Did You Know?

  • The first product scanned was a pack of Wrigley's gum on June 26, 1974 at a Marsh supermarket in Ohio
  • UPC barcodes encode a check digit—scanners reject codes with math errors
  • Pharmacode barcodes are intentionally hard to decode without special equipment to prevent medication errors
  • The 'quiet zone' (white space) around barcodes is critical—without it, scanners fail

Which Format to Use

  • CODE 128: Best default choice—encodes any ASCII character, used in shipping labels (FedEx, UPS)
  • EAN-13/UPC: Required for retail products sold in stores—EAN in Europe/Asia, UPC in North America
  • CODE 39: US military and automotive industry standard—no check digit required
  • ITF-14: Printed directly on corrugated cardboard boxes—tolerates low print quality

Real-World Uses

  • Asset tracking: Label laptops, equipment, and inventory with CODE 128
  • Event tickets: Generate unique CODE 128 barcodes for entry validation
  • Library systems: Most libraries use CODE 39 for book tracking
  • Warehouse shelving: ITF-14 on boxes, EAN-13 on individual products inside
  • Membership cards: Encode member IDs for quick scanning at checkout

Printing Tips

  • Minimum bar width of 2px for reliable scanning at 300 DPI
  • Print at 100% scale—never stretch or compress barcodes
  • Use matte paper to avoid glare that confuses scanners
  • Test with your actual scanner before printing batches