Barcodes are so commonplace, it is easy to become complacent. A “no news is good news” attitude is a form of neglect that can lead to serious and expensive trouble. Unfortunate when it is so simple and easy to maintain good barcode quality.

Step 1

Review the barcode pre-press file. Pay special attention to the Bar Width Reduction setting. There should be one, and it should not be “zero”! This is the compensation for anticipated on-press gain, which is common to all print methods including digital. Knowing this setting makes it easy to interpret the condition of the barcodes coming off the press.

Step 2

Compare the barcode file settings and data to retains from earlier print runs. Barcode files supplied by your customer or vendor might have unexpected changes. Bar Width Reduction mentioned above is just one of them. Know about changes before somebody else tells you, in the form of a quality alert and a chargeback!

Step 3

Check the barcode data. This is the information stored in the barcode. The string of numbers and letters adjacent to the barcode should match what is in the barcode. Again, compare it to retains from the same item.  If the barcode includes variable data, such as an expiration date or batch number, of course that will change. But the GTIN portion that identifies the brand and the item should not change.

Step 4

Visually inspect the barcode. 1D and 2D barcodes should contain only two colors: a very dark (preferably black) color for the barcode and a very light (preferably white) background. Additional colors will disrupt scanning. If the background is not opaque, show-through from the product or printing on the reverse side of the package will cause problems. Printed patterns also cause problems. Shrink wrap seams can also be a problem.

Step 5

Make sure that text, graphics or package corners are not too close to the barcode. There must be a blank space at both ends of 1D barcodes such as UPC.  Text or graphics too must not be too close to the barcode. 2D symbols such as QR and Datamatrix Code have full surround quiet zones.

A close visual examination accomplishes these steps quite effectively, but an ISO compliant verifier does it conclusively. Purchasing a verifier is a good idea if it is in the budget—and it should be. The cost of a verifier can be offset by preventing just one chargeback.

Alternatively, a barcode test lab (like us) can be helpful. We are fast, comprehensive, knowledgeable, ISO compliant and reasonably priced. That’s a mouthful! Actually, companies with verifiers also use us to crosscheck and confirm their internal quality checking.

Diligence makes maintaining quality easy and stress-free. No surprises is a great recipe for sound sleep.

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3db Barcode Testimonial

Our company (an advanced software company) recently worked with Barcode Test to source a barcode verifier.  Not long ago, we were awarded a contract requiring products to be marked with IUIDs in accordance with MIL-STD-130.  For that standard, marking labels must pass a verification test that evaluates many variables (contrast, size, clarity, syntax, modularity, and more).  After a thorough search, we reduced our options to a select few.

In our search for a verifier, the Axicon line caught our attention.  Barcode Test is our regional reseller for this product.   From the beginning, they were very prompt with their responses.  We ended up having a quick call with John Nachtrieb to go over our needs.  John was extremely easy to work with and provided a lot of great information.  He was very knowledgeable on the matter and was quick to offer up a demo unit (free of charge).

Upon receiving the demo verifier and testing it, a few questions arose.  John joined a call with us and answered all our questions.  Ultimately, the Axicon verifier wasn’t the best fit for us, so we shipped the demo back.  John was completely understanding.  A few weeks later, Barcode Test reached back out with another possible verifier for us to try.  While they didn’t sell that brand, they just wanted to help us find the best option that met our needs. They even offered to send us the unit that they have in-house to see if it worked to our liking. 

Barcode Test is truly a great company to work with.  Their service and willingness to help the customer are far beyond what you typically get from other companies.  They are experts in barcode quality assurance and seem willing to help in any way they can (even if that means not getting a sale and recommending another option that better fits the customer’s needs).  If anyone is in the market for barcode verification/scanning services or products, I would highly recommend giving Barcode Test a call.

Regards,

Production Manager