Canix makes printing compliant labels quick and easy with dynamic automated fields to populate inventory details specific to each tag number. In this article, you will learn:

• Create Custom Labels in Canix
• Download Labels from Canix
• Printing PDFs from Canix
  • Printing via PDFs
    
  • Printing via PDFs for Zebra Printers
• Installing QZ Tray
• Troubleshooting Common Issues
  • Why is my printer turning off in the middle of a print job?
  • Why is the PDF I downloaded not lining up with my physical labels?
  • Why is my print quality lower for smaller labels?
• Available Label Fields

Create Custom Labels in Canix

1. Navigate to Tags & Labels > Print Labels > Custom

2. Select a Tag Type (Package, Plant, Plant Batch or Non-Cannabis Lot) and a sample Tag to work with:

3. From the "Available Fields" menu, select the fields you need to have represented on your labels, including barcodes, item names, strains, address, license #, etc.

• Take care to leave space between the edge of the labels and all fields, images, barcodes, etc. This will help ensure nothing gets cut off during printing.
• The "Default Test Fields" pull the most recent Metrc Test Result if available, then Confident Cannabis if available, then Manually uploaded results.
• To adjust the auto-generated field sizes, positions, or rotation, select the text in the label preview and use the controls above the label (+, -, or rotating icon).
  • Text size is 8pt font by default. To resize the text size, use the +/- button above the label preview to increase/decrease the text size.
  • Each increase/decrease changes the font size by 1 pixel (~0.5 pt changes in font size)
  • To reach 6pt font, the text size can be decreased 6 times (select the - button 6 times)
• To adjust the # of decimals applied to quantity and lab test result fields, use the decimal icons after selecting a field:
  • 
• Tip: Don't see details for an auto-generated field populate? Check the package or plant tag in the Active Packages report or Plant reporting to verify that information is in Canix.

4. Use Free Text fields to add additional information to your template, for example state-specific warnings:

5. Add your company logo and or state warning symbols as images as needed:

6. Use "Save As" to save a new template, or "Save" to save changes to an existing template:

Download Labels from Canix

There are two options for generating labels in Canix, either by tag sequence for example tags 100001-100030, or by selecting Packages, Plants, Plant Batches from the inventory tables and selecting "Print Labels".

Download Labels by Tag Sequence

Use this approach when generating tags for inventory that is yet to be packaged or planted, and created in Canix.

1. Select a Template and Tag Type
2. Start typing in the tag field to begin searching for a tag number and select from the results, or copy and paste a tag number into this field. Click on the tag number in the dropdown to load the field data and activate the Available Fields box and Print button.
   • Note: If printing more than 1 label, the ending tag number will be displayed below the tag field.
3. If printing more than 1 tag number, enter the number of tags to generate in a sequence in the "# of Labels" field.
4. Select Print/Download in the top right to see a preview and apply settings:
   • File Format (PDF vs ZPL)
   • Color vs Black/White
   • # of Rows Per Page and Labels Per Row
   • Vertical/Horizontal Offsets

Download Labels for Specific Inventory

Use this approach when downloading labels for specific inventory, where the tag #s may not be in sequence.

1. Navigate to your the inventory table you need to download labels for, for example the Packages table.

2. Select the Packages to download labels for, and select "Print Labels" from the Actions menu:

3. Select a Template

4. Select Print/Download in the top right to see a preview and apply settings:

• • File Format (PDF vs ZPL)
  • Color vs Black/White
  • # of Rows Per Page and Labels Per Row
  • Vertical/Horizontal Offsets

Printing PDFs from Canix

Printing via PDFs

As long as your printer can print PDFs, your printer will be compatible with Canix. To print PDFs:

1. Check that the size of your template exactly matches the size of your physical labels.

2. Download the PDFs from Canix

3. Open your PDF in Preview (Mac users) or Adobe (Windows users)

• For the Adobe Reader Free Version download here. Preview comes pre-installed on Macs.

4. Set the Page Size in Preview or Adobe to exactly match the size of your label/label sheet.

5. Set the scale in Preview/Adobe to 100% of size

6. Print!

If your prints are blank, fuzzy, or the sizing is incorrect after taking the above steps, try the following to debug further:

1. Delete "QZ Tray.app" by searching in your apps folder.
2. Delete current printer drivers:
   • On Mac:
     • Start Finder
       
     • On the menu bar select "Go" > "Go to Folder"
       • 
     • Enter "/Library/Printers/PPDs/Contents/Resources/"
     • Delete old and un-needed drivers.
       
   • On Windows:
     
     • Open Start and select "Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners"
     • Under "Related settings", select "Print Server Properties"
       
       • 
     • Select the "Drivers" tab
     • In the list of installed drivers, select the printer driver and click "Remove"
       • 
     • Select "Remove driver and package", and click Ok
     • If you get a confirmation prompt to "Remove Driver Package", click "Delete"
3. Remove your Printer from your computer
   
   • On Mac:
     
     • Select the Apple Menu
     • Go to "System Preferences"
       
     • Select "Printers & Scanners"
     • Select your Printer and remove by clicking the "-" symbol in the bottom left
   • On Windows:
     • Open Start and select "Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners"
     • Select the printer to remove and delete it
4. Restart your computer
   
5. Download and install the printer driver recommended by the manufacturer (for Zebra Printers you can search your model to find drivers from this page)
   • If the driver installation asks you to add a printer, select your printer at this step.
6. If the driver installation does not allow adding a printer, navigate back to "Printers & Scanners" in your setting and add your printer back to your laptop
   
7. If using a Zebra printer, you should also update your "Dithering" settings to "Clip Art" or "None".
   • To find your dithering settings navigate to Start > Printers & Scanners > Select Printer > Manage > Printing Preferences > Graphics.
8. Re-test printing a PDF with your new setup

Printing via PDFs for Zebra Printers

As of the March 2024 release, Canix will no longer send print commands directly to Zebra printers. All printing will be done by:

1. Downloading the Labels PDF
2. Printing the PDF from Preview (for Mac Users) or Adobe Reader (for Windows users)

You can expect sprint speeds to be faster printing form Preview or Adobe Reader as compared to Canix' previous solution, QZ Tray. If you have QZ Tray installed on your machine, we recommend uninstalling this from your computer immediately.

What happens if my Zebra Printer does not support PDF printing?

Almost all Zebra printers are installed with PDF Direct that enable printing PDFs, although it is possible that some older Zebra models will not have the necessary software. To get this software installed on your Zebra printer please reach out to Zebra support for assistance at +1-877-275-9327.

Let them know that:

• You need to print PDFs with your Zebra printer via PDF Direct
• The model of your printer

Zebra support will talk you through the specific steps required to update your make and model to support printing PDFs.

 

Installing QZ Tray

If direct printing is enabled in your account, you'll need to install QZ Tray to take advantage of this feature. Please keep in mind that QZ Tray Support is a 3rd Party app that some customers have reported bugs for in the past. Canix will not be able to fix issues with QZ Tray.

To install QZ Tray follow these guides:

1. Initial Install
2. Setting up Zebra Printers with QZ Tray

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Why is my printer turning off in the middle of a print job?

Certain printers, in particular thermal printers such as Zebra printers can overheat during printing. One way to prevent this is by reducing the speed of your printer. This can be adjusted in Printer Settings which may be access through the screen on the printer itself or through a program like ZebraDesigner.

 

Why is the PDF I downloaded not lining up with my physical labels?

Please see Printing via PDFs. To ensure your PDF aligns with your labels, you'll need to specify the exact size of your labels in Canix and use scale = 100% when printing from Adobe or Preview.

 

Why is my print quality lower for smaller labels?

Lower print quality could be caused by your printer's setting our missing firmware on your printer. To trouble-shoot, take the following steps:

1. If using a Zebra printer, update your "Dithering" settings to "Clip Art" or "None". This will increase the definition of your image.

• To find your dithering settings navigate to Start > Printers & Scanners > Select Printer > Manage > Printing Preferences > Graphics.

2. Update the darkness setting for your printer. Darker images typically result in higher definition and an increase in quality. See instructions for Zebra printers here.

3. Lowering your print speed can give more time for a thermal printer to mark the label and lead to higher quality definition. Print speeds can be adjusted in Printer Settings which may be access through the screen on the printer itself or through a program like ZebraDesigner.

4. Increase the size of fonts on your label. The larger the font-sizes, the more clearly they'll print on the label.

5. Certain Zebra printers do not have PDF printing firmware installed by default. To activate PDF Direct for Zebra printers see these instructions. Start with step 5 and if that fails (it's possible PDF Direct is installed on your machine but not activated). If step 5 does not result in the desired quality start back from step 1.

6. Consider if you have the right equipment for the job. Higher DPI printers will result in finer resolution, for small Pre-Roll labels for example, the Zebra ZD421 300dpi performs significantly better than the Zebra ZD421 203dpi.

 

 

Available Label Fields

Automated Inventory Details

Depending on the tag type selected, the following fields are dynamically populated with inventory information in Canix.

Package Tag Type

The following fields are available when Package is selected as the tag type:

Facility Information

• Address Line 1 - the first address line set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Address Line 2 - the second address line set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Facility License # - the license number set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Facility Name - the facility name set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management

Package Information

• Barcode - the barcode populated based on the tag number
• Date Created in Canix - the date the package was created in Canix, not the packaged date
• Expiration Date - the expiration date set on the package
• Harvest Date - the harvest date associated with the package's source harvest
• Harvests - the harvest associated with the package, found in the packages table > source harvest column. Note - a package may have multiple harvests listed.
• Item Name - the package item name
• Item SKU - the Canix SKU associated with the item in facility data > items
• Lot ID - the Canix Lot ID set on a package
• Net Weight
  • If package units are Each, the net weight = individual unit weight on the item * package quantity. Note - the individual unit weight can be found in the packages table > Unit Weight column, and the full net weight can be found in the packages table > Implied Weight column 
  • If package units are weight based, the net weight = the package quantity converted to ounces
  • If package units are volume based, the net weight = the package quantity converted to grams
• Notes - the Canix notes field on packages. This does not sync with compliance systems.
• Packaged Date - the packaged date set when the package was created
• Production Batch - the production batch on the package
• QR Code (Tag Number) - a QR code generated from the tag number instead of a barcode
• Quantity - the current package quantity
• Source Packages (full tag) - the full tag of the source packages of the package
• Source Packages (short tag) - the last 5 numbers of the source packages of the package
• Source Production Batch(es) - the production batch on the source packages of the package
• Strain Name - the strain associated with the package item
• Tag Number - the package tag number
• Unit Weight - the individual unit weight associated with the package item (for count based items only)

Lab Tests

• Default Test Fields - the result populated as a default test result displays the Metrc test result over every other result on the package, the Confident Cannabis result if no Metrc results, and the manual lab result if no Metrc or Confident Cannabis results.
  • Test Information (Default)
    • QR Code (Lab Test URL) - Any URL can be set in the Lab Test URL field on packages to be accessible by QR code with this field on labels
    • Test Date - the tested date associated with the lab result, displayed in the packages table
    • Test Status - the test status on the package, found in the packages table
    • Tested Package Tag - the tag number of the package sent for testing
  • Cannabinoids (Default)
    • Preferred Test Results - the preferred THC and CBD results
    • Preferred THC - the THC result set as the preferred THC field in Lab Test Configuration
    • Preferred CBD - the CBD result set as the preferred CBD field in Lab Test Configuration
    • Cannabinoid Test Results - the cannabinoid results of the test result that takes preference (1. Metrc, 2. Confident Cannabis, 3. Manual lab results)
  • Terpenes (Default)
    • Total Terpenes (%) - if the result is not available in the associated test results, then this is calculated as a sum of all terpene results from the associated test results
    • Top 3 Terpenes - the 3 terpenes with the highest results from the test source specified in the Test Type column in the packages table
    • Terpene Test Results - the terpene results of the test result that takes preference (1. Metrc, 2. Confident Cannabis, 3. Manual lab results)
• Metrc Test Fields - the results populated from Metrc received results. These results take preference over Confident Cannabis results and Manually uploaded results. To use results from a different source, select the fields from those sections below.
  • Test Information (Metrc)
    • QR Code (Lab Test URL) - Any URL can be set in the Lab Test URL field on packages to be accessible by QR code with this field on labels
    • Test Date - the tested date associated with the lab result from Metrc
    • Test Facility License - the license number of the facility that tested the package in Metrc
    • Test Facility Name - the license facility name of the facility that tested the package in Metrc
    • Test Status - the test status on the package from the lab results from Metrc
    • Tested Package Tag - the tag number of the package sent for testing in Metrc
  • Cannabinoids (Metrc)
    • Preferred Test Results - the preferred THC and CBD results
    • Preferred THC - the THC result set as the preferred THC field in Lab Test Configuration
    • Preferred CBD - the CBD result set as the preferred CBD field in Lab Test Configuration
    • Cannabinoid Test Results - the cannabinoid results from the Metrc test results
  • Terpenes (Metrc)
    • Total Terpenes (%) - if the result is not available in the associated test results, then this is calculated as a sum of all terpene results from the associated test results
    • Top 3 Terpenes - the 3 terpenes with the highest results from the Metrc test results. Note - many states do not have terpenes available from the API and are required to use the Confident Cannabis or Manual Test Fields below.
    • Terpene Test Results - the terpene results from the Metrc test results. Note - many states do not have terpenes available from the API and are required to use the Confident Cannabis or Manual Test Fields below.
• Confident Cannabis Test Fields - the results populated from Confident LIMS, found in the Lab Tests table or Package Detail page's Lab Results section. See here for more information on our Confident LIMS integration. 
  • Test Information (Confident Cannabis)
    • QR Code (Lab Test URL) - The public URL to access test results that comes from Confident LIMS. Any URL can be set in the Lab Test URL field on packages to be accessible by QR code with this field on labels
    • Test Date - the tested date associated with the lab result from Confident LIMS
    • Tested Package Tag - the tag number of the package sent for testing from Confident LIMS
  • Cannabinoids (Confident Cannabis)
    • Preferred Test Results - the preferred THC and CBD results
    • Preferred THC - the THC result set as the preferred THC field in Lab Test Configuration
    • Preferred CBD - the CBD result set as the preferred CBD field in Lab Test Configuration
    • Cannabinoid Test Results - the cannabinoid results from the Confident LIMS test results
  • Terpenes (Confident Cannabis)
    • Total Terpenes (%) - if the result is not available in the associated test results, then this is calculated as a sum of all terpene results from the associated test results
    • Top 3 Terpenes - the 3 terpenes with the highest results from the Confident LIMS test results.
    • Terpene Test Results - the terpene results from the Confident LIMS test results.
• Manual Test Fields
  • Test Information (Manual)
    
    • QR Code (Lab Test URL) - Any URL can be set in the Lab Test URL field on packages to be accessible by QR code with this field on labels
    • Test Date - the tested date uploaded with the manual lab results
    • Test Status - the testing status uploaded with the manual lab results
    • Tested Package Tag - the tag number of the package sent for testing uploaded with the manual lab results
  • Cannabinoids (Manual)
    • Preferred Test Results - the preferred THC and CBD results
    • Preferred THC - the THC result set as the preferred THC field in Lab Test Configuration
    • Preferred CBD - the CBD result set as the preferred CBD field in Lab Test Configuration
    • Cannabinoid Test Results - the cannabinoid results uploaded with the manual lab results
  • Terpenes (Manual)
    • Total Terpenes (%) - if the result is not available in the associated test results, then this is calculated as a sum of all terpene results from the associated test results
    • Top 3 Terpenes - the 3 terpenes with the highest results uploaded with the manual lab results
    • Terpene Test Results - the terpene results uploaded with the manual lab results.

Other

• Barcode Tag Number - a barcode with the tag number associated below the barcode populated on the label together
• Border - a square border to adjust taller or wider using the +/- buttons above the label
• Copy Number - the number this tag represents from a set of labels printed from the same tag number (i.e. 5 of 100)

Plant Tag Type

The following fields are dynamically populated based on the plant tags selected.

• Address Line 1 - the first address line set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Address Line 2 - the second address line set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Barcode - the barcode populated based on the tag number
• Barcode Tag Number - a barcode with the tag number associated below the barcode populated on the label together
• Border - a square border to adjust taller or wider using the +/- buttons above the label
• Copy Number - the number this tag represents from a set of labels printed from the same tag number (i.e. 5 of 100)
• Facility License # - the license number set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Facility Name - the facility name set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Flowering Date - the flowering date associated with the plant in the plants > flowering tables
• Harvest Date - the harvest date associated with the plant in the plants > harvested tables
• Location - the room associated with the plant, found in the plants table
• Lot ID - the Lot ID associated with the plant, found in the plants table
• Mother Plant - the mother plant tag associated with the plant, found in the plants table
• Notes - the Canix note populated on the plant. This does not sync with your compliance system
• Plant Batch - the plant batch associated with the plant, found in the plants table
• Planted Date - the planted date on the plant record, found in the plants table
• QR Code (Tag Number) - a QR code generated from the plant tag number
• Strain Name - the strain associated with the plant found in the plants table
• Vegetative Date - the vegetative date associated with the plant, found in the plants table

Plant Batch Tag Type

The following fields are dynamically populated based on the plant batches selected.

• # Clones - the current immature plant count on the plant batch record, found in the plant batches table
• Address Line 1 - the first address line set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Address Line 2 - the second address line set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Barcode - the barcode populated based on the tag number or plant batch name
• Barcode Tag Number - a barcode with the tag number or plant batch name associated below the barcode populated on the label together
• Border - a square border to adjust taller or wider using the +/- buttons above the label
• Copy Number - the number this tag represents from a set of labels printed from the same tag number (i.e. 5 of 100)
• Facility License # - the license number set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Facility Name - the facility name set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Location - the room associated with the plant batch, found in the plant batches table
• Lot ID - the Canix Lot ID associated with the plant batch, found in the plant batches table
• Mother Plant - the mother plant associated with the plant batch, found in the plant batches table
• Notes - the Canix note populated on the plant. This does not sync with your compliance system
• Planted Date - the planted date on the plant record, found in the plant batch table
• QR Code (Tag Number) - a QR code generated from the plant batch tag number or name
• Strain Name - the strain associated with the plant batch, found in the plant batch table

Non-Cannabis Lot Tag Type

The following fields are dynamically populated based on the non-cannabis product lots selected.

• Address Line 1 - the first address line set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Address Line 2 - the second address line set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Available Quantity - the current quantity of the lot, after reservations associated with manufacturing runs
• Barcode - the barcode populated based on the NCI lot barcode number selected
• Barcode Tag Number - a barcode with the NCI lot barcode number associated below the barcode populated on the label together
• Border - a square border to adjust taller or wider using the +/- buttons above the label
• Copy Number - the number this tag represents from a set of labels printed from the same tag number (i.e. 5 of 100)
• Facility License # - the license number set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Facility Name - the facility name set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Lot Name - the Lot associated with the selected barcode
• Product Name - the non-cannabis product name associated with the selected barcode
• Product SKU - the non-cannabis product SKU associated with the selected barcode
• QR Code (Tag Number) - a QR code generated based on the selected barcode
• Received Date - the lot received date associated with the selected barcode
• Unit Cost - the lot unit cost associated with the selected barcode
• Vendor Name - the lot vendor associated with the selected barcode

None Tag Type

The following fields are dynamically populated based on the facility, and the text entered in the tag field. This tag type allows you to generate a barcode to scan based on text, such as an item name, production batch or location.

• Address Line 1 - the first address line set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Address Line 2 - the second address line set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Barcode - the barcode populated based on the text entered in the Tag field
• Barcode Tag Number - a barcode with the text entered in the Tag field associated below the barcode populated on the label together
• Border - a square border to adjust taller or wider using the +/- buttons above the label
• Copy Number - the number this tag represents from a set of labels printed from the same tag number (i.e. 5 of 100)
• Facility License # - the license number set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• Facility Name - the facility name set on the facility in Admin > Facility Management
• QR Code (Tag Number) - a QR code generated from the text entered in the Tag field

Additional Label Details

The following fields are available below the Available Fields section.

• + Add Text Field to Label - the text entered in these free form fields populate on the label. Use these fields to enter required label text for compliance, for example. Multiple text fields can be added to labels.
• Company Logo - selecting this option adds the image uploaded as the logo in Admin > Facility Management
• Custom Image - select this option to upload an image, such as required warning symbols.
• Show Field Titles - choose whether to show the field title associated with the available fields selected. If wanting some field titles to show, but not others, use the Add Text Field option to create labels and place next to the automated label fields