EAN-8 barcode











EAN-13 barcode







EAN-14 (UCC-14/GTIN-14) barcode





EAN-18 (SSCC-18) barcode





EAN-128 (GS1-128) barcode







UPC-A barcode







UPC-E barcode









DataBar (RSS-14)







DataBar Stacked (RSS-14 Stacked)







DataBar Limited (RSS Limited)







Code-128 barcode







Code-93 barcode





Code-39 barcode





Code-32 barcode





Code-11 barcode









Matrix 2 of 5 barcode







Standard 2 of 5 barcode







Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode







ITF-14 barcode









Identcode barcode







Leitcode barcode







Codabar barcode





Codabar Rationalized barcode





MSI Plessey barcode





Pharmacode One Track barcode





Pharmacode Two Track barcode





Postnet barcode





Planet barcode





Royalmail (RM4SCC) barcode





Aztec code









DataMatrix code









QR code









PDF417 code







Code-16K







What is the bar code

Barcode is a graphical presentation of information. The information is encoded with dark and light stripes, determined by symbolism-specific code. Barcode is designed for e-readers, additionally usually under the code there is placed the text representation of what was contained in the code. It is designed to allow manual entry of code where the reader will not be able to read the information.

The use of codes

Barcode found the widest application in trade. The main use of the bar code is the automatic identification of products, which allows much faster, for example customer service at cash registers. Nowadays it is practically impossible to find in store merchandise that hasn't got a bar code assigned. If the shop gets merchandise that does not have an official barcode, the shop assigns custom barcode to it. Even companies associated with the transport couldn't resist the popularity of barcode: every parcel, pallet is labeled with a barcode.

Barcode reproduction

A key element that determines whether barcode fulfills its primary task is print quality. The print quality is dependent on the nature of the ground and from techniques of reproduction. Main reproduction problems: spreading of the paint, poor fixation of paint, too low contrast between the color of the substrate and the color bars.

GS1 specification (5.2.1.4.1) - change bar widths for digits 1, 2, 7, 8

EAN-13, UPC-A, UPC-E, ISBN, „For digits 1, 2, 7, 8 the bars and spaces are reduced or enlarged by one-thirteenth of a module width to provide a uniform distribution of bar width tolerances and thus improve scanning reliability.”

Barcode generators EAN-13, UPC-A, UPC-E, ISBN, For barcodes EAN-8 ISSN in GS1 specification we can read:Barcode generators EAN-8 ISSN support this option. Barcode EAN-13 (1278127812786) • black colour - barcode generated without change bar widths for digits 1, 2, 7, 8, • red colour - barcode generated with change bar widths for digits 1, 2, 7, 8.

Bar width reduction

EAN-13, UPC-A, UPC-E, ISBN, 0.33 mm. Using the bar width reduction must not lead to a situation where the thinnest bar will be less than 0.13 mm in the printing form. If this happens, use a higher zoom ratio to (0.33 mm × magnification factor) - REDUCE WIDTH ≥ 0.13 mm. One of the most common problems during reproduction is an increase in the thickness of the bar. Each of the generators have the capability to reduce the width of the line. This allows the generation of such a code, which after being printed will have the correct width of the bar. That increases your chances of reading the code by the reader. For barcodes EAN-8 ISSN nominal bar width is. Using the bar width reduction must not lead to a situation where the thinnest bar will be less thanin the printing form. If this happens, use a higher zoom ratio to (0.33 mm × magnification factor) - REDUCE WIDTH ≥ 0.13 mm.

no bar width reduction (BWR = 0) Generated After reproduction

with bar width reduction (BWR > 0) Generated After reproduction

Scale (zoom factor)

EAN-13, UPC-A, UPC-E, ISBN,



Recommended zoom factors: For barcodes EAN-8 ISSN it is recommended to use Coefficient of magnification in the range of 80% to 200% of the nominal size. Each of the generators allows you to enter the zoom ratio in this range.Recommended zoom factors:

Process and material Min. scale Offset printing 80% Flexographic printing on paper and foil 130% Flexographic printing on corrugated board 160% Screen printing 120%

Wide to Narrow bar ratio („wide element” to „narrow element” ratio)

The wide-to-narrow ratio of a barcode is the relationship of narrow elements to wide elements. Example: ratio 3, set width of „wide element” to 3-times larger than the „narrow element”.

Barcode created with ratio 2.5 „narrow element” - width 2px „wide element” - width 5px

Barcode created with ratio 4.0 „narrow element” - width 2px „wide element” - width 8px

The contrast between the base color and the color of bars

The most frequently used bar code readers are equipped with red light - 630 nm wave length. Symbols are correctly read only if the prints with the printed code, lines dimensions, have got right overprint contrast. Obtaining the contrast is dependent on both the background color and the color bars. The background should as bright as possible and the lines should be at their darkest. Background color should be: white, yellow, orange or bright red, and lines: black, blue, green and dark brown.

The accuracy of output devices

When reproducing the barcode accuracy of output devices must be considered. Inkjet printer running at a resolution of 600 dpi is accurate to 0.0423 mm. So if we print on the 0.33 mm bar we may receive a dash with a thickness from 0.2961 mm to 0.3384 mm. An imagesetter, which is used to perform printing forms works usually with a resolution of 2540 dpi, gives the accuracy of 0.01 mm. In this case, the bar width is between 0.32 mm and 0.34 mm.

Industrial barcode printers