http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for quality ribbon Copyright 2008 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:47:23 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/quality+ribbon http://www.artwoo.com/article/gift-wrapping-ribbons http://www.artwoo.com/article/gift-wrapping-ribbons#comments Fri, 08 Sep 2006 10:27:19 +0000 woven ribbonspaper ribbonsribbonshopping bagcloth materialgift wrappingpopular http://www.artwoo.com/article/gift-wrapping-ribbons ribbons on the market we have time to mention. Curling ribbons are among the most popular. This type of ribbon is very popular because of the curling effect when a scissor blade is run over it. Rayon based ribbons are popular because they are glossy. Its satiny look makes it a popular gift-wrapping ribbon. Cloth ribbons are inexpensive and very commonly used in floral shops. Paper ribbons are also inexpensive and they are often decorated in interesting patterns and designs.

Although woven cloth ribbons are meant for home sewing and other applications, they are often used for gift wrapping too. If you are working on a gift with a special purpose you may use this kind of ribbon. You can locate this kind of ribbon in sewing and decorating shops. Party supplies stores may have lower quality woven ribbons. Woven cloth ribbons come in many different varieties.

If you are up for the challenge, you can make your own home made ribbon. Scrap cloth material makes great ribbon. Just cut long stripes of material. Regardless of what kind of ribbon you use, make sure you save the scraps. Scrap ribbons can be used in many ways. You can tie the handles of a unique shopping bag with color coordinated ribbon. Scraps of ribbon can be used to make a multi colored flower to decorate the box. You can write the name of the recepient on small pieces of ribbon and tape it to the package.

Stretchable gift wrap is a new technology that provides for the wrapping of a portion of a regularly or irregularly shaped package to provide an attractive and closely fitting wrap. This particular type of gift wrap is usually formed of a finely woven, generally dense elastic fabric material adapted to stretch to as much as twice its unstretched dimension in all directions, such as a spandex material, even though other stretchable materials may be used.

There are an abundance of excellent nontraditional materials that can be used in place of gift-wrapping ribbons. You can try searching for such materials in your local yarn store. Ropes, twines, and other materials may be the perfect solution for your gift-wrapping needs. Author: George Meszaros with http://www.amazinggiftbasket.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/hair-bows-lingo http://www.artwoo.com/article/hair-bows-lingo#comments Mon, 10 Jul 2006 18:27:07 +0000 making hair bowsribbon endsribbon widthfray checkhair bowbow makersdrips http://www.artwoo.com/article/hair-bows-lingo hair bows have to quickly learn that there are different widths of ribbons. The width is the length across the ribbon. The more common widths used are 1.5", 7/8", 5/8", and 3/8". Some the lesser used ones are the really wide ribbons in 2.25", which make a really large and thick hair bow. Sometime ribbon factories make ribbon in 1" widths. This width is very close to the 7/8" and is sometimes hard to tell the difference. Ribbon manufacturing companies can come out with their own unique widths, but generally, these are your only options.

The 1.5" width is a good ribbon width to start with because there is more to hold and work with. The 7/8" or 5/8" widths are good for making center knots for the bows. The 3/8" is a nice width for very little bows or they make a nice center for a larger hair bow. I would not suggest knotting a 3/8" width ribbon unless it was for a very tiny hair bow, or you are placing it on top of a 7/8" or 5/8" width ribbon and then knotting it for a fun look.

Some ribbon makers like to use wood burning tools for what they call "heat sealing" their ends. Most grosgrains will melt at very high temperatures, and that is simply all bow makers mean when the say their ends are heat sealed. There are now other tools being made just for sealing off ribbon ends to keep them from fraying, and several ribbon web sites are now offering them to their online customers for making hair bows.

Another popular way to keep your ribbon ends from fraying is by applying Fray Check™ or any other brand to the ends of your ribbon. It is a liquid that, when dry, will harden and not allow the ends to fray. These products can be found in any craft store. Be careful when trying out different brands because some will leave a mark on the ribbon and not dry clear. You do not want to apply so much though that it drips off the hair bows or leaves a runny mark down the ribbon.

Then there are the hair clip or hair fastener options for hair bows. The alligator clip looks like an alligator's mouth when it opens and closes. It generally has no teeth on this style of clip. They do however come in double pronged and single pronged. Single pronged is nice when you are going for the least heavy and bulky, and double pronged is nice when you need that extra prong to hold it in the hair.

A French clip is the kind that you squeeze two prongs to release if from the closed position, and will spring open like a mouse trap because of the tension it is under by the semi-loose bracket on the inside. That bracket is in the shape of a crescent.

Probably less common, are the plastic clip or barrette and a snap, which some makers of hair bows use, and they are pretty simple in nature and are plastic or metal so to give you the lightest possible weight on finished hair bows. Jessica Furtney is the president of Bows For Best Friends http://www.bowsforbestfriends.com , a company based in Simpsonville, SC that designs and manufactures high quality hair bows and hair accessories. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/beautiful-ribbons-brighten-up-your-gift-or-occasion http://www.artwoo.com/article/beautiful-ribbons-brighten-up-your-gift-or-occasion#comments Thu, 06 Jul 2006 22:27:11 +0000 occasion ribbonsedge ribboncolorful ribbonsimply irresistiblemonoballoonstexture http://www.artwoo.com/article/beautiful-ribbons-brighten-up-your-gift-or-occasion simply irresistible!

Weddings, debuts, birthday parties and other forms of parties are simply not complete without ribbons adorning gifts, placements, décor etc. The highlight for these types of celebrations is of course the gift opening.

As you breathlessly pull with great anticipation at the colorful ribbon wrapped around the gift, you wonder what wonderful surprise awaits you under the beautiful wrapping and ribbons?

Such is the excitement that ribbons can bring. Aside from using ribbons for gift-wrapping, you can also use ribbons for decorations. Ribbons can brighten up any reception or celebration. Ribbons can be tied onto flowers or balloons, or it can complement the motif.

Ribbons can have many uses, the most common being for binding and tying. Cloth ribbons, which most commonly includes silk, are often used for dresses and also for various useful, ornamental and symbolic purposes. Ribbons can also be used to tie the hair, around the body, or even on animals, presents etc.

Ribbons are manufactured in wide varieties for different usage, varying in color, size, texture and material. There is a wide range of ribbons for you to pick from -- here are the most common types of ribbons sold in the market nowadays:

* Mono-edge ribbon This shimmering ribbon is the most in-demand. This is made up of flexible materials such as synthetic, and comes in larger size.

* Satin-edge ribbon This is of thinner size than the mono-edge ribbon. It is commonly used for tying flowers and balloons.

* Wired Ribbon This ribbon has smoother texture because of its cloth-like material.

* Rattail It measures about 2 mm thin, is usually white in color, and is used for the bride's veil.

* Pull ribbon It is easy and affordable to make gift bows with pull ribbon.

Make sure that you use the right type of ribbon for whatever the occasion. Ribbons look out of place if it does not complement the occasion. Make every angle of the party a memorable one for everybody.

The price of ribbon is usually affordable but sometimes vary according to the ribbon's material and style. Buying wholesale ribbon is a good idea as you can buy ribbons in larger quantities at better prices. The internet gives you good access to many credible ribbon wholesalers.

Whether you wrap a gift or decorate an event, brighten it up with ribbons! Make your gift or occasion something special and unforgettable; so tie it with a ribbon! For a more in-depth look at Ribbons visit Susan's sites http://www.ribbons-deluxe.info. Susan also enjoys writing on a wide variety of topics at http://www.home-and-family-hub.info. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/give-your-wedding-favours-the-personal-touch http://www.artwoo.com/article/give-your-wedding-favours-the-personal-touch#comments Mon, 03 Jul 2006 06:27:09 +0000 wedding favoursfavour boxesorganza bagspersonalised ribbonphoto albumpersonalised weddingbrides http://www.artwoo.com/article/give-your-wedding-favours-the-personal-touch wedding favours as unique as you are!

Ensure your wedding favours are unique wedding favours, encompassing everything you and your partner are about. Rather than going for traditional boxes or nets, why not design your own cookie wedding favour? A personalised wedding favour is so much more memorable for the guests who attend your big day. Many brides are now purchasing personalised ribbon for wedding favours. This way, brides can choose from a wide selection of favour boxes and organza bags and turn them into a personalised wedding favour by adding personalised ribbon.

Most couples choose to have their names and wedding dates printed on personalised ribbon for favour boxes, although some brides do have the guests names also printed on ribbon - a great idea for a place setting too.

Another way of providing guests with a personalised wedding favour is by attaching a tag. This personalised wedding favour tag may state the names of the bride and groom along with their wedding date or the wedding venue name or a short message from the happy couple to the guests.

A unique wedding favour such as this is well received by the guests and once the contents have been consumed, there is something left to have as a keepsake. In essence, all brides try to offer unique wedding favours to their guests but there is nothing worse than receiving a gift similar to one you have previously received at a wedding. Bear this in mind when you are deciding which wedding favours to offer your guests at your wedding because people do remember a unique wedding favour or a personalised wedding favour more than one which is non specific and seemingly not very well thought out.

Of course, not all unique wedding favours are edible. There are many gifts that can be given to wedding guests that are inedible such as wedding favour coasters, photo album favours, picture frame wedding favours and candle wedding favours. These are just as easy to present as personalised wedding favours, again with the addition of personalised ribbon or a personalised tag. Your guests may well be equally impressed with your innovative and novel ideas as you provide them with a quality alternative to edible wedding favours.

Instead of spending out on wedding favours, some brides choose to offer guests a piece of wedding cake beautifully presented in a personalised wedding favour box or a pretty organza bag. For brides who choose to give their guests some cake in a bag, they can attach a personalised wedding favour tag or tie the top with personalised ribbon. Either way, it is a lovely way of being a bit different and really offering your guests a unique wedding favour exclusive to you. This article is brought to you by Emily Tanner - She recommends more advice and quality wedding favours and bomboniere at http://www.world-of-wedding-favours.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/breast-cancer-ribbons-showing-your-support http://www.artwoo.com/article/breast-cancer-ribbons-showing-your-support#comments Wed, 30 May 2007 09:14:52 +0000 breast cancer ribbonpink ribbon daypink ribbonscancer activitiescar magnetsavonculmination http://www.artwoo.com/article/breast-cancer-ribbons-showing-your-support car magnets, to symbols on grocery products, to major companies displaying them on their advertisements. The pink ribbons show everyone that you care about and are interested in finding a cure for breast cancer. Whether you just wear a pink ribbon or you are more socially active in the issue depends upon your own personal experiences with breast cancer.

Today, prominent people in the movie industry and corporations are showing their support of many different causes. One of the more popular one, particularly for women, is the breast cancer ribbon. You will see prominent people wearing the pink ribbons on their fancy designer gowns as they walk down the Red Carpet at the Oscar's or Emmy's. They are not ashamed to show their fans that they care about a special topic of interest to the community.

It is rare today that you do not know someone that has been touched by breast cancer. If you are lucky your acquaintance survived the ordeal and is back to living a fairly normal life.

For those of us that have lost someone close to us it is harder because we know that early detection might have saved them.



The pink ribbon is considered to be an international symbol for breast cancer-regardless of country, the pink ribbon serves a universal meaning. One of the very interest facts is that no one company, organization or foundation owns the rights to this worldwide symbol. Each company, organizations or foundation can create their version of the pink ribbon and this will give them the rights reserved on their copyright, for example Avon has its own, as does Estee Lauder. This is one the reasons why you see so many different pink ribbons being displayed.



Pink Ribbon Day is always on the fourth Monday of October. It marks the culmination of breast cancer activities during the month of October. It is recognized as breast cancer's national day in support of awareness and research, and generates a range of activities with an education and fundraising focus.

Pink Ribbon Day raises funds for research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

So, whether you have your own personalized pink ribbon that you share with friends and relatives or you are using a corporate one, you are showing your support for this very important cause. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each ribbon goes into breast cancer research-to help those looking for a cure for all of us.



You can help increase your communities breast cancer awareness and support breast cancer research at the same time by proudly wearing your ribbon. Each and every one of us can make a different in the fight against breast cancer. And, all you need to do is purchase a small pink breast cancer awareness ribbon. So, what are you waiting for-they are in all of the stores. Just pick one up and show your support! For more information on breast cancer try visiting http://www.breastcanceranalysis.com - a website that specializes in providing breast cancer related information and resources including information on the breast cancer ribbon. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/no-this-horse-ribbon-is-not-for-decoration http://www.artwoo.com/article/no-this-horse-ribbon-is-not-for-decoration#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:29:28 +0000 stallion ownersred ribbonsred ribbonblue ribbonfour colorskickermare http://www.artwoo.com/article/no-this-horse-ribbon-is-not-for-decoration red ribbon in his tail. Sure it is pretty, but did you know that it also has a meaning? Surprisingly, many riders do not.

The tradition started many years ago. Riders would place a ribbon in their horse's tail when riding in the hunt to warn other riders of things they might not have the time to tell them before the ride. When there are a lot of horses working in a group, it can be hard to know which horse is which, and a ribbon makes it clear when there is a something that needs to be considered before approaching.

Understanding the Color of a Ribbon

There are four colors of ribbon that you might see on a horse's tail: red, green, blue and white. Each color has its own meaning.

Red ribbons signify that a horse is a kicker. This means that any other riders should be careful not to crowd the horse, especially from behind. This is the most common color of tail ribbon and thus is the best understood. Often people choose to use a red ribbon if a horse is green or inexperienced because other riders are more likely to understand the meaning.

A green ribbon means that a horse is inexperienced and likely to misbehave. This is suitable for young horses or for horses who are particularly spooky in nature. If you see a horse with a green ribbon in his tail, approach him with caution. Give him space when riding near him, and be sure to keep an eye on him when in the ring. A green horse may spook or otherwise misbehave in unexpected ways.

A blue ribbon says that this horse is a stallion. Because stallions should only be handled by adults, and can be unpredictable at times, stallion owners will sometimes use a blue ribbon in his tail to warn off other riders. This is particularly important if you have a mare. It is unfair to a stallion's rider to ride your mare too close to a stallion in the ring, especially if she is in season. The stallion can be the best behaved boy out there, but having an in season mare close by will distract him. In the worst case scenario, you could cause a serious accident by bringing your mare too close to a stallion. Caution is always sensible when seeing a horse with a blue ribbon in his tail.

White ribbons signify that a horse is for sale. Because it can be difficult to successfully advertise at a show, using a white ribbon is an excellent way to show that your horse is for sale. That way prospective buyers can see him perform in the ring, and know that they can approach you after the class if they are interested.

Common Practice

Not many people use ribbons in their horses' tails anymore. This is a pity as many accidents could be prevented through their use. Often there is a fear that a judge might mark a horse more severely for having a kicking ribbon or a green ribbon in their tail.

If more coaches and riders began using colored ribbons, it could become common practice again. The results would be beneficial to everyone involved. At the very least, riders at the schooling level should be taught what red and green ribbons mean, and horse shows should encourage their use, even supplying appropriate colors of yarn at their registration tables.

An ounce of warning can make all the difference between a safe ride and a dangerous accident. If all kickers wore red ribbons, all green horses wore green ribbons and all stallions wore blue ribbons, everyone would know which horses to be careful of at the show.Lydia K Kelly is a writer for HorseClicks, classifieds of horses for sale Ohio, horses for sale Oklahoma, horses for sale Oregon and other states. Lydia is also a featured author at www.ArticleKing.com]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/ribbon-embellishments http://www.artwoo.com/article/ribbon-embellishments#comments Wed, 25 Oct 2006 20:27:05 +0000 silk ribbon embroideryribbon roseribbon pinusing ribbonspompondiortriangles http://www.artwoo.com/article/ribbon-embellishments From decorating a pillow to wrapping up a present, silk ribbon embroidery is extremely beautiful and easy to play with for hand-made projects. Ribbons are widely used to help people decorate or tie up creatively almost any type of hand-made project. But using ribbons to create for example a pompon]]> From decorating a pillow to wrapping up a present, silk ribbon embroidery is extremely beautiful and easy to play with for hand-made projects. Ribbons are widely used to help people decorate or tie up creatively almost any type of hand-made project. But using ribbons to create for example a pompon bow or a ribbon rose used as a garment pin, takes practice and professional advice. Thus, the following simple tips can help you embellish your friend's next present, or surprise your dinner guests with your own ribbon-made Dior plate treatments.

To create any kind of bow, you will need some basic tools, such as scissors, a meter, a thin wooden stick, some glue tape and/or wire and of course your choice of ribbons. Sold in a variety of colors, designs and textures, you can find your selection of ribbons at your local fabric store. If you wish to make your own pompon bow, take a ribbon and form a 9 inches loop equal in size to the diameter of the finished bow. Wrap the remaining ribbon around the loop as many times as you desire for your bow. Then, flatten loops and cut off triangles at end, being careful not to cut too close to the center. By bringing ends together to meet in center you will then be left with two overlapping triangles. Secure the ribbon at the centered triangles with wire, tape or another piece of ribbon. Pull out loops, twisting them towards the center and alternating sides and you will end up with your pompon bow. In case a Dior bow seems more appropriate, cut your selection of ribbon or ribbons into 5 lengths, beginning with 5 inches and stopping at 22 inches. Then take each piece and form loops, overlapping at the center. Glue them in place, and then securely attach each loop with the next. Finally, wrap a smaller length around the center of your bow and glue it under the bow's visible surface. Your Dior bow can now embellish your hat, shoes, or handbag.

If you want to create your own beautiful ribbon pin rose you will need some wire and your choice of ribbons for the rose and its petals. Begin by making a knot at one end of a 22 inches ribbon length. At the opposite end of the ribbon, poke out wire from one side and loosely gather the ribbon along this wire down to the knot. Avoid pulling the ribbon hard, as it might snap. Continue gathering until the entire side is completely ruffled and it seems to curl naturally. Do not cut off the wire that appears at the end; leave for now free. Then, start forming a rose, by holding the knotted end in one hand and spiral the wired gathered ribbon with the other around the knot loosely. Continue rapping until it flares out and acquires an open rose effect. Then, fold the raw edge down to meet the gathered one and secure the wrapping wire end around the knot tightly. Cut the free wire off and finally, adjust the petals as needed to create the desired effect. For a leaf, fold small pieces of ribbon diagonally to the center and then fold each side towards the center to form a point. Gather bottom end and wrap it with wire, securing it onto the rose base. Your hand-made rose will certainly attract your friends' attention. Kadence Buchanan writes articles for http://iwomensinterests.com/ - In addition, Kadence also writes articles for http://thenursingcenter.com/ and http://healthinformationsource.net/ ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-secrets-of-choosing-ribbon-fiber http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-secrets-of-choosing-ribbon-fiber#comments Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:43:17 +0000 fusion splicersribbon cablesribbon fiberglass fibersquality ribbonfiber deploymentoptical fibers http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-secrets-of-choosing-ribbon-fiber
It's not the material cost. It's the labor! The introduction of fiber into the subscriber loop has increased the installation of short cable lengths with large number of splices. The speed at which the cables can be placed, spliced, accessed and reconfigured are becoming extremely important.

So the need for new technologies that promise to reduce the fiber deployment cost are very high. Bell companies are anxious on acquiring these new technologies and products in order to reduce their cost and push the broadband fiber optic network installation.

That is where the high fiber count ribbon cables come to play. These compact, UV epoxy bonded cables are comprised with high precision optical fibers and can be massed fusion spliced with minimum loss. These products have proven to be an excellent platform for FTTH deployment.

Mass fusion splicing machines from Japanese companies are a integrated part of this process. These fusion splicers are used by the fiber installation technicians to splice up to 24 fibers at a time with very low splice loss.

Ribbon Fiber Design

The most basic requirement for any fiber optic cable design is to protect the glass fibers inside from harsh environment. But for ribbon fibers, there is the other vital requirement: organize the fibers for optimum space efficiency and ease of mass fusion splicing and handling. And at the same, they must also be able to maintain the optical performance and mechanical reliability.

This means that ribbon fiber cables must pack high count of glass fibers, organize fibers precisely for mass fusion splicing, provide individual fiber identification, can be divided into single fibers or subunits, mechanically reliable and can be easily accessed from the end or midspan.

These requirements must all be met at the same time which makes the manufacturing of high quality ribbon fibers a tough task.

So fiber cable specialists concluded a excellent design. A color coded array of fibers bonded in a line with fiber coating material. Based on this fundamental structure, two designed emerged: edge bonded or encapsulated.

Edge Bonded Design

The edge bonded design basically bonds the fibers together with only materials in between of each fiber. This design is more popular in the United States. This design is 40% smaller than the encapsulated design.

Encapsulate Design

In encapsulate design, bonding materials extend well beyond the gaps between fibers, it actually encapsulates all fibers inside a rectangular looking tube. This design are more used in Japan.

Ribbon Fiber Mass Fusion Splicing

The time savings for ribbon fiber mass fusion splicing are so big that sometimes in the field individual fibers are ribbonlized to make mass fusion splicings.

However, the success of mass ribbon fiber splicing relies critically on the fiber geometry, the ribbon and the mass fusion splicer. High quality and consistent mass fusion splices can only be produced with ribbons that are made from fibers having stringent geometric tolerances.

These high quality fibers and ribbons are already commercially available. And they make the fiber deployment in FTTH projects a joy for the installers.Colin Yao is an expert on fiber optic technologies and products. Learn fiber furcation, fiber optic furcation, furcation tubing on Fiber Optics For Sale Co. web site.]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/an-introduction-to-label-and-barcode-printing http://www.artwoo.com/article/an-introduction-to-label-and-barcode-printing#comments Wed, 20 Sep 2006 16:27:07 +0000 thermal transfer printersthermal transfer ribbonlabel printersobviouslythermal transfer printerlabelsthermal transfer printing http://www.artwoo.com/article/an-introduction-to-label-and-barcode-printing
The majority of label printers work either in thermal (sometimes called thermal direct) or thermal transfer mode.

A thermal direct printer has a printhead that applies heat to specially coated, thermal paper. This paper changes its color to black when it is heated. The same principle applies to a fax machine with thermal paper. If you ever used such a fax you may have noticed that the paper gets yellowish or even brown after laying around for some time. That's because exposure to sunlight or any other source of bright light has the same effect on the paper as heating it during the print process.

Obviously, you will only want to use a thermal direct printer if you need labels that must at most be legitable for a few days or weeks. A typical application would be an address label. Also, grocery stores use this type of printing for labeling of vegetables or other short lived goods. Thermal direct printers have the big advantage that only one type of consumable is needed, the above mentioned thermal paper.

Thermal transfer printers on the other hand print on labels made of plain or normal paper. The printhead is the same as above but a thermal transfer ribbon or sheet sits between the head and the paper. Heating the ribbon causes ink to transfer from the ribbon to the paper, hence the name. Thermal transfer printing will lead to labels that can last for years. If you had to put labels on shelves that are supposed to last for some time you would use a thermal transfer printer.

It's noteworthy that any thermal transfer printer can also print thermal direct (simply leave out the ribbon and use thermal direct paper) but usually not the other way round because the cheaper thermal direct printers often lack the gear to attach a thermal transfer ribbon. Thermal transfer printers with about 200-300 dpi (which is enough for most purposes) start at about USD 500 and, depending on the volume and speed they deliver, can get very expensive.

Generally speaking, buying a dedicated label printer makes sense if you regularly have to print more than, say, 100-200 labels a day. It really depends on your application. Some advice: Always make sure that the printer comes with appropriate Windows (or Mac) drivers. This will allow you to use any Windows (or Mac) software for label printing, the alternative being that you have to use the printer's manufacturers proprietary (and usually expensive) software.

Using an every day ink jet or laser printer

With regards to print quality or durability, any modern ink jet or laser printer will easily print even the most demanding 2D barcodes in good quality. Therefore, if, for example, your application is to print lists of barcodes on plain paper there's no point in buying a dedicated printer for barcode printing.

However, if you have to print labels on a regular basis, the story is different. For once, these printers won't be able to deliver a single label like a dedicated label printer, instead they consume at least a full sheet of paper, no matter how many labels you need. Of course you could put the sheet back into the printer after peeling the label off but next time you would have to tell the label printing software to skip the used labels. Also after two or three trips through the paper feeding mechanism labels tend to get loose and block the paper path.

Bear also in mind that (on a per label basis) ink jet or laser labels are far more expensive then labels for thermal or thermal transfer printers. It's my experience that people try to cope with this for some time but finally give in and buy a dedicated label printer. Pro Barcode is your source for barcode software, visit us at http://www.pro-barcode.com. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/an-introduction-to-label-and-barcode-printing http://www.artwoo.com/article/an-introduction-to-label-and-barcode-printing#comments Thu, 17 Aug 2006 00:27:10 +0000 thermal transfer printersthermal transfer ribbonlabel printersobviouslythermal transfer printerlabelsthermal transfer printing http://www.artwoo.com/article/an-introduction-to-label-and-barcode-printing
The majority of label printers work either in thermal (sometimes called thermal direct) or thermal transfer mode.

A thermal direct printer has a printhead that applies heat to specially coated, thermal paper. This paper changes its color to black when it is heated. The same principle applies to a fax machine with thermal paper. If you ever used such a fax you may have noticed that the paper gets yellowish or even brown after laying around for some time. That's because exposure to sunlight or any other source of bright light has the same effect on the paper as heating it during the print process.

Obviously, you will only want to use a thermal direct printer if you need labels that must at most be legitable for a few days or weeks. A typical application would be an address label. Also, grocery stores use this type of printing for labeling of vegetables or other short lived goods. Thermal direct printers have the big advantage that only one type of consumable is needed, the above mentioned thermal paper.

Thermal transfer printers on the other hand print on labels made of plain or normal paper. The printhead is the same as above but a thermal transfer ribbon or sheet sits between the head and the paper. Heating the ribbon causes ink to transfer from the ribbon to the paper, hence the name. Thermal transfer printing will lead to labels that can last for years. If you had to put labels on shelves that are supposed to last for some time you would use a thermal transfer printer.

It's noteworthy that any thermal transfer printer can also print thermal direct (simply leave out the ribbon and use thermal direct paper) but usually not the other way round because the cheaper thermal direct printers often lack the gear to attach a thermal transfer ribbon. Thermal transfer printers with about 200-300 dpi (which is enough for most purposes) start at about USD 500 and, depending on the volume and speed they deliver, can get very expensive.

Generally speaking, buying a dedicated label printer makes sense if you regularly have to print more than, say, 100-200 labels a day. It really depends on your application. Some advice: Always make sure that the printer comes with appropriate Windows (or Mac) drivers. This will allow you to use any Windows (or Mac) software for label printing, the alternative being that you have to use the printer's manufacturers proprietary (and usually expensive) software.

Using an every day ink jet or laser printer

With regards to print quality or durability, any modern ink jet or laser printer will easily print even the most demanding 2D barcodes in good quality. Therefore, if, for example, your application is to print lists of barcodes on plain paper there's no point in buying a dedicated printer for barcode printing.

However, if you have to print labels on a regular basis, the story is different. For once, these printers won't be able to deliver a single label like a dedicated label printer, instead they consume at least a full sheet of paper, no matter how many labels you need. Of course you could put the sheet back into the printer after peeling the label off but next time you would have to tell the label printing software to skip the used labels. Also after two or three trips through the paper feeding mechanism labels tend to get loose and block the paper path.

Bear also in mind that (on a per label basis) ink jet or laser labels are far more expensive then labels for thermal or thermal transfer printers. It's my experience that people try to cope with this for some time but finally give in and buy a dedicated label printer. Visit WinBarcode for a detailed overview of http://www.winbarcode.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/shih-tzu-topknots-eyes-and-ear-care http://www.artwoo.com/article/shih-tzu-topknots-eyes-and-ear-care#comments Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:25:00 +0000 shih tzu puppyear flaputility scissorslatex bandair circulationtwo fingersexcess hair http://www.artwoo.com/article/shih-tzu-topknots-eyes-and-ear-care
Method of making a Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu puppy topknot: 1.Part the hair from the ear on both sides of the head. 2.Gather up in one hand the hair in the middle and slip on a latex band at the base. 3.The band may have to be wrapped around twice to make it secure. 4.A ribbon or barrette is recommended to be attached to latex band.

How to make your own Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu puppy bows:

1. Cut one yard of ribbon. The ribbon can be any width you desire.

2. From this yard of ribbon, cut another piece about 5" long. Splice this in half lengthwise.

3. Cut the remainder of the yard in half. This material should give you enough for two ribbons or bows.

4. Wrap one of the long pieces around two fingers. Slip the folded ribbon off your fingers and double it over.

5. With a utility scissors, snip off a piece at the corners in a "V" shape, but not a sharp V, for you will lose any thread of support. There should be a piece of ribbon left at the centerfold to hold it all together.

6. Take one of the spliced pieces (5") and tie the ribbon at the centerfold securely.

7. Separate each fold by gently pulling out and twisting each fold out from the center. Do both sides. When all the folds are pulled out and twisted, the bow is completed. All that remains is to fasten the bow to a tuft of hair, using the ends of the center splice to tie the knot. Cut off any excess ribbon that remains.

Care of the Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu puppy's ears:

Because of the long hair covering the Shih Tzu puppy's ears, problems can develop when the ear gets little air. Clean the excess hair out of your Shih Tzu puppy's ear canal (not the ear flap) to improve air circulation and help prevent infection.

Care of the Shih Tzu's eyes:

Shih Tzu generally has large eyes with shallow sockets. A Shih Tzu's eyes are more prone to injury than most other breeds. If your Shih Tzu puppy's eyes are red or cloudy or tear excessively, or if your dog squints and rubs at his eye, have a vet look at your Shih Tzu puppy's eye to determine the cause.

Professionalism in Shih Tzu grooming:

The word professional means "one skilled in a profession, craft, or art. The word professionalism is defined as "the methods, manner, or spirit of a profession.

To become professional at anything, one must have the skills appropriate to the art, craft or profession and must conduct themselves professionally.

This article is FREE to publish with resource box. Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. Purchase Shih Tzu puppies and sign up for FREE newsletter at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com Collection of Pet Care articles http://smalldogs2.com/ShihTzuCastle Visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-a-string-of-hearts http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-a-string-of-hearts#comments Wed, 20 Dec 2006 08:27:06 +0000 wooden heartstempera paintbrush and paintraffiarainbow of colorsspray paintwooden heart http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-a-string-of-hearts
It's easy to make these wooden hearts. All you need is five wooden heart cut outs which are 5 inches wide, a drill having an eight-inch and quarter-inch bit, some raffia, two yards of 1 inch wide ribbon, two large wooden beads and acrylic paint in various colors according to your chosen theme. Select the appropriate ribbons and beads that go with the color of the hearts. Plaid ribbon is a good choice. In one string there will be five hearts tied together with small raffia bows. The ribbon at both ends of the string is used to form a loop so that it can be hung properly.

Start with making a small hole on each side of the hearts. All the holes will be 1/8 inch except the two outside holes which will be made with the quarter-inch drill bit. Now take a brush and paint the hearts. Acrylic paints work well for handmade crafts and are available in 2 ounce bottles. You can buy these small bottles very cheaply and in a rainbow of colors. Tempera paint can also be used instead of acrylic. If you want to give them a different look try using gold or silver metallic spray paint.

Let the paint dry. During this time make four pieces of 10-inch length raffia. Lay the hearts next to each other and join them together by threading the raffia from the hole of one heart through the hole of the next heart. Make a nice bow with the raffia on the top of the two adjacent hearts. In the same way, connect the other hearts so that all the raffia bows come at the top of the arrangement. If the ends of the raffia look a bit uneven, trim the ends neatly.

Now pass one of the ribbons through each of the remaining holes of the outermost hearts. Make the ends of the ribbon even. Pull the ends through the wooden bead until it rests against the wooden heart and knot the ribbons to hold the bead in place. A nice touch is to cut the end of the ribbon on an angle -- this also keeps the ribbon from unraveling. Do the same procedure on the other side as well. Your handmade string of hearts is now ready to display and cheer up any room. This charming wooden handicraft also makes a lovely gift for someone special. Dorothy Kimble is a staff writer at http://www.crafts-digest.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.recreation-digest.com. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-wedding-favors http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-wedding-favors#comments Mon, 17 Apr 2006 09:50:12 +0000 bridesmaid dressesaccent colorcomplimentribbonpot pourriwedding favorswedding favor http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-wedding-favors
There are simple ways in which you can reduce the costs at a wedding without compromising on tradition, taste and quality. One of the easiest things to do at a lower price is the making of your own wedding favors. These can be expensive if bought for all of your guests and making your own allows you to reduce this cost significantly. It also gives you the opportunity to personalise them to your color themes and the fact that they are handmade makes them more special for your guests to receive.

The first thing to do is to decide what to put in your favors. Most people choose to use pot pourri or confectionery in them. Once you have decided this it is important to gather all of the materials you will need together. The best place to make these is at a table where you have sufficient room to lay everything out but have it close to hand for when you need it.

You will need to decide on a color for your favors. This can be to match the décor of the room where they will be displayed or a color found in your bouquet or bridesmaid dresses. Then select an accent color to compliment this. For example, should you decide on yellow as your main color you may choose purple to compliment it.

You will need to purchase pre-cut wedding favor wraps. These can start at as little as $10 for 50. Then you simply place an amount of the filling in the centre, gather the wrap around it and tie the top with a small length of ribbon. The easiest way to do them quickly is to take your time making the first one and add or remove the filling until the amount is perfect. Then try different lengths of ribbon until you have the one you like best. Once you have one favor which is exactly how you want it, dismantle it again. Keep the parts together and use them as a guide for all of the others. Cut multiple pieces of ribbon, using the length of the completed favor to ensure it is the length you require.

Planning a wedding can be stressful and making your own favors may seem like an additional burden. However, it is a great way of lowering costs. Why not get your bridesmaids round, open a bottle of wine (or two!) and between you they will all be made in no time. The author is a regular contributor to Fun Wedding Favors http://www.funweddingfavors.com where more information about organizing weddings and wedding favors is freely available. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-a-hair-bow-in-few-simple-steps http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-a-hair-bow-in-few-simple-steps#comments Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:29:16 +0000 pinwheel bowkite tailalligator clipshair bowglue gunsoft fabricfray check http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-a-hair-bow-in-few-simple-steps hair bow is a simple means of creating beauty to one's own style of dressing their hair to make it look more pleasing to look at. There are varieties of ways on how to make a hair bow. The variation usually lies on the materials to be used that also depend on the choice of style of the hair bow one prefers to make.

How to make a hair bow is a common hobby among creative and artistic individuals. Basically one is free to create their own design to represent their own stylish way of making a hair bow. There are simple steps on how to make a hair bow. One needs to organize first the materials they will need.

Scissors, measuring tape or a ruler, ribbon, floral wire, metal clip, glue gun and fray check are the most basic materials to be needed on how to make a hair bow. For beginners, making a medium sized pinwheel bow is an excellent choice to begin with.

When deciding on the type of ribbon to use it is important to choose one that has a soft fabric that is easy to bend. One should then choose the type of clip to use. When making a small to medium hair bow for fine hair, alligator clips are good choice. French clips on the other hand work well for fuller hairs or for ponytails and when making larger bows.

Cut the ribbon - 1 1/2 inches in width and 24 inches in length. To assemble, the ribbon must be folded over 5 times of about 4 in. in length. To even the length, adjust the ribbon. Then pinch the center of the loops and use a craft wire or wrap floral to tighten the center of the bow.

Using the floral wire for this purpose can be a good choice as it does not melt when glued. Don't forget to trim the excess wire to ensure it will not poke out. Also trimming the ends of the bow will make both sides even. You can choose to kite tail or angle the edges for better touches.

You can trace a line and cut to create an angle on the bow's edges. To create kite tail, you need to first fold the center of the edges and clip a shape of a triangle on the edge. It is best to first practice in a piece of paper before making the final cut on the bow.

To prevent from fraying, apply thin coat of nail polish or fray check on the bow's edges. Slide the clip along the bow's wire and use the glue to secure its place. Some uses additional wires to further secure the bow to the clip.

A smaller piece of ribbon is then knotted on the center on top of the exposed wire and wrapped around then glued to stay in place. For the final touches, adjust the hair bow to its fullness.

Learning how to make a hair bow can be fun, interesting and fulfilling especially when you wear a hair bow that is your own masterpiece.John Grant is a the author for a how to site where he wrote an article about how to make a hair bow .]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/inexpensive-wedding-favors http://www.artwoo.com/article/inexpensive-wedding-favors#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:36:25 +0000 sugared almondswedding favourlove candyintimate weddingadded touchhappiest dayphoto frames http://www.artwoo.com/article/inexpensive-wedding-favors happiest day of your life. It will also provide our guests with a lasting souvenir of your day (provided your favors aren't the perishable kind) that will remind them of your wedding day every time they use it.(if the favour you choose is a useful one)

Prior to purchasing your favors you will need to decide if you are going to give a wedding favour to everyone or one per couple. This will depend on the size of your budget and what sort of favor you have in mind, also how many people are coming to the wedding will make a difference. If you are having a small intimate wedding then you may be able to splash out a bit, unlike if there are a lot of people attending it just may not be possible to be extravagant and you may have to settle for the less expensive favors.

Candles are amongst the less expensive favors, an added touch could be personalised ribbon tied around the candle in a pretty bow. The ribbon may include your wedding date and names.

An example of practical wedding favors is picture frames.The guests can use these to hold a photo of the Bride and Groom if they wish,or any other photo they like.Finding suitable frames should be fairly easy as they come in such a wide variety.If you purchase plain photo frames you can be sure that these will work with the décor in any of the guests homes although you may prefer to give frames that match the theme of the wedding or ones that have hearts on to represent your love.

Candy is another inexpensive favor but if you are looking to give a keepsake then candy is really not suitable. If you want to make your own favors you could purchase some pretty ribbon and fabric. The fabric will need to be cut into small squares and a few small pieces of candy put into each one. Then you just need to pull the corners together and tie the ribbon around. A wedding I went to recently had the same idea but used sugared almonds instead of candy. An alternative to the fabric is to purchase small tins and put the candy in them. If you order your candy in bulk you should get it quite a bit cheaper. Candy bars with your name and date of wedding on and also perhaps a photo of the bride and groom can also be quite affordable if ordered in bulk and if you don't have more than one design for the wrapper.

Another great favour idea is packets of vegetable seeds or flower seeds .These are very affordable to buy but you may like to add the personal touch and make your own. Tie different packets of seeds up with personal ribbon or put them into little pots that you can decorate.

A nice inexpensive favour is a pen with the bride and groom's names on and the date of the wedding, not only are these useful but they make a great keepsake as well.Jayne Waldorf lives in England with her husband.If you would like to learn more about favors and other wedding goods please visit Jayne's web site Waldorf Elite today]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/breast-cancer-ribbon http://www.artwoo.com/article/breast-cancer-ribbon#comments Wed, 12 Jul 2006 12:27:45 +0000 breast cancer ribbonfight breast cancerbreast cancer awareness monthbreast cancer awarenesscancer awareness monthinternational breastdaily basis http://www.artwoo.com/article/breast-cancer-ribbon breast cancer ribbon.

Breast cancer is a dangerous enemy, while it is true that the awareness to its risks and the understanding of the prevention measures that need to be taken on a regular basis has increased over the years and had probably saved many lives, some people are still not aware of breast cancer and others prefer to live in some sort of denial.

So why is it important to use the pink ribbon and join the fight against breast cancer? First of all it shows the most important thing a person can show, it shows that you care, its shows that you are willing to give a little of your time or energy to try and educate more people, to warn some others and to maybe, just by doing this very small action contribute to saving a life. This is not a joke, sometimes awareness is all that separates the ill from the healthy and the dead from the living, we are at an age where people are learning of new dangers every day, and with all these upcoming potential dangers of terrorism and natural disasters breast cancer has been here long enough and has cause so much pain and suffering that it certainly deserves to be treated as something we should all remember, even on a daily basis.

Every October is the international breast cancer awareness month, this is the time to try and do the most to increase the public awareness of this disease, and educate woman about the ways they can fight breast cancer, this month is also dedicated to raising money for the many different organizations and foundations that are working all year round on helping victims of breast cancer, some of these patients have no money and no funds they can use to try and treat the cancer, and these organizations help them get the support that they need.

So all you got to do is just place one of these pink ribbons on your shirt of jacket, and show the solidarity you have with the breast cancer patients, the victims and the family and friends of those who have been effected by this terrible disease. Remember that you do not have to limit yourself only to the month of October, and that it is enough for only one person to ask you about this ribbon -- once a year to make a huge difference, think about hundreds, if not thousands of people like you doing the same thing every day, and each one of these people is approached by an uneducated person, how many lives can be speared.

Lets hope that in the future the fight against breast cancer, as the fight against all kinds of cancer, will achieve its goals and that this disease will claim less victims, that modern medicine and science will find cures and that more and more people around the world will live healthier and happier lives.

Visit http://breastcancer.healthandcosmetics.com/ for more Breast Cancer information. Jonathan Mayheart has been writing and publishing his articles on the internet for a few months, he currently writes about breast cancer and its cultural and personal effects at http://breastcancer.healthandcosmetics.com/ ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-choose-a-hand-tied-wedding-bouquet http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-choose-a-hand-tied-wedding-bouquet#comments Sun, 30 Mar 2008 14:15:00 +0000 hand tied wedding bouquetswedding bouquetbridesmaids dressesartistic flareautumn weddingflower typewedding outfit http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-choose-a-hand-tied-wedding-bouquet wedding bouquet is very important, it is the most visual accessory to the dress and it can represent the whole image of the wedding. A single bloom for a very stylized wedding, a shaped wired bouquet for a more classical look or the just picked in season flowers often associated with a spring wedding.

For a spring wedding it is lovely to have the flowers of the season, the range of colours, shapes and sizes available to you are vast. If you are going for this look it is nice to have a hand tied wedding bouquet. By hand tying your wedding bouquet you are adding an artistic flare which you can completely control.

Many brides who choose to have hand tied wedding bouquets do not want the responsibility of preparing their actual wedding bouquet, but they have such an exact image of how it should look that it can be a good idea to practice producing the look you are after at home and then taking the finished result to a florist to produce the actual bouquet. If you are already working with a florist for the other flowers at the wedding, you can work together to get the image you want themed through out the floral decorations.

With a hand tied wedding bouquet you have the added accessory of the ribbon. This can be a lovely and subtle way in incorporate the colours of the bridesmaids' dresses into your own outfit, or you can tie their posies in a similar colour to link their outfits to yours.

If you want a hand tied wedding bouquet, but something more striking, a popular idea is to have a whole bouquet of either one colour or one flower type. If you are going for a wedding bouquet in one colour, you can use the colour of the ribbon to reduce the harshness of the colour against the wedding outfit, or to create a softer look. If you are going for a single type of flower, for example a bouquet of just roses, you can use the ribbon in several ways. If you are having an autumn wedding and want warm red and oranges in the bouquet you can have a brighter, gold coloured ribbon to lift the bouquet and keep it looking vibrant. Equally, if you are having a mass of pinks in spring you can choose a more grounding green ribbon to balance the colours of the flowers.

The added dimension of a hand tied wedding bouquet gives the bride more opportunities to refine the look and colour scheme of the bridal party and ensure that her perfect image for the wedding is created.

Finally, if you want to have a bouquet to keep in your memory box, a spectacular wedding bouquet can be made from silk flowers which are hand tied together. This wedding bouquet will look as fresh and stylish in the future as it does on your special day. If you are getting married abroad this can be a great way of having the perfect bouquet of your choice in a foreign country, without the worry of being able to get the flowers you want in the country where the ceremony is being held. If you choose a silk flower hand tied wedding bouquet, it can be prepared in advance and it is one more thing you will not have to worry about as the big day approaches. Jon Kelly is a published author who writes articles on a variety of diverse subjects. This includes ideas around weddings and wedding bouquets. If you would like to get more ideas about wedding bouquets. Please visit http://www.greatweddingbouquets.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/decorating-for-the-holidays http://www.artwoo.com/article/decorating-for-the-holidays#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:57:41 +0000 drape fabricfireplace mantlemantle piecedoor knockersilk rosesnutcracker suitegold ribbon http://www.artwoo.com/article/decorating-for-the-holidays
I can think of few things more inviting than a home decorated all cozy and warm for the Holidays. There is something special about Christmas decorations that just makes people feel comfortable and at peace. Have you ever been to someone's home during the Holidays and just felt all your stress and cares vanish as soon as you walked in? I think that is what we would all like to accomplish with our own Holiday decorating. I have put together some of my own ideas which will hopefully inspire you to add your own personal touches to create the Spirit of Christmas in your home this season.

Ribbon Bows

Holiday Ribbon makes a beautiful accent for just about everything and everywhere. Make simple bows in various sizes, use wire edged Sheer Frost Gold Ribbon or Sheer Frost Red Ribbon and tie them to your door knobs, door knocker, chandeliers, candle holders, stair rails and mantle piece. You can get more elegant and use wire edged Sheer Pizzaz Gold Ribbon or Sheer Pizzaz Red Ribbon to tie around your crystal stem ware, around napkins as a napkin ring. A Perky Poinsettia Ribbon would dress up your vases and flower pots.

Decorating with Small Trees

Buy inexpensive 2 foot Mixed Pine Trees and put them in your guest room, guest bath, kitchen or family room, just about any place that could use a little touch of Christmas warmth. Decorate them in a theme with favorite Sports Ornaments, Nutcracker Suite Ornaments, Western Ornaments, Gingerbread Ornaments or candy. Why not decorate one for your hubby with Hunting Ornaments or Fishing Ornaments.

Using Table Runners or Sheer Drape Fabric

Easy decorations for the dinner table or any long narrow table, even your coffee table or fireplace mantle include using elegant Embroidered Table Runners. Or you can create your own table runner by using Sheer Pizzaz Drape Fabric down the center of the table or mantle. Add a pot of Silk Roses or a Beaded Fruit Swag in the center of the table or run a length of Pine Garland down the center of the fabric. Then decorate by scattering some decorative Glass Ornaments or create a special theme for your Christmas Dinner with a beautiful set of glass Holy Family Ornaments. Top your mantle piece off with a Santa Nutcracker or Dignified Nutcracker King. Adding whimsical Santa, Snowman or Nutcracker Stocking Holders with attractive Christmas Stockings adds to the festive mood.

Christmas Wreaths

Put a Christmas Wreath on your doors, fireplace mantle and windows. You can use fresh Wreaths that add a lovely pine scent or Artificial Christmas Wreaths. You can decorate your wreaths very simply by tying beautiful Upscale Satin Ribbon bows or Elegant Velvet Ribbon bows. You can add convenient Battery Lights or even small ornaments or other decorations that go with your theme.

Christmas Garlands

Use Artificial Garlands to dress up your doors, windows, archways and stair railings. Its easy and safe to put garland on your stair railings by using Bannister Garland Hangers. Hang your Garland around windows and doors by using small clear thumbtacks. Just wrap a tip around the thumbtack to secure it. Decorate them with ribbon bows or twine elegant Sheer Drape Fabric through the tips.

How to Make a Simple Bow

First decide on the size of your bow. This will include the length of the loops and the tails.

Cut a decorative "v" into both ends of the ribbon.

Lay the ribbon on a flat surface or table with the bottom side up.

Bring the right end over the middle and hold in place. This is the first loop.

Bring the left side over and hold it the way you did with the right. Now you have formed both your loops. Decide where the exact center is and adjust the loops on the left and right side so they are even.

Once the middle is adjusted gather the 2 ends and also the bottom side and pinch all the layers between your thumb and index finger.

Take a thin piece of floral wire and wrap it around the front of the ribbon.

Twist the wire closed on the backside. Leave the ends hanging.

You can tie a small piece of the ribbon over the wire to hide it if you choose.Deby has been a writer for Christmas Decorations and Gifts for several years. View our Christmas Decorations Ideas. We have a beautiful selection of Unique Christmas Ribbon.]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-can-you-expect-during-shih-tzu-judging-of-individual-gaiting http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-can-you-expect-during-shih-tzu-judging-of-individual-gaiting#comments Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:16:23 +0000 shih tzustrict attentionarm bandsgaitrearsplacementsthird time http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-can-you-expect-during-shih-tzu-judging-of-individual-gaiting Shih Tzu show dog judge has completely gone over each Shih Tzu he will ask each handler to gait his Shih Tzu. You will need to pay close attention to the Shih Tzu show dog judge's instructions as to how he wants this done. There is the "T" formation and the half triangle. Each judge is different. Some may require the "T" formation. Another Shih Tzu show dog judge may require the half triangle. Be prepared to pay strict attention to how the judge wants this done. The Shih Tzu show dog judge may request you to repeat a pattern. This is especially true when a Shih Tzu does not show well during the firs trip. The Shih Tzu show dog judge may ask you to repeat the entire exercise or merely just to gait your Shih Tzu "down and back."

Finally, when each Shih Tzu has been gaited, the Shih Tzu show dog judge will take a last look at all of the Shih Tzu lined up together. You will want to once again present the left side of your Shih Tzu as the judge weaves in and out of the line to check once more the fronts or rears or other individual points for comparison. Some Shih Tzu may be asked to gait a third time. If there is a tie, the Shih Tzu show dog judge may ask the Shih Tzu to gait side by side to see which Shih Tzu moves the best. You just never know which situation may apply. Be prepared to oblige the judge once a request is given.

What happens when the Shih Tzu show dog makes his decision? The Shih Tzu show dog judge will point to his four placements and those four will set their Shih Tzu up in front of the designated number markers on the side of the ring. You might also be ready to show the numbers on your arm bands for the judge to mark the book accordingly.

Anyway, there is an official book the judge must mark accordingly. Now is the time the Shih Tzu show dog judge will present ribbons and trophies. You may then leave the ring. It is not correct to thank the judge for your ribbon or trophy. The Shih Tzu deserved the ribbon or trophy or else the Shih Tzu show dog judge would not have awarded a ribbon or a trophy to your Shih Tzu. Handing you this ribbon or trophy is part of the procedure and does not warrant a thank-you.

If you are extra bubbly about the win or the win is very significant, a simple "I am pleased you liked my Shih Tzu," is permissible, but still more than is necessary. Your entry fee entitles you to obtain the opinion of an official Shih Tzu show dog judge. You must take their opinion of your Shih Tzu. If you are dissatisfied with the results, do not give them another entry. Always be a good sport and play the game according to the rules. You should never show your dissatisfaction by throwing your ribbon down on the ground regardless of what color the Shih Tzu Show Dog gave you. Just leave the ring quietly and with courtesy.

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

This article is FREE to publish with resource box. Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Designer dog clothes are offered on the website. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/an-introduction-to-barcode-equipment http://www.artwoo.com/article/an-introduction-to-barcode-equipment#comments Thu, 03 Aug 2006 08:27:42 +0000 ccd barcode scannerslaser barcode scannersapple macintosh computersbarcode softwarebarcode wandsbarcode scannermagic wands http://www.artwoo.com/article/an-introduction-to-barcode-equipment laser barcode scanners with high throughput and automatic triggering for hands-free barcode scanning.

Barcode Software

Barcodes are created with special software. While barcode software for Microsoft Windows is available, best suited for barcode creation are Apple Macintosh computers. Macs are preferable due to their strong position in the DTP, prepress and graphics market segment. A typical barcode software will support the common symbologies, calculate checksums automatically and will provide a variety of output options with support for the most common images formats (like PNG, TIFF or JPG) and also for Post Script or EPS.

A cheap alternative to dedicated barcode generators are so called barcode fonts. However, the quality a barcode created with such a font will usually not conform to the respective standards.

Depending on the application the use of dedicated, barcode enabled, label printing software may be advised. For example, such software can be used to print sequential barcodes (for serial numbers) or print logos or product images next to the actual barcode.

Barcode Scanner

Barcode Scanners, also known as barcode readers exist in various forms: The most common type are laser scanners. Here a moving laser beam scans the code which results in fast and error free reading. A cheap alternative to laser scanners are CCD scanners that feature a row of light emitting diodes and photo detectors. The earliest type of barcode reader where so called barcode wands, also known a magic wands. Here a single light emitting diode (LED) and a single photo detector are used to detect the typical black and white pattern of a barcode. While laser and CCD barcode scanners scan a barcode as a whole the barcode wand has to be swiped across the code to read it.

Barcode Printers

Barcode printers are used to print the barcode on self adhesive labels. Today most barcode label printers work in either thermo direct or thermo transfer mode. Using the thermo direct principle the print head applies heat to selected parts of the label which then turn dark. This is the same principle as is used with older fax machines. Thermo direct labels are sensitive to light and should not be used if they have to last longer than a few days or weeks. Typical applications are address labels which only have to last a few days.

With thermo transfer printers a heat sensitive ribbon (thermo transfer ribbon) sits between the print head and the label. As heat is applied to the ribbon, ink transfers (hence the name) from the ribbon to the label. Labels that were printed with thermo transfer are very durable. However, besides the actual label the transfer ribbon is another consumable which will increase the printing cost. Article from FOLD.COM - http://www.fold.com ]]>