Ultimate Free Guide For Barcodes On Labels

1. High Quality Barcodes

First, you’ll need to make sure your barcodes are high quality. Therefore, they should be clear and easy to scan. If your barcodes are blurry or have low contrast, they may be difficult for scanners to read. Several suppliers provide high quality barcode labels, such as WILUX PRINT, or you may create your own using a barcode generator.

2. Choose Right Barcode Type

Next, you’ll need to choose the right barcode type for your product. There are a variety of barcode types, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common type of barcode is the Universal Product Code (UPC), which is used for products in the United States. Additionally, two of the common types are the European Article Number (EAN) and the International Standard Book Number (ISBN). You will need to select the type of barcode that is most appropriate for your product and market.

Most Common Barcode Types

UPC (Universal Product Code)

UPC is an acronym that stands for Universal Product Code. The United States uses the UPC barcode as its most common barcode type. These barcodes are used to track products and inventory in stores. UPC barcodes consist of 12 digits each with a specific meaning. The first digit is the number system character, which indicates the type of product the barcode is for. The next five digits are the manufacturer code, which identifies the company that made the product. Finally, the last six digits are the product code, which identify the specific product.

EAN (European Article Number)

EAN barcodes are similar to UPC barcodes, but they are used in Europe. EAN barcodes consist of 12 digits, but the meaning of the digits is different. The first two digits of an EAN barcode are the country code, which indicates where the product was made. The next five digits are the manufacturer code, and the last five digits are the product code.

ISBN (International Standard Book Number)

ISBN barcodes are used for books. The barcodes are composed of 13 digits, and the first nine digits are the ISBN number of the book. The last four digits are the price of the book.

Code 128

Code 128 barcodes are used for a variety of products. Please note that these barcodes are variable lengths, making them suitable for any length. Code 128 barcodes consist of numbers, letters, and symbols.

Code 39

The code 39 barcodes can be used in a variety of products as well. These barcodes are also variable length, and they consist of numbers, letters, and symbols.

QR Code

QR Codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can store more information than other types of barcodes. QR codes are used to store URLs of websites, contact information, and other data.

3. Format Your Barcode Properly

Please ensure that your barcodes are properly formatted. This means that they should include the correct number of digits and the correct barcode symbology. In the event that your barcodes are not properly formatted, scanners may not be able to read them. You can find more information on barcode formatting from a variety of sources, including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

4. Choose The Right Color For Your Barcode!

Barcodes are usually printed in black and white, but you can also use different colors for your barcode. However, you should make sure that the colors you use will not affect the barcode's readability. Although some barcode scanners can read barcodes printed in color, others may have difficulty reading them. If you are unsure, you should test your barcode scanner with a variety of colors to see which ones it can read easily. In general, it is best to use dark colors for the bars and light colors for the spaces. This contrast will make it easier for the scanner to read the barcode.

5. Print Your Barcode At The Right Size!

Barcodes must be printed at a suitable size for proper reading. The size of the barcode is specified by the manufacturer of the barcode scanner. If barcodes are too small, the scanner may not be able to read them. If they are too large, they may read them incorrectly. The barcode must be printed on a clean, flat surface so that the reading of the barcode is well possible. If the barcode is printed on wrinkled or curved surfaces, the scanner may not be able to read it. The barcode must not be obstructed in any way. If there is anything covering the barcode, the scanner may not be able to read it.

6. Choose The Right Barcode Scanner

Use a barcode scanner that is designed for your application. There are many different types of barcode scanners, and each one is designed for a specific application. If you are using a barcode scanner for retail applications, you should use a scanner designed for retail. If you're using barcode scanners for industrial applications, you should use scanners suitable for industrial use. Using the wrong type of scanner for your application may result in poor scan quality or damage to the scanner.

7. Send Your Barcodes In The Right Format

After you have decided to design a label with an appropriate barcode, it is time to send it to a printing company. There are certain rules regarding how you should send this information. Please select from the following documents:

EPS (Encapsulated Postscript): A vector-based format, EPS files can be scaled to any size without losing quality. This makes EPS an ideal format for barcodes, which often need to be printed at very small sizes.

PDF (Portable Document Format): PDFs are also vectored graphic files, and therefore have the same advantages as EPS files.

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format): A bitmap format, TIFF files are ideal for barcodes that will be printed at a fixed size. TIFF files can be compressed, which can be helpful when sending large files.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is very similar to TIFF in that they are ideal for barcodes with a fixed size. PNG files are often smaller than TIFF files, making them easier to send electronically.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): A bitmap format, JPEG files are best for barcodes that will be printed at a fixed size. JPEG files are often smaller than TIFF files, making them easier to send electronically.

Please do not forget to include an Excel Document containing a list of UPC-, EAN, or ISBN numbers in the E-Mail.

8. Check Your Barcode Scanner's Documentation

Before you use your barcode scanner, you should consult the scanner's documentation to make sure you are using it correctly. The documentation will provide you with information on how to properly install, configure, and use the scanner. It is important to follow the instructions in the documentation to ensure that the scanner works accurately.

9. Test Your Barcode Scanner

After you have installed and configured your scanner, you should test it to make sure it is working accurately. You can test the scanner by scanning a variety of barcodes and comparing the results to the expected results. If the scanner is not working accordingly, you should consult the scanner's documentation or contact the scanner's manufacturer.

10. Keep Your Barcode Scanner Clean

You should regularly clean your barcode scanner to keep it working accurately. Depending on the type of scanner you have, you may need to use a special cleaning kit. Instructions on how to properly clean the scanner should be found in the scanner's documentation.

11. Update Your Barcode Scanner's Firmware

You should regularly update the firmware on your barcode scanner to keep it up-to-date. Firmware updates include new features and bug fixes. You can download firmware updates from the scanner's manufacturer's website.

12. Calibrate Your Barcode Scanner

You should regularly calibrate your barcode scanner to ensure accurate scanning. Barcode scanners can become out of calibration over time, which can cause them to scan inaccurately. You can calibrate your scanner by following the instructions in the scanner's documentation.

13. Use Your Barcode Scanner Regularly

You should use your barcode scanner on a regular basis to keep it working accurately. If you do not use your scanner regularly, it may become out of calibration or not work accordingly.

14. Store Your Barcode Scanner Properly

You should store your barcode scanner in a dry, dust-free environment. Keep the scanner away from direct sunlight and other sources of heat.

15. Do Not Drop Your Barcode Scanner

You should not drop your barcode scanner, as this can damage the scanner. If you drop your scanner, you should consult the scanner's documentation or contact the scanner's manufacturer.

16. Do Not Use Your Barcode Scanner In Extreme Temperatures

You should not use your barcode scanner in extreme temperatures, as this can damage the scanner. If you use your scanner in extreme temperatures, you should consult the scanner's documentation or contact the scanner's manufacturer.

17. Use Only Recommended Accessories

You should only use accessories that are recommended by the scanner's manufacturer. Using other accessories can damage the scanner or cause it to not work accurately.

18. Do Not Attempt To Repair Your Barcode Scanner

You should not attempt to repair your barcode scanner. Repairs should only be performed by qualified technicians. Attempting to repair your scanner yourself can void your warranty and may damage the scanner.

19. Contact The Manufacturer If You Have Problems

If you have any problems with your barcode scanner, you should contact the scanner's manufacturer or a certified service partner. The manufacturer or certified service partner will be able to assist you with the problem and perhaps provide you with a replacement scanner.

WILUX PRINT - Barcode Scanners For Industry, Logistics And Retail

For more than 40 years, we have been providing companies in industry, logistics and retail with our solutions. With our barcode scanners you can read linear 1D codes and two-dimensional 2D codes on different materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic and metal. The data can be transmitted directly to a host system via Bluetooth, USB or other interfaces.

We offer you a comprehensive portfolio of barcode scanners for every application. Whether handheld or fixed mount scanners, for reading barcodes on labels or goods, we have the right device for every requirement.

We will be happy to advise you on the selection of the right barcode scanner for your application.

Get in touch with us!