Barcode wizard
Codabar
Codabar format is commonly used in libraries, blood banks, and the air parcel
business. The variable-length format allows encoding of the following 20
characters: 0123456789-$:/.+ABCD. The start and stop characters of a Codabar
message must be A, B, C, or D.
Code 25
Code 25, also known as "Code 2 of 5," is a discrete, variable-length numeric
code format. Code 25 format consists of two thick bars in a total of five bars
for each encoded character. It is used primarily for inventory handling,
identification of photo-finishing envelopes, airline ticketing, and baggage and
cargo handling.
Code 39
Code 39, also known as "Code 3 of 9," is the most popular format used in the
nonretail market for inventory and tracking. The format consists of three thick
elementsbars or spacesin a total of nine elements for each encoded character.
This bar code is used extensively in manufacturing, military, and health
applications. The discrete, variable-length format will accept the following 43
characters:
0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ-.*$/+%
The asterisk (*) is used as the start/stop character and cannot be used in the
body of the bar code.
You can also add a check digit that helps to ensure the security of the bar
code. Code 39 supports Modulo 43 and xxx-nnnnnnn-c check digit formats used by
US Customs for import/export shipping.
Code 128
Code 128 is a variable-length, high-density, alphanumeric format that is used in
the shipping and labeling industry. This code has 106 bar and space patterns.
Each pattern can have one of three meanings, depending on which of the three
character sets is employed. One character set encodes all uppercase and ASCII
control characters; another encodes all uppercase and lowercase characters; and
the third set encodes the numeric digit pairs 00 through 99. The character set
used is determined by the start character.
Code 128 also lets you encode the following four function codes:
· FNC1reserved for use in European Article Numbering (EAN)
· FNC2used to instruct a bar code reader to link together the message in a bar
code symbol with the message in the text symbol
· FNC3used to instruct a bar code reader to perform a reset
· FNC4used in closed system applications
A variation of Code 128 format is EAN-128. This symbol uses the same code set as
Code 128; however the function codes FNC2 to FNC4 cannot be used, and FNC1 is
used as part of the start code. An advanced option of Code 128 in Corel BARCODE
Wizard lets you enable or disable the EAN-128 format. Cod 128 is fully supported
in ASCII text.
EAN-8
The European Article Numbering (EAN) system is the European version of the
Universal Product Code (UPC). This code is now called the International Article
Number; however, the EAN abbreviation remains. EAN codes are found on European
retail items.
EAN-8 encodes eight numbers, consisting of two country-code digits, five data
digits, and one check digit. In Corel BARCODE Wizard, you must enter seven
digits, and the eighth digitor the check digitis automatically generated.
An optional two- or five-digit number can be added to the main bar code. This
number is designed for use on publications and periodicals, and appears as an
additional bar code to the right of the main bar code.
EAN-13
EAN-13 is the European version of the Universal Product Code (UPC (A)). The
difference between EAN-13 and UPC (A) is that EAN-13 encodes a 13th number into
the left six number of a UPC (A) symbol. The 13th number, combined with the 12th
number, represents a country code.
An optional two- or five-digit number may be added to the main bar code. This
number is designed for use on publications and periodicals and appears as an
additional bar code to the right of the main bar code.
FIM
Facing Identification Mark (FIM) patterns are used by the US Postal Service in
automated mail processing. FIM patterns are used for automatic facing and
canceling of mail that does not have a stamp or meter imprint, such as business
reply mail, penalty mail, etc.
The following four FIM patterns are currently in use:
· FIM-Aused on courtesy reply mail preprinted with POSTNET bar codes
· FIM-Bused on business reply, penalty, and government (franked) mail that is
not preprinted with POSTNET bar codes
· FIM-Cused on business reply, penalty, and government mail preprinted with
POSTNET bar codes
· FIM-Dindicates that postage is required
FIM patterns are placed in the upper right corner along the top edge, indented
two inches from the right edge.
ISBN
ISBN (International Standard Book Number) codes are printed on books. This
format is not a separate bar code type. ISBN codes have a specific structure and
are encoded using EAN-13 bar codes. The bar code is formed by a fixed
three-digit country code of 978, followed by the 10-digit ISBN number. The 10th
digitor the check digitis discarded. Enter the digits using the x-xxxx-xxxx
format. ISBN codes must be numeric.
ISSN
ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) codes are printed on magazines,
newspapers, and other serial publications. This format is not a separate bar
code type. ISSN is an EAN-13 bar code with a 977 country code and a two-digit
supplemental code. The two-digit supplemental code contains the issue number.
For example, January=01, and February=02. Enter the digits using the xxxx-xxxx
format. ISSN codes must be numeric.
ITF
ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5) was designed based on Code 25. Each format uses the
same encoding techniques, except that both bars and spaces carry data in the ITF
format: the odd-position digits are encoded in the bars, and the even-position
digits are encoded in the spaces. ITF is a high-density, variable-length,
number-only format. This bar code is one of the most popular formats used by the
shipping and warehouse industries. Corel BARCODE Wizard lets you enter up to 40
digits. ITF codes must be numeric.
ITF-14
ITF-14 is similar to the ITF format, except that exactly 13 digits must be
entered in Corel BARCODE Wizard. An optional five digits may be entered for the
add-on bar code. ITF-14 codes must be numeric.
JAN-8
JAN-8 is the Japanese equivalent to EAN-8. Jan-8 codes must be numeric.
JAN-13
JAN-13 is the Japanese equivalent to EAN-13. Jan-13 codes must be numeric.
MSI Plessey
The MSI Plessey bar code is used primarily in libraries and store shelf
labeling. MSI Plessey is a variable-length format that lets you encode the
following 10 characters: 0123456789. Each character consists of eight elements:
four bars and four spaces.
Pharmacode
Pharmacode is used for Online Security Control of the pharmaceutical packaging
process. Only the bars carry data, not the spaces. The high printing tolerance
and the option of printing the bar code in multiple colors makes Pharmacode a
practical format. Pharmacode codes must be numeric.
POSTNET
POSTNET (Postal Numeric Encoding Technique) bar codes are used to encode ZIP
codes on US mail. The Postal Service mail-handling process is designed to be
fully automated, and POSTNET bar codes feed the automated equipment.
POSTNET differs from other formats in that the bar heights alternate, as opposed
to the bar widths. Each number is represented by a pattern of five bars. A
single tall bar is used for the start and stop bars. POSTNET can be used for
five-digit, nine-digit, and 11-digit delivery point bar code. These codes are
often used in conjunction with FIM bars, which are found in the upper right
corner of a mail piece, such as Business Reply Mail. Postnet codes must be
numeric.
UPC(A)
UPC (Universal Product Code) symbols are used for retail applications in the
United States and Canada. UPC(A) is a 12-digit format. The symbol consists of 11
digits of data and one check digit. The first digit usually represents the type
of product being identified. The following five digits are a manufacturer's
code, and the next five digits are used to identify a specific product. UPC(A)
codes must be numeric.
UPC(E)
Like UPC(A), UPC(E) is used for retail applications; however, since the bar code
is smaller, it is better suited to smaller items. This format is also called
"zero-suppressed," because UPC(E) compresses a 12-digit UPC(A) code into a
six-digit code. UPC(E) suppresses the number-system digit, trailing digits in
the manufacturer's code, and leading zeros in the product identification part of
the code.
An optional two or five-digit number may be added to the main UPC(A) or UPC(E)
bar code. This number is designed for use on publications and periodicals, and
appears as an additional bar code to the right of the main bar code. UPC(E)
codes must be numeric.
Barcode examples