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Obtaining a bar code number for your product
It is up to you to ensure the bar code number you submit is correct.
If you're using bar codes for retail products, your company must be registered with the bar code authority in the country of manufacture (there will be a fee charged for this registration). This authority will assign you a manufacturer identification number, which forms part of the bar code number.
You can find a lot more information about obtaining bar code numbers at
http://www.barcode-1.com/pub/russadam/faq.html
Design considerations
When using the bar code file in a page layout program, treat it as a fixed element. Ensure the code is not resized or otherwise distorted. If the size must be changed, have a new code created at the correct size rather than stretching the existing one. Do not rotate the code in the layout program, except in increments of 90 degrees. Do not place other graphic elements in the white margins on either side of the code. If you are printing onto a medium other than white paper, ensure the colour and material are suitable for bar code scanning. It is strongly recommended you use black ink or toner to print the bar code. If any other colour is used, ensure that it is suitable for bar code scanning. If you are sending the bar code file elsewhere for printing or incorporation into a layout, make sure that the other party is aware of these considerations.
Considerations when employing a commercial printing company
If possible, employ a printer who has previous experience printing bar codes. Before ordering a bar code file, obtain from them the bar width reduction, printer resolution and whether or not bearer bars are required. Ensure that if your bar code has been optimized for a particular print resolution, this information is given to the printer in writing along with the bar code.
Common questions and answers
(including troubleshooting for EPS and TIFF file types)
Q: (All file types) You ask for printer resolution on the bar code order form. Is this really necessary?
A: Bar codes have very fine tolerances, and it is possible, especially printing on a
low resolution printer, that your bar code could be outside these tolerances if you do not optimize the file for printer resolution. For this reason we strongly recommend you provide the resolution of the printer you will be using for the final output. If you are sending the bar code out for commercial printing, make sure you consult with your printing representative to obtain this information.
Q: (All file types) I need a bar code to print in a colour other than black. Can this
be done?
A: Bar code scanners have difficulty reading many colour combinations, so you should not consider using anything other than black bars on a white substrate unless you really know what you are doing. My bar code program can create bar codes using custom spot colours, and can also create files with transparent bars knocked out of a solid background (such as you might see on aluminum beverage cans).
If you require this sort of customization, contact me at barcodes@currell.net with details.
Q: (All file types) Do you offer symbologies other than the ones shown here?
A: Yes. My program can create Code39, Code93, Interleaved 2-of-5, and Code128 bar codes.
Since these codes are less likely to be used by a graphic designer,
I did not include them in the request form. In addition, there are many other variables,
such as x-width, bar height, and wide bar/narrow bar ratio that may be specified. If you require files using
these symbologies, contact me at barcodes@currell.net with details.
Q: (All file types) Where can I find more information on bar codes?
A: Try exploring the link page.
Q: (EPS file) I've imported my bar code file into an illustration or layout program, but
all I see on the screen is a blank rectangle. Is something wrong?
A: Most layout programs do not interpret the actual EPS data, but show
a bitmap preview. If you did not select the "bitmap preview" option when
you submitted your bar code request, this preview will not be present. It
is also possible, especially if using an older layout program, that it
cannot render the TIFF preview even if present. In either case the file
should print correctly when imaged with a PostScript printer or interpreter.
Q: (EPS file) The bar code looks wrong on the screen. The numbers are blocky,
and the bars seem to merge together in places. What is wrong?
A: As mentioned in the previous answer, most layout programs will show only a low-resolution bitmap preview. The bar code should print correctly when imaged with a PostScript printer or interpreter.
Q: (EPS file) I've printed the bar code and it still looks wrong. The numbers are
blocky, and the bars seem to merge together in places. What is wrong?
A: There are a few possible reasons this might occur. First, ensure you are printing
to a PostScript printer or interpreter. If your printer cannot understand
the PostScript language, the low-resolution bitmap preview may have been printed instead.
Secondly, if the layout program maintains links to placed graphic files,
ensure that the bar code file is at the disk location that the program expects it to be.
Still another possibility is that your layout program has been instructed to
print in "rough" or "draft" mode. Check your print settings to make sure
that images will be printed at high resolution.
Q: (EPS file) My printer returns a PostScript error message when trying to print a bar code. What's the problem?
A: The bar code EPS file is intended to be placed in a layout or illustration program. Simply downloading the EPS file itself to a printer may cause an error. If you are printing from a layout program, verify that the error is actually being caused by the bar code EPS file. Place
this file in an otherwise blank page in your program and try printing it. If this page prints correctly, it may be that some other element in your layout is causing the problem.
You may find some useful PostScript troubleshooting help at http://www.trenton.edu/~artmain/cgart/notes/postscript.html. If you confirm a problem with the EPS file, please contact me at barcodes@currell.net with details of the error message.
Q: (EPS file) I don't have a PostScript printer. What other options do I have?
A: The easiest solution is to request your bar code file in bitmap (TIFF or BMP) format. If for some reason you must use EPS, a software PostScript Interpreter, such as Aladdin Enterprises'
Ghostscript
can be used to print PostScript files to a non-PostScript printer. Other
commercial solutions are also available. Some links to PostScript resources may be found at
http://www.GeoCities.com/SiliconValley/5682/postscript.html.
Q: (EPS file) Do I need additional font files to print the human-readable characters?
A: No. The OCR-B typeface is embedded in the EPS file
(as a Type 3 font). No external font files are necessary.
Q: (TIFF file) I've imported my bar code into Microsoft Word and it is much too large. What's wrong?
A: Some versions of MS-Word treat TIFF files as if they are 96 dots per inch, regardless of the actual resolution encoded in the file. To resize correctly, calculate the scaling percentage by dividing 96 by the true bar code resolution (e.g. 96 / 1200 = 0.08 = 8 percent). In MS-Word, select the bar code on the page, then from the menu bar choose Format->Picture, select the Size tab and enter the percentage in the Scale boxes (height and width percentage values are the same).
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