GS1 DataBar
What does GS1 DataBar look like?
GS1 DataBar is a new barcode that is being introduced into the retail sector.
Like the existing GS1 Barcodes that you find on almost all the products you currently sell, GS1 DataBar generally comprises black and white lines of varying widths. You will also usually find the number that uniquely identifies the product beneath these lines.
GS1 DataBar does not immediately look very different to existing barcodes, however it does have unique new features, such as its smaller size and its ability to encode additional information, such as price, weights, expiry dates and so on.
There are seven variations of GS1 DataBar, however there are only four that can be scanned at retail Point-of-Sale (POS) using omnidirectional scanners, and you can see examples of these below. Which type is used will depend on the space available and if any additional information will be encoded in the barcode.
Examples of GS1 DataBar that can be scanned by Retail POS
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This symbol is called GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional and it only encodes a GTIN – the unique number that identifies the product. |
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This symbol is called GS1 DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional. It also only encodes a GTIN, but it can be split in two sections, one on top of the other, and is therefore suitable for certain-shaped products. |
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This symbol is called GS1 DataBar Expanded and it can encode a GTIN and the additional information such as price, weights, expiry dates and so on. |
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This symbol is called GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked and it combines the characteristics of the previous two symbols in that it can encode a GTIN and the additional information and it can also be split into two or more sections, one on top of each other. |
Please note symbols are not to scale
