Purpose
This is the shop-floor guide for the person who prints labels but does not design them. It covers a safe, repeatable loop: open the job, check it, print a sample, run production, reprint when needed, and report problems — without touching the design or settings.
The goal is zero surprises: the operator confirms what the job says, prints a sample, and only then releases the run.
1. Open the job
Find it in the queue
Open the assigned job from the production queue or the shared job folder — not an old copy from your desktop.
Read the job ticket
Note the quantity, media, printer, and any proof/approval status before doing anything else.
Confirm it's released
Only run jobs marked ready/approved. If it's on hold, it isn't yours to release — ask.
Don't edit the design
As operator you verify and print. Design changes go back to whoever prepared the job.
2. Check before printing
A 30-second check prevents most wasted media. Match the job to the physical setup:
- Media: the roll/sheet loaded matches the ticket (size, type, gap/mark).
- Printer: the correct printer is selected and online.
- Quantity: the number to print matches the order.
- Proof: if the job needs customer approval, it is approved.
3. Print a sample
| On the sample, check | Pass / fail |
|---|---|
| Size & position | Artwork sits correctly on the label; nothing clipped at edges. |
| Barcode | Scans first time with the real scanner. |
| Text | Names, lots, dates readable and complete (no cut-off). |
| Color / white | Looks like the approved proof; white/spot where expected. |
4. Run production
Release the quantity
Once the sample passes, release the full run from the queue.
Watch the first meters
Stay with the machine at the start — catch feed, registration, or ink issues early.
Spot-check during the run
Pull an occasional label and re-scan / re-read, especially on long runs.
Mark it done
Set the job status to done so the record is accurate and stock can be updated.
5. Reprint the right way
Damaged labels or a short count happen. Reprint from the record, not from memory.
- Use the job's reprint / history function — it keeps the exact settings.
- Reprint only the missing quantity where possible.
- Do not rebuild the job by hand; that's how settings drift.
- For serialized labels, reprint the specific serials, not a new range.
6. Report a problem
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Sample fails | Stop. Don't “adjust and hope.” Flag the job and note what's wrong. |
| Barcode won't scan | Keep a failing sample, mark the job, and send it back for correction. |
| Wrong media / can't match ticket | Do not substitute silently. Confirm with whoever owns the job. |
| Machine error | Record the error text/code with the job so it can be traced. |