Barcode guides

Everything you need for barcodes that scan first time, at the till and in the warehouse.

• EAN-13 barcodes: getting, checking and printing themWhere EAN-13 barcodes come from, why retailers want codes from GS1 UK, how the check digit works, and which codes to use for internal stock.
• Code 128 vs EAN-13: which barcode should you use?EAN-13, Code 128, Code 39, ITF-14 or QR code: the right barcode for retail products, stock control, outer cartons and asset tracking.
• Barcode size: minimum, quiet zones and choosing the labelEAN-13 dimensions from 80 to 200 %, quiet zones, bar height, and the minimum label width for a readable barcode at 203 or 300 dpi.
• Printing barcode labels without misalignmentSettings for printing barcodes on A4 label sheets or thermal rolls: scale 100 %, margins, label size in the driver, calibration.
• Barcode not scanning: 10 causes and their fixesScanner won't read your barcode or shows strange characters? Check digit, size, quiet zone, colour, scaling, printhead, keyboard layout: the causes in order.
• Clear barcode labels: when they scan and how to print themTransparent barcode labels look discreet, but scanning depends on what's behind them. Which backgrounds work, which printers and materials to use.