Printer Systems and Methods for Global Tracking of Products in Supply Chains, Authentication of Products, and Connecting with Customers Both Before, During, and After a Product Sale

A computer-readable medium for executing computer-executable instructions comprising:

• allocating unique identification codes;
• storing the unique identification codes in a database;
• transmitting the unique identification codes for use in a plurality of printers located in a plurality of geographical locations that print the unique identification codes on tag-like items;
• receiving information regarding which said unique identification codes were printed on which said tag-like items;
• storing said information in the database;
• receiving an inquiry regarding one of said unique identification codes;
• accessing a portion of the database that corresponds to the one of said unique identification codes;
• and
• transmitting at least a portion of the information stored in the database that corresponds to the one of said unique identification codes in response to the inquiry.

A system comprising:

• a server including:
• a first processor for executing first computer-executable instructions;
• a first memory that stores the first computer-executable instructions and a database;
• server communication means to communicate information stored in the database;
• wherein the first computer-executable instructions cause the apparatus to:
• allocate unique identification codes;
• store the unique identification codes in the database;
• transmit the unique identification codes for use on tag-like items;
• receive information regarding which said unique identification codes were used with which said tag-like items;
• store said information in the database;
• receive an inquiry regarding one of said unique identification codes;
• access a portion of the database that corresponds to the one of said unique identification codes;
• and
• transmit at least a portion of the information stored in the database that corresponds to the one of said unique identification codes in response to the inquiry;
• a plurality of printers including:
• printer communication means to receive said unique identification codes;
• printer means to print said unique identification codes on said tag-like items, wherein said tag-like items are selected from the group consisting of:
• a tag, a label, a ticket, a sticker, a hang tag, a price ticket, a woven label, a heat transfer label, a woven neck label, a care label, and a security label;
• and
• a plurality of computers including:
• second processors for executing second computer-executable instructions;
• second memories that store the second computer-executable instructions;
• second communication means to transmit tag-like items information to the server, said tag-like items information selected from the group consisting of:
• authenticity information, checkpoint information, contract number, country of origin, creation date, customs information, consumer identification information, drawings, EPC number, geographical location, invoice number, item size, item type, location in supply chain, manufacturing date, manufacturing location, notes, photographs, purchase order number, quality control information, retailer information, SKU number, and videos.