Starting Intelligent Mail Design with Label Studio:
A Label Studio user, who is just starting with Intelligent Mail might be keen on keeping up to date with intelligent mail requirements, but might still be little bit confused about the following:
I. Do they need to download or install any barcode fonts, and if so, then where to download them from and how to download the barcode fonts.
II. What is the difference between each barcode font?
III. How to use each barcode font to create different intelligent mail labels?
The answer to the first question is No, they don’t need to download or install the barcode fonts, as of the time of the writing this post if you’re running Label Studio 7.90c then you are up-to-date with the Intelligent Mail barcode fonts, these barcode fonts are installed automatically with Label Studio installation.
The answer to the second and third questions above depends on the Label type; an Intelligent Mail label contains one of three types of barcodes:
1. The Intelligent Mail barcode for mail pieces:
The user can create a Label Studio address label containing intelligent mail barcode, this barcode is applied to individual mail pieces (letters, cards and flats), this barcode was formerly known as 4-state barcode, it is used to track and sort letters and flats, it combines the capabilities of the POSTNET and PLANET it also has the capability to insert more data into the barcode, this barcode is available in Label Toolbox (the designer piece of Label Studio), the user can insert it in their design if they are creating a new label design from scratch, or they pick from the templates that already contain Intelligent Mail designs, or modify one of the provided IM design.
2. The Intelligent Mail Tray barcode:
Label Studio also provides this barcode, it is a 24 digit encoded - code 128 barcode, this barcode is used on Intelligent Mail Tray labels that are attached to trays, sacks, and tubs, the IM tray labels enables uniquely identifying each tray sack as well as the originator of each handling unit as it makes it’s way through the postal service’s mail processing and transportation network. Since May 2009 the USPS started accepting Intelligent Mail Tray and Sack labels.
3. Intelligent Mail Container barcode:
Label Studio also support Intelligent Mail Pallet Placards, these container labels (or placards) that are attached to handling units such as pallets, containers, and APCs., Intelligent mail container barcode provides visibility at the mail aggregate level, it is used on mailer-generated pallet labels to uniquely identify pallets and similar containers, in addition to identifying the mail owner it provides a link between the electronic mailing record and the physical aggregate.
Your can refer Ribbs site, RIBBS.USPS.GOV for more information about the IM labels requirements, and to Label Studio help about Label Creation of the various Intelligent Mail labels.
