Label Printing Troubleshooting

Most label problems come from one of four places:

• The saved label list has the wrong copies.
• The label template does not match the physical sticker size.
• The page layout does not match the sheet or roll.
• The printer or PDF viewer is scaling or shifting the output.

Start with one test page. Large batches should be printed only after the test label scans and the printed positions match the label stock.

Barcode Does Not Scan

• Reprint at a higher quality.
• Make the barcode wider or taller.
• Keep the barcode black on a light background.
• Leave space around the barcode.
• Check that the scanner supports Code 128.
• Confirm the barcode field is using the real barcode or accession value, not a placeholder sample.
• Try the Max sample preview before printing real labels if your accession or barcode values are long.

Text Is Cut Off

• Use a smaller font.
• Increase the label width or height.
• Use shorter fields on spine labels.
• Check page margins and gaps.
• Check whether the label template size is smaller than the physical sticker you intended to use.
• Keep important text inside the safe area, especially on narrow spine labels.

Labels Do Not Align

• Check paper size.
• Check margins and gaps.
• Use start position if the sheet is partially used.
• Use the Standalone app for direct printer calibration.
• Print at 100% actual size. Avoid fit-to-page, shrink oversized pages, or scale-to-printable-area options in the PDF viewer.
• If all labels shift equally, adjust X/Y offset in the Standalone app printer profile.
• If the first row is correct but later rows drift, check row gap, column gap, and print scale before changing offset.
• If columns are too far apart or too close together, check label width and horizontal gap.
• If rows are too far apart or too close together, check label height and vertical gap.

Fewer Labels Appear Than The Row Or Column Count

Libcodesk keeps each label at its real physical size. If the chosen template is too wide or too tall for the selected rows or columns, Libcodesk uses only the positions that fit on the page instead of shrinking the label. Choose a wider paper, reduce the row or column count, or use a narrower label template.

This protects scan accuracy. Shrinking labels automatically can make barcodes unreadable even when the page looks full.

QR Code Does Not Scan

• Keep the QR code square.
• Increase the QR element size.
• Use black or another dark color on a light background.
• Avoid putting too much text into one QR code.
• Print one test label and scan it before printing a full batch.

Wrong Copies Are Printed

Open the saved label list and confirm the copy count before generating output. If the list was created from Collections or Periodicals, create a new list after changing the selected rows.

If you selected more than one saved list in Generate Labels, Libcodesk combines those lists into one batch. Clear the selected lists and select only the list you want when testing.

Saved List Looks Incomplete

Refresh the Print Label page, open the saved list again, and compare the item count with the selection you created from Collections or Periodicals. Large saved lists may load in pages behind the screen, so wait until the list has finished loading before generating output.

In the Standalone app, enable diagnostic logging before reproducing the issue if the list repeatedly opens with missing rows. This helps support inspect label-list loading, printer-profile loading, and generation progress without exposing passwords or private record details.

Generation Progress Does Not Finish

Keep the Print Label page open while the progress panel prepares the saved list. If progress stops or the file does not open after completion, refresh the page, reopen the saved label list, and generate a smaller test batch. In the Standalone app, also confirm that the printer dialog is not waiting behind another window.

PDF Opens But Printer Output Is Wrong

If the PDF looks correct but the physical print is wrong:

1. Print the PDF at 100% actual size.
2. Turn off fit-to-page or shrink-to-printable-area.
3. Check that the paper size in the print dialog matches the Page Layout.
4. Print on plain paper first and compare it with the label sheet.
5. Use the Standalone app Alignment Test if the same printer always shifts the output.

Libcodesk can generate accurate label positions, but a printer driver or PDF viewer can still rescale the page. Always check the print dialog before a full batch.

Roll Printer Problems

For roll labels, confirm the roll width, media detection style, and printer profile. Some label printers use gap sensors, black mark sensors, or continuous media settings. If the printer feeds too far, stops too early, or repeats labels at the wrong point, create or edit a printer profile in the Standalone app and run the Alignment Test.

When To Ask For Help

If the same problem continues after a test print:

• Save the PDF you generated.
• Note the label stock size, rows, columns, margins, and gaps.
• Note whether you used Libcodesk WebApp or the Standalone app.
• Take a clear photo of the printed sheet beside the blank label stock.
• Ask in the CodeAchi community when you want general advice from other users.
• Organization admins may contact CodeAchi support for account, license, billing, cloud access, or product-support issues.

Do not share passwords, OTPs, private keys, license secrets, or confidential patron/member data in community posts or support messages.

Do And Don'ts

Do

• Test with one page before printing many sheets.
• Scan a printed barcode or QR code before using labels in circulation.
• Keep a tested page layout and printer profile for each label stock.
• Use the Standalone app when a physical printer needs correction.

Don't

• Do not use browser print scaling for label sheets.
• Do not assume a PDF preview proves physical alignment.
• Do not change several layout and printer values at once; change one thing and test again.
• Do not post private library, member, or license data when asking for help.

FAQ

Why does the PDF look correct but the printed sheet is shifted?

The PDF can be correct while the printer driver or PDF viewer scales or shifts the page. Print at 100% actual size first. If every label is shifted by the same amount, use the Standalone app printer profile offset.

Why does alignment get worse down the page?

This usually means the row gap, column gap, paper size, or print scale is wrong. Printer offset moves the whole page and will not fix drift that grows row by row.

Can CodeAchi community members help with label stock settings?

Yes. You can ask for general layout advice in the CodeAchi community. Include the label size, sheet size, rows, columns, margins, gaps, and a non-sensitive photo of the test print. Do not share private library or member data.