Generating Barcode Labels in Bulk Using Scispot with BarTender and ZebraDesigner
Generating barcode labels in bulk is a common requirement in laboratories for efficient sample tracking. Scispot facilitates this by exporting barcode data in CSV format, which can then be imported into label design software like BarTender and ZebraDesigner for printing.
BarTender
Step-by-Step Guide For BarTender
1. Install BarTender
Note: BarTender’s free trial lasts for 30 days. Check their website for updates.
2. Prepare the CSV in Scispot
Log into Scispot and navigate to the sample or manifest section.
Select the samples for which you want to generate barcode labels.
Click on the option to generate barcode labels.
Choose the barcode type (e.g., Code 128) and export the data in CSV format.
3. Import the CSV into BarTender
Open BarTender and create a new label template.
Click "File" > "Import Data" and select the CSV from Scispot.
BarTender will parse and display the data.
4. Design the Label
Drag the barcode object onto the label design area.
Right-click it, choose "Properties", and link it to the barcode ID from the CSV.
Set the barcode type (e.g., Code 128).
Click the Barcode icon on the BarTender toolbar.
Choose the More Barcodes option to open the barcode selector.
Search or browse for the specific barcode that you'd like to add.
Once you've found it, click the barcode to highlight it and then click Select.
Click anywhere on your template to add the barcode.
Use your mouse to move and resize the barcode as needed.
Add text elements (e.g., sample name)
Go to Create > Text (or click the Text icon on the toolbar).
Choose the type of text object you want.
Click on the label where you want to place it.
The object will appear as “Sample Text.”
Click inside it and start typing to edit.
5. Preview and Print
Click "Preview" to check the labels.
If everything looks good, click "Print" to generate your labels.
Mapping CSV fields to elements in your barcode
Mapping ensures that the data from your source file, such as a CSV, is correctly linked to the right text, barcode, or image fields on your label. This allows BarTender to automatically fill in each label with accurate, dynamic information during printing.
Setting up the Label
Taken from official article: How to create a CSV integration using Named Data Sources by Samantha Petro
This type of label does not use a database but instead uses Named Data Sources to handle all its data. This will go over the basics of how to set up this label. For more information, see Named Data Sources in the help file.
Create a new label.
Create a text object on the label design area.
Right click on the label and select properties.
Select the data source from the list. It'll say "Sample Text."
Click the box next to the Name field.
In the dialog, type a unique name and click OK. For this example, use ProductName.
Ensure the Type is set to Embedded Data.
When creating more text objects, the Named Data Source dialog will look different. When you click the box next to the Name field, bubble in the first option to create a new name. For example, use ProductType.
Once you have created as many Named Data Sources as you wish, save the label.
Creating the integration
Taken from official article: How to create a CSV integration using Named Data Sources by Samantha Petro
Open Integration Builder and select "Create New Integration."
On the new integration dialog, select File Integration and click OK.
First, set up how the integration will detect files by setting the scan folder. This is where your trigger files will be dropped and the integration will pick them up. For my example, I used a folder on the C drive. Avoid locations such as My Documents or the Desktop as it requires extra permissions to reach those locations.
Click the dropdown next to Location and choose "Computer/Network"
Type the folder name or use the Browse button to locate it.
Change the File Pattern to match your file. I am using the default of .dat but you can use .txt, .csv, or any type you would like.
Scroll down to the bottom of this section. If you are using a *.txt file pattern, change the "After Detection" options to a different file extension so the integration will not repeatedly pick up the same file again and again.
On the lefthand menu, click the + button next to Actions.
In the dialog, click the Transform category then select "Transform Text to Record Set" then click OK.
Click the "Database Connection Setup" button and proceed through the wizard steps in order to connect to a CSV formatted file that contains the database fields you will use when printing.
Change the "Text Source" to "Variable", then ensure the variable is set to "%EventData%".
Click the + button next to Action again.
Click the Database category then select "For Each Database Record" then click OK.
Click the Print Document action on the Actions list and drag it underneath the "For Each Database Record" action until it indents. This will make the Print Document action a child of this action.
In the Document section, select the document you made in the previous section. We'll make it use a variable name later.
Change the Location to "Computer/Network"
Type the folder name or use the Browse button to locate it.
Click the [Import Document Settings...] button
In the dialog, click OK.
Click on the Named Data Sources tab and notice the information that has been imported and filled in for you. The variable names you want to put into the Value field are the field names from your CSV. Variables are marked by surrounding the name with %. One of our field names is Name so the variable equivalent would be %Name%.
Enter the variables in the matching columns. Using the example database, the values will be as follows:
If you wish to override the Printer and Label information, you can use variables here too.
Click on the Print Options tab
In the Printer box, type %printer%, which matches the printer field in the csv trigger file
Click on the Document tab.
In the Document field, remove the name of your btw file while keeping your path in tact. Replace the document name with %btw% which matches the field name in the trigger file. The Document field will have a path and a variable much like this example. Note that when the path contains a variable, the preview will fail to generate. This is normal.
Save your integration.
Click the Test Integration button on the toolbar at the top.
Click the green Start button in the top right corner.
In File Explorer, drag the CSV trigger file into the scan folder. The integration will trigger and a label will be printed.
Deploying the Integration
Taken from official article: How to create a CSV integration using Named Data Sources by Samantha Petro
After you've tested the integration, you want to deploy it into production.
Click the Deploy tab then Deploy button on the top toolbar. If there are any changes, you will be prompted to save your integration file before continuing.
Click the dropdown list and select "This Computer" to deploy locally. Click Next.
Leave Deploy Now selected and click Finish.
After a moment, the Administration Console will open and the integration will show as deployed and running.
Using Templates
To avoid repeating the setup process, you can save this barcode design as a template for future sample tracking. In BarTender
Open your existing
.btwfile.Go to File → Save As and save it as your base template.
Open File → Database Connection Setup to link your CSV or database.
Right-click each text or barcode → Properties → Data Source → link to the correct field.
(Optional) Use Named Data Sources so future files with the same fields auto-populate.
Save — your document now works as a reusable template.
Zebra Designer Essentials
Step-by-Step Guide for Zebra Designer Essentials
How to Download ZebraDesigner Essentials 3
Zebra Technologies provides a range of software for managing your Zebra devices. Follow the steps below to download and install the Zebra software on your computer.
Step 1: Download the ZebraDesigner Essentials 3 Software
Open your preferred web browser.
Go to the official ZebraDesigner3 Software download page: https://www.zebra.com/ap/en/support-downloads/software/printer-software/zebra-designer-3-downloads.html
Expand the latest version under ZebraDesigner 3 Label Design Software
Click Download and agree to the End User License Agreement.
Follow the install instructions.
Step 2: Launch the Software
Once installation is complete, launch the software from your desktop or start menu.
Follow any additional setup instructions within the software interface.
Step 3: Update the Software
After installation, it’s important to regularly check for updates to ensure you are running the latest version with all the latest features and bug fixes.
You can usually find the Check for Updates option within the software’s Help or Settings menu.
Design and Print labels with ZebraDesigner
Designing templates ahead of time ensures consistent, professional labels every time. You’ll first create your template in Zebra Designer Essentials, then upload it to Scispot.
Step 1: Create a new label in Zebra Designer Essentials
Launch Zebra Designer Essentials and click Create New Label.
Select Printer: Choose your Zebra model (e.g., ZD420) and click Next.
Set Page Size: Pick the correct media size (e.g., 50mm x 50mm) and click Next.
Orientation: Choose Portrait or Landscape, then Next.
Dimensions & Finish: Confirm width, height, and margins, then click Finish to open the design canvas.
Step 2: Add barcodes and text in Zebra Designer
Add a Barcode:
On the left toolbar, click Barcode, then drag onto the canvas.
In the Properties panel, set Data Source to Text and enter {{item_barcode}}.
Add Text Fields:
Click Text in the toolbar, drag to place.
For labels like item name or date, type static text or insert placeholders (e.g., {{item_name}}).
In Font settings, select a Zebra font (e.g., Zebra OS Font) for static text.
Insert Logo (Optional):
Click Graphic → Picture, choose your logo file, and position it.
Adjust Layout:
Use alignment guides to center objects.
Resize and space elements evenly for clarity
Step 3: Export to ZPL
Go to File → Print (or Export).
Check Print to file or Export as .prn.
Set printer speed (lower is clearer) and darkness (15+ recommended).
Click Print to generate your .prn file containing ZPL code.
Step 4: Upload and use in Scispot
In Scispot’s Zebra Integration page, scroll to Label templates and click + New template.
Enter your Template Name and Type.
Open the .prn file in a text editor, copy all ZPL, then paste into ZPL Template Code.
(Optional) Click Refresh Preview to see a render.
Click Create to save.
To print, select this template in your label action—Scispot will merge real data into your placeholders and send ZPL to the printer via ZBP.
For more information on how to use Zebra Designer software, we have you covered with another article.