Implementation in ten steps

Are you new to numbering and barcoding? Here are some basic steps to guide you on your way ...

1. Become a GS1 Australia member and obtain a GS1 Company Prefix

A GS1 Company Prefix is an essential component of numbers used for your required application. The numbers are called GS1 Identification Keys, also known as GS1 Identification Numbers. To be issued a GS1 Company Prefix you must become a GS1 Australia member.

2. Assign numbers

Using your GS1 Company Prefix, generate your number(s) for your required application. For guidance on Attribute Information, contact GS1 Australia.

3. Select a barcode printing method.

The type of information to be barcoded will influence what printing method you will use.
For example:
Dynamic information identified → On-demand printing method required
e.g. batch numbers, serial numbers, use-by dates
Static information identified → Printing company
e.g. Cereal box 250g

4. Select a primary scanning environment

There are four basic scanning environments for trade items that ultimately will influence the choice of the barcode, it’s size and placement. These environments are -
     a. Retail Point-of-Sale Only
     b. General Distribution Only
     c. Point-of -Sale and General Distribution
     d. Special environments (eg. medical device marking)

5. Select most appropriate barcode

Once the scanning environment is determined, the choice of barcode types comes into play. For more information on barcode types, refer to the table below.

Application Areas	Encoded GTIN and/or attribute information	Symbol
General Retail Point-of-Sale only	GTIN-13 GTIN-12 may be required for North America/Canada	EAN-13 (or GS1 Databar 1) UPC-A (or GS1 Databar 1)
General Retail Point-of-Sale only - small items	GTIN-8 GTIN-12 carried by a UPC-E barcode may be required for North America/Canada	EAN-8 (or GS1 Databar 1) UPC-E
General Retail Point-of-Sale and General Distribution	GTIN-13 GTIN-12 may be required for North America/Canada	EAN-13 UPC-A
General Distribution, ideal for printing on corrugate	GTIN-13 GTIN-12 GTIN-14	ITF-14 2 ITF-14 2 ITF-14 2
General Distribution, can encode attribute data, ideal for printing on labels	GTIN-12, GTIN-13 or GTIN-14 GTIN-12, GTIN-13 or GTIN-14 + attribute data	GS1-128 2 GS1-128 2

For healthcare, please contact GS1 Australia

Notes:

1: GS1 DataBar has been approved for bilateral agreement between trading partners from January 2010. In 2014, GS1 DataBar becomes an open symbology and all scanning environments must be able to read these symbols.
2: When encoding a GTIN-8, GTIN-12 or GTIN-13, filler zeroes must be added in front of the GTIN to create 14-digits.

6. Pick a barcode size

The size of the barcode is important and is dependent on the following
     a. Barcode type
     b. Scanning environment
     c. How the barcode will be printed/marked

Example -

Barcode type – EAN/UPC

Scanning environment – General Retail Point-of-Sale
The specified magnification range for an EAN-13 Barcode being scanned at retail POS is 80% - 200%.
Printing Considerations –
Thermal printing may limit size/magnification options. Some thermal printers only allow the option of two magnifications; 75% and 113%. Flexographic printing may not allow 80% due to ink spread.

Note:
If the EAN-13 Barcode could also be scanned in general distribution, the magnification range is 150% to 200%.

Truncation (where the height is decreased) should be avoided as it may have a negative impact on scan rates for omnidirectional scanners.

Printing companies are likely to determine a minimum size taking into consideration bar width reduction for a given barcode type based on their printing process.

7. Format the Barcode Human Readable Interpretation

Human Readable Interpretation consists of characters that can be read, such as letters and numbers. Symbol characters within the barcode can only be read by machines. The location of the Human Readable Interpretation on the barcode depends on the barcode type.

Examples include the following –

EAN-13 Barcode

Print beneath the barcode. OCR-B font is recommended.

ITF-14 Barcode

Character size and font not specified. Must be legible. Preference is to print below the barcode.

GS1-128 Barcode

The preference is to print below the barcode. OCR-B font is recommended.

Further information can be located in GS1 Australia User Manuals.

8. Pick a barcode colour

The colours and type of ink you choose for your barcodes are very important.

As a general rule the most suitable and reliable colour combination is black bars on a solid white background. Consult with your printer or GS1 Australia if you are uncertain about colour choice/options.

9. Choose barcode placement/location

Consistency of symbol placement is critical to successful scanning. Recommendations are in place to ensure consistency and predictability of where the barcode can be found. Some considerations for barcode placement include:

Scanning environment eg. different guidelines exist for POS vs General Distribution
Orientation – determined by print process and curvature of the item
Printing direction – some printing processes give better results if a particular direction of print is used
Trade items with curved surfaces – certain combinations of magnification and diameter of a curved surface need to be considered. Contact GS1 Australia for more information
Avoid obscuring obstacles – anything that obscures or will damage a barcode should be avoided e.g. barcode placed under package flaps

10. Quality Control Plan – Barcode Quality

There are procedures or tests within your company that can take place to assist with print quality. To ensure that your barcode meets specifications, GS1 Australia provides a Testing Service. We use the ISO/IEC method of verification for testing barcodes.

Ongoing checks are recommended to ensure that the barcode complies with the required quality standard and to identify any potential problems.