Now that you have your authentic barcode numbers, its time to get the barcode image onto your product. The barcode image is a graphical representation of your barcode number. One unique product has one unique barcode number, which has one unique barcode image that goes along with it. Barcode images for retail products have a distinct layout that is different from other barcodes in the manufacturing process and supply chain. Its important you adhere to the dimensions and printing requirements of retail barcodes to make sure they can be scanned properly.
We’ve made it easy for you by including the barcode images in the barcode package in the correct dimensions and quality, so that are ready to be printed. As long as you don’t alter the image, simply print the barcode image files as is and place them onto your product in a manner of your choosing.
Basic barcode printing steps
You have two options for getting the barcode image onto your product.
- Printing your barcode image onto your packaging or
- printing your barcodes onto a label which is then placed onto your product.
The product package designer can incorporate the barcode image into the design of the product, along with the title, company information, ingredients etc. Re-sizing the barcode image is possible.
If your product packaging has already been produced (without the barcode image in the actual design itself), or if the material used on your product will not allow for a barcode to be incorporated directly, such as with stationery or clothing – labels or tags can be used. The barcode image is printed on a label or tag which is then stuck or attached to your product as desired.
Identifying the retail barcode image
Check that your barcode image has the correct number of digits – 13 for EAN and 12 for UPC, as well as guard rails on each side and in the middle of the bars and lines.
“Guard rails” help the scanner to detect starting, end and middle segments of the barcode.
Common barcode printing difficulties and concerns
Where are the barcode images located?
In your barcode package, you can find your barcode images in the folder named “Barcode Image”, within the EAN-13 or UPC-12 folder. Your barcode package is attached to the email we send you when your barcode order has been processed.
Which do I use?
For products sold in Africa, Europe and in Asia use the EAN-13 numbers and images. For products sold in America and Canada use the UPC-12 numbers and images.
Will the digital barcode image included in my barcode number package be scannable?
Yes. As long as you don’t alter the digital artwork and print the images at a resolution of 300 dpi or higher, your barcode will always be scannable. For those printing large batches of barcodes on labels we recommend making a test scan first, to make sure the printer is correctly printing the image onto the label. If it doesn’t scan in this case it is a printing error or the barcode dimensions or quality was compromised. Make sure you adhere to the guidelines in this article to maintain the integrity of the barcode.
If the barcode has been printed properly, but it still isn’t scanning, it’s likely a hardware issue with the scanner. In that case, the scanning device simply needs to be configured properly. Learn more about this in the scanning section.
Common customer mistakes – Don’t make these errors!
Printing companies generating their own barcode images from the barcode numbers, rather than using the barcode images we supplied you.
Occasionally a printing company has been sent the barcode numbers only, then proceeded to generate their own images. If they do not have any knowledge of retail barcodes, they might print the wrong barcode image. EAN-13 barcode numbers have a definite structure that is distinct from other barcodes. Most noticeably are the “guard rails” appearing at the left, right and centre of the barcode image.
When handing over your barcode printing to a printing company, make sure they use the barcode image files we included in your barcode image. Alternatively, if they have the correct barcode software, they can generate the images themselves but they must be in the EAN-13 format. Please be aware that this is different from generating the actual barcode number – the number is uniquely assigned to your product. Its only the image that is re-created base don those numbers.
Not adhering to dimension requirements, colour printing standards or printing quality standards.
Standard dimensions: width 3.88 cm (1.528 inches), height 2.6 cm (1.023 inches). Your barcode images can be printed smaller or larger. (Learn more in the Dimensions section below)
The colours of the bars and lines, and the background must have sufficient contrast between them. Almost always black and white colours are used to ensure the highest level of contrast is created. Since the paper is often white and the most common ink is black, we use less ink and are most cost effective when printing black bars and lines on a white background.
Print quality will be ensured at 300 DPI.
Barcode dimensions
Your barcode images in your barcode package are sized correctly and ready for printing. They come in the standard dimensions of width 3.88 cm (1.528 inches) and height 2.6 cm (1.023 inches). We find it easy to remember an approximate size of “1.5 x 1” (inches), which is 38.1 mm x 25,4 mm. When printing on labels, we suggest allowing for some space in the margins on the left and right sides – about ¼” or 6.35 mm will suffice.
What sizing do I need?
The size of your product will be a crucial factor in determining the size of your barcode image and the choice of label size, when printing the barcode image onto a label. Maximum and minimum dimension sizes as follows:
Minimum recommended height: 22.85 mm; width: 31.35 mm.
Maximum recommended height: 25.93 mm; width: 37.29 mm.
Books and magazines often opt for a 2” by 1” label with an ISBN barcode used with a UPC barcode.
Re-sizing your barcode image
To change the size of your barcode image, make sure you adhere to the dimension standards outlined above. In your barcode package we provide you with jpg and eps versions of your barcode numbers. If you would like to adjust the size of the barcode image, we advise you use the eps file which is designed so that adjusting the dimensions does not result in a loss of image quality (professional editing software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop can assist you with this).
If you need assistance or not sure if the dimensions of your barcode are correct, you can send us a picture of your barcode and we can check it for you.
Barcode colours
Black bars and lines on a white background are the standard colour scheme for retail barcodes. You do however have other choices for colour printing.
Contrast is highest with dark bold colours on a white background. Some bold colours also have good contrast on yellow. Light pastel colours can also work.
Importantly the contrast of colours between the bars and lines versus the background must be high. Colours with grey-scale equivalents that lie closer together have less contrast and thus will be more difficult for a scanner to read.
Creating a grey-scale of the barcode image helps determine colour contrast.
As the scanning laser is made up of red light, one important colour NOT to use in the barcode image is red.
To summarise: a strong bold dark colour on a light or white background will be best and avoid the colour red.
Quality
Print quality will be ensured at 300 DPI.
Your barcode images in the barcode package come standard in a high-quality version and ready to be printed.
Getting creative
In addition to the barcode image, some producers have opted to make their barcode appearance look more appealing by incorporating additional artwork on the outside part of the image. This does not affect the scanning of the barcode, as the main portion of the barcode remains intact inside the greater artwork.
Read more in our article here
Printing software and equipment
Most modern printers and software have options for barcode label printing. You would simply print on labelling paper, sheets or rolls.
Specific 3rd party software can be used to generate the barcode images but please make sure you only use the authentic GS1-registered barcode numbers assigned to your products. Numbers that do not have the GTIN certification are likely already used and using them again is theft. Unregistered barcode numbers also causes problems for stores and product owners and will undermine the sale of your product.
Tags, sheets and rolls
Tags are often used on products where its undesirable to have the barcode image directly onto the goods itself. A common example is retail clothing items.
Tags are the barcode labels printed on rolls that use a card stocker that is slightly thicker than normal paper. These tags have two common sizes; Tag A: 1.5” x .1.375” and Tag E: 2.75” x 1.375”
The application holes of the tags differ. Tag A has its application hole centred on the left side of the label. Tag E has its application hole centred at the top of the label. They are most applicable in the retail clothing industry where they can be placed onto the item of clothing using a string, a plastic tag, or a plastic- or metal pin.
How do Sheets and Rolls differ?
Printing machines either print on sheets or rolls. The thermal printing process is used when printing on rolls. The laser printing process is used on sheets. Your choice of either depends on the desired print quality, cost and user application process.
Additional helpful hints on barcode printing
1. First take a look how similar products to yours are already being barcoded and sold on the store shelf. Pay attention to the size of the barcode and where it is placed.
2. Make sure your barcode package comes complete with barcode images that are ready to be printed. Buy your barcodes here.
3. Choose a printing company that has experience printing barcodes or has a dedicated barcode printing machine.
4. Print a test sheet first and make sure they are being scanned correctly. The barcode number will appear on the system. Product details are entered manually.
5. Re-size or opt for different colours only when necessary. Do not make a simple process more complicated. Rarely has the barcode made a difference to whether a consumer has chosen to buy a product, but a poorly created barcode can cause issues at the cashier.
Conclusion
We pride ourselves in making the barcoding process as simple as possible. Our barcode package comes complete with everything you need to barcode your product. Get your barcodes here.
For any questions or queries give us a call on: +234 (0) 906 127 23 99 or email us: [email protected].
