Print Templates

Print Templates

Print Templates Overview

The FTx label printing system enables digital label printing, offering flexibility in design and customization. Its print template feature allows you to create and print label templates, simplifying inventory management and checkout processes.

By integrating digital labels with inventory management systems, it enhances operational efficiency, making product tracking and stock level management easier. Additionally, the system supports barcode label generation for use with Avery, Dymo, and Zebra label printers.

This article focuses on creating and adding new barcode label templates, editing label layouts, and printing barcode labels based on the templates created.

Reaching "Print Templates"

To reach "Print Templates," follow the below steps:
  1. Step 1: Log into Control Center
  2. Step 2: Choose Point of Sale
  3. Step 3: Choose Maintenance
  4. Step 4: Choose Print Templates 
Figure 0.1 below will help you in understanding the navigation better. 
 Figure 0.1                                                                                          

Understanding "Print Templates" Layout

By clicking "Print Templates," you can see its page. This page displays the following: Name, Type, Template Data, Created/Updated, and Actions.
 Figure 0.2                                                                                 

1. Adding a New Print Template

This template that is created under Create New Template is actually the layout of the label that will be printed to affix to products or shelves.
Follow the steps mentioned below to add a new print template:
  1. Click the “Add New” button highlighted in Figure 0.2 above to add a new print template.
  2. The form highlighted in Figure 1.0 will appear on your screen.
Figure 1.1
Print Template Fields:
  1. Name: Mention the name of the template here in this field.
  2. Type: This field offers two options, depending on the type of label printer used. Depending on the availability of the label printer at your store, you can choose either of the two:

 Figure 1.2
  1. Dymo Label Writers: Dymo Label Writers are a line of electronic label-making devices that can be used to create and print custom labels quickly and easily. They typically print using thermal technology, meaning no ink or toner is required. Some popular Dymo Label Writer models include the Dymo 4XL, Dymo 450, and Dymo Label Writer 550 series.
  2. Zebra Label Print: These offer excellent print quality for thermal transfer printing up to 8 inches per second with a permanent acrylic adhesive that offers high adhesion to corrugated surfaces.
  1. Template Data: It provides context for each parameter and makes it much easier for users to modify templates.
  2. Once the data is filled in the fields, click on "Save," "Save & Close," or "Save & New" to save the changes.
  3. Click on "Cancel" to discard the changes and close the Add New Print Template.

2. Editing the Print Template

Follow the steps mentioned below to edit the print template:
  1. Click the Edit button highlighted in Figure 0.2 above to edit the existing print template. 
  2. The form highlighted in Figure 2.1 will appear on your screen.
 Figure 2.1          
  1. Edit the information in the selected print template. 
  2. Once the data is filled in the fields, click on "Save," "Save & Close," or "Save & New" to save the changes.
  3. Click on "Cancel" to discard the changes and close the Add New Print Template.
Notes
The preview of the label is available for the Zebra type print template in the Preview Label Design. From there, you can also define the predefined dimensions as per your personal needs and requirements. 

2.1 Preview Label Design

The Width and Height fields allow you to define the dimensions of the Zebra label.
Figure 2.1.1

You can enter Width and Height values below 1 inch. The fields support values with up to 2 decimal places.

When the label dimensions are below 1 inch, the font size automatically reduces and adjusts proportionally to prevent text from overflowing or being clipped.

The Zebra print template supports the minimum supported Zebra label size. Smaller label dimensions are also supported during template preview, rendering, and printing.

Labels with Width and Height values of 1 inch or greater continue to work as before.

3. Deleting the Print Template   

Follow the steps mentioned below to delete a print template:

  1. Click the Delete button highlighted in Figure 0.2 above to delete a print template. 
  2. A dialogue box, as highlighted in Figure 3.1, appears on the screen.

Figure 3.1
  1. Click “Yes, Delete” to continue the process of deleting the print template.
  2. Click “Cancel” to close the pop-up and skip the deletion process.
  3. The deletion process can also be performed on the Edit Print Template screen.

4. Print Manager

This button redirects you to the Label Printing System, as highlighted in Figure 4.1. Use the below list to queue up many different items that can be printed in mass.
You can also use the search button or "Advanced Search" to begin adding items to the template.
                                                                                                                                    
Figure 4.1
                                                                                
Key Information:
  1. Select Location for Data/Pricing: A dropdown menu to choose a store location (e.g., "1 - New York")—used to pull correct pricing and product data.
  2. QOH Filter: Filters products based on Quantity on Hand (QOH). The default option shown is “Show All Items."
  3. Quick Search UPC: A search bar where users can enter UPC codes to find products quickly
  4. Advanced Search: Opens more detailed search/filter options.
  5. Other Add Options: A dropdown for alternative methods to add products to the queue.
  6. Added Product Table: The details of the product that you are adding for printing labels.
  7. Remove Selected: Removes selected items from the queue.
  8. Start Printing: Begins the label printing process for the items in the queue.

4.1. Selecting Location for Data/Pricing

The location dropdown is used specifically for label printing. 


Figure 4.1.1

Select the location to specify the source location from which product information and pricing will be pulled for generating labels.

4.2. QOH Filter:

This field displays the different filters for quantity on hand. Select any one of the options from the drop-down list as per the requirements. 

Figure 4.2.1
  1. Only Items > 0: This option will display only items with a QOH greater than 0.
  2. Only Items < 0: This option will display only items with a QOH lesser than 0.
  3. Only Items >= 0: This option will display only items with a QOH greater than or equal to 0.
  4. Only Items <= 0: This option will display only items with a QOH less than or equal to 0.
  5. Only Items = 0: This option will display only items with a QOH greater than 0.
  6. Only Items <> 0: This option will display only items with a QOH not equal to 0. 

4.3. Quick Search UPC

If you wish to print a label for a particular product, enter the UPC for the product in Quick UPC Search that you wish to add to the queue for printing.

Figure 4.3.1       
  1. Type the UPC and press Enter. See Figure 4.3.1 for reference.
  2. The product will be added to the product table and will be ready for printing its label.
The Advanced Search lets you filter products by name, type, department, vendor, and status (Active/Inactive). Use it when the UPC is unknown or when managing multiple products. Select and add the desired product to the queue from the results.
 
Figure 4.4.1

Sections on the Advanced Search page:
  1. Type Product Name: Use this field to type and search a product.
  2. All Products: Use this field to choose the product type—Parent, Child, Standalone, or All Products.

Figure 4.4.2

      3. Only Active: Use this field to filter records by status—Active, Inactive, or All Records. Selecting "All Records" includes both active and inactive records for a broader search.

                  
                  Figure 4.4.3

4. All Departments: Use this field to choose a particular department or all departments for searching for a product to add.


Figure 4.4.4

5. All Vendors: Use this field to choose a particular department or all vendors for searching for a product to add.

Figure 4.4.5

6. Search: Use this button to fetch the products as per your requirements.
7. Add Items to the Queue: This button adds selected products from the search results to the print queue. This allows you to print labels for multiple items at once. Ensure items are selected before clicking the button.
  1. Click on "Cancel" to cancel the selection and exit the select product screen.
Let's see one example:
  1. Once the customization for selecting a product is made, then follow the steps below:

Figure 4.4.6
See Figure 4.4.6 above:

1. Click on "Search" once the product selection customizations are done.
2. Make the selection of products by checking the checkboxes  against the product name.
3. Click on "Add Items to Queue" in order to add the selected items to the print label queue.

The added products will be as highlighted in Figure 4.4.7.

Figure 4.4.7

4.5. Other Add Options

This field allows you to select additional product options for label printing. You can add products to the queue that have undergone price or cost changes, appear on the adjustment worksheet, or have been recently invoiced and added to inventory.
Figure 4.5.1
                                                                       

4.5.1. Add by Price Changes

Select items from the list of products that you wish to add whose price/cost is changed to the queue for label printing.
Figure 4.5.1.1
  1. You can search for a product by entering its name or UPC on the basis of cost or price change.
  2. Check the product to select the product and click on "Add Items to Queue" to add them in the queue. 

4.5.2. Add by Worksheet

Select the worksheet from the list of worksheets that are displayed after searching. Click "Add Worksheet Items to Queue," and it will add the respective items to the queue for label printing. 

Figure 4.5.2.1

4.5.3. Add by Invoice 

Select the invoice from the list of invoices that are displayed after searching.
  1. Click on "Add Invoice Items to Queue," and it will add the respective items to the queue for label printing. Whenever new items arrive at the store with an invoice, it becomes easier to print their labels in time.
Figure 4.5.3.1                                     
  1. Once you click on "Add Invoice Items to Queue," you will be prompted with the ALERT message seen in Figure 4.5.3.2.
Figure 4.5.3.2
Info
All Items on Invoice & Children – Adds every item from the invoice, including any associated child items
Only Items on Invoice (No Children) – Adds only the main items from the invoice, excluding child items.
Only Child Items (No Parent Items) – Adds only the child items, without their parent items.
Child Items and Standalone – Adds child items along with standalone items (not linked to any parent).
  1. Select any 1 of the 4 options seen in Figure 4.5.3.2 and the system will add and display the list of products as per your selected option.
NotesFor example: If you select Invoice # 0011223344 as displayed in Figure 4.5.3.2 and "All Items on Invoice & Children" from Figure 5.3.2 then the list of products will be added as highlighted in Figure 4.5.3.3.
Figure 4.5.3.3
                                                               

4.6. Products Table Displaying Items Added to the Print Queue

This table displays all the products that have been added to the print queue, including details like product name, UPC, and quantity, allowing you to review and manage items before printing labels.

Column Description:
  1. Once the products have been added to the printing label queue, they can be printed as per the business requirements.
  2. You can use this screen to manage items added to the printing queue.
  3. Different sections of the Label Printing System screen are explained below for better understanding. 
Figure 4.6.1
                                                                       
Selected Products List Records that are added to the queue for printing:
  1. Product Name: Here is the name of the product for which the label is to be printed.
  2. Product UPC: The UPC for the product is mentioned in this column.
  3. Product Type: The product type is mentioned in this column as parent, child, or standalone.
  4. Qty to Print: The quantity number is the quantity number that describes how many labels should be printed for the selected products. 
  1. For example, if the value of the print quantity is 5, the system will print 5 labels for each item. With (+) and (-) signs, you can add or subtract the quantity number.
  1. Actions: To remove the individual added product, the "Remove Item" button can be used.
  2. Remove Selected: This button lets you delete all the checked records of the products that are added to the queue.
  3. Start Printing Button: This button will print the labels as per the selected options. explained below in the latter part of the document.

4.7. Remove Selected

The Remove Selected button deletes all items that have been checked in the queue list. Use this option to bulk-remove multiple products from the print queue in one action.
            Figure 4.7.1
                                                                           
  1. Check the checkboxes for the items that you wish to remove and click on "Remove Selected."

    Figure 4.7.2                                                              

  2. The selected items will be deleted from the product list table.

4.8. Start Printing Button

This button will help you choose the printer and allow you to print the labels as per the created print templates.
  1. Click on the button to get directed to the Print Options page.
  2. All the options found on Print Options are explained below:

Figure 4.8.1
  1. Choose Printer Type: This field lets you choose the printer type from the drop-down list that consists of 4 options for selecting a printer for your labels. See Figure 8.2. Select the printer type that suits your needs.

Figure 4.8.2
You will see 3 types of Avery formats:
  1. Avery Format: In case you have selected the Avery option, the customization option as per Avery format pops up, as displayed in Figure 8.3 below.
  1. Choose Avery Format: Three options for Avery labels are explained below: 
Figure 8.3
  1. Avery 5160: The Avery 5160 label template allows the generation of labels with the product's UPC number, price, and barcode. The label will be generated as shown in Figure 8.4.


    Figure 8.4

  2. Avery 5167: The Avery 5167 label template allows the generation of labels with the product's UPC number and the product's barcode. One major difference between Avery 5160 and Avery 5167 is that it displays only the item name, barcode, and UPC in a smaller font. See Figure 8.5.
Figure 8.5
    1. Avery 94220: The Avery 94220 label template allows the generation of labels with the product's name, the product's price in bold fonts, and the product's barcode with UPC number. See Figure 8.6.
 Figure 8.6
  1. Show Price: If this toggle is set to YES, it will display the price of the product on the label.
  2. Show UPC: If this toggle is set to YES, it will display the UPC of the product on the label.
  3. Include Buydowns: Enable this option to include buydown information when displaying the price on the label. Applicable buydowns are always considered when calculating the credit surcharge, regardless of whether this option is selected.
  4. Include Discounts: Enable this option to include discount information when displaying the price on the label. Applicable discounts are always considered when calculating the credit surcharge, regardless of whether this option is selected.
  5. Use Aliases: If this toggle is enabled and no aliases exist for the item, the system will automatically use and display the standard UPC without asking for user confirmation. 
InfoIf aliases are found, the system will perform the following checks:
    1. If primary aliases are set for an item, the system will display or print that primary alias.
    2. If no primary alias is set but the item has only one alias mapped, the system will consider this alias as primary and print it.
    3. If multiple aliases are mapped and no alias is set as primary, the system will consider the alias that was added first as the primary and print it.
2. Shelf Templates
The 2x1.25 shelf tag label template allows the generation of labels with the product's UPC number and the product's barcode. These labels are used on the shelf where the products are stored. See Figure 4.8.7.

Figure 4.8.7
  1. Show Price: If this toggle is set to YES, it will display the price of the product on the label.
  2. Show UPC: If this toggle is set to YES, it will display the UPC of the product on the label.
  3. Include Buydowns: Enable this toggle to include buydowns to show the discounted price on the label.
  4. Include Discounts: Enable this toggle to include discounts to show the discounted price on the label.
  5. Use Aliases: If the toggle is enabled and no aliases are found for the item, the system will automatically display or print the standard UPC without prompting the user. 
NotesIf these toggles are set to NO, they will not display the price and UPC of the product on the label.
The resultant printed label:

 Figure 4.8.8
3. Zebra Formats
The Zebra Formats template allows the generation of labels with the product's UPC number, price, and barcode. The label will be generated as shown in Figure 4.8.9.

Figure 4.8.9
  1. Choose Zebra Format: When a user selects Zebra Formats as the Printer Type in the Label Printing System, the system will remember the user’s Use Full PLU preference by saving it in cache. This ensures the same setting is automatically applied the next time Zebra Formats is selected. 
  2. Use Full PLU: When set to Yes, the full Price Look-Up (PLU) code is printed on the label. When set to No, a shortened PLU is printed instead. 
  3. Choose Printer: Choose the printer from the drop-down list.
How Preference is Saved 

The first time a user uses the Use Full PLU setting with Zebra Formats, the system stores the selected preference in cache. 

Example Scenarios 
  1. If the user keeps Use Full PLU enabled: The system saves this preference and will continue to keep Use Full PLU enabled whenever Zebra Formats is selected as the Printer Type. 
  2. If the user disables Use Full PLU: The system saves this preference and will continue to keep Use Full PLU disabled whenever Zebra Formats is selected as the Printer Type. 
Figure 4.8.10

By default, Use Full PLU is enabled. If the user changes this setting, the system saves the updated preference and applies it for all subsequent Zebra label printing until it is changed again. 

Updating the Preference 
Whenever the user changes the Use Full PLU setting (enabled or disabled), the system will: 
  1. Save the updated value in cache 
  2. Display the setting accordingly the next time Zebra Formats is selected as the Printer Type 
InfoDownload JS Print Utility: In case the JS Printer is not installed on your system, click on the link button as highlighted in Figure 8.9 to do so. This utility helps in previewing the template for your label.

 Figure 4.8.11
4. Dymo Formats
The Dymo Format template allows the generation of labels with the product's UPC number, price, and barcode.
To print labels using Dymo formats, you'll need to use the Dymo label software.

Figure 4.8.12
  1. Choose Dymo Format: There are many predefined formats. Choose the one from the drop-down.
  2. Choose Printer: Choose the printer from the drop-down list.
  3. Include Buydowns: Enable this toggle to include buydowns to show the discounted price on the label.
  4. Include Discounts: Enable this toggle to include discounts to show the discounted price on the label.
  5. Use Aliases: If the toggle is enabled, and no aliases are found for the item, the system will automatically display or print the standard UPC without prompting the user. 
Info
A sample Dymo label:

Figure 4.8.13
NotesYou need to install the Dymo Web Service App to print the Dymo labels.

4.8.1 Credit Surcharge Calculation for Print Labels

When Cash Discounting/Dual Pricing is used for label printing, the credit price is calculated based on the Calculate Credit Surcharge On setting configured for the selected location.

The cash price calculation remains unchanged.

The Calculate Credit Surcharge On setting provides the following options:
  1. Base Price: The credit surcharge is calculated using the item's base price.
  2. Price After Buydowns: The credit surcharge is calculated using the item's base price after deducting all applicable buydown amounts. This is the default option and represents the existing surcharge calculation method.
  3. Price After Discounts: The credit surcharge is calculated using the item's base price after deducting all applicable discounts. Buydowns are ignored when calculating the surcharge.
  4. Price After Buydowns & Discounts: The credit surcharge is calculated using the item's base price after deducting all applicable buydowns and discounts.
Calculate Credit Surcharge On in Print Options
When the Cash Discounting feature is enabled for the selected location, the system uses the Calculate Credit Surcharge On configuration defined for that location. The setting is displayed in the Print Options pop-up but remains disabled, similar to the Cash Discount % field.

When Cash Discounting is disabled for the selected location, users can enable the Force Cash Discounting toggle in the Print Options pop-up to print labels as if Cash Discounting were enabled. In this case, the Calculate Credit Surcharge On dropdown is available, allowing the user to select how the credit surcharge should be calculated.

If Cash Discounting is enabled for the selected location, the Calculate Credit Surcharge On dropdown is displayed as disabled and shows the value configured for that location.

Include Buydowns and Include Discounts

The Include Buydowns and Include Discounts options control whether the corresponding information is displayed or included in the printed label price. However, these options do not change the surcharge calculation.

The system always retrieves applicable buydowns and discounts when calculating the credit surcharge, regardless of whether Include Buydowns or Include Discounts is selected.

As a result, the surcharge amount remains consistent with the selected Calculate Credit Surcharge On option.

Similarly, the discount calculation always considers applicable buydowns, regardless of whether the Include Buydowns option is selected.

Example:
  1. Base Price: $50.00
  2. Buydown: $1.00
  3. Discount: $2.00
  4. Cash Discounting Percentage: 10%
  5. Calculate Credit Surcharge On: Price After Buydowns & Discounts
Surcharge = (Base Price - Buydown - Discount) × Cash Discount %

Surcharge = ($50.00 - $1.00 - $2.00) × 10% = $4.70

Therefore, the surcharge used to calculate the credit price remains $4.70, regardless of whether the buydown and discount information is selected for display on the printed label.

The final cash and/or credit price printed on the label may vary based on the selected print options, but the surcharge amount used in the calculation remains unchanged.

For discount calculations, applicable buydowns are always considered.

For example, if a 15% discount is configured:
Discount Amount = (Base Price - Buydown) × Discount %
Discount Amount = ($50.00 - $1.00) × 15% = $7.35

The calculated discount amount remains $7.35, regardless of whether the Include Buydowns option is selected during label printing.