Bar code formats

The Barcode wizard lets you choose from the following 18 industry-standard formats:

Codabar

Codabar format is commonly used in libraries, blood banks, and the air parcel business. The variable-length format allows encoding of the following 20 characters: 0123456789-$:/.+ABCD. The start and stop characters of a Codabar message must be A, B, C, or D.

Code 25

Code 25, also known as "Code 2 of 5," is a discrete, variable-length numeric code format. Code 25 format consists of two thick bars in a total of five bars for each encoded character. It is used primarily for inventory handling, identification of photo-finishing envelopes, airline ticketing, and baggage and cargo handling.

Code 39

Code 39, also known as "Code 3 of 9," is the most popular format used in the nonretail market for inventory and tracking. The format consists of three thick elements — bars or spaces — in a total of nine elements for each encoded character. This bar code is used extensively in manufacturing, military, and health applications. The discrete, variable-length format will accept the following 43 characters:

The asterisk (*) is used as the start/stop character and cannot be used in the body of the bar code.

You can also add a check digit that helps to ensure the security of the bar code. Code 39 supports Modulo 43 and xxx-nnnnnnn-c check digit formats used by US Customs for import/export shipping.

Code 128

Code 128 is a variable-length, high-density, alphanumeric format that is used in the shipping and labeling industry. This code has 106 bar and space patterns. Each pattern can have one of three meanings, depending on which of the three character sets is employed. One character set encodes all uppercase and ASCII control characters; another encodes all uppercase and lowercase characters; and the third set encodes the numeric digit pairs 00 through 99. The character set used is determined by the start character.

Code 128 also lets you encode the following four function codes:

A variation of Code 128 format is EAN-128. This symbol uses the same code set as Code 128; however, the function codes FNC2 to FNC4 cannot be used, and FNC1 is used as part of the start code. An advanced option of Code 128 in the Barcode wizard lets you enable or disable the EAN-128 format. Code 128 is fully supported in ASCII text.

EAN-8

The European Article Numbering (EAN) system is the European version of the Universal Product Code (UPC). This code is now called the International Article Number; however, the EAN abbreviation remains. EAN codes are found on European retail items.

EAN-8 encodes eight numbers, consisting of two country-code digits, five data digits, and one check digit. In the Barcode wizard you must enter seven digits, and the eighth digit — or the check digit — is automatically generated.

An optional two- or five-digit number can be added to the main bar code. This number is designed for use on publications and periodicals, and appears as an additional bar code to the right of the main bar code.

EAN-13

EAN-13 is the European version of the Universal Product Code (UPC (A)). The difference between EAN-13 and UPC (A) is that EAN-13 encodes a 13th number into the left six number of a UPC (A) symbol. The 13th number, combined with the 12th number, represents a country code.

An optional two- or five-digit number may be added to the main bar code. This number is designed for use on publications and periodicals and appears as an additional bar code to the right of the main bar code.

FIM

Facing Identification Mark (FIM) patterns are used by the US Postal Service in automated mail processing. FIM patterns are used for automatic facing and canceling of mail that does not have a stamp or meter imprint, such as business reply mail, penalty mail, etc.

The following four FIM patterns are currently in use:

FIM patterns are placed in the upper right corner along the top edge, indented two inches from the right edge.

ISBN

ISBN (International Standard Book Number) codes are printed in books. The ISBN format is not a separate bar code type. ISBN codes have a specific structure and are encoded EAN-13 bar codes. The bar code is formed by a fixed three-digit country code of 978, followed by the 10-digit ISBN number. The 10th digit — or the check digit — is discarded. Digits are entered in the x-xxxx-xxxx format. ISBN codes must be numeric.

If you want to create a 13-digit ISBN bar code, see To create a 13-digit ISBN bar code.

ISSN

ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) codes are printed on magazines, newspapers, and other serial publications. This format is not a separate bar code type. ISSN is an EAN-13 bar code with a 977 country code and a two-digit supplemental code. The two-digit supplemental code contains the issue number. For example, January=01 and February=02. Digits are entered in the xxxx-xxxx format. ISSN codes must be numeric.

ITF

ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5) was designed based on Code 25. Each format uses the same encoding techniques, except that both bars and spaces carry data in the ITF format: the odd-position digits are encoded in the bars, and the even-position digits are encoded in the spaces. ITF is a high-density, variable-length, number-only format. This bar code is one of the most popular formats used by the shipping and warehouse industries. The Barcode wizard lets you enter up to 40 digits. ITF codes must be numeric.

ITF-14

ITF-14 is similar to the ITF format, except that exactly 13 digits must be entered in the Barcode wizard. An optional five digits may be entered for the add-on bar code. ITF-14 codes must be numeric.

JAN-8

JAN-8 is the Japanese equivalent to EAN-8. Jan-8 codes must be numeric.

JAN-13

JAN-13 is the Japanese equivalent to EAN-13. Jan-13 codes must be numeric.

MSI Plessey

The MSI Plessey bar code is used primarily in libraries and store shelf labeling. MSI Plessey is a variable-length format that lets you encode the following 10 characters: 0123456789. Each character consists of eight elements: four bars and four spaces.

Pharmacode

Pharmacode is used for Online Security Control of the pharmaceutical packaging process. Data is carried only in the bars, not in the spaces. The high printing tolerance and the option of printing the bar code in multiple colors makes Pharmacode a practical format. Codes produced in the Pharmacode format must be numeric.

POSTNET

POSTNET (Postal Numeric Encoding Technique) bar codes are used to encode ZIP codes on US mail. The Postal Service mail-handling process is designed to be fully automated, and POSTNET bar codes feed the automated equipment.

POSTNET differs from other formats in that the bar heights alternate, as opposed to the bar widths. Each number is represented by a pattern of five bars. A single tall bar is used for the start and stop bars. POSTNET can be used for five-digit, nine-digit, and 11-digit delivery point bar code. These codes are often used in conjunction with FIM bars, which are found in the upper right corner of a mail piece, such as Business Reply Mail. Postnet codes must be numeric.

UPC(A)

UPC (Universal Product Code) symbols are used for retail applications in the United States and Canada. UPC(A) is a 12-digit format. The symbol consists of 11 digits of data and one check digit. The first digit usually represents the type of product being identified. The next five digits represent the manufacturer’s code, and the final five digits identify a specific product. UPC(A) codes must be numeric.

UPC(E)

Like UPC(A), UPC(E) is used for retail applications; however, since the bar code is smaller, it is better suited to smaller items. This format is also called "zero-suppressed," because UPC(E) compresses a 12-digit UPC(A) code into a six-digit code. UPC(E) suppresses the number-system digit, trailing digits in the manufacturer’s code, and leading zeros in the product identification part of the code.

An optional two or five-digit number may be added to the main UPC(A) or UPC(E) bar code. This number is designed for use on publications and periodicals, and appears as an additional bar code to the right of the main bar code. UPC(E) codes must be numeric.

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