An item handling system, comprising: at least one item preparation station for printing machine-readable symbols on items; and at least one item handling station for receiving items from the at least one item preparation station and being operable to machine read and process information contained in the symbols printed on the items; wherein: the at least one item handling station includes a messaging unit for generating messages representative of the readability of symbols read thereby and transmitting the messages to the at least one item preparation station; and the at least one item preparation station includes an indicator for providing an indication of a readability of symbols printed thereby in response to messages received from the at least one item handling station.