This tool can mass-generate DLT tape labels with barcodes according to your needs. Print the output on plain printer paper. You'll need a pair of scissors or a guillotine to cut to the right size. Thanks to the way DLT cartridges work, you don't need adhesive labels: simply fold the labels along the top, so the copyright notice is in the back, then fit the folded label into the DLT label holder. The wedge-like shape will keep the label in place, even in a robotic tape library.

To edit your tape labels, click on the label to modify the numbering scheme. If you type FOO000, you'll get tape labels FOO000, FOO001, FOO002, et cetera. Because of the way most tape library barcode readers work, you can only have six-character labels. To conserve computing power, only the first ten pages (180 labels, starting with the label you specified) will be generated.

Hint: we use different three-letter prefixes for different backup sites. We haven't reached the one thousand tape limit yet. We also use a different naming and colour scheme (CLNxxx) for our cleaning tapes.

The barcode is in the Code 39 format, which allows a few characters in addition to capitals and numbers, but conventional use discourages them for backup tapes and the Postscript program doesn't know their patterns (yet).

Want the Source?

Have a look at my DLT Label Postscript source which is used to generate these files. Postscript is easy to edit in a text editor, and you can make all the DLT labels you want. (even automate the process!)