Overview

This article will walk you through steps to resolve your issues with encoding RFID using BarTender.

Applicable to

BarTender 2016 and later

Information

No Encoder Objects Available

If you are not using a Driver by Seagull, then you will see the following message when attempting to add an encoder object to your document:

In order to encode RFID using BarTender you must install a Driver by Seagull, and use it as the selected printer while designing your document.

To check if you have a Driver by Seagull:

1. Go to File > Print
2. On the Print tab, click Printer Properties.
   
3. Click the About tab.
   

If you are not using a Driver by Seagull, then you will need to install it.  For assistance installing a Driver by Seagull please review one of the following articles:

• Installing a Seagull driver for a USB printer
• Installing a Seagull driver for a TCP/IP printer

Voided Labels

Voided labels could be occurring for a number of reasons.  This section will guide you through resolving them.

Media and RFID calibration

One of the most common corrections for RFID labels printing VOID is performing a media and RFID calibration on the printer.  

When encoding data to an RFID tag, BarTender sends the commands to the printer of what data to encode into the various segments of the RFID transponder (AFI, EPC, User Data), while the printer is responsible for making a connection with the transponder tag.  If the printer cannot find or make a connection to the transponder, then it will print VOID.

Each RFID printer is unique, so please consult your printer manual or contact the printer manufacturer for assistance with a media and RFID calibration.

Configure page setup

Check the page setup in BarTender.  An incorrect page setup could cause the printer to have trouble locating the transponder on the label.

For assistance with configuring the page setup please review Page Setup Settings in the Troubleshooting printing article.

Print speed is too high

Check the print speed setting in the driver.  If the speed is too high, it may need to be lowered so the printer has enough time to properly communicate with the RFID transponder.

For assistance with configuring the print speed please review Printer Driver Configurations in the Troubleshooting printing article.

UMI Bit setting

The Monza4 chips in newer RFID tags changed the UMI bit function. This change can cause voids when attempting to print and encode on certain printers. The UMI (User Memory Indicator) bit is part of the PC (protocol control) bits, which is a portion of the EPC memory bank that tells a reader (scanner) how much data is contained in the EPC. Since the UMI bit is now fixed, an attempt to rewrite it can cause the printer to void the tag.

If using a v7.4 Driver by Seagull (or newer) then the new tags will encode properly by default.  If you are using older Monza4 chips, then you will need to change a setting in the Encoder Options.

1. In BarTender, open the RFID object properties.
2. On the RFID tab, click Encoder Options.
   
3. On the EPC Gen 2 tab, change U.M.I. bit to Set if writing to user memory
   

Wrong data scans

If the wrong data scans, then the most likely reason is that your scanner is configured to output the hex data that is encoded into the RFID tag, rather than convert it to ASCII characters.  Consult your scanner manual or contact the scanner manufacturer for assistance configuring your scanner to convert the hex data into ASCII, or another encoding if that is your preference.