I try to change it to landscape on my print screen, it just shrinks and does not fill the page properly. I have tried looking at the scaling, but there is no Landscape button like there was in ver. 6.
Morgan AUTHOR
Hello! If you want to print in landscape mode, you'll need to manually adjust this in the printing page layout of your PDF reader. We recommend using Adobe Reader and making sure your scaling is set to 100%. If this doesn't work, please feel free to contact Customer Support at 1-800-347-4942.
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