What Causes Unscannable What Causes Unscannable Bar CodesBar Codes

How do I know if my bar codes have a How do I know if my bar codes have a problem?problem?

What Pitfalls and Mistakes should I Avoid?What Pitfalls and Mistakes should I Avoid?

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Unscannable Bar Code CategoriesUnscannable Bar Code Categories

I.I. Visual CluesVisual CluesI.I. Application – Physical Placement of the label or Application – Physical Placement of the label or

printed codeprinted codeII.II. Packaging – Finished Product to CustomerPackaging – Finished Product to Customer

II.II. Non-Visual CluesNon-Visual CluesI.I. Bar Code Characteristics – Dimensions and SizesBar Code Characteristics – Dimensions and SizesII.II. Bar Code Standards – Symbology or Structure Bar Code Standards – Symbology or Structure

GuidelinesGuidelinesIII.III. Measurement Tools – Measurements for QualityMeasurement Tools – Measurements for Quality

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Visual and Non-Visual AttributesVisual and Non-Visual AttributesNON-VISUALNON-VISUAL

Print Quality – ANSI/ISO Standards Encoded Numeric Data Symbology Structure Ink Gain Check Digit Encoded Reflectance Bar Width Ratio

VISUALVISUAL Print Quality Human Readable Text

& Font Sizes Labeling Applications Package/Product

Infringements Bar Code Color

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Common Visual Clues Common Visual Clues APPLICATION

Print Head Failures Wrinkles & Folds Creases & Crinkled Corner Wrapped Carton Clamshell Flaps Laminates Perforations Off Centered Printing

PACKAGING Background Patterns Wrong Substrate Blisters & Bubbles Embossing Over-LabelingHeat Stress/ShrinkAbrasions Tape

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Number One Visual ClueNumber One Visual Clue

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PRINT HEAD BURN OUT

Number Two Visual ClueNumber Two Visual Clue

QUIET ZONES TOO SMALL

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Number Three Visual ClueNumber Three Visual Clue

PRINTED QUALITYOverprinted Or Under-Printed

Too Much or Too Little Ink

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Number Four Visual ClueNumber Four Visual Clue

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WRONG CHECK DIGIT

DATA INTEGRITY

Number Four Visual Clue #2Number Four Visual Clue #2

DATA INTEGRITY

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WRONG NUMBERS APPLIED

16 DIGITS INSTEAD OF 14

Bad Check Digit

12 DIGITS INSTEAD OF 14

Number Five Visual ClueNumber Five Visual Clue

LABEL PLACEMENT

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Number Six Visual ClueNumber Six Visual Clue

PACKAGING

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Number Seven Visual ClueNumber Seven Visual Clue

BAD LABELING

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Number Eight Visual ClueNumber Eight Visual Clue

WRONG SIZES/DIMENSIONS

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HUMAN READABLE TEXT’S FONT SIZE IS LARGER THAN THE SYMBOLOGY

Number Nine Visual ClueNumber Nine Visual Clue

INCORRECT COLOR

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RED DOES NOT SCAN

Number Ten Visual ClueNumber Ten Visual Clue

TRUNCATION

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Non-visual Issues must be MeasuredNon-visual Issues must be MeasuredTest - Test - TestTest - Test - Test

Use the right equipment to “grade” your bar code’s Use the right equipment to “grade” your bar code’s quality and symbol to ANSI/ISO specificationsquality and symbol to ANSI/ISO specifications

©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Verification Tests CheckVerification Tests Check

SYMBOLOGY - CORRECT STRUCTURESYMBOLOGY - CORRECT STRUCTURE QUIET ZONESQUIET ZONES DECODABILITYDECODABILITY CONTRASTCONTRAST INK GAIN [Bar Width Reduction (BWR)]INK GAIN [Bar Width Reduction (BWR)] REFLECTANCEREFLECTANCE MAGNIFICATION VALUEMAGNIFICATION VALUE CHECK DIGITCHECK DIGIT WIDE TO NARROW BAR RATIOWIDE TO NARROW BAR RATIO DATA FORMATDATA FORMAT

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Verification Tests CheckVerification Tests Check

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EDUCATION AND ASSISTANCEEDUCATION AND ASSISTANCE

GS1 – European Countries GS1 – European Countries (formerly EAN International)(formerly EAN International)

GS 1 US - North America GS 1 US - North America (formerly Uniform Code Council, (formerly Uniform Code Council, Inc.)Inc.)

1SYNC - 1SYNC - subsidiary of GS1 USsubsidiary of GS1 US (formerly UCCNet, Inc.)(formerly UCCNet, Inc.)

AHMA - AHMA - AMERICAN HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATIONAMERICAN HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

Professional Solution Providers Professional Solution Providers Certified by GS1Certified by GS1

Ace Hardware Bar Code TeamAce Hardware Bar Code Team