# Worked handover: the label may already have printed

Keep a print uncertainty separate from content changes and exact reprint approval.

Source: https://help.smartfact.ai/manuals/labels/worked-handover

Review edition: 25 October 2026

Roles: operator, supervisor, owner

This fictional example shows how the roles work together. HP-2048 and the people below are illustrative values, not records supplied with your site. It does not establish that a printer has been physically qualified.

## Start with one accepted run

Sam, an Operator at Hartwell & Pryce Engineering, opens the intended job and checks its preview, unit quantity, copies and destination. The published label is correct, so Sam accepts the run and follows its PrintStation route.

The connection is interrupted after the copy might have reached the printer. Sam cannot tell whether someone collected it. The right next task is to investigate the original run, not accept another run to recover the page.

## Preserve the useful references

Sam leaves the work for review and gives Sarah, who holds Supervisor in both LabelRules and PrintStation, the job reference, accepted run, affected copy/attempt and printer. Sam reports the interruption and the observations made so far without claiming the copy failed.

A useful handover reads: “HP-2048, this accepted run and copy are uncertain. The printer was checked at the bench; the collector has not yet confirmed whether they took the label. No replacement has been requested.” Adapt the note to the facts actually known.

## Investigate the original output

Sarah opens the original LabelRules run and the corresponding PrintStation record. If she held only LabelRules Supervisor, she would hand the PrintStation observation to a PrintStation Supervisor. She checks the physical printer, queue, nearby output and people handling the work. PrintStation's **submitted** evidence alone does not establish that the label reached paper.

If the outcome remains unknown, Sarah records that uncertainty rather than choosing a result to clear the hold. If the physical output is found, she records the supported observation against the affected attempt. Use [uncertain output](/manuals/labels/uncertain-output) and the linked [PrintStation procedure](/manuals/printstation/uncertain-output).

## Decide whether another exact copy is needed

If a further label is justified, Sarah uses LabelRules' exact-reprint process for the retained label. She checks the reason, selected copies and duplicate acknowledgement. A PrintStation investigation does not itself authorise a reprint in LabelRules.

If somebody reports that the address or barcode content is wrong, stop the exact-copy decision and refer the content issue to the appropriate Author and Reviewer. Reprinting the same stored label cannot correct its content. Use the site's approved process for the underlying work and configuration.

## Hand over what remains

At shift change, identify the original run, physical findings, any unresolved copy and any authorised reprint. Distinguish the original copy from later output. A successful later print does not prove the first copy never existed.

The Owner may help with a printer or route configuration problem. Owner alone cannot reconcile LabelRules production output or approve its exact reprint. This distinction prevents the handover being sent to someone who can change the setup but cannot make the required production decision.

Read [who can do what](/manuals/labels/roles-and-actions) when arranging the roles, and retain the actual observations with the product records.