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FAQ: Barcode Parameters

Barcode Properties, Font-Size, EAN-13, UPC-A, Data Matrix and more. For more information see also our Barcode Reference.
 

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GS1 Data Matrix

How can I generate a GS1 Data Matrix?

  • Adjust Data Matrix as symbology
  • Set the Data Matrix format property to EAN or GS1. This adds an FNC1 on the first data code word position which marks the barcode as GS1/EAN type.
  • Enable Escape Sequences
  • Use the sequence \F to encode an FNC1 as separator between variable length AI fields. If the barcode reader reads such a FNC1 it will return GS (ASCII 29) instead.
Don't encode \F as first data character by yourself (this would lead to incorrect internal data format). Use the DM format property instead (as shown above).

QR Code, VCard

How can I create a VCard Barcode?

VCard is not a bar code itself, it is a special file format, which can be used to store data in a bar code (e.g. into QR Code). A detailed description of the VCard format can be found here:
Wikipedia - VCard Specification

Just bring your data into the given format and you'll be able to read the barcode with your mobile phone and recognize the data as contact information.

Create VCard barcodes with Barcode Studio

With our Barcode Studio we offer an Assistant to create VCard barcodes the easy way.

DP Premiumadress

How To Encode Binary Data (2D Codes)

Even if you use an escape sequence for binary data the encoder will use Codepage Conversion (example: \x88 leads to a different value in Data Matrix as desired).

Solution:

  • Switch off codepage conversion (use Encoding Mode LowByte)
  • Force binary encoding mode if available (see PDF417 Encoding Mode, Data Matrix EnforceBinaryEncoding)
Relevant for DP Premium Address and other applications where you encode binary data in a 2D symbol (Data Matrix etc).

FNC1 With GS1 Barcodes

How To Encode FNC1 (GS1 Barcodes)?

What is the meaning of FNC1?

FNC1 is used as a field separator for variable length application identifiers (AIs) and is encoded by the sequence \F. For instance, the batch number is a variable length data field and needs an FNC1 as terminator if the data length is lower than the maximum of 20 characters.

Please note:

  • For encoding the FNC1 you have to activate Translate Escape Sequences.
  • Do not use FNC1 after the last data field.
  • Do not use FNC1 if the maximal field length is used.

Example 1: FNC1 with TBarCode

In the following examples we generate a GS1-128 bar code with two application identifiers (AIs): The charge number (AI =10, variable length, needs FNC1) and the expiration date (AI=15).

' set the barcode type = GS1-128 (EAN/UCC 128)
TBarCode91.BarCode = eBC_GS1_128
' enable Translate Escape Sequences
TBarCode91.EscapeSequences = True
' set the data to be encoded
TBarCode91.Text = "10222333\F15100701"

Example 2: FNC1 with Barcode Studio

For demonstrating on how it works with Barcode Studio we use the same example data as shown in the previous code sample. Follow these steps to insert a FNC1 control into your bar code data:

  1. Enter „10222333\F15100701“ as for the bar code data.
  2. Then switch to the advanced properties tab and mark the check box Escape Sequences.
  3. FNC1 is inserted and the application identifier (AI=15) is displayed.

EAN13, UPC-A

What are the correct font settings for the EAN-13 or UPC-A barcode?

EAN-13 / UPC-A can be printed in several sizes. The possible sizes can be found in the specification. The nominal module width is 0.330 mm (optimized for 300 dpi printers it would be 0.339 mm). The human readable font must be adapted to these sizes.

The specification says that a "clearly legible font shall be used" for the human-readable digits, and OCR-B (as defined in ISO 1073-2) with a height of 2.75 mm at nominal size is recommended. Because this font is referenced only as a convenient standard typeface, you can use Courier or Arial (Bold) if you don't have the OCR-B font available.

It is not part of the specification but you can use this kind of formula to get a useful font size (based upon the module width parameter).

Fontsize [pt] = ModWidth [mm] / 0.339 * 10
  • EAN13 (module width X=0.339mm) = font size 10pt (optional: bold)
  • If module width X would be 0.5 mm = font size 14,7pt

The formula above can be used for other barcodes, too.

GS1 DataBar Expanded

What are data segments in GS1 DataBar / RSS Expanded?

GS1 DataBar Expanded (alias RSS Expanded) symbols are constructed as a sequence of triplets, each consisting of a finder pattern between two symbol characters. Such a triplet contains 2 data segments (symbol characters).

2 segments forming a "triplet" consist of 17+15+17 modules. The left and right guard pattern for the symbol consist each of 1 bar + 1 space.

Per segment/data character you can encode 12 bits. Each symbol is prefixed with a check character. So the smallest symbol, which uses at least 4 symbol characters (containing 1 check char) can encode 36 Bits.

Input data is processed with a character set mapping algorithm + error recognition. With a simple formula it would be hard to predict how many data segments are required for a given set of input characters.

TEC-IT software allows you to adjust the number of data segments per row in GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked

Code128

How to use the Compressed Mode of Code 128?

Simply select Code128 as the bar code type. Make sure to clear the Format string. Code 128 auto compresses data by default (and subset switching is done automatically).

GTIN Number with GS1 Data Matrix

How can I calculate the check digit of the GTIN number with GS1 Data Matrix?

Assuming you have several Application Identifiers to encode (01-GTIN + 17-Expiration Date + 10-Batch Lot...) and you want to calculate the check digit of the GTIN number with TBarCode, proceed as follows:

Set Property Format = 01#############^
Set Property Translate Esc Sequences = True
Set Property CheckDigit = EAN-14 (complies with Mod-10 used with GTIN)
Set Property DMFormat = EAN

Set Property Text = GTIN (13 digits, no check digit) + 17 + Exp. Date + 10 + Batch Lot Number

Note: Encode the leading GTIN number without 01 and with only the first 13 digits (no check digit).The "^" character in the format property controls the position, where the calculated check digit will be automatically inserted. The leading 01 AI for the GTIN is also contained in the format string.

The resulting barcode data will be as follows:

10 + GTIN (13 digits + 1 check digit) + 17 + Exp. Date + 10 + Batch Lot Number

Data Matrix MIL Std 130 N

How can I generate a Data Matrix in accordance with MIL Std 130 N?

The data matrix symbol according to MIL Std 130 N is based on ISO/IEC 16022 Data Matrix ECC200, this is the same standard which is used by TEC-IT. The module width may be between 0.19 mm and 0.635 mm, and must be adjusted so that final symbol width does not exceed 25.4 mm.

For more details, see MIL Std 130 N specification (chapter 5.2.3.2).

Data Structure:

The structure of data depends on the label, whereas Application Identifier, Data Identifier or TEI can be selected (see specification 5.2.4 Syntax).

  • If you choose Application Identifiers, you should select Format Indicator 05 as shown below: 
    Library/DLL:      BCSet_DM_Format (pBarCode, eDMPr_Macro05)
TBarCode/X:     --DMformat=3

    Result: In the data stream, a header of "[)>" + RS + "05" + GS and a trailer of RS + EOT will be inserted. FNC1 is for field separation with variable-length AIs (see specification 5.2.1.4).

  • If you choose Data Identifiers, you should use Format Indicator 06 as shown below. 
    Library/DLL:      BCSet_DM_Format (pBarCode, eDMPr_Macro06)
TBarCode/X:     --DMformat=4

    Result: In the data stream, a header of "[)>" + RS + "06" + GS and a trailer of RS + EOT will be inserted.

    User Data Example: 

    17V12345\x1d1P1234\x1dS12345

    Explanation:

    17V ... DI for CAGE ID
    1P   ... DI for Part Number
    S     ... DI for Serial Number
    \x1d ... GS
    Translate Escape Sequences must be activated!

  • If you choose TEI, there is a separate Format Indicator 12. You must manually implement the Format 12 (header, trailer) on the user data. There is no macro (format) available in the software for this.

ISO-8859-15, GLI, ECI

How can I encode char set ISO-8859-15 into PDF417?

TBarCode V9 and Barcode Studio V9 allows you to specify the target code page for the data to be encoded.

tbarcode.CodePage = eCodePage_Custom
tbarcode.CodePageCustom = 28605   ' Latin-9 on Windows

Alternatively you can use Windows API character set conversion functions.

The PDF417 "GLI" code is an indicator for the reader software, which character set is used for the forthcoming data string. The AIM ECI table contains ECI 000017 for ISO/IEC 8859-15 Latin alphabet No. 9. ECI is the successor of GLI.

The GLI or ECI indicator does not automatically convert the data to the required character set! Consider that GLI or ECI code words are not always supported by the reading software.

The GLI or ECI indicator can be insert by escape sequences into the data stream:

PDF417: \Gnnnnnn (n...6 digits specifying the GLI)

Encode: \G000017 + bar code data
If you use escape sequences, make sure that translation of escape sequences has been enabled in the barcode generator.
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