Which Smart Weighing Scale Does a Fresh-Food Shop Need? Label Printing Scales Explained
In short
Fresh-food counters that sell by weight need a label printing scale: it weighs the item, calculates the price from a stored product list, and prints a barcode label that the checkout scans. Choose by product count, label type, network link to your POS, and whether you also need platform or floor scales in the back room.
A fresh-food counter that sells by weight needs more than a scale. It needs a scale that knows the price, prints a label and hands the sale to the checkout without anyone retyping a number.
That is a label printing scale, the most common kind of smart weighing scale in shops. This guide explains how it works, what to compare, and where other scale types fit. Our range is on the smart weighing scales page.
What is a smart weighing scale?
A smart scale adds data to weighing. It stores products and prices, talks to other systems and, in retail, prints labels. The main types are:
| Type | What it does | Typical place |
|---|---|---|
| Label printing scale | Weighs, prices and prints a barcode label | Deli, butcher, bakery, fruit and vegetables |
| Desktop (counter) scale | Weighs and calculates price, often without printing | Small shops, market stalls |
| PC or Android scale | Weighs and runs software on a connected PC or Android device | Stores that need custom screens or data logging |
| Floor or platform scale | Weighs heavy or bulky items | Warehouses, receiving docks, industry |
In our range, the Aclas LS5RX and the TLS-815 are label printing scales, and the Aclas PS1X is a price computing scale. The AIS-815 is a PC/Android scale.
How does a label printing scale work at a fresh-food counter?
- Staff place the item on the scale and press the product key.
- The scale looks up the unit price, calculates the total and prints a label.
- The label carries a barcode with the price or weight built in.
- The checkout scans the barcode and adds the item to the bill.
The Aclas LS5RX and our TLS-815 are label printing scales of this kind.
Some scales can also recognise the item for you. The Aclas iS5X uses AI visual recognition on fruit and vegetables, so staff need not memorise product codes. Aclas states a 99% accuracy rate (96% for bag-packed items) and a 0.1s recognition speed (Aclas iS5X page).
What should you compare when choosing a label scale?
Product list size. Count the items you sell by weight, then add room for growth. Check how many products (PLUs) the scale can store.
Selling modes. Check that the scale handles every way you sell, such as by weight or at a fixed price, and any discounts you run.
Network link. A scale that connects to the back office saves updating prices one scale at a time. Check which connection the scale offers and whether your POS or back office can use it.
Barcode format. Your POS must read the barcode the scale prints. Confirm the format with your POS supplier before you buy.
Label type and size. Linerless labels have no backing paper to throw away, but only some scales can print them. Check that the label sizes the scale supports fit your label design. For example, Aclas lists label sizes from 30*30mm to 60*109mm and linerless paper support for the LS5RX.
How do you keep prices the same on the scale and at the till?
This is the most common problem in fresh-food departments. A price changes in the POS but not on one scale, and the label no longer matches the shelf.
The fix is to send prices from one place. A networked scale receives its product list from the back office, so every scale and the POS use the same data. If your POS cannot send prices to the scale directly, a small integration can.
Do Hong Kong trade scales have legal requirements?
Yes. The Weights and Measures Ordinance, Chapter 68, protects consumers from short weights. The Customs and Excise Department enforces it.
It is an offence to possess, supply or use false or defective weighing equipment for trade. Buy a scale designed for trade use and keep it maintained and checked.
What about scales for the back room or warehouse?
Heavier goods need a platform or floor scale with an indicator. The Jadever JIK-6CAB and JIK-6CSB are indicators with functions such as zero, tare, counting, check weighing and accumulation.
The two share the same functions and differ in housing: the JIK-6CAB is ABS plastic and the JIK-6CSB is stainless steel (Jadever product page). Options include an RS-232 interface, as listed on our model page.
How do you choose by type of business?
- Supermarket or deli counter: a networked label printing scale linked to your POS.
- Bakery or small fresh-food shop: a label printing scale, standalone at first, networked later.
- Market stall or small shop without barcodes: a desktop price-computing scale, such as the Aclas PS1X.
- Warehouse or receiving dock: a platform or floor scale with an indicator.
- Custom workflow: a PC or Android scale, with software built around your process.
What else do you need besides the scale?
Label scales use thermal labels, so plan your media supply. See our consumables range and our guide to choosing labels and ribbons.
If the scale must share data with a POS, ERP or stock system, our software development team can build the link. We also provide local maintenance and support for the hardware we supply.
Tell us what you sell by weight, how many counters you have and which POS you use. We will suggest a scale and a label setup that fits.
Frequently asked questions
What is a label printing scale?
It is a retail scale with a built-in printer. It weighs the item, works out the price from the stored unit price, and prints a label with the weight, price and a barcode for the checkout to scan.
Can a label scale connect to our POS or back office?
Networked label scales can receive the product list and prices from the back office, so every scale matches the POS. Check which connection the scale offers and confirm with your POS supplier that it can send prices to it.
Which label scale does Techcon Solution supply?
We supply the Aclas LS5RX label printing scale and the Aclas iS5X AI label scale, as well as the TLS-815 barcode weighing label scale. We also supply the Aclas PS1X price computing scale, the AIS-815 PC/Android scale and the Jadever JIK-6CAB and JIK-6CSB indicators.
What is a linerless label, and can scales print it?
A linerless label has no backing paper, so there is less waste. Only some label scales can print it, so check the scale's printer before you choose linerless media. Aclas states that the LS5RX and iS5X printers take label, linerless label and receipt paper.
Source: Aclas - iS5X AI label scale
Does a trade scale in Hong Kong have to be accurate by law?
Yes. The Weights and Measures Ordinance, Chapter 68, protects consumers from short weights, and the Customs and Excise Department enforces it. Using false or defective weighing equipment for trade is an offence.
Source: Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department - Weights and Measures FAQs
Do you also supply scales for warehouses?
Yes. Besides retail label scales we supply platform scale indicators such as the Jadever JIK-6CAB and JIK-6CSB for heavier weighing.
