New Labels

This page illustrates and describes the changes I've made to the default TCW distribution labels. For a complete sample sheet, download a 33K PDF of the last order.

Old	New

• BRAND: highlighted in color (by category), with the category name in nearly-unreadable type immediately above.
• BRAND is also in slightly larger type, since that's what's most important for sorters to find at a quick glance.
• Sorting: Labels are now sorted by principal category (Frozen, Refrigerated, Grocery, Vitamins, Beauty, etc) to correspond with how the boxes are packed. This shows up better in the whole sheet. See below for more details.
• Size: the leading "1/" is stripped for readability. Number is not stripped if it is anything other than 1.
• Quantity is only shown if non-1 (see image below for example). The importance of this is that one can instantly differentiate between "I'm done with this" (blank) and "Need to look for more!".
• Quantity is now an integer wherever possible. No more "1.00" or other misleading numbers.
• Member Name shown in Lastname, Firstname form since the shelves are arranged alphabetically by last name.
• TCW Warehouse Area is completely gone. I mean, come on.
• Borders are distracting and seriously counterproductive. They focus attention on all the wrong places. They're gone.
• Layout. Know of any printer that feeds sheets perfectly? Me neither. The new layout preserves 8-10 points on each border (top, bottom, sides) to minimize the chance that labels will run into each other.

Sorting

The principal sort key is now Category: Refrigerated, Frozen, Produce, Grocery, and so on. Color is used for quick visual scanning, but it is not crucial to the scheme.

Secondary key depends on the Category:

• For Refrigerated and Frozen, labels are sorted by member, then brand and description.
• For all other categories, labels are sorted by brand and description. That's just what you're used to.
• Oh yeah, one exception. Maybe: I think that items from "Warehouse Area 1" are CASES. I'm about 80% sure. So I plan to put all "Area 1" labels together. This may change at the last minute.

The reason for sorting by member in Refrigerated/Frozen is that these items typically get placed in a box. By sorting this way, it's easy to find all items in each member's order, and pick a suitable box. Thanks to wendee Brunish for the suggestion to sort this way.

Sorting is best demonstrated in the sample labels for this month's order (33K PDF).

Differences

Ever put the wrong label on an item because you didn't realize there was another only-slightly-different item nearby? Differences between items of the same brand are now highlighted with underlines.

Note how the example above shows no quantities at bottom right. That indicates the "easy" situation of only one item. The numeral "1" is deliberately omitted. Then, when a label actually has a more-than-1 quantity, it's much easier to see.

Overflow

The new label includes the date and unit price. There is now one label printed for every unit (or pound) of overflow.

Color?? The LANF Printer is B&W!

I'm printing these labels on my own printer. Next year, some other sucker -- I mean, volunteer -- will take on the task of Order Coordinator. If this person doesn't have a color printer, that's no big deal. The color highlights are a minor enhancement to the labels. Color is not critical or even overly important. It's the new layout that matters.

Summary

I have hopes that this scheme might make the unpacking and sorting go more smoothly. In turn, that could encourage larger orders or more members. Or it could just mean less time spent sorting, and more time at the post-sorting Margarita parties.

In case it need be said, this is all automated. Other than loading the labels in the printer, there is no human interaction required for generating the colors, prices, underlines, or anything like that.

Comments?

Got suggestions or complaints? Please let me know.