Barcodes
Barcodes can be applied to an item in three ways:
- By the packaging printer
- By a label printing service
- In house (eg. self adhesive labels)
View more information relating to barcodes.
For printing directly onto packaging, film masters may be required. These can be ordered by you or by your printer from a specialist film master supplier (refer to the Solutions Provider Directory).
Choosing the barcode size (magnification)
It is very important that artwork designers and printers work together when deciding on the size of the barcode. It will depend on the printing methods, substrates used, quality of inks and so on.
Always consult with your printer before determining the minimum barcode maginifaction. This is especially important when printing on flexible and/or highly reflective substrates (packaging/materials).
Retail barcodes
(EAN-13
, EAN-8
, UPC-A and UPC-E)
- Magnification: (X-dimension)
range must be 80% - 200%. Note: If the item carrying an EAN-13 or UPC-A barcode will also be scanned in a non-retail environment, then the magnification should be between 150% - 200%.
- Height:
of the bars must remain proportional to the width of the barcode. The bar height depends on the magnification (X-dimension) chosen. It is strongly recommended that no barcode be truncated
as this can cause scanning difficulties.
- Location: The recommended positioning of the barcode on general retail trade items is on the lower right of the back of the item.
Non-retail barcodes
(ITF-14
and GS1-128)
- Magnification (X-dimension) range for scanning in a general distribution environment (conveyerised unattended, fixed mount scanning) is 50% - 100%. It is always recommended that the barcode size be increased to the higher end of the magnification range to enhance scanning reliability. For other scanning environments, the permitted magnification range is 25%-100%. Note: When printing ITF-14 barcodes directly onto corrugate fibreboard, the minimum recommended magnification is 62.5%, regardless of scanning environment.
- Height: of bars for ITF-14 and GS1-128 barcodes that are to be scanned in a general distribution environment is 32mm, regardless of the magnification (X-dimension). For all other scanning environments, a minimum bar height of 13mm is acceptable.
- Location: Whist the absolute minimum requirement is one barcode, it is strongly recommended that there be two (or more) barcodes printed/applied to the sides of the non-retail unit. Note: It is recommended that the lower edge of the bars be located at a distance of exactly 32mm from the edge of the base. It is recommended that the barcode be a minimum of 19mm from any vertical edge, (including light margins
and bearer bars
).
Logistics units
- Magnification (X-dimension) range for Serial Shipping Container Codes (SSCC)
on logistics labels is 50% - 94%. It is always recommended that the barcode size be increased to the higher end of the magnification range to enhance scanning reliability. For other barcodes on the logistics label besides the SSCC, the permitted magnification range is 25% - 100%.
- Height: of bars for the SSCC is 32mm. For other barcodes on the logistics label besides the SSCC, a minimum bar height of 27mm is acceptable based on historical specifications, but a migration to 32mm should be made.
- Location:
- For cartons and outer cases: For cartons and outer cases, logistics labels should be placed so that the lowest edge of the bars of the SSCC are exactly 32mm from the base of the unit. Ensure that no part of the barcode (including light margins) is closer than 19mm to from any vertical edge.
If the unit is already marked with an EAN-13, UPC-A, ITF-14 or GS1-128 barcode for trade item identification purposes, the logistics label shall be placed so as not to obscure the pre existing barcode. The preferred location for the labels in this case is to the side of the pre existing barcode, so that a consistent horizontal location is maintained. - For pallets: For all types of pallets, including full pallets containing individual trade items and single trade items, (such as a fridge or washing machine), barcodes should be placed at a height between 400mm and 800mm from the base of the unit. Including light margins, the barcodes should be no closer than 50mm from any vertical edge to avoid damage. For pallets less than 400mm high, the barcodes should be placed as high as possible while protecting the barcode.
