What Causes Unscannable Bar Codes How do I know if my bar codes have a problem? What Pitfalls and Mistakes should I Avoid? ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation.

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?

©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

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


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


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


Number One Visual ClueNumber One Visual Clue


PRINT HEAD BURN OUT

Number Two Visual ClueNumber Two Visual Clue

QUIET ZONES TOO SMALL


Number Three Visual ClueNumber Three Visual Clue

PRINTED QUALITYOverprinted Or Under-Printed

Too Much or Too Little Ink


Number Four Visual ClueNumber Four Visual Clue


WRONG CHECK DIGIT

DATA INTEGRITY

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

DATA INTEGRITY


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


Number Six Visual ClueNumber Six Visual Clue

PACKAGING


Number Seven Visual ClueNumber Seven Visual Clue

BAD LABELING


Number Eight Visual ClueNumber Eight Visual Clue

WRONG SIZES/DIMENSIONS


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

Number Nine Visual ClueNumber Nine Visual Clue

INCORRECT COLOR


RED DOES NOT SCAN

Number Ten Visual ClueNumber Ten Visual Clue

TRUNCATION


0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5 0 01234 56789 5

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


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


Verification Tests CheckVerification Tests Check


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

What Causes Unscannable Bar Codes How do I know if my bar codes have a problem? What Pitfalls and Mistakes should I Avoid? ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation.

Documents

ace hardware corporation

symbology slide

visual clue packaging

visual clue truncation

visual clue bad labeling

nonvisual clues

visual clue quiet zones

visual clue label placement