Barcode Reference EN PDF

TEC-IT Barcode Software
Barcode Overview
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2 Index
1 Disclaimer 2
2 Index 3
2.1 Table of Figures 7
2.2 List of Tables 7
3 Introduction 9
3.1 Scope of this Document 9
3.2 Barcode Types 9
3.2.1 Linear 1D Barcodes 9
3.2.2 2D Barcodes (Stacked) 9
3.2.3 2D Barcodes (Matrix Codes) 10
3.2.4 Composite Codes 10
3.3 Barcode Glossary 11
4 Important Barcode Parameters 12
4.1 Barcode Symbology 12
4.2 Module Width 12
4.2.1 Introduction 12
4.2.2 Optimize the Module Width 12
4.2.3 Module Width and Reading Distance 13
4.3 Bar Width Reduction (Pixel Shaving) 13
4.4 Quiet Zone 14
4.5 Print Ratio and Ratio Format 14
4.6 Format 15
4.6.1 Format Examples 16
4.7 Escape Sequences (Encoding Binary Data) 16
4.8 Check Digits 18
5 Application Identifiers (AI) 20
5.1 Introduction 20
5.2 Examples 20
5.2.1 Batch Number 20
5.2.2 Multiple AIs within one Barcode 20
5.2.3 GS1-128 with embedded Check Digit 21
5.3 GS1 DataBar Expanded / GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked 21
5.3.1 AIs with a Fixed Length 22
5.3.1.1 AI(01) and Weight 22
5.3.1.2 AI(01), Weight and Date 22
5.3.2 AIs with Variable Lengths 22
5.3.2.1 AI (01) and Price 22
5.3.2.2 AI (01) 22
5.4 GS1 Composite Symbology 22
5.4.1 Compressed Sequences of AIs 22
5.4.2 AI (90) 23
6 Barcode Symbologies 24
6.1 Linear Symbologies (1D Codes) 24
6.1.1 Bookland 24
6.1.2 Codabar (Rationalized Version) 25
6.1.3 Code 11 25
6.1.4 Code 128 26
6.1.5 Code 128 Subset A 26
6.1.6 Code 128 Subset B 27
6.1.7 Code 128 Subset C 27
6.1.8 Code 2 of 5 Standard (Code 2 of 5 Matrix) 27
6.1.9 Code 2 of 5 Data Logic 28
6.1.10 Code 2 of 5 IATA 28
6.1.11 Code 2 of 5 Industrial 29
6.1.12 Code 2 of 5 Interleaved 29
6.1.13 Code 2 of 7 29
6.1.14 Code 25 29
6.1.15 Code 39 (3of9) 30
6.1.16 Code 32 30
6.1.17 Code 39 Extended 31
6.1.18 Code 93 31
6.1.19 Code 93 Extended 31
6.1.20 DAFT Code 32
6.1.21 DOD LOGMARS 32
6.1.22 DUN-14 32
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6.1.23 DUNS 32
6.1.24 EAN-128 (GS1-128) 32
6.1.25 EAN-13 33
6.1.26 EAN-13 with 2 Digits Add-On 34
6.1.28 EAN-14 34
6.1.29 EAN-18 34
6.1.30 EAN-8 35
6.1.33 FIN Code (Fahrzeug-Identifizierungsnummer) 36
6.1.34 Flattermarken 36
6.1.35 GS1-128 36
6.1.36 GTIN 36
6.1.37 HIBC 37
6.1.38 I-2/5 37
6.1.39 ISBN Code (ISBN 13) 37
6.1.39.1 Example 37
6.1.39.2 ISBN Additional Data 37
6.1.40 ISBT-128 38
6.1.41 ISMN 38
6.1.42 ISSN 39
6.1.43 ITF-14 39
6.1.44 JAN 40
6.1.45 LAETUS-Code 40
6.1.46 LOGMARS 40
6.1.47 MSI 40
6.1.48 NTIN Code 41
6.1.49 NVE-18 (Nummer der Versandeinheit) 41
6.1.50 NW-7 41
6.1.51 Pharmacode One-Track 42
6.1.52 Pharmacode Two-Track 42
6.1.53 Pharmacy Product Number Code (PPN Code) 43
6.1.54 Pharma Zentralnummer (PZN) 44
6.1.54.1 PZN7: 6 Digits + 1 Check Digit (valid until 2012/12/31) 44
6.1.54.2 PZN8: 7 Digits + 1 Check Digit (valid from 2013/01/01) 44
6.1.55 Plessey Code 44
6.1.56 Rational Codabar 44
6.1.57 SCC-14 44
6.1.58 SSCC-18 45
6.1.59 Telepen Alpha 45
6.1.60 Telepen 45
6.1.61 UCC-128 45
6.1.62 UPC 12 Digits 46
6.1.63 UPC Version A 46
6.1.64 UPC Version A, 2 Digits Add-On 46
6.1.65 UPC Version A, 5 Digits Add-On 47
6.1.66 UPC Version E 47
6.1.67 UPC Version E, 2 Digits Add-On 47
6.1.68 UPC Version E, 5 Digits Add-On 48
6.1.69 UPC SCS (Shipping Container Symbols) 48
6.1.70 USD-4 49
6.1.71 USS ITF 2-5 49
6.1.72 USS Code 128 49
6.1.73 USS Code 39 49
6.1.74 VIN Code (Vehicle Identification Number) 49
6.2 Postal Codes (Linear/1D) 50
6.2.1 Australian Post Customer 50
6.2.2 Australian Post Customer 2 50
6.2.3 Australian Post Customer 3 50
6.2.4 Australian Post Redirection 50
6.2.5 Australian Post Reply Paid 51
6.2.6 Australian Post Routing 51
6.2.7 Brazilian CEPNet / Brazilian Postal Code 51
6.2.8 Deutsche Post Identcode 52
6.2.9 Deutsche Post Leitcode 52
6.2.10 DPD Code 52
6.2.11 Italian Postal Code 2 of 5 53
6.2.12 Japanese Postal Code 53
6.2.12.1 Direct Encoding Mode 53
6.2.12.2 Japanese Extraction Mode 53
6.2.12.3 Standard Dimensions 54
6.2.13 KIX – Dutch Postal Code 54
6.2.14 Korean Postal Authority 54
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6.2.14.1 Example 54
6.2.15 Planet 12 (Deprecated) 55
6.2.16 Planet 14 (Deprecated) 55
6.2.17 Royal Mail 4 State (RM4SCC) 55
6.2.18 Royal Mail Complex Mail Data Mark (CMDM) Mailmark® Barcode 55
6.2.19 Royal Mail Mailmark® 2D Barcode 56
6.2.19.1 Data Structure 56
6.2.19.2 Customer Content 56
6.2.19.3 Encoding 56
6.2.20 Royal Mail Mailmark® 4-state Barcode 57
6.2.21 Singapore Post 4-State Customer Code (SinPost) 57
6.2.22 Singapore Post 57
6.2.23 Swedish Postal Shipment Item ID 57
6.2.24 UPU S10 – Generic Postal Code 58
6.2.25 USPS Intelligent Mail® Barcode or IM® Barcode 58
6.2.26 USPS Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode 59
6.2.27 USPS Postnet (Deprecated) 60
6.2.27.1 USPS Postnet 5 60
6.2.27.2 USPS POSTNET 6 60
6.3 2D Symbologies 62
6.3.1 Aztec Code 62
6.3.1.1 Character Set 62
6.3.1.2 Layers and Core Type 62
6.3.1.3 The Maximum Data Capacity of Aztec Code 62
6.3.1.4 Format 63
6.3.2 Codablock F 63
6.3.3 Data Matrix 63
6.3.3.1 Encoding Modes 64
6.3.3.2 Data Capacity 64
6.3.3.3 Code Format 64
6.3.3.4 Compatibility Options 64
6.3.3.5 DMRE – Data Matrix Rectangular Extension 65
6.3.3.6 GS1 Data Matrix 65
6.3.3.7 Deutsche Post Premiumadress Data Matrix 66
6.3.3.8 DP PostMatrix 67
6.3.4 DotCode 68
6.3.4.1 Code Format 68
6.3.5 Han Xin Code 69
6.3.6 MaxiCode 69
6.3.6.2 Modes 70
6.3.6.3 MaxiCode & UPS® 70
6.3.7 MicroPDF417 72
6.3.8 Micro QR-Code 73
6.3.9 PDF417 73
6.3.9.2 How to optimize PDF417 for FAX? 74
6.3.10 PDF417 Truncated 74
6.3.11 QR-Code (Model 2) 74
6.3.11.1 Kanji and Chinese Compaction 74
6.3.11.2 QR–Code Capacity 75
6.3.11.3 QR–Code Creation Speed 75
6.3.11.4 Codepages (Character Set) 75
6.3.11.5 Encoding Special Latin-1 Characters 76
6.3.12 QR-Code (ISO), former QR-Code 2005 77
6.3.13 Swiss QR Code 77
6.4 HIBC – Health Industry Bar Code 77
6.4.1 Supplier Labeling Standard (SLS) Formats 78
6.4.2 Provider Application Standard Formats 79
6.4.3 HIBC LIC 128 80
6.4.4 HIBC LIC 39 81
6.4.5 HIBC LIC Data Matrix 81
6.4.6 HIBC LIC QR-Code 81
6.4.7 HIBC LIC Aztec Code 82
6.4.8 HIBC LIC PDF417 82
6.4.9 HIBC LIC MicroPDF417 82
6.4.10 HIBC LIC Codablock F 83
6.4.11 HIBC PAS 128 83
6.4.12 HIBC PAS 39 83
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6.4.13 HIBC PAS Data Matrix 84

6.4.14 HIBC PAS QR-Code 84
6.4.15 HIBC PAS Aztec Code 84
6.4.16 HIBC PAS PDF417 85
6.4.17 HIBC PAS MicroPDF417 85
6.4.18 HIBC PAS Codablock F 85
6.5 GS1 DataBar Symbologies (RSS Codes) 86
6.5.1 GS1 DataBar (RSS-14) 86
6.5.2 GS1 DataBar Truncated (RSS-14 Truncated) 86
6.5.3 GS1 DataBar Limited (RSS Limited) 87
6.5.4 GS1 DataBar Stacked (RSS-14 Stacked) 87
6.5.5 GS1 DataBar Stacked Omni directional (RSS-14 Stacked Omni directional) 87
6.5.6 GS1 DataBar Expanded (RSS Expanded) 88
6.5.7 GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked (RSS Expanded Stacked) 88
6.6 GS1 Composite Symbologies 88
6.6.1 Data Input 88
6.6.2 Data Capacity of GS1 Composite Symbols 88
6.6.2.1 Linear Component 88
6.6.2.2 2D Component 89
6.6.3 GS1 DataBar Composite Symbology 89
6.6.4 GS1 DataBar Truncated Composite Symbology 89
6.6.5 GS1 DataBar Limited Composite Symbology 90
6.6.6 GS1 DataBar Stacked Composite Symbology 90
6.6.7 GS1 DataBar Stacked Omni directional Composite Symbology 90
6.6.8 GS1 DataBar Expanded Composite Symbology 91
6.6.9 GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked Composite Symbology 91
6.6.10 GS1-128 Composite Symbology 91
6.6.11 EAN-8 Composite Symbology 92
6.6.12 EAN-13 Composite Symbology 92
6.6.13 UPC-A Composite Symbology 92
6.6.14 UPC-E Composite Symbology 92
7 Image Parameters 93
7.1 Image Types 93
7.1.1 Image Formats 93
7.1.2 Compression Modes 93
8 Character Encoding 95
8.1 UNICODE  Code Pages 95
8.2 Default Code Pages 95
8.3 Code Page Switching 95
9 Frequently Asked Questions 96
9.1 How to add the Leading and Trailing ‘*’ for Code 39? 96
9.2 How to add the Check Digit to Code 39? 96
9.3 How to add the Leading and Trailing ‘A’ (or B, C, D) for CODABAR? 96
9.4 How to use a Specific Subset in Code 128? 96
9.5 How to use the Compressed Mode of Code 128? 96
9.6 How to generate a PDF417 symbol with an Aspect Ratio of 3:2? 96
9.6.1 Set a Row:Col Ratio of 11:1 96
9.6.2 Maintain a constant Ratio of Row Height / Module Width 96
9.7 How to set a Specific Module Width? 96
9.8 More FAQ 97
10 Contact and Support Information 98
Appendix A : Creating Optimal Barcodes 99
A.1 General 99
A.2 Barcode Size 99
A.3 Quiet Zone 99
A.4 Optimize Barcode for the Output Device Resolution 100
A.5 Enable Optimization in TEC-IT Software 101
A.5.1 Barcode Studio 101
A.5.2 TFORMer 101
A.5.3 TBarCode 101
A.5.4 Application Notes for “Optimal Resolution” 102
A.6 Printing Barcodes Directly 103
A.7 Barcode Images 103
A.7.1 Embedding Barcode Images 104
A.7.2 Barcode Images in HTML 104
A.7.3 Optimizing Barcode Images with Respect to the Printer Resolution 105
A.8 Barcode Vector Graphics 106
A.9 Code Examples for Barcode Optimization 106
A.9.1 Linear Barcodes 106
A.9.2 2D Barcodes 107
A.9.3 Prepare a Barcode with a specific Module Width for a Web Page 108
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A.9.4 Create a 2D Barcode Image with the Module Width specified in Pixels 109
A.9.5 Optimize an Image using BCGetOptimalBitmapSize 109
Appendix B : Barcode Quiet Zones 110
B.1 Linear Symbologies 110
B.2 2D Symbologies 111
Appendix C : Extended Channel Interpretation (ECI) 113
C.1 ECI Overview 113
2.1 Table of Figures

Figure 1: Linear Barcode Sample 9
Figure 2: 2D-Stacked Barcode Sample 9
Figure 3: 2D Barcode Sample 10
Figure 4: Composite Barcode Sample 10
Figure 5: Module Width 12
Figure 6: Raster Optimization 13
Figure 7: Quiet Zone 14
Figure 8: Print Ratio 14
Figure 9: Flattermarken Coding Sample 36
Figure 10: UPC Shipping Container Symbol (SCS) 48
Figure 11: Data Matrix Symbol Size Property 65
Figure 12: Data Matrix DMRE 24x64 65
Figure 13: GS1 Data Matrix Code Format 65
Figure 14: Data Matrix Properties 66
Figure 15: Data Matrix DP PostMatrix Code format 67
Figure 16: MaxiCode UPS Encoding 72
Figure 17: Quiet Zone for Linear Barcode 100
Figure 18: Optimize Barcode for Output Device Resolution 100
Figure 19: Barcode Optimization in Barcode Studio 101
Figure 20: Barcode Optimization in TFORMer Designer 101
Figure 21: Barcode Optimization in TBarCode OCX (Version 1) 102
Figure 22: Barcode Optimization in TBarCode OCX (Version 2) 102
2.2 List of Tables

Table 1: Barcode Glossary 11
Table 2: Example for Scanner Specification 13
Table 3: Print Ratio Adjustment 15
Table 4: Format Placeholders 16
Table 5: Format Examples 16
Table 6: Implemented Escape Sequences 17
Table 7: Check Digit Methods and Enumerators 19
Table 8: Fixed length AIs in RSS Expanded / Expanded Stacked Codes 22
Table 9: AIs in GS1 DataBar Expanded / Expanded Stacked Codes 22
Table 10: Variable length AIs in RSS Expanded / Expanded Stacked Codes 22
Table 11: AIs in Composite Codes 23
Table 12: ISBN Sample 38
Table 13: ISBN Encoding – Country and Currency 38
Table 14: ISBN Encoding – Price Samples 38
Table 15: Shipping Container Symbol Packaging Indicator 49
Table 16: DPD Format 53
Table 17: Aztec Code Symbol Sizes 62
Table 18: Data Matrix Data Capacity 64
Table 19: Data Matrix DMRE Sizes 65
Table 20: Han Xin Code Data Capacity 69
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Table 21: Maxi Code Data Capacity 70

Table 22: PDF417 Data Capacity 73
Table 23: QR Code Data Capacity 75
Table 24: HIBC LIC - Primary Format 78
Table 25: HIBC LIC - Secondary Format 78
Table 26: HIBC PAS – Single/First Data Structure 79
Table 27: HIBC PAS – Combined Data Structure 79
Table 28: HIBC PAS – Second Data Structure 80
Table 29: Supported Image Types 93
Table 30: Supported Image Compression Modes 94
Table 31: Default Code Pages 95
Table 32: Quiet Zones (Linear Symbologies) 111
Table 33: Quiet Zones (2D Symbologies) 112
Table 34: ECI Numbers 113
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3 Introduction
3.1 Scope of this Document
This document describes barcode symbologies supported by TEC-IT software in a non-product-

specific way. Please use this document as add-on or in-depth reference when dealing with barcode
related questions in the following TEC-IT products:
► TBarCode OCX A Microsoft ActiveX compliant barcode control

► TBarCode .NET A .NET barcode library
► TBarCode Library Barcode DLL for Microsoft Windows (and UNIX®)
► Barcode Studio A stand-alone barcode designer for Microsoft Windows
► TBarCode/X Barcode generators (SDK) for Linux and UNIX
► TFORMer Designer Full-featured label and report design
► TFORMer Runtime Label and reporting engine for various operating systems
► TFORMer Server Industrial output management
► TBarCode/Embedded Barcode-enabled print and spool appliance
► TBarCode/SAPwin Barcode DLL for SAP R/3
► TBarCode/Direct Smart PostScript compatible bar-coding for SAP R/3
3.2 Barcode Types
The reason for the many different types of barcodes is that barcodes are used in many different
operational areas. Thus, it is possible to select the most suitable barcode type to meet the
requirements of a particular industry.
3.2.1 Linear 1D Barcodes
Figure 1: Linear Barcode Sample
Linear barcodes are known under names like Code 39, Code 128, UPC, EAN, 2of5...
Linear barcodes encode the information in one way (=one dimension), so they are also called one-
dimensional barcodes (1D). The information is stored in the relationship of the widths of the bars
(spaces) to each other.
In most of these symbologies the height of the bars is not relevant, except for some height-
modulated Postal Codes (e.g. Australian Post 4-State or USPS Intelligent Mail® Barcode / IM®
Barcode).
3.2.2 2D Barcodes (Stacked)
Figure 2: 2D-Stacked Barcode Sample
Two-dimensional barcodes are known under names like PDF417, or Codablock F.
Page 9 of 113
Such stacked or multi-row barcodes store information in two dimensions. Several stacked linear
barcodes are used to encode the information.
3.2.3 2D Barcodes (Matrix Codes)
Figure 3: 2D Barcode Sample
Two-dimensional barcodes like MaxiCode, Data Matrix or QR-Code encode information in two
dimensions. Compared to stacked symbologies the information is not stored by using different bar
(space) widths. Instead, the position of black (or white) dots is relevant.
3.2.4 Composite Codes
(01)12345678901231
Figure 4: Composite Barcode Sample
Composite codes like GS1 DataBar Composite Symbology are combining linear with 2D (stacked)
symbologies. The advantage of such codes is that the linear code component encodes the most
important information. The 2D component is used for additional data. This separation ensures better
migration (e.g. with respect to scanning hardware) between linear and 2D technology.
Page 10 of 113
3.3 Barcode Glossary

As follows, you will find a short explanation about technical terms which are used in the barcode
technology.
Bar A bar is represented by the dark or black elements in a barcode.

Space The white or lighter elements in a barcode are called spaces.
Barcode density The density of the barcode refers to how much space is required
for the needed characters (characters per Inch or centimeter)
Element Represents both a bar and a space.
Module A module is the smallest element of a barcode. The width of the
single bars and spaces is a (mostly integer) multiples of the basic
width of the module.
Module width The width of the barcode’s smallest element in millimeter, in
inches or in so-called mils (one mil = 1/1000 inch).
The module width is usually abbreviated with the letter X.
X Dimension The width of the barcode’s smallest element (see Module width).
Quiet zone An area free of any printing or marks that precedes the start
character of a barcode and follows the stop character.
The required minimal size of the quiet zone depends on the
barcode type. As a rule, the quiet zone should be ten times the
dimension of the module width or at least 1/4 inch (6.5 mm).
Human Readable This term refers to the entire encoded information of a barcode
Text shown in readable form. It is usually printed below the code. For
2D codes, no human readable text is used.
Discrete Codes Each character begins and ends with a bar. The spacing
between characters is not part of the code.
Continuous Code The spaces between the characters are also part of the code. An
example of a continuous code is the Code 2/5 Interleaved.
Start and Stop Distinct characters used at the beginning and end of each
Characters barcode symbol that provide the scanner with start and stop
reading instructions as well as scanning direction.
Self-checking Self-checking code uses the same pattern for each character.
Code For example, there can be five elements, two of them are wide
and three are narrow. Any deviation from this pattern would result
in an error.
Check Digit One or more characters included within the barcode, which are
used to perform a mathematical check to ensure the accuracy of
the scanned data. Check digits are mandatory with certain codes
or are even built into the symbology (as for Code-128)
Bearer Bars These are bars printed above and below the symbol. The bearer
bars are eliminating partial reads (as drawn in the example on
the right). Sometimes bearer bars surround the complete symbol
(e.g. ITF-14).
Substitution Due to reading errors, a character is replaced by another during

Error scanning. Substitution errors can be excluded by adding a check
digit.
Synchronizing These bars are synchronizing the barcode reader. E.g. UPC-A
Bars and EAN-13 have synchronizing bars at the beginning, in the
middle and at the end of the symbol.
No-Read A failure to decode, resulting in no output.
Misread The data output of a reader/decoder does not agree with the data
encoded in the barcode field. This yields to substitution errors.
Table 1: Barcode Glossary
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4 Important Barcode Parameters
In this chapter, you will find an explanation about the most important barcode parameters.
4.1 Barcode Symbology
The symbology determines the format and the capabilities of the barcode. Check out chapter 6 for a
list of supported barcode symbologies. It depends on your application which symbology you should
use. For help, deciding the right symbology, you can contact TEC-IT Support.
4.2 Module Width

4.2.1 Introduction
Figure 5: Module Width
The module width (or X dimension) is the width of the smallest bar (or space) in the barcode. The
minimal module width depends on the used symbology. In most specifications, the recommended
module width is at least 0.19 mms.
The default setting in TEC-IT software adapts the module width according to the bounding rectangle
of the barcode. The module width is computed automatically by dividing the width of the object by
the number of required modules. This depends on the number of data characters to be encoded.
The module width decreases as the data content increases.
When adjusting the module width to a fixed value, the resulting barcode can be wider than the
bounding rectangle. To avoid clipping, ensure that the entire barcode can be displayed with the
maximum data content and enlarge the barcode object if required.
4.2.2 Optimize the Module Width
Printing tolerances can lead to problems when decoding a barcode. A remedy for this problem is to
optimize the module width with respect to available printing resolutions.
Assume you want to print a barcode with a resolution of 300 dpi then one pixel equals 0.003333
inch (or 0.08466 mm) in such a case. To avoid raster errors, you should select a module width that
is an integer multiple of the pixel width (e.g. for 300 dpi a multiple of 0.08466 mm).
► 200 dpi: 2 modules á one pixel (0.127 mm) = 0.254 mm

► 202 dpi: 2 modules á one pixel (0.1257 mm) = 0.251 mm
► 300 dpi: 3 modules á one pixel (0.08467 mm) = 0,254 mm
► 600 dpi: 5 modules á one pixel (0.04233 mm) = 0,212 mm
► For printer solutions over 300 dpi normally the optimizing of the module width isn’t
necessary.
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Figure 6: Raster Optimization
4.2.3 Module Width and Reading Distance
The actual reading distance for barcodes depends on two factors: the scanner hardware and the
module width of the barcode.
There is no scanner, which can read all barcodes (ranging from high-density codes to barcodes with
wide tracking) from all distances. Each barcode scanner has an optimum reading distance for bar-
codes with a certain module width. The manufacturer of the barcode scanner usually specifies the
correlation between the module width and the reading distance. The following table shows such an
exemplary specification.
Thus, depending on the module width the optimum reading distance for a specific scanner can be
identified. On the other hand, if the reading distance is given by the application, the required module
width for printing the barcodes may be adjusted.
Module Width Depth of Field

(1 mil = 1/1000 mm) (Reading Distance)
5 mil 7.6 to 15.2 cm / 3 to 6”
7.5 mil 5.1 to 40.6 cm / 2 to 16“
10 mil 3.8 to 55.9 cm / 1.5 to 22”
13 mil 2.5 to 76.2 cm / 1 to 30”
20 mil 2.5 to 106.7 cm / 1 to 42”
55 mil 5.1 to 203.2 cm / 2 to 80”
Table 2: Example for Scanner Specification
4.3 Bar Width Reduction (Pixel Shaving)
Another word for bar width reduction (BWR) is “bar width correction” (BWC) or “pixel shaving”.
Bar width reduction is a common issue with printing bar codes. So called “dot gain” is part of every
printing process and leads to enlargement of bars (while the gaps are reduced). Depending on the
printing process, you must compensate these aberrations with the appropriate bar width reduction.
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Sample values for dot gain (to compensate) are approximately 100µm with flexographic printing,
50µm with intaglio printing and 30µm with offset printing. The smaller the bar codes, the more
precise you must work. Depending on the bar code orientation to the printing direction, the printing
accuracy and printing process may change.
Bar width reduction may be applied also for laser printers (e.g. with too high toner saturation) or
inkjet printers.
TEC-IT Software allows fine-tuning of the bar width reduction in percent, mm (µm), mils and inch.
4.4 Quiet Zone

A quiet zone (an area free of any printing or marks) should be maintained directly before and after
the barcode symbol. The quiet zone helps the scanner to determine the barcode correctly.
As a rule, the quiet zone should be ten times the dimension of the module width or at least 1/4 inch
(6.5 mm); the exact value depends on the barcode symbology.
Figure 7: Quiet Zone
4.5 Print Ratio and Ratio Format
The print ratio (the bar/width ratio) is the width relationship of all elements of a barcode – with
respect to the smallest element. TEC-IT Software allows fine-tuning of the print ratio by supporting
three parameters:
 Print ratio
The read/write property Ratio is used to adjust the print ratio. The value of this property has
to comply with the ratio format.
 Format of ratio
The read-only property RatioHint shows the format (syntax) of the print ratio setting. It is
intended as a hint for the programmer or user.
 Default print ratio
The read-only property RatioDefault contains the default print ratio for the selected barcode
symbology. It most cases the default ratio is the best choice for printing the barcode.
Figure 8: Print Ratio
Example:
Page 14 of 113
The picture above shows a barcode with 4 different bar widths and 4 different space widths.
Because TEC-IT software maintains the print ratio of bars and spaces separately, the ratio format is
composed as follows: 1B:2B:3B:4B:1S:2S:3S:4S.
The first four values (1B:2B:3B:4B) refer to the 4 different widths of the Bars, the second four values
(1S:2S:3S:4S) refer to the 4 different widths of the Spaces. The numbers in the ratio hint (e.g. 1B
stands for the smallest bar, 2B for the bar with the next larger width and so on) are only used to
denote the order – they have no meaning with respect to the ratio itself.
Now set a new print ratio value. This string must be formatted according to the ratio format, but
without the letters: A value of “1:3:5:7.3:1:3:5:7.3” for the Ratio indicates that the width of the widest
bar (4B) is 7.3 times the width of the smallest bar (7.3:1).
Ratio Format Specifier Description

nB The ratio of bar-width n with respect to the width of the smallest bar (bar-width 1)
nS The ratio of space-width n with respect to space-width 1 (smallest space)
1T This is specific to the symbology “Plessey Bidirectional”. It denotes the ratio of the width of
the terminator bar 1 to bar-width 1
nC This is specific to the symbology “Pharmacode”. It denotes the ratio of the width of color-bar n
to the width of the smallest bar
Table 3: Print Ratio Adjustment
4.6 Format
Format acts like a ”mask” for formatting the barcode data prior to encoding it. Placeholders in the
format string can be mixed with constant data characters to build a final data string. With this
feature, it is possible to:
 Select subsets in Code 128, GS1-128 (even within the code!)

 Insert control characters into the barcode
 Select the required start/stop character for CODABAR
 Change the position of the check digit
 Set the MaxiCode values “date”, “preamble”, “service class”, “postal code” and “country
code” directly in the barcode data (with special escape sequences).
Placeholder Description
character
# Stands for the next data character of the input data (property Text)
& Stands for all remaining data characters in the input data (property Text)
^ Stands for the next check digit (use only if check digits will be computed!)
 TBarCode 6 (or earlier) computes the check digit for all characters in the input data.
 TBarCode 7 (or later) only uses input data left of the check digit placeholder for check digit
computation (see examples below!).
A Switch to Subset A (used in: Code 128, GS1-128)
Start- or stop character A (only in: CODABAR)
B Switch to Subset B (used in: Code 128, GS1-128)
Start- or stop character B (only in: CODABAR)
C Switch to Subset C (used in: Code 128, GS1-128)
Start- or stop character C (only in: CODABAR)
C Enable compatibility mode for CAPTIVA/IBML document scanning software (used in Data Matrix only)
D Start- or stop character D (only in: CODABAR),
Only for Pharmacode: encode the Pharmacode directly (bar by bar)
Only for Data Matrix: use an alternative error correction algorithm for symbols of size 144x144.
E Translate the Escape Sequences that the input data contains.
J Only for Japanese Postal codes: the Address B data field can be automatically compressed, i.e.
Japanese characters are converted into ASCII characters by a defined rule.
Page 15 of 113
Placeholder Description
character
S Only for MaxiCode: enables setting the values of Date, Preamble, Service Class, Postal- and Country-
Code directly in the barcode data (only in conjunction with escape sequences).
< Adds quiet zone markers at the left (“<”) and/or at the right (“>”) side of the barcode. These markers
are supported by the following barcode types:
>
 EAN 8 and add-on variants (both sides)
 EAN 13 and add-on variants (only right side)
 UPC-A with 2 and 5 digit add-on (only right side)
 UPC-E with 2 and 5 digit add-on (only right side)
 ISBN (only right side)
Table 4: Format Placeholders
4.6.1 Format Examples

Input data Barcode type Format string Data used for Notes
encoding
123 Irrelevant 123
123 Irrelevant 5& 5123
123 Irrelevant &6 1236
123 Irrelevant q#w#e# q1w2e3
123 Irrelevant #q& 1q23
123 Irrelevant &^ 123c
123 Irrelevant ^& c123 This format string may be used for TBarCode
6 (or earlier). – Newer versions always return
0 in this case.
12345 Irrelevant ####^# 1234c5 When using Modulo 10 for check digit calcu-
lation, c will be
 Mod-10 (12345) = 5 for TBarCode 6 (or
earlier).
 Mod-10 (1234) = 0 for TBarCode 7 (or
later).
Hello Code 128 A& Hello
Hello Code 128 A##B& Hello
Hello4711 Code 128 A##B& Hello4711
Hello4711 Code 128 A##B###C& Hello4711
1234567890 GS1-128 #####^##### 12345767890 7 is the check digit computed when using
Modulo 10. The check digit computation uses
only the digits 12345 (67890 are ignored
because this data comes after the ^)
Table 5: Format Examples
red characters represented in subset A

gray characters represented in subset B
green characters represented in subset C
c represents the place of the check digit
4.7 Escape Sequences (Encoding Binary Data)
If you want to use non-printable or special characters in a barcode, you have to use escape
sequences. An escape sequence always start with a backslash (‘\’) followed by the sequence itself.
► You have to activate the decoding of escape sequences in the barcode properties – per
default the translation of escape sequences is turned off.
► With activated escape sequences you must use “\\” in the input data to encode a single
backslash „\“ in the barcode.
Page 16 of 113
Escape Description Valid for Barcode Symbology

sequence
\a Bell (alert) All
\b Backspace
\f Form feed
\n New Line
\r Carriage Return
\t Horizontal Tab
\v Vertical Tab
\\ The backslash \ itself
\0 Zero Byte (if subsequent char is non-numeric)
Available in TBarCode V10+
\0ooo ASCII-character in octal notation:
ooo … up to 3 octal digits (0..7)
First digit is always zero.
\ddd ASCII-character in decimal notation:
ddd … up to decimal digits (0..9)
First digit must not be zero.
\xhh For encoding bytes or ASCII-characters in hexadecimal
notation
hh … hexadecimal digits (0..F)
\Crrggbb Color selection See Pharmacode
\Ce Reset the color to default
\F FNC1 (Function Number Character 1) used as field GS-128, Codablock-F
separator MicroPDF417: a special FNC1 code word is
inserted when using emulation mode for
GS1-128 or Code-128
Data Matrix: a special FNC1 code word is
inserted
\F Inserts a Gs (Group Separator) or ASCII 1DHex. PDF417, MaxiCode and in QR-Code
Do not encode the \x1d directly! QR-Code: When using format
UCC/EAN/GS1 Gs is inserted in Byte Mode,
a % is inserted in alphanumeric mode.
\Ennnnnn Extended Channel Interpretation (ECI). MaxiCode, Data Matrix, QR-Code, PDF417,
nnnnnn … 6 digit ECI number with leading zeros MicroPDF417, Aztec Code
Used for defining the character set (code page) for the
subsequent encoded data – see C.1 ECI
\EB, \EE Special ECI identifiers for nesting ECIs. QR-Code
\EB (ECI Begin) opens a nesting level,
\EE (ECI End) closes it.
\G Global Language Identifier (GLI), similar to ECI (see \E). PDF417
\S Symbol separator character for C128 emulation
\<FNCx> Function sequence. Currently FNC1, FNC2, FNC3, and
FNC4 are implemented. \<FNC1> is equal to \F.
\x11 DC1 Code93, Code93Ext
\x1e Rs (Record Separator), ASCII 1EHex PDF417, QR-Code, Data Matrix, MaxiCode
(Mode 3,4 SCM)
\x1d Gs (Group Separator), ASCII 1DHex PDF417, QR-Code, Data Matrix, MaxiCode
(Mode 3,4 SCM)
\x04 Eot (End of Transmission), ASCII 04Hex PDF417, QR-Code, Data Matrix, MaxiCode
(Mode 3,4 SCM)
Table 6: Implemented Escape Sequences
Page 17 of 113
4.8 Check Digits
The method for the check digit(s) calculation depends on the respective barcode type. In order to
make TEC-IT products as user-friendly as possible, a standard method for each barcode type is
supplied (where applicable).
► Per default, the input can take place with and without a check digit. In the latter case, the
check digit is calculated automatically and added to the barcode data.
Example (EAN13): If you enter 12 digits (= utilizable data), the 13th digit (= the checksum
digit) is computed and added automatically. If you enter 13 digits, the check digit is replaced
by your data and is not calculated.
Check digit enumeration Enumeration Check digit calculation methods

value
eCDNone 0 No check digit will be computed
eCDStandard 1 Standard check digit of the selected barcode type is used
eCDMod10 2 Modulo 10 (usually used with Interleaved 2of5)
eCDMod43 3 Modulo 43 (suggested for Code39 and LOGMARS, consist of 1 digit)
eCD2Mod47 4 Modulo 47 (2 digits)
eCDDPLeit 5 Method for DP Leitcode
eCDDPIdent 6 Method for DP Identcode
eCD1Code11 7 Method for Code11 (1 digit)
eCD2Code11 8 Method for Code11 (2 digits)
eCDPostnet 9 Method for USPS POSTNET
eCDMSI1 10 Method for MSI (1 digit)
eCDMSI2 11 Method for MSI (2 digits)
eCDPlessey 12 Method for Plessey
eCDEAN8 13 Method for EAN 8
eCDUPCA 15 Method for UPC A
eCDUPCE 16 Method for UPC E
eCDEAN128 17 EAN 128 internal method (Modulo 103)
eCDCode128 18 Code 128 internal method (Modulo 103)
eCDRM4SCC 19 Method for Royal Mail 4 State
eCDPZN 20 Modulo 11 method for PZN
eCDMod11W7 21 Modulo 11 (weighting = 7)
eCDMod10Kor 23 Method for Korean Postal Authority - Modulo 10
eCDMod10Pla 24 Method for Planet - Modulo 10
eCDMod10ItlPst25 25 Method for Italian Postal 2/5 (Modulo 10 based)
eCDMod36 26 Modulo 36 (ISO/IES 7064) for DPD Barcode
eCDMod16 27 Modulo 16 for Codabar Barcode
eCDMod10Luhn 28 Modulo 10 with Luhn Algorithm
eCDVIN 29 Method for VIN (North America)
eCDMod10LuhnRev 30 Modulo 10 with Reverse Luhn Algorithm
eCDMod23PPSN 31 Modulo 23 for PPSN
eCDMod10IMPackage 32 Modulo 10 for Intelligent Mail Package Barcode
eCDMod11W10 33 Modulo 11 (using maximum weight 10)
eCDUPU/ 34 Modulo 11 method for UPU (Universal Postal Union)
eCDSwedishPostal Method for Swedish Postal Shipment Item ID
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eCDMod11W9 35 Modulo 11 (using maximum weight 9)

Table 7: Check Digit Methods and Enumerators
Page 19 of 113
5 Application Identifiers (AI)
5.1 Introduction
Some barcode symbologies (e.g. GS1-128) use Application Identifiers (AIs) in order to provide
information about the structure of the encoded data. Application Identifiers are mostly used in
industry-specific barcode symbologies.
An Application Identifier (AI) is a prefix (built from 2 to 4 characters) used to identify the meaning
and the format of the data that follows. AIs have been defined by GS1 (formerly UCC/EAN) for
identification, traceability data, dates, quantity, measurements, locations, and many other types of
information.
The data presented can be alphanumeric or numeric and with fixed or variable data lengths. The
symbology character FNC1 is used as field separator in connection with variable length data fields.
► Use FNC1 only with variable length data fields

► Do not use FNC1 after the last data field.
Depending on the barcode symbology, you are able to concatenate multiple AIs and encode more
data fields into one symbol. If an AI is of variable length type, you have to separate the next data
field with FNC1. FNC1 is specified in the barcode data with the escape sequence “\F” (see section
4.7).
► For encoding the FNC1, you have to activate Translate Escape Sequences.
► Do not encode the brackets, which are usually used to denote an Application Identifier. TEC-
IT software generates the brackets automatically for the human readable text. The brackets
are not encoded in the barcode itself.
For more information (e.g. a list of all available AIs), please follow the links below:
 https://www.gs1.org/barcodes/technical/genspecs
 https://www.gs1.org/productssolutions/barcodes/technical/genspecs/index.html
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GS1-128
You find additional links in our support area as well:
 https://www.tec-it.com/support/links/barcode.aspx
5.2 Examples
5.2.1 Batch Number
A batch number is encoded with AI 10. The format of AI 10 is “n2 + an..20”. This means the AI has
two digits (10) followed by variable length data with maximum 20 characters.
Description Value
Data (Text property) 10 + Production Number = 1012345678
Human readable text (10)12345678
Encoded data 1012345678
5.2.2 Multiple AIs within one Barcode
Two data fields should be encoded in one barcode. Following fields are used:
Page 20 of 113
Description Value
Item number AI (01) – format n2 + n14
Batch number AI (10) – format n2 + an1...20
Data (Text property) 01+Global Trade Item Number+10+Batch Number = 01123456789012311012345678
Human readable text (01)12345678901231(10)12345678
Encoded data 01123456789012311012345678
► Because AI 01 is a fixed length data field, no FNC1 (field separator) is used.
Description Value
Batch number AI (10) – format n2 + an1...20
Serial number AI (21) – format n2 + an1...20
Data (Text property) 10+Batch Number+\F+21+Serial Number = 10L12345678\F21S12345
Human readable text (10)L12345678(21)S12345
Encoded data 10L12345678FNC121S12345
► The field separator FNC1 (encoded by the sequence „\F“) has to be used because the batch
number (AI 10) is a variable length data field.
5.2.3 GS1-128 with embedded Check Digit
Sometimes it is required to calculate a check digit only for a partial content of a barcode. A good
example is the AI 01 (GTIN) in combination with other data fields within a GS1-128 symbol.
Description Value
AI for GTIN 01
AI for Date 11
GTIN without check digit 1234567890123
Production Date 060606
In our example, the GTIN contains no check digit (e.g. when created based on the EAN-13
number). The check digit has to be generated only for the first 13 digits of the supplied data and not
for the full data content.
Since TBarCode Version 7+, you can use the format property to solve this problem:
Description Value
Format property: 01#############^11######
Data (Text property): 1234567890123060606
Check Digit Method: EAN-14 (Mod-10)
Calculated Check Digit: CD = Mod-10 of (1234567890123) = 1
Result: 01 + 1234567890123 + CD + 11 + 060606
Encoded data: 011234567890123111060606
5.3 GS1 DataBar Expanded / GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked
The mentioned symbologies use an internal data compression algorithm for specific Application
Identifiers. Compression means that the barcode can encode more data or can be made smaller.
This optimization takes effect if the AIs are applied in the following predefined order.
Page 21 of 113
5.3.1 AIs with a Fixed Length
5.3.1.1 AI(01) and Weight
AI (01) must begin with an indicator digit of 9 for variable units
Combinations Description Max. Weight

AI (01) + AI (3103) Weight in kg with 3 decimal places (n.nnn kg) 32.767
AI (01) + AI (3202) Weight in pound with 2 decimal places (n.nn lbs) 999.99
AI (01) + AI (3203) Weight in pound with 3 decimal places (n.nnn lbs) 22.767
Table 8: Fixed length AIs in RSS Expanded / Expanded Stacked Codes
5.3.1.2 AI(01), Weight and Date
Two or three data elements will be used for the barcode:
Combinations Description Addition

AI (01) Must start with 9 for variable units
+ AI (310n) or AI (320n) For declaration of the Weight n = 0..9
+ AI (11), AI (13), AI (15), AI (17) For the Date
Table 9: AIs in GS1 DataBar Expanded / Expanded Stacked Codes
If the date is not required, this order of AIs still leads to a better barcode representation.
5.3.2 AIs with Variable Lengths
5.3.2.1 AI (01) and Price
Combinations Description Addition

AI (01) Must start with 9 for variable units
+ AI (392x) For the price x = 0..3
or + AI (393x) For the price in the ISO currency format x = 0..3
Table 10: Variable length AIs in RSS Expanded / Expanded Stacked Codes
5.3.2.2 AI (01)
► If AI(01) is needed in the barcode, please ensure it is the first AI encoded (for optimal data
representation).
5.4 GS1 Composite Symbology
The GS1 (EAN.UCC) Composite Symbology was designed to hold primary data (like the GTIN or
Shipping Container Code) in the linear symbol and additional data in the 2D Composite Component.
For specific AI combinations in the 2D add-on symbol, it is possible to perform a data compression
(as shown below). This leads to a higher data density (= smaller barcode or more encode able
characters).
5.4.1 Compressed Sequences of AIs
The following AI-sequences can be compressed for higher data efficiency:
Page 22 of 113
Combinations Description
AI (11) + AI (10) Date and Lot-Number
AI (17) + AI (10) Expiration Date und Lot-Number
Table 11: AIs in Composite Codes
5.4.2 AI (90)
AI (90) and the following data (which starts with an upper-case letter or a digit) may be used for
encoding of FACT IDs. Compression takes place only if AI(90) is the first data element of the
sequence.
Page 23 of 113
6 Barcode Symbologies
This chapter describes all supported barcode types. For each barcode, the following values are
specified:
 Symbology Number
This number is used in some TEC-IT products to specify the barcode symbology.
Developers are usually specifying the barcode type via an enumeration, which is
documented in the respective developer documentation.
 Valid characters
Lists the available characters or character sets which can be encoded with the symbology.
 Quiet zone
This is the recommended quiet zone for the barcode symbology in question. Please note
that the quiet zone often depends on your individual application.
 Module width
The recommended minimal module width of the barcode. This value may be adapted to your
special requirements.
 Standard print ratio
This setting describes the print ratio used by TEC-IT software if no custom ratios are
adjusted. For most applications, you can use this default value.
 Ratio format
This value serves as a hint for specifying user defined print ratios.
 Default check digit
Describes, which check digit method is used by default for the barcode symbology in
question. For 2D codes check digits are not applicable, these codes are using an error
correction scheme.
 Possible check digits
Provides information whether additional or user defined check digits methods may be
adjusted
 Size
Describes the requirements with respect to the symbol size (if available)
 Print control1
Control character sequence used by TBarCode/SAPwin (Barcode DLL for SAP®).
6.1 Linear Symbologies (1D Codes)

6.1.1 Bookland
The Bookland barcode encodes the ISBN number in EAN-13 format followed by a 5-digit
supplemental code. The barcode data always consists of the digits ‘978’ (the EAN article identifier),
followed by a 9-digit number and one check digit. You can use the EAN-13 with 5-digits add-on for
encoding. The 5-digit add-on barcode is used to encode the book price. For more information, refer
to section 6.1.39
1
Listed for the most common bar code types. See user manual for the complete list of print controls.
Page 24 of 113
6.1.2 Codabar (Rationalized Version)

Symbology number: 18
Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “-“, “$”, “:”, “/”, ”.”, ”+”, “A”, “B”,
“C”, “D”
Quiet zone: left/right: 10X
Module width: X = 0.19 mm
Standard print ratio: 1:3:1:3
Ratio format: 1B:2B:1S:2S
Default check digit: None (eCDNone)
Possible check digits: User supplied (e.g. Modulo 16)
Symbol size: +/- 0.066mm Module width Deviation
Print control: C=CODA
This code was invented 1972 by Monarch Marking Systems for retail purposes. In 1977 the
American Blood Commission defined Codabar 2 as standard symbology for blood banks (=ABC
Codabar).
The characters “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D” are useable as start or stop characters only. The barcode uses
2 element-widths and 4 different start/stop-characters (A, B, C, and D). These start/stop characters
can be utilized for additional information – e.g. "B1234B". The print ratio should be in the following
range: 1:2 -1:3 (Pr >= 2.25:1). Since the symbology is “self-checking”, there is no established check
sum method.
The symbology is also known as Code 2 of 7, NW-7, ABC Codabar, USD-4, Monarch, Code-27,
Ames code, or Rationalized Codabar.
The “rationalized version” uses 2 different element widths in spite of the original symbology, which
used 18 different element widths (Standard Codabar).
► Use the format property to determine the Start and Stop characters (see section 9.3).
► FedEx is using a special variant of the Codabar barcode. The format of the encoded number
is as follows: XXXX-XXXX-XXXY with a 4-digit ID at the end. The first 12 digits contain the
tracking number. The barcode starts with „C“ (start-character) and ends with „D“ (stop-
character).
6.1.3 Code 11
Symbology number: 1
Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “-“
Module width: X= 0.191 mm
Standard print ratio: 1:2.24:3.48:1:2.24
Ratio format: 1B:2B:3B:1S:2S
Possible check digits: 1 check digit (eCD1Code11) – or
2 check digits (eCD2Code11)
Symbol size: --
This symbology is mainly used in telecommunications for marking equipment and components. It
was invented in 1977 by INTERMEC. It is similar to Code 2 of 5 Matrix. The symbology is not self-
checking therefore two check digits are recommended. Code 11 is a high-density code, but requires
also a high-density output device (mainly because of the print ratio utilized).
Page 25 of 113
6.1.4 Code 128

Valid characters: ASCII-characters between 0..127
Quiet zone: left/right: 10X, min. ¼ inch
Module width: X >= 0.19 mm
Standard print ratio: 1:2:3:4:1:2:3:4
Ratio format: 1B:2B:3B:4B:1S:2S:3S:4S
Default check digit: Automatic (symbology specific).
Modulo 103 (eCDCode128)
Possible check digits: Modulo 10, EAN-14
Symbol size: --
Print control: C=128
Code 128 is heavily used in all areas. It is a modern high-density symbology and was invented 1981
by Computer Identics.
TEC-IT software analyzes input data and chooses the best suitable barcode representation with the
highest data density. This is done by so-called “subset switching”. 3 different internal characters
(=subsets) sets are used:
 Code128A = Upper Case + Non-Printable Characters (ASCII 0-31)

 Code128B = Upper / Lower Case + All Printable Characters
 Code128C = Numeric with doubled density
Code128 uses a built-in check digit (Modulo 103). This check digit is part of the code and cannot be
omitted. It is never printed in the human readable text. Scanners are checking it when reading a
code but do not deliver the check digit to connected systems.
In conjunction with the symbology character "FNC1“, this code is also known as GS1-128 barcode –
see section 6.1.24.
6.1.5 Code 128 Subset A

ABab123+/-
Symbol size: --
Print control: C=128A
This is a variant of Code128, which uses character set (subset) A. It is suitable for encoding upper
case characters + ASCII control sequences. It switches to other Code128 subsets when required.
Page 26 of 113
6.1.6 Code 128 Subset B

Modulo 103 (eCDCode128) ABab123+/-
Symbol size: --
Print control: C=128B
This is a variant of Code128, which uses character set (subset) B. It is suitable for encoding lower &
upper case letters. It switches to other Code128 subsets when required.
6.1.7 Code 128 Subset C

ABab123+/-
Symbol size: --
Print control: C=128C
This is a variant of Code128, which uses character set (subset) C. It is suitable for encoding digits.
It switches to other Code128 subsets when required.
6.1.8 Code 2 of 5 Standard (Code 2 of 5 Matrix)

Symbology number: 2
Valid characters: “0”..”9”
Module width: X>= 0.19 mm
Standard print ratio: 1:3:4.5:1:3
Ratio format: 1B:2B:3B:1S:2S
Possible check digits: Modulo 10 (eCDMod10)
Symbol size: --
Print control: C=25M
This is a self-checking code. It is used for industrial applications, article numbering, photo
development, ticketing.
Page 27 of 113
6.1.9 Code 2 of 5 Data Logic

Symbology number: 6
Module width: --
0123456789
Symbol size: --
This symbology is proprietary variant of Code 2 of 5 Standard.
6.1.10 Code 2 of 5 IATA

Symbology number: 4
Standard print ratio: 1:3:1
Ratio format: 1B:2B:1S
Symbol size: --
Print control: C=25A
This is a self-checking code. Start/stop-characters are identical to Code 2 of 5 Industry. It supports

distance reading (> 1m) and can be printed with very simple printing techniques.
It is used for baggage handling in air-transport applications (International Air Transport Agency =
IATA).
Page 28 of 113
6.1.11 Code 2 of 5 Industrial

Symbology number: 7
Standard print ratio: 1:3:1
Ratio format: 1B:2B:1S
Default check digit: None (eCDNone) 0123456
Symbol size: --
Print control: C=25I
6.1.12 Code 2 of 5 Interleaved

Symbology number: 3
Symbol size: --
Print control: C=25L
Code 2 of 5 Interleaved is in widespread use (article-numbering, industrial applications).
This self-checking code offers high data capacity due to encoding pairs of numbers (the first digit is
encoded in the bars, the second in the spaces). Thus, this symbology can encode only an even
number of digits. If the number of digits is odd, a leading zero will be inserted automatically.
6.1.13 Code 2 of 7
This symbology is identical with Codabar 2 Widths and is known as NW-7 or USD-4. See section
6.1.2
6.1.14 Code 25
Uniform Symbology Specification ITF 2-5. Identical to Code 2 of 5 Interleaved. Another alias is USS
ITF 2-5.
Page 29 of 113
6.1.15 Code 39 (3of9)

Symbology number: 8
Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “A”..”Z”, “-“, “.”, Space, “*”, “$”, “/”,
“+”, “%”
Possible check digits: Modulo 43 (eCDMod43), Modulo 11
Weight 7 (eCDMod11W7)
Symbol size: H>=15% of L (H>=6.3 mm!)
H: Height of the barcode without human
readable text
L: width of the barcode
Print control: C=39
Code 39 is in heavy use in industry, organizations and commerce. It was developed 1974 by
INTERMEC and were standardized by ANSI MH 10.8 M-1983 and MIL-STD-1189.
► The start- and stop characters “*” (asterisk) are created automatically and must not be
included in the input data. They are not displayed in the human readable text.
Code 39 is a self-checking code. Code concatenation is possible (if the first encoded character is a
space, the scanner concatenates subsequent barcodes). Distance reading is possible (> 1m).
6.1.16 Code 32
Valid characters: “0” - “9”
Module width: 0,25 <= X <= 0.254 mm
Standard print ratio: 1:2.5:1:2.5
Default check digit: Module 10 Luhn Reversed
(eCDMod10LuhnRev) A012345676
Possible check digits: Module 10 Luhn Reversed
(eCDMod10LuhnRev)
Symbol size: --
It is used by the Italian Pharma Industry. The code is also called Italian Pharmacode.
The Code 32 number, consisting of 9 digits, is converted to an equivalent Code 39 Barcode of 6

characters. An “A”, which is not encoded, prepends the letter the human readable text.
Page 30 of 113
6.1.17 Code 39 Extended

Symbology number: 9
Possible check digits: Modulo 43 (eCDMod43), Modulo 11
readable text
Print control: C=39E
Code 39 Extended is rarely used because Code 128 offers much better compression. Code 39
Extended uses the same symbology as Code 39 but encodes also lower-case letters and special
characters („+A“ results in a lower case „a“ when scanned). Scanner must be configured correctly
for decoding Code39 Extended.
► The start- and stop characters “*” (asterisk) are created automatically and must not be
included in the input data. They are not displayed in the human readable text.
6.1.18 Code 93
Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “A”..”Z”, “-“, “.”, Space, “$”, “/”, “+”,
“%”
ABC123-/+
Modulo 47 (eCD2Mod47)
Symbol size: --
Print control: C=93
Code 93 was invented 1982 by INTERMEC to achieve better information densities (compared to
Code 39). Code concatenation is possible (if the first encoded character is a space, the scanner
concatenates subsequent barcodes).
6.1.19 Code 93 Extended

Default check digit: Automatic (symbology specific). ABab12-/+
Modulo 47 (eCD2Mod47)
Symbol size: --
Print control: C=93E
Based upon Code 93 but encodes the complete ASCII character set. One of the four available
control characters is used to shift into the ASCII-character table.
Page 31 of 113
6.1.20 DAFT Code

Valid characters: “D”, “A”, “F”, “T” or “d”, “a”, “f”, “t”
Quiet zone: left/right: 2 mm
Module width: --
Standard print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Default check digit: None
Symbol size: --
DAFT Code is no symbology. It is a technique to generate arbitrary postal codes (like for instance
the Australian Postal Codes or the Royal Mail 4 State code).
Each input character stands for a specific bar type and there are 4 different bar types:
 “D” or “d”: Descender

 “A” or “a”: Ascender
 “F” or “f’: Full
 “T” or “t”: Transmitter
6.1.21 DOD LOGMARS
DOD LOGMARS stands for Department of Defense LOGMARS. Same as LOGMARS (see section
6.1.46).
6.1.22 DUN-14
The DUN-14 (Distribution Unit Number) is not a barcode type. It is a numbering system for shipping
containers. The DUN-14 uses the ITF-14 or the EAN-14 barcode symbols. Modern installations
always use the EAN-14 (EAN-128) to encode the DUN-14.
The DUN-14 encodes the following data:
 The first digit represents the number of units in the container: 1=6 units, 2=10 units, 3=12
units, 4=20 units, 5=24 units. (The digits 6, 7, and 8 are standing for other numbers of units.)
 The next 12 digits are representing the product number. In general, this is the EAN-13
number without check digit.
 The last digit is the check digit.
6.1.23 DUNS
This is not a barcode standard. DUNS is a nine-digit number assigned and maintained by Dun and
Bradstreet to identify unique business establishments. DUNS numbers are assigned worldwide and
include US, Canadian, and international organizations.
6.1.24 EAN-128 (GS1-128)
The EAN-128 code was renamed to GS1-128. It is the same as the UCC-128 and sometimes
referenced as UCC/EAN-128 in this document.
Page 32 of 113
(maximum: 48 characters)
Quiet zone: left/right: 10X, min. ¼ in
Module width: see Code128
Standard print ratio: see Code128
Ratio format: see Code128
Modulo 103 (eCDEAN128)
Symbol size: the maximum physical width is 165 mm
Print control: C=G128 / C=E128
The GS1-128 code is based upon Code-128. It has an FNC1 character at the 1st position (after the
start code). This allows scanners and data processing software to differentiate GS1-128 from other
symbologies.
The GS1-128 code is in wide spread use (retail, logistics, food and beverage, etc.). It is used for
marking transport-units in supply chains. Besides the article-number, it encodes quantities, weights,
prices, dates, and other information in a structured way. This is supported by the use of so-called
Application Identifiers (AIs) – see chapter 5. Within the GS1 system, these Application Identifiers
(AIs) prefix the encoded data.
► Please note: The TEC-IT barcode software automatically inserts the FNC1 character at the
beginning and computes the internal check digit (Modulo 103).
6.1.25 EAN-13
Valid characters: “0”..”9”, 12 digits + 1 check digit
Quiet zone: left: 11X, right: 7X
Module width: X=0.33mm
Default check digit: EAN-13 (eCDEAN13)
Possible check digits: User supplied
Symbol size: Standardized symbol sizes (see EAN).
Print control: C=E13
This code is reserved for the International Article Number2 administered by the standards
organization GS1. The numbers encoded into EAN bar codes are known as Global Trade Item
Numbers, for EAN-13, they are called GTIN-13.
EAN 13 is used for identifying articles or products uniquely (often sold at retail point of sale).
Encoded are a 2-digit country code, 5-digits manufacturer code and a 5-digits products code. JAN
and IAN are identical to EAN-13.
The check digit is calculated automatically if it not specified in the input data (that is when only 12
digits are used for creating the code).
2
Formerly European Article Number (EAN)
Page 33 of 113
6.1.26 EAN-13 with 2 Digits Add-On

Quiet zone: left: 7-10X, right: 5X
This symbology extends EAN-13 with two add-on digits (see also EAN-8 with 2 Digits Add-On). The
check digit will be calculated automatically if not specified in the input data (e.g.
978020137968612).

This symbology extends EAN-13 with five add-on digits (see also EAN-8 with 5 Digits Add-On). The
check digit will be calculated automatically if not specified in the input data (e.g.
978020137968612345).
6.1.28 EAN-14
Valid characters: ASCII-characters between 0..127,
13 digits + 1 check digit
Quiet zone: see GS1-128, ITF-14
Module width: see GS1-128, ITF-14
Standard print ratio: see GS1-128, ITF-14
Ratio format: see GS1-128, ITF-14
Symbol size: see GS1-128, ITF-14
EAN-14 is used to encode the GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) for numbering trade items. Within
the GS1 system, you can use 2 symbologies for encoding the GTIN:
 GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128)
 ITF-14.
EAN-14 uses GS1-128 with Application identifier (AI) 01. The AI is prefixed automatically; it must
not be part of the input data. The check digit is calculated automatically if not specified in the input
data (that is when only 13 digits are used).
6.1.29 EAN-18
Same as SSCC-18 (see section 6.1.58).
Page 34 of 113
6.1.30 EAN-8
Symbol size: Standardized symbol sizes. See EAN.
Print control: C=E8
This symbology is derived from the longer EAN-13 bar code and encodes the GTIN-8, which is
another set of product identifiers from the GS1 system.
EAN 8 is used for marking small articles with restricted space. It encodes a unique article number,
which consists of a GS1 prefix, an item reference (no company prefix) and a checksum digit.
The check digit is calculated automatically if not specified in the input data (that is when only seven

Print control: C=E8+2
This symbology extends EAN-8 with two add-on digits which are mainly used for encoding the price
or the weight. The check digit will be calculated automatically if it not specified in the input data (e.g.
9031101712).
This symbology is also used for bar-coding paperbacks or newspapers. In this case, a 2(3) digits
country code and a 4(5) article code are encoded.

Print control: C=E8+5
This symbology extends EAN-8 with five add-on digits which are mainly used for encoding the price
or the weight. The check digit will be calculated automatically if it not specified in the input data (e.g.
072527272077).
Page 35 of 113
6.1.33 FIN Code (Fahrzeug-Identifizierungsnummer)
This code is identical to the VIN Code (Vehicle Identification Number).
6.1.34 Flattermarken
Quiet zone: Application dependent
Module width: 2-3 mm
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Symbol size: Symbol height between 5 and 10mm
Print control: C=FLM
This is a special “barcode” used for recognizing the correct sequence of pages in print shops.
Figure 9: Flattermarken Coding Sample
6.1.35 GS1-128
The GS1-128 is simply another name for the existing EAN-128 (or UCC-128) barcode. The EAN
and UCC standardization organizations founded GS1 in order to globalize (and harmonize) their
different standards. See section 6.1.24.
6.1.36 GTIN
GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number and is not a barcode symbology.
A GTIN is used for the unique identification of trade items worldwide within the GS1 (EAN.UCC)
system. The GTIN may be encoded in UPC-A, EAN-8, EAN-13, EAN-14, ITF-14, and GS1-128
symbologies.
Depending on the number of digits available in the bar code, the GTIN is divided into GTIN-8, GTIN-
12, GTIN-13 and GTIN-14.
Page 36 of 113
6.1.37 HIBC
HIBC is an abbreviation for Health Industry Bar Code. The HIBC is a numbering system – and not a
specific barcode symbology. It is used for product identification codes as well as for worldwide
identification of shipping units.
The primary code contains the manufacturer id, the article number, the package number and a
check digit. The secondary code contains the serial number, the expiration date and the units per
package.
The following symbologies are commonly used for encoding: Code 39, Code 128, Codablock F. For
more information, please refer to section 6.4 and to https://www.hibcc.org.
6.1.38 I-2/5
Short for Code 2 of 5 Interleaved (see section 6.1.12). It is also known as Code 25.
6.1.39 ISBN Code (ISBN 13)

Symbology number: 69 (without add-on) or 23 (with add-on)
Valid characters: “0”..”9”, 12 digits + 1 check digit +
optionally 5 add-on digits
Quiet zone: See EAN13 / EAN13 + 5 Digits
Module width: See EAN13 / EAN13 + 5 Digits
Standard print ratio: See EAN13 / EAN13 + 5 Digits
Ratio format: See EAN13 / EAN13 + 5 Digits
Default check digit: EAN-13 (eCDEAN13) 9 780201 379686
Symbol size: See EAN13 / EAN13 + 5 Digits
Print control: C=ISBN
ISBN is the abbreviation of International Standard Book Number. It uses the symbology EAN-13
and can be optionally extended with 5 Add-On Digits. The add-on is used for additional pricing
information. For more information, please refer to https://www.isbn.org.
The EAN-13 barcode for a book is generated from the ISBN number assigned to it. When encoding
ISBN in an EAN-13 barcode, the ISBN number is preceded by the number 978 and the ISBN check
digit is not used (the rightmost digit of the ISBN). When the ISBN number is encoded in the EAN-13
barcode in this way, it is often called Bookland. A 5-digit add-on barcode is optional and can contain
the price of the book.
► ISBN codes with 10 digits are automatically converted to the newer ISBN with 13 digits!
6.1.39.1 Example
You got the ISBN Number 1-56592-843-1 and a value for the second small barcode (as for the
price) of 90000.
Therefore choose the symbology EAN 13 + 5 Digits encode the following data:
97815659284390000. The check digit is calculated automatically (5).
6.1.39.2 ISBN Additional Data
The smaller barcode, which is on the right side of the ISBN code, is a 5-digit additional code and
can be used for additional information (e.g. like pricing).
Example:
Page 37 of 113
Price Encoded
$10.95 51095
$3.00 50300
$99.99 + 59999
Table 12: ISBN Sample
The preceding digit ”5” (therefore also called EAN-5) marks the price encoded in US Dollar.
Bookstores recommend EAN-5. If there is no price, the value 90000 will be encoded instead (EAN-
9). This value is used when no additional information is available.
► For scanner in US bookstores ISBN, EAN codes are not readable without the 5-digit add-on
(which is called EAN-5 or EAN-9, depending on the first number encoded in the add-on).
First Digit Description

5 $ US
6 $ Canada
4 $ New Zealand
3 $ Australia
0&1 British pounds
Table 13: ISBN Encoding – Country and Currency
Values Description
59999 Price for $100 and more
90000-98999 For internal purposes (BISG recommend 90000 if no price is given)
99000-99999 Reserved for the industry market
99990-99999 Reserved for Nat’l Ass’n College Stores (NACS)
99990 NACS used books
99991 NACS copies
Table 14: ISBN Encoding – Price Samples
6.1.40 ISBT-128
This is the International Standard for the transfer of information associated with tissue transplan-
tation and Blood Transfusion. It provides a globally unique donation numbering system, inter-
nationally standardized product definitions, and standard data structures for bar-coding and
electronic data interchange.
It uses (but is not limited to) Code128B. For more information, please refer to https://iccbba.org.
6.1.41 ISMN
Quiet zone: See EAN13
Module width: See EAN13
Standard print ratio: See EAN13
Ratio format: See EAN13
Default check digit: EAN-13 (eCDEAN13) 9 790123 456785
Symbol size: See EAN13
ISMN stands for International Standard Music Number. The ISMN is a standardized international
code, which identifies printed music.
Page 38 of 113
The digits 9790 precede the ISMN. The ISMN (=EAN-13) check digit is calculated and appended
automatically!
For more information, please refer https://www.ismn-international.org/.
6.1.42 ISSN
Symbology number: 26 (without add-on) or 27 (with add-on)
Valid characters: “0”..”9”, 12 digits + 1 check digit +
optionally 2 add-on digits
Quiet zone: See EAN13 / EAN13 + 2 Digits
Module width: See EAN13 / EAN13 + 2 Digits
Standard print ratio: See EAN13 / EAN13 + 2 Digits
Ratio format: See EAN13 / EAN13 + 2 Digits
9 771234 567898
Symbol size: See EAN13 / EAN13 + 2 Digits
ISSN stands for International Standard Serial Number. The ISSN is a standardized international
code, which identifies any serial publication independently of its country of origin, its language or
alphabet, or its frequency, medium, etc.
The digits 977 precede the ISSN. The check digit of an 8-digit ISSN code (the last of the 8 digits)
must be omitted! A two-digit price code, usually "00", is added to the end. Finally, the EAN-13 check
digit (calculated automatically by TEC-IT software) is added.
Optionally the issue number can be appended as 2-digit add-on.
For more information, please refer to https://www.issn.org/.
6.1.43 ITF-14
Valid characters: 13 digits + 1 check digit
Module width: 0.051 – 1.02 mm (nominal size)
Standard print ratio: 1:2.5:1:2.5
Default check digit: Mod-10 (eCDMod10)
Symbol size: 152.43 x 41.60 mm at nominal size
(including Quiet Zone and Bearer Bars)
Print control: C=I14
ITF-14 encodes the GTIN-14, this is a 14-digit number used to identify trade items at various
packaging levels (also referred as GTIN).
ITF-14 bases on the Code 2 of 5 Interleaved symbology. It encodes 14 digits (13 usable digits + 1
modulo 10 check digit). The check digit method complies with the EAN-14 method.
ITF-14 uses “Bearer Bars”, these are horizontal or surrounding bars, to prevent misreads.
► Symbol size and Bearer Bars are depending on printing method and scanning environment
– for details please follow the GS1 specification.
► When using vertical Bearer Bars, they must have at least a distance of 10 modules to the
bar code. This is why you have to adjust a minimum of 12 modules for the quiet zone to see
a vertical Bearer Bar in TEC-IT Software.
Page 39 of 113
6.1.44 JAN
JAN is the abbreviation for Japanese Article Number. This code uses EAN-13 symbology. The first
two digits have to be either 45 or 49 for identifying Japan.
6.1.45 LAETUS-Code
Same as the Pharmacode One-Track (see section 6.1.51).
6.1.46 LOGMARS
Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “A”..”Z”, “+“, “-”, “*”, “/”, ”.”, ”$”,
Space
Module width: X>=0.19 mm
Possible check digits: Modulo 43 (eCDMod43), Modulo 11 AB12$+
H: Height of barcode symbol without
human readable text
L: Width of barcode
This is a special variant of Code 39 used by the U.S. Department of Defense. This standard defines
acceptable ranges for a number of variables, include density, ratio, bar height, and size of the
human-readable interpretation line. The modulo-43 check digit, which is optional for Code 39, is de-
fined and recommended in the specification.
6.1.47 MSI
Module width: --
Default check Digit: MSI 1 digit (eCDMSI1) 012345674
Possible check digits: User supplied and MSI 2 digit (eCDMSI2)
Symbol size: 14 digits incl. check digits
Print control: C=MSI
The MSI-Code is a variant of the Plessey-Code. MSI uses various check digit calculation methods -
TEC-IT implemented the two most common used. Please contact TEC-IT if you need a different
one.
Page 40 of 113
6.1.48 NTIN Code

Valid characters: depending on field numeric or
alphanumeric
Quiet zone: left/right/ top/bottom: 1X
Module width: --
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Symbol size: see Notes
The content of the NTIN Code is specified by GS1. It was developed in order to get unique
pharmaceutical product codes on an international level. It embeds the already existing national
coding systems, like PZN in Germany.
The NTIN Code bases on the Data Matrix symbology with GS1 format. It splits into following fields
(with AI(xx) as the GS1 Application Identifier number):
 product code (=NTIN, AI(01), mandatory)

 serial number (AI(21), optional)
 batch number (AI(10), optional)
 expiry date (AI(17), optional)
The <FNC1> character separates the fields if needed. Each field is prefixed with the according GS1
Application Identifier.
The product code consists of following parts:
 Leading “0” to gain 14 digits

 GS1 prefix that defines the agency that is responsible for the product code
(e.g. “4150” for PZN)
 Registered Product Number
(e.g. the PZN8 in Germany - see Pharma Zentralnummer (PZN))
 NTIN check digit
6.1.49 NVE-18 (Nummer der Versandeinheit)

Check digit method: Modulo10
Default check digit: Modulo10
Ratio format: 1B:2B:3B:4B:1S:2S:3S:4S (00)123456789012345675
Modulo 10 (eCDMod10) and Modulo 103
(eCDEAN128)
Symbol size: --
NVE stands for “Nummer der Versandeinheit” (a German term for tracking number). This code uses
an EAN-128 symbology with a prefixed Application Identifier (AI) 00. The AI “00” is inserted automa-
tically and must not be included in the input data. It is similar to SSCC-18.
6.1.50 NW-7
This symbology is identical with Codabar 2 Widths and is known as Code 2 of 7.
Page 41 of 113
The Japanese version of the Codabar 2 Widths barcode is called NW7. Another name for this
symbology is Code 2 of 7 – see section 6.1.2
The following symbols can be encoded in NW7: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, -, $, /, ., +
6.1.51 Pharmacode One-Track

Valid characters: “0”..”9” or binary
Module width: 2-3 mm
Standard print ratio: 1:3:2:4:2:3
Ratio format: 1B:2B:1C:2C:1S:2S 111111
Symbol size: 5-10 mm height
LAETUS® invented this code. It is used in pharmaceutical areas. Pharmacode supports colored
bars. The data for the bars/spaces is encoded directly in the property Text:
 “0” is used for a narrow bar (the width of these bars are enlarged after a color change,
according to ratio 1C)
 “1” is used for a wide bar (the width of these bars are enlarged after a color change,
according to ratio 2C)
 “b” is used for a narrow bar
 “c” is used for a wide bar
When using colored bars, the color is specified by the escape sequence \Crrggbb (where rrggbb is
an RGB value; each letter stands for a hexadecimal digit (0-f); rr stands for the red, gg for the
green, and bb for the blue value part). The sequence \Cx resets the color to default. The barcode
Format must be set to D and EscapeSequences must be activated.
The data for the barcode in the example above is as follows (the color escape sequence is not
displayed in the human readable text): 111\C2a3282111.
6.1.52 Pharmacode Two-Track

Valid characters: numeric [0..9] and generic;
Module width: --
Ratio format: 1B:1S
This code was invented and specified by LAETUS®. Pharmacode assigns numeric values to the
bars. It is used for medicine packing in pharmaceutically area; for small labels. Usually Pharmacode
is printed without a human readable text.
The dimensions are:
 2-track bar width: 1 mm

 space bars: 1 mm
 bar height above/below: 4-6 mm
 height of the long bar: 8-12 mm
It offers a high printing tolerance and is readable very fast (200 readings per second).
Page 42 of 113
6.1.53 Pharmacy Product Number Code (PPN Code)

Valid characters: depending on field numeric or
alphanumeric
Module width: --
Ratio format: 1B:1S
The content of the Pharmacy Product Number Code is specified by the IFA. It was developed in
order to get unique pharmaceutical product codes on an international level. It embeds the already
existing national coding systems, like PZN in Germany.
The PPN Code bases on the Data Matrix symbology with format Macro 06. It splits into following
fields:
 product code (=PPN, mandatory)

 NTIN (optional)
 serial number (optional)
 batch number (optional)
 expiry date (optional)
The group separator character <GS> (ASCII 29) separates the fields. Each field is prefixed with a
unique field ID.
The product code consists of following three parts:
 Product Registration Agency Code

It defines the agency that is responsible for the product codes. E.g. “11” is assigned to
German PZN (see Pharma Zentralnummer (PZN))
 Registered Product Number
(e.g. the PZN8 in Germany)
 2 check digits
Page 43 of 113
6.1.54 Pharma Zentralnummer (PZN)
6.1.54.1 PZN7: 6 Digits + 1 Check Digit (valid until 2012/12/31)

Quiet zone: see Code 39
Module width: see Code 39
Standard print ratio: see Code 39
Ratio format: see Code 39
PZN -1234562
Default check digit: PZN check digit (eCDPZN)
Symbol size: see Code 39
6.1.54.2 PZN8: 7 Digits + 1 Check Digit (valid from 2013/01/01)

Quiet zone: see Code 39
Module width: see Code 39
Standard print ratio: see Code 39
Ratio format: see Code 39
Default check digit: PZN check digit (eCDPZN) PZN -12345678
Symbol size: see Code 39
PZN uses Code 39 as the base symbology. It uses a special check digit and the human readable
text always contains the prefix “PZN-“, which is not encoded in the barcode data.
PZN7 is valid until the end of 2012 and will be replaced by PZN8 with the beginning of year 2013.
PZN7 numbers will stay valid but are going to be extended to eight digits by a leading “0”.
6.1.55 Plessey Code

Valid characters: numeric [0..9] A, B, C, D, E, F
Module width: --
ABC123B3
Default check digit: Plessey (eCDPlessey)
Symbol size: --
Plessey code is in use primarily in libraries. It is a pulse-width modulated code and was developed
by Plessey Company Limited in UK. The basic encoding principle in Plessey Code was used by
MSE Data Corporation to construct its MSI barcode.
The check digit is calculated with a polynomial CRC algorithm and is always part of the symbology.
6.1.56 Rational Codabar
Is the same as Codabar – see section 6.1.2.
6.1.57 SCC-14
Shipping Container Code – see DUN-14.
Page 44 of 113
6.1.58 SSCC-18
Quiet zone: see EAN 128, sometimes ¼ inch
Module width: see EAN 128
Default check digit: Automatic (symbology specific). (00)012345678901234560
Modulo 10 (eCDMod10) and Modulo 103
(eCDEAN128)
Symbol size: see GS1-128
Print control: C=SSCC18
SSCC-18 is used for encoding the Serial Shipping Container Code. It is used for the unique
identification of trade items worldwide. SSCC-18 bases on the GS1-128 symbology with Application
Identifier (AI) 00. The check digit is encoded automatically if 17 digits are used for the input data.
The structure of the SSCC-18 is as follows:
 The first two digits represent the Application Identifier (AI). The AI is always ‘00’.
 The next digit is the Packaging Identifier.
 The Packaging Identifier is followed by the ILN (the International Location Number) of the
manufacturer (7 digits).
 The next 9 digits represent the Carton Serial Number.
 The last digit is the check digit.
6.1.59 Telepen Alpha

Valid characters: ASCII characters between 0..127
Quiet zone: n/a
12Az
Symbol size: --
Telepen Alpha is the alphanumeric variant of Telepen.
6.1.60 Telepen
Valid characters: pairs of digits, pairs of one digit with an
‘X’
Quiet zone: n/a
Ratio format: 1B:2B:1S:2S 0123456X
Symbol size: --
Telepen can encode pairs of characters only. A pair must consist of 2 digits or of one digit and the
letter ‘X’.
6.1.61 UCC-128
Same as the EAN-128 (see section 6.1.24).
Page 45 of 113
6.1.62 UPC 12 Digits
Same as the UPC-A (see section 6.1.63).
6.1.63 UPC Version A

Quiet zone: 9X
Module width: 0,33 mm
Default check digit: UPC-A (eCDUPCA)
Symbol size: H=26.26mm; B=37.29mm; variations
allowed (see UPC-A spec).
Print control: C=UA
UPC A is used in the United States for marking of products in retail applications (similar to EAN).
The numbers encoded into UPC bar codes are known as Global Trade Item Numbers, for UPC-A
they are called GTIN-12.
UPC-A is mainly used for scanning of trade items at the point of sale. The article number is
maintained by GS1 US and identifies manufacturer and product uniquely.
The code (11 digits + 1 check digit) is built from one system-digit, five digits manufacturer code and
five digits product code. The check digit is calculated automatically if not specified in the input data
(that is when only 11 digits are used for the code).
6.1.64 UPC Version A, 2 Digits Add-On

Module width: see UPC-A 12
Standard print ratio: see UPC-A
Ratio format: see UPC-A
Default check digit: UPC-A (eCDUPCA) 7 25272 72070
Symbol size: see UPC-A
Print control: C=UA+2
It is identical to UPC-A, but with 2 add-on digits. The check digit will be calculated automatically if it
is not specified in the input data (e.g. 72527272070712). The check digit is not displayed in the
human readable text.
Page 46 of 113
6.1.65 UPC Version A, 5 Digits Add-On

Module width: see UPC-A 12345
Standard print ratio: see UPC-A
Ratio format: see UPC-A
Default check digit: UPC-A (eCDUPCA) 7 25272 72070
Symbol size: see UPC-A
Print control: C=UA+5
It is identical to UPC-A, but with two add-on digits. The check digit will be calculated automatically if
it is not specified in the input data (e.g. 72527272070712345). The check digit is not displayed in
the human readable text.
6.1.66 UPC Version E

Quiet zone: left: 9X, right: 7X
Module width: --
Default check digit: UPC-E (eCDUPCE) 0 123456 5
Symbol size: --
Print control: C=UCE
UPC-E is used for product marking and article bar coding. The code must begin with “0” or “1”. The
check digit is computed automatically if it is not specified in the input data (that is when only seven
6.1.67 UPC Version E, 2 Digits Add-On

Valid Digits: “0”..”9”, 9 digits + 1 check digit
Module width: see UPC-E 12
Default check digit: see UPC-E
Ratio format: see UPC-E
Check digit method: UPC-E (eCDUPCE) 0 123456
Symbol size: --
Print control: C=UCE+2
This code is identical to UPC Version E, but with two add-on digits. The check digit will be
calculated automatically if not specified in the input data (e.g. 0123456512). The check digit is not
displayed in the human readable text.
Page 47 of 113
6.1.68 UPC Version E, 5 Digits Add-On

Valid Digits: “0”..”9”, 12 digits + 1 check digit
Module width: see UPC-E 12345
Standard print ratio: see UPC-E
Ratio format: see UPC-E
Default check digit: UPC-E (eCDUPCE) 0 123456
Symbol size: --
Print control: C=UCE+5
This code is identical to UPC Version E, but with two add-on digits. The check digit will be
calculated automatically if not specified in the input data (e.g. 0123456512345). The check digit is
not displayed in the human readable text.
6.1.69 UPC SCS (Shipping Container Symbols)
UPC SCS stands for Shipping Container Symbol. ITF-14 is based on Code 2 of 5 interleaved as
barcode symbology, but is rendered with bearer bars.
Figure 10: UPC Shipping Container Symbol (SCS)
The UPC Shipping Container Symbol (SCS) is very similar in structure to the Universal Product
Code (UPC). Both employ a unique GS1/UCC company prefix (assigned by GS1) and a 1 to 5-digit
item number (assigned by the manufacturer, depending on the number of digits in the company-
prefix). Each employs a check digit at the end of the code.
The SCS also has a packaging indicator field preceding the UCC company prefix. Its symbology is
called Interleaved 2 of 5 (I-2/5) and uses a series of wide and narrow bands and spaces to
represent digits and is surrounded on two or four sides by a frame called a bearer.
The packaging indicator (historically called an assortment indicator) can be any single digit (except
8, which is reserved for future use):
Page 48 of 113
Packaging Description
Indicator
0 Is always used when the UPC code on the case and on the individual items inside the case are
different or when both a UPC Version A symbol and a UPC Shipping Container Symbol (I-2/5) must
appear on the same carton (for products where the shipping container also acts as the package for
the consumer product).
1 Is used traditionally when the UPC code on the case and on the individual items inside the case
are the same.
1-7 Can be used to signify a range of packaging levels
8 Reserved for future use
9 Is used only to signify a variable content shipment. The 9 indicates to the scanner that a mandatory
variable content add-on symbol follows the primary symbol.
Table 15: Shipping Container Symbol Packaging Indicator
6.1.70 USD-4
This symbology is identical with Codabar 2 Widths and is known as Code 2 of 7 and as NW-7.
6.1.71 USS ITF 2-5
Uniform Symbology Specification ITF 2-5. Identical to Code 2 of 5 Interleaved. Another alias is
Code 25.
6.1.72 USS Code 128
USS Code 128 stands for Uniform Symbology Specification Code 128. It is identical to Code 128.
6.1.73 USS Code 39
USS Code 39 stands for Uniform Symbology Specification Code 39. It is identical to Code 39.
6.1.74 VIN Code (Vehicle Identification Number)

Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “A”..”Z” (without “I”, “O”, and “Q”)
Default check digit: None (eCDNone) VB1YYY1JX3M386752
Possible check digits: VIN (eCDVin)
readable text
VIN Code is used for vehicle identification. It bases on Code 39, but does not contain start and stop
characters. The set of valid characters consists of digits and upper case letters. The letters “I”, “O”,
and “Q” are not allowed because they could be easily mixed up with the digits “0”, and “1”.
VIN Code is implemented differently in Europe and North America. Both kinds are compatible but
the North American version is defined more strictly. Therefore, the check digit calculation method is
only valid for the North American implementation of the code.
Page 49 of 113
6.2 Postal Codes (Linear/1D)

6.2.1 Australian Post Customer
Valid characters: “0”..”9”, 8 digits
Quiet-zone: left/right: 6 mm, top/bottom: 2 mm
Module width: --
Ratio format: 1B:1S 12345678
Size: see Notes
Print control: see Notes
Print control: C=APC37
The Australian Post for marking shipments uses this barcode. Special code variants are available
for redirections, replies and so on. The barcode height is between 4.2mm and 5.8mm. The module
width should be adjusted to 0.47 mms. Usual no readable text is displayed. The length will depend
on the use of additional bars (code variants Customer 2 and Customer 3).
Due to its number of bars (37) Australian Post Customer is also called Australia Post 37-CUST.

Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “A”..”Z”, “a”..”z”, Space, “#”
Quiet zone: left/right: 6 mm, top/bottom: 2 mm
Module width: --
Standard print ratio: 1:1 12345678ABab
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Symbol size: see Australian Post Customer
This is the same barcode as the Australian Post Standard Customer, but with additional five
characters for customer specific data. The first eight characters must be digits. This symbology is
also called Australia Post 52-CUST (Due to its 52 bars).

Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “A”..”Z”, “a”..”z”, Space, “#”
Module width: --
Standard print ratio: 1:1 12345678ABCabc
Ratio format: 1B:1S
This is the same barcode as the Australian Post Standard Customer, but with additional 10
characters for customer specific data. The first 8 characters must be digits. This symbology is also
called Australia Post 67-CUST (Due to its 67 bars).
6.2.4 Australian Post Redirection

Quiet zone: left/right: 6 mm, top/bottom: 2 mm 12345678
Module width: --
Page 50 of 113

Ratio format: 1B:1S
6.2.5 Australian Post Reply Paid

Module width: --
Standard print ratio: 1:1 12345678
Ratio format: 1B:1S
6.2.6 Australian Post Routing

Module width: --
Ratio format: 1B:1S
6.2.7 Brazilian CEPNet / Brazilian Postal Code

Quiet zone: vertical: 1/25 inch
horizontal: 1/8 inch
Module width: --
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Default check digit: POSTNET (eCDPostNet)
Symbol size: 8 digits, 1 check digit
This code is used by the Brazilian Postal Services. An 8 digit ZIP-code is encoded. The check digit
is calculated automatically. It cannot be specified in the input data.
The barcode height should be adjusted to 3.2 mms; the module width to 0.423 mms; usually no
plain text is displayed. The encoding is based on US Postal codes.
Page 51 of 113
6.2.8 Deutsche Post Identcode

Module width: --
01.234 567.86
DP Identcode (eCDDPIdent)
Symbol size: --
Deutsche Post uses this symbology. The code is a Code 2 of 5 interleaved enhanced with a special
check digit calculation.
6.2.9 Deutsche Post Leitcode

Module width: --
01234.567.86
DP Leitcode (eCDDPLeit)
Symbol size: --
Deutsche Post uses this symbology. The code is a Code 2 of 5 Interleaved enhanced with a special
check digit calculation. It is used for encoding the ZIP-Code, Street and number of the shipment.
6.2.10 DPD Code

Symbol size: --
DPD Code is used by DPD (Deutscher Paket Dienst). It bases on Code 128 and is limited to 28
encoded characters. The encoded data and the human readable text differ slightly.
The barcode data is specified as follows

IPPPPPPPTTTTTTTTTTTTTTSSSCCC
Whereas the human readable text is defined as:

PPPPPPPTTTTTTTTTTTTTTSSSCCCD
With:
Character Description Data Type Length

I Identifier (in barcode data only) Alphanumeric 1
P Destination postal code Alphanumeric 7
X Depot number (first part of the tracking number) Alphanumeric 4
Page 52 of 113
L Serial number (second part of the tracking number) Numeric 10

S Service Code Numeric 3
C Destination Country Code Numeric 3
D Check digit modulo 36 (in human readable text only) Alphanumeric 1
Table 16: DPD Format
6.2.11 Italian Postal Code 2 of 5

Default check digit: None (eCDMod10ItlPst25)
Symbol size: --
Italian Postal Code 2 of 5 is based upon Code 2 of 5 Interleaved, but it is limited to 12 digits (11
usable digits + 1 modulo 10 check digit).
6.2.12 Japanese Postal Code

Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “A”..”Z”, “-“,
7 digits (ZIP code) + additional data
Quiet zone: left/right/top/bottom: 2 mm
Module width: --
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Symbol size: --
This code is used by the Japanese Postal system. You can encode 7 digits followed by block and
street number (uppercase alphanumeric). The special compaction mode of Japanese characters
can be enabled on demand– see below.
6.2.12.1 Direct Encoding Mode

Description Value
Format Property “” (default=empty)
Postal code 2730102 (no hyphen ‘-‘)
Address B 3-20-5B604
Barcode text Postal code + Address B (no space between)
Barcode text 27301023-20-5B604
Encoded data in the symbol 27301023-20-5B604
6.2.12.2 Japanese Extraction Mode
Format parameter “J” triggers data extraction from the Japanese Address B field.
Description Value
Format Property ”J” (= Enable Japanese Compaction)
Postal code 273-0102 (can contain ‘-‘)
Address B
Barcode text Postal code + Address B
Barcode text 273-0102
Page 53 of 113
Encoded data in the symbol 27301023-20-5B604 (after compaction)

Encoding SHIFT JIS (CP932)
► In TBarCode DLL you have two possibilities:

- Provide the data in UNICODE with BCSetTextW(..) and use BCSetCodepage (Shift JIS)3.
- Provide the data in Shift JIS with BCSetTextA(..) and use BCSetEncodingMode (LowByte).
► In TBarCode OCX and TBarCode .NET you set CodePage = Japanese Shift JIS.
6.2.12.3 Standard Dimensions
To draw the barcode according to the specification please follow these steps:
► Set the module width to 0.577mm (DLL-function: BCSetModWidth (pBC, "577"))

► Set the height of the „Bounding Rectangle“ in the draw function to 3.5 mm
► Switch off the display of the human readable text
6.2.13 KIX – Dutch Postal Code

Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “A”..”Z”, “a”..”z”
Quiet zone: left/right/top/bottom: 2 mm
Module width: 0.38-0.63 mm
2500GG30250
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Symbol size: --
This code is used by the Dutch Postal system.
6.2.14 Korean Postal Authority

Check digit method: Check digit included in the code
Quiet zone: 10X (not exactly specified)
Module width: --
Standard print ratio: 1:3:4 1234569
Ratio format: 1B:1S:2S
Modulo10 (eCDMod10Kor)
Symbol size: --
This code is used by the Korean Postal system. Encoded are a 6-digit ZIP and one check digit.
6.2.14.1 Example
Description Value
Post number 305-600
Barcode Text property 305600 (no hyphen, 6 digits)
Encoded data in the symbol 0065036
The check digit (7th digit marked red) is calculated automatically.
.
Parameters: width = 70, height = 4 mm, module width = 0.417 mm
3
Shift JIS will be the default code page for Japanese Postal in TBarCode SDK 10.2.6 and later.
Page 54 of 113
► Hint: Is scanned from right to left, so the data is encoded in the reverse order. The check
digit is added at the right side, so it is the first digit read by a scanner.
6.2.15 Planet 12 (Deprecated)

Quiet zone: left/right: 1/25 inch
top/bottom: 1/8 inch
Module width: --
123456789014
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Default check digit: Modulo 10 Planet (eCDMod10Pla)
Symbol size: 11 digits + 1 check digit
This code was developed for the United States Postal Services. It is a 3-of-5 variant of the
POSTNET barcode. It was fully superseded by Intelligent Mail® Barcode (6.2.25) by January 28,
2013.
6.2.16 Planet 14 (Deprecated)

Quiet zone: left/right: 1/25 inch
top/bottom: 1/8 inch
Module width: --
12345678901239
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Default check digit: Modulo 10 Planet (eCDMod10Pla)
Symbol size: 13 digits + 1 check digit
This code was developed for the United States Postal Services. It is a 3-of-5 variant of the
POSTNET barcode. It was fully superseded by Intelligent Mail® Barcode (6.2.25) by January 28,
2013.
6.2.17 Royal Mail 4 State (RM4SCC)

Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “A”..”Z”
Module width: --
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Symbol size: max. 9 digits without check digits
Print control: C=RM
This code is a height-modulated code using 4 different vertical bars. It is used in mass-mailing
applications (Cleanmail, Mailsort) of the Royal Mail, United Kingdom and Singapore (called SinPost
barcode). Encoded are ZIPs.
6.2.18 Royal Mail Complex Mail Data Mark (CMDM) Mailmark® Barcode
Royal Mail CMDM Mailmark is just an old name of the Royal Mail Mailmark 2D barcode.
Page 55 of 113
6.2.19 Royal Mail Mailmark® 2D Barcode

Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “A”..”Z”, “ “ (Space), 45 chars
fixed length + variable customer part
Module width: 0.5 – 0.7 mm
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Symbol size: 12 x 12 mm, 16 x 16 mm, 8 x 24 mm
The Mailmark 2D is based upon Data Matrix ECC200 (ISO/IEC 16022, version 2006) and is used
by the Royal Mail for postal services. In addition, the Mailmark™ 2D barcode uses a specific format
and data structure defined by the Royal Mail for their purposes.
A Mailmark™ 2D barcode can be any of the following Data Matrix formats:
 Format 7 (24 x 24 modules), total capacity 51 characters, 6 characters for customer use.
6.2.19.1 Data Structure
The Mailmark™ 2D barcode is differentiated from other Data Matrix symbols by the first 6
characters of the data within the barcode:
 UPU identifier – 1 Characters (J), Country ID – 3 Characters (e.g. GBA, or GB<SPACE>),

Product type ID – 1 Character, Version ID – 1 Character
Each field within any CMDM is of a fixed and defined length. The length in total (except customer
part) is 45 characters. Missing or optional attributes must be filled with the SPACE character.
► For more information, we refer to the Royal Mail Mailmark® barcode definition document.
Sample data content (Format 9, 45 characters Mailmark™ data + 41 characters customer data):
JGB 010100000700009001B707RH1A 0SN35XX ABCDEFGHIJ1234567890ABCDEFGHIJ1234567890A
6.2.19.2 Customer Content
Each format has a reserved space for customers and/or mailing houses to place information. The
amount of space depends on the barcode type and characters/encoding used.
6.2.19.3 Encoding
All data within the Royal Mail defined portion of the code shall comply with the C40 character set
(upper case alphanumeric, numeric and SPACE characters) and C40 encoding scheme of Data
Matrix. The customer content field does not need to comply with this encoding.
► TBarCode uses the proper encoding if you select the “eBC_2D_Mailmark” symbology.
Page 56 of 113
6.2.20 Royal Mail Mailmark® 4-state Barcode

Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “A”..”Z”, “ “ (Space)
Quiet zone: left/right/ top/bottom: 2 mm
Module width: 0.38 – 0.63 mm
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Symbol size: depending on variant either 22 or 26
characters
This code is a height-modulated code using four different vertical bars. It is defined and used by the
Royal Mail for postal services.
Following variants of Mailmark 4-state are used:
 Variant C (22 characters, 66 modules), available to customers who consolidate mailings.

 Variant L (26 characters, 78 modules), available to all customers.
Each field within any Mailmark 4-state is of a fixed and defined length. The length in total must be
either 22 (for variant C) or 26 characters (for variant L). Missing or optional attributes must be filled
with the SPACE character.
► For more information we refer to the Royal Mail Mailmark® barcode definition document
6.2.21 Singapore Post 4-State Customer Code (SinPost)
Singaporean Postcode – identical with Royal Mail 4 State (RM4SCC).
6.2.22 Singapore Post
The Singapore Post 4 State Customer Code is the same as the RM4SCC.
6.2.23 Swedish Postal Shipment Item ID

Valid characters: 2 letters + 8 digits + 1 digit check digit +
”SE”.
Module width: X >= 0.28mm
Default check digit: UPU check digit (Universal Postal Union)
(eCDUPU)
Symbol size: H >= 9mm (for details see Swedish
Postal spec).
This Code bases upon Code 128 and is used on Swedish Postal labels. The code consists of:
 2-digit letter prefix

 8-digit serial number
 1-digit check digit (mod 11)
 "SE" as application identifier
The check digit is calculated according to weighted modulo 11 method for Universal Postal Union
(for 8 digits).
Page 57 of 113
6.2.24 UPU S10 – Generic Postal Code

Valid characters: 2 letters + 8 digits + 1 digit check digit + 2
letters.
Module width: X >= 0.28mm
Default check digit: UPU check digit (Universal Postal Union)
(eCDUPU)
Symbol size: H >= 9mm.
This Code bases upon Code 128 and is used on Postal labels in various countries. The code
consists of:
 2-digit letter prefix

 8-digit serial number
 1-digit check digit (mod 11)
 2-digit country code
The check digit is calculated according to weighted modulo 11 method for Universal Postal Union
(for eight digits).
6.2.25 USPS Intelligent Mail® Barcode or IM® Barcode

Valid characters: “0”..”9”, 20 digits + 0, 5, 9, or 11-digit ZIP
Code.
Module width: --
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Symbol size: Up to 31 digits
Print control: C=IMB
This symbology is also known as
 OneCode 4CB
 USPS 4CB
 4-CB
 4-State Customer Barcode
 USPS OneCode Solution Barcode.
The following data is encoded:
 Barcode ID (1st digit: 0-9; 2nd digit: 0-4)

 Special services (range: 000-999)
 Customer ID (range: 000000-999999)
 Sequence number (range: 000000000-999999999)
 Delivery point ZIP code (0, 5, 9, or 11-digit ZIP code)
Page 58 of 113
6.2.26 USPS Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode

Valid characters: “0”..”9” + FNC1, Routing Information: 0, 8,
or 12 digits + Tracking Information: 22 to
26 digits.
Module width: --
Ratio format: 1B:1S 9102 8052 1368 3062 5229 20
Default check digit: Modulo 10 (USPS IM Package)
(eCDMod10IMPackage)
Symbol size: 22 to 34 digits
The barcode data consists of Routing Information and Tracking Information. The Routing
Information is optional. It is not printed in the human visible text and consists of:
 Postal Code Application Identifier (AI): always 420

 Destination ZIP Code (5 or 9 digits)
The tracking information is mandatory. It is printed in the human readable text 3 types of tracking
information exist: commercial mailer constructs, online constructs, and retail constructs.
 Commercial Mailer Constructs:

- Channel Application Identifier (92 or 93)
- Service Type Code (3 digits)
- Mailer Identifier (6 or 9 digits)
- Serial Number (if Mailer Identifier has 9 digits: 7 or 11 digits, otherwise: 10 or 14 digits)
- Check Digit
 Online Constructs:
- Channel Application Identifier (94)
- Source Identifier (2 digits)
- Mailer Identifier (6 or 9 digits)
- Serial Number (5 or 8 digits)
- Check Digit
 Retail Constructs:
- Channel Application Identifier (95)
- Channel Identifier (1 digit)
- Device ID (6 digits)
- Julian Date (4 digits)
- Serial Number (5 digits)
- Check Digit
Page 59 of 113
6.2.27 USPS Postnet (Deprecated)
The subsequent listed USPS® Postnet bar codes were retired effective January 28, 2013. Mailers
must use a Basic or Full-Service Intelligent Mail® bar code (see section 6.2.25).
6.2.27.1 USPS Postnet 5

Module width: --
123455
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Print control: C=PSN5
The United States Postal Services used this code for mass-mailing applications. Encoded are a 5
digit ZIP-code. The check digit is calculated automatically (not specified in the input data).
plain text is displayed.
The newer USPS Intelligent Mail® Barcode or IM® Barcode (4-State Customer Barcode)
additionally includes a 20 digits tracking code.
6.2.27.2 USPS POSTNET 6

Module width: --
123455
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Same as POSTNET 5, but the check digit can be specified (the sixth digit).

Valid characters: “0”..”9”, 9 + 1 check digit
Module width: --
1234567895
Ratio format: 1B:1S
The United States Postal Services used this code for mass-mailing applications. Encoded are a 5-
digit ZIP-code and four additional digits. The check digit is computed automatically; it cannot be
specified in the input data.
Page 60 of 113

Module width: --
1234567895
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Same as POSTNET 9, but the check digit can be specified (the 10th digit).

Module width: --
Ratio format: 1B:1S
The United States Postal Services used this code for mass-mailing applications. Encoded are a 5-
digit ZIP-code and 4 to 9 additional digits. The check digit is calculated automatically. It cannot be
specified in the input data.

Module width: --
123456789014
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Same as POSTNET 11, but the check digit can be specified (the 12th digit).
Page 61 of 113
6.3 2D Symbologies
6.3.1 Aztec Code
Valid characters: ASCII 0-127 + ISO 8859-1
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Size: --
Print control: C=AZT
Aztec Code can encode from small to large amounts of data with user-selected percentages of error
correction. The symbol size adjusts automatically depending on the amount of input data.
The input data is always analyzed and the appropriate encoding mode is chosen automatically.
Mode switching is done as required to produce the most efficient encoding.
6.3.1.1 Character Set
The default interpretation is ISO-8859-1 (Latin-1), which corresponds to ECI 000003.
The special FNC1 character is supported.
6.3.1.2 Layers and Core Type
1 to 4 layers, producing symbols from 15×15 through 27×27 pixels, may surround the compact
Aztec code core. The full core version supports up to 32 layers (that are up to 151×151 pixels).
The core type and the number of layers are controlled by the size parameter.
Size Enumeration Size Pixel Core Type Layers

0 Automatically selected Automatically selected Automatically selected
1 15x15 Compact 1
2 19x19 Compact 2
3 23x23 Compact 3
4 27x27 Compact 4
5 31x31 Full 4
6 37x37 Full 5
7 41x41 Full 6
… … Full …
33 151x151 Full 32
Table 17: Aztec Code Symbol Sizes
The full core 1-3 layer versions are not supported; instead, the compact version is used.
6.3.1.3 The Maximum Data Capacity of Aztec Code
The Aztec Code specification defines the following:
Numerical data only: 3832

Bytes: 1914
Text characters: 3067 (only uppercase letters used [A..Z])
Page 62 of 113
If you mix the character types the maximum data capacity cannot be predicted exactly (due to
internal compression and character set switching - this is by design).
If you use a combination of digits and text (lower & uppercase letters), the maximum data capacity
would be about 2500 characters - but this can vary due to your input data. If you want to encode
large data amounts we recommend using only capital letters or multiple symbols (structured
append).
6.3.1.4 Format
Beside the default format for general purposes, Aztec Code supports GS1 and Industry formats.
The GS1 format adds a leading FNC1 in front of the encoded data to signal usage within the GS1
system. The FNC1 is not transmitted but has an influence to the symbology identifier.
If industry format is used, the internal data representation in the bar code will be <format specifier>
+ FNC1 + <bar code data>. In that case the bar code reader transmits “]z2” (symbology identifier for
industry standards) followed by the <format specifier> and the data.
6.3.2 Codablock F
Valid characters: ASCII 0-127 + ISO 8859-1
Module width: X>=0.19mm
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:1:2:3:4
Size: 2 - 44 rows; 4 - 62 characters per row
Print control: C=CBF
Codablock F is de facto a “stacked” Code128 symbology. It is based upon Code 128 - each row is a
single Code 128 symbol extended with row indicator information and additional check digits. The
UCC/EAN/GS1 format indicator is supported.
6.3.3 Data Matrix

Valid characters: Alphanumeric (ASCII 0.. 255) and/or
bytes
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Size: .001 till 14.0 square inch
Print control: C=DMX
Data Matrix is used for encoding large amounts of data and is ideal for marking small objects. The
symbol size adjusts automatically depending on the amount of input data.
It was developed by RVSI Acuity CiMatrix for the Space Shuttle Program and then enhanced by the
NASA and the Symbology Research Center.
It is the de-facto standard symbology in the following areas:
 Automotive
 Aviation (SPEC2000)
 Pharmaceutical areas
Page 63 of 113
TEC-IT’s Data Matrix implementation complies to
 ECC200
 ANSI/AIM BC11
 ISO/IEC 16022
 Department of Defense UID, MIL-STD-130L
 all other specifications that require ECC200.
6.3.3.1 Encoding Modes
Mode switching is done as required to produce the most efficient encoding. Supported encoding
modes are
 BASE256
 C40
 TEXT
 ASCII
6.3.3.2 Data Capacity
The data capacity depends on the format of the encoded data:
Format Data Capacity

Numeric 3116
Alphanumeric 2355
Binary 1556
Table 18: Data Matrix Data Capacity
The maximum data capacity for binary data is equal to 1556 bytes using a Matrix of 144x144 dots.
With a dot size of 0.35 mm minimum, you get a symbol size of 50.4 * 50.4 mm.
 The maximum data capacity for a matrix of 120x120 dots = 1048 Bytes.
 The maximum data capacity for a matrix of 96x96 dots = 694 Bytes.
In practice, with a hand-held scanner, you can scan sizes up to 96x96 dots without problems.
Symbol sizes of 120x120 dots are ok if you are using (very) good scanners. However – TEC-IT
recommends splitting up the 1 KB input data into 2 or more symbols.
6.3.3.3 Code Format

The following code formats are supported by TEC-IT software:
 Default/Standard
 UCC/EAN/GS1 (FNC1 is added at 1st position; this format is used for the “GS1 Data Matrix”)
 Industry (a peculiar industry format, which adds FNC1 at 2nd position)
 Macro 05 (the data is prefixed with “[)>” + RS + “05” + GS and suffixed with RS + EOT)
 Reader Programming (the barcode data is used to program the barcode reader)
6.3.3.4 Compatibility Options
The internal encoding mode switching is highly optimized and should be supported by all bar code
readers on the market. In case of problems with document scanning solutions (like CAPTIVA, IBML
and other), we provide a compatibility mode (available from TBarCode V10.0.2).
► To turn on this compatibility mode, enter "C" into the format property (Data Matrix only).
Page 64 of 113
6.3.3.5 DMRE – Data Matrix Rectangular Extension
The original Data Matrix specification includes 24 square formats but only six rectangular formats
with a data capacity in the lower range.
Specifically small surfaces benefit from rectangular formats resulting in a demand for rectangular
versions with a higher data volume. This led to the Data Matrix Rectangular Extension (DMRE),
which was adopted by AIM in 2014 and later specified in DIN 16587.
The DMRE adds 12 new rectangular versions with a higher capacity. In 2017, ISO published a
DMRE working draft (ISO/IEC 21471) which adds even more rectangular formats, but it does not
adopt all formats from the DIN standard.
DMRE (Data Matrix Rectangular Extension)4

8 x 48 24 x 48
8 x 64 24 x 64
12 x 64 26 x 32 *
16 x 64 26 x 40
24 x 32 * 26 x 48
24 x 36 * 26 x 64
Additional DMRE sizes defined by ISO/IEC AWI 21471
8 x 80 20 x 36
8 x 96 20 x 44
8 x 120 20 x 64
8 x 144 22 x 40
12 x 88 22 x 48
* Those sizes are not included in the ISO 21471 draft/standard
Table 19: Data Matrix DMRE Sizes
The rectangular sizes are selected via the symbol size property (no auto select!)
Figure 12: Data Matrix DMRE 24x64

Figure 11: Data Matrix Symbol Size Property
6.3.3.6 GS1 Data Matrix

For creating a GS1 Data Matrix, set the code format to GS1/UCC/EAN (adds FNC1 on 1st position).
Figure 13: GS1 Data Matrix Code Format
GS1 Data Matrix utilizes Application Identifiers (see chapter 5) and FNC1 for variable length AI’s.
More information: Overview and technical introduction to the use of GS1 Data Matrix
4
See AIM-D Standard “DMRE 1.01”, DIN 16587 DMRE (2015)
Page 65 of 113
6.3.3.7 Deutsche Post Premiumadress Data Matrix
In order to generate a Data Matrix for Deutsche Post Premiumadress use the property settings
below and follow the example.
 Enforce binary encoding (BASE256 mode)

 Data Matrix Size 22x22 (standard)
 Data Matrix Size 26x26 (enlarged)
 Module width 0.423 mm
► Make sure that the property "Translate Escape Sequences" is activated!

► The hexadecimal data must be converted in a TBarCode escape format. Before each
hexadecimal digit pair, you have to set a “\x”!
► By using TBarCode select the Encoding mode “No conversion (Lower bytes only)” - see
“Advanced settings”.
The following example refers to the product TBarCode. If you want to generate a Data Matrix with
TFORMer or Barcode Studio, the workflow is just the same.
Example:
Original data:
444541080D02540BE3FF0052232D242D000065000000010100015A31
Encoded data:
\x44\x45\x41\x08\x0D\x02\x54\x0B\xE3\xFF\x00\x52\x23\x2D\x24\x2D\x00\x00\x65\x00\x00\x00\x01
\x01\x00\x01\x5A\x31
Tab Barcode
Description Value
Barcode type: Data Matrix. The standard symbol size is 22x22 (see Figure 14). To adjust the
symbol size, please click on the Adjust button.
Barcode data (112 characters): \x44\x45\x41\x08\x0D\x02\x54\x0B\xE3\xFF\x00\x52\x23\x2D\x24\x2D\x00\x00\x65\
x00\x00\x00\x01\x01\x00\x01\x5A\x31
Translate escape sequences Make sure that this checkbox is activated.
Figure 14: Data Matrix Properties
Tab Appearance
Description Value
Barcode size and module width. Use the entry Custom – Specify module with from the drop down menu.
Module width [1/1000 mm] Use the value 423.
Display error if barcode is clipped. Make sure that you have activated this checkbox.
Page 66 of 113
6.3.3.8 DP PostMatrix
Deutsche Post PostMatrix bases on Data Matrix standard, which is used by Deutsche Post in their
RESPONSEPLUS service. It adds two additional lines at the left side of the matrix code.
You can enable the DP PostMatrix by adjusting the following code format:
Figure 15: Data Matrix DP PostMatrix Code format
The logical size of the symbol is limited to 22x22 and 26x26 dots. The module width (dot size) has
to be in a range between 0,423 and 0,508mm.
More information:
 https://www.deutschepost.de/de/r/responseplus.html
Deutsche Post Werbeantwort PostMatrix
In order to generate a PostMatrix code for Deutsche Post Werbeantwort use the property settings
below and follow the example.
 Code format DP PostMatrix

 PostMatrix Size 22x22 (standard) or PostMatrix Size 26x26 (enlarged)
 No Binary encoding mode (!)
 Module width 0.423 mm
The following example refers to the product TBarCode. If you want to generate a Data Matrix with
TFORMer or Barcode Studio, the workflow is just the same.
Example:
Original data:
DEAW00A01Z690WA52345678000010205001099~JOB4711~850
Barcode Properties
Common Value
Barcode type: Data Matrix
Data Matrix Value

Code format: DP PostMatrix
Symbol size: 26x26
Enforce binary encoding: Disabled (!)
Page 67 of 113
6.3.4 DotCode
.

bytes
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Size: --
DotCode is 2D dot code symbology designed to be reliably readable when printed by high-speed
inkjet or laser dot technologies.
The encoding modes of DotCode bases on the Code128 data encoding (with modes A, B, and C)
extended by a so-called Binary Mode.
The default interpretation for DotCode data is ECI 000003 representing the Latin-I character set.
The DotCode symbology does not have absolute capacity limits, but a maximum symbol size of
124x124 dots is recommended.
6.3.4.1 Code Format

The following code format is supported by TEC-IT software:
 Auto Discriminate
If the data starts with two digits, barcode has GS1 format, otherwise generic format is used.
 Generic Format
The barcode data does not fulfill any special format, if it starts with 2 digits, FNC1 is inserted.
 UCC/EAN/GS1
The internal data must start with 2 digits and be formatted with GS1 Application Identifiers.
 Industry (a peculiar industry format, which adds FNC1 at 2nd position)
 Custom Macro (the data is prefixed with “[)>” + RS and suffixed with RS + EOT; the rest of
the format specifier has to be encoded by the user)
 Reader Programming (the barcode data is used to program the barcode reader)
The following unprintable characters are used with the Macro 05/06 modes:
 RS (Record Separator): 0x1e
 GS (Group Separator): 0x1d
 EOT (End of Transmission): 0x04.
Page 68 of 113
6.3.5 Han Xin Code

Symbology number: 116 .

bytes, Chinese Characters (GB18030)
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Size: --
Han Xin Code is a 2D matrix symbology, which is used for encoding large amounts of data and
provides a special support for encoding Chinese characters (character set GB18030).
Format Data Capacity

Numeric 7827
Alphanumeric 4350
Binary 3261
Common Chinese in Region 1 or 2 2174
2-byte Chinese 1739
4-byte Chinese 1044
Table 20: Han Xin Code Data Capacity
The maximum data capacity for binary data is equal to 3261 bytes using a Matrix of 189x189 dots.
6.3.6 MaxiCode
bytes
Default Mode: Mode-4 (standard symbol)
Module width: --
Print ratio: n/a
Ratio format: n/a
Size: Fix: 1.11 x 1.054 inch
Print control: C=MXC
MaxiCode is in use (and was invented) by UPS®.
MaxiCode represents data by drawing hexagonal items, which are arranged around a circular
center (a so called "Bull's Eye"). Different encoding modes for including postal information (SCM)
can be adjusted: UPS Modes are Mode 2 (US Carrier) and Mode 3 (International Carrier).
The printing size is usually set to a fixed value. If you want to change the size of the symbol, adjust
a custom module width (default is 0.870 mm).
Page 69 of 113
Format Data Capacity Characters

Numeric 138 0-9
Alphanumeric 93 0-9 A-Z (uppercase)
Table 21: Maxi Code Data Capacity
The maximum data capacity of one symbol is 93 alphanumeric characters. By using the UPS®
MaxiCode compression software, you can extend this value to about 100 characters. The actual
quantity of the utilizable data depends on the selected mode, how often special characters are
used, whether numeric sequences are used (which can be compressed) and the level of error
correction.
With Structured Append, you can divide larger quantities of data into several MaxiCode symbols –
the scanner joins them when being read.
6.3.6.2 Modes
The internal data structure is regulated by different "modes". For standard purposes, data can be
encoded with two different error correction levels:
 Mode 4 - SEC / Standard Error Correction

 Mode 5 - EEC = Enhanced E.C.).
The modes for "Structured Carrier Message" (SCM) were defined by the parcel transport service
UPS®. If you want to use MaxiCode for UPS, please use these SCM modes.
 Mode 2 - SCM numeric

 Mode 3 - SCM alphanumeric
6.3.6.3 MaxiCode & UPS®
In order to generate a MaxiCode symbol for UPS®, follow the steps below. The following sample
uses the properties of the barcode software component TBarCode OCX.
Select MaxiCode Mode
► Please use mode 2 or 3 (SCM) depending on your postal code. UPS MaxiCode
compression works only for these SCM modes.
If you want to encode a numeric Postcode (USA) set the mode to "SCM numeric" (Property
MaxiCode.Mode = 2). If you want to use letters in the Postcode (e.g. “D12345” for German PLZ)
choose mode SCM alphanumeric (Property MaxiCode.Mode = 3).
Adjust SCM Fields

 Check "Use preamble" (property MaxiCode.Preamble)
 Enter the date into the field preamble date (property MaxiCode.Date, refer to “Message
Header / Transportation Data” in the UPS manual)
 Enter Service Class (property MaxiCode.ServiceClass), Country Code (property
MaxiCode.CountryCode) and Postal Code (property MaxiCode.PostalCode) into the
according text boxes. (refer to Postal Code, Country Code, Class of Service in the UPS
manual)
Alternatively, you can pass the values for the SCM fields as shown in following section "Setting
SCM Parameters in the Barcode Data itself"
Adjust Data String

 All other UPS fields must be entered in 'Encoded data' (property Text) separated by Gs. At
the end of the text, Rs and Eot must be added.
Page 70 of 113
Example: the text could look like this:

1Z12345677GsUSPNGs123556Gs089GsGs1/1\Gs0GsYGsGsSALT LAKE CITYGsUTRsEot
 Then replace all control characters (Gs, Rs, Eot) with their hexadecimal encoding (\xnn):
Gs  \x1d
Rs  \x1e
Eot  \x04.
 Please refer to Escape Sequences for an overview of available escape sequences.
The text should now look like:

1Z12345677\x1dUSPN\x1d123556\x1d089\x1d\x1d1/1\x1d10\x1dY\x1d\x1dSALT LAKE
CITY\x1dUT\x1e\x04
 This corresponds to the UPS Data fields:  Tracking Number, SCAC, UPS Account
Number, Julian Day of Collection, placeholder for Shipment ID Number, Package n/x,
Package Weight, Address Validation, Place Holder for Ship To Street Address, Ship To City,
Ship To State, End Of Transmission.
 At last, check Translate escape sequences (property EscapeSequences). This is necessary
to translate the hexadecimal codes (e.g. \x1d) into the special characters “Rs”, “Gs” and
“Eot”.
Setting SCM Parameters in the Barcode Data itself
The parameters for SCM (Structured Carrier Message - used for UPS) can be set directly in the
barcode data string. This allows complete control of all necessary parameters in one step.
Enable extracting of SCM data:
 Set the Format property of TBarCode to "S"

 Set the EscapeSequences property to True.
The values for the properties postal code, country code, service class, preamble and date are then
extracted from the barcode data (Text property). Values from the text string overdrive the belonging
properties in the barcode component.
The Text property should contain the whole data string according to UPS standard (see following
picture) including preamble, date, postal code, country code, and service class.
Special characters and separators must be replaced by escape sequences (also refer to Escape
Sequences).
Gs  \x1d
Rs  \x1e
Eot  \x04.
Page 71 of 113
Figure 16: MaxiCode UPS Encoding
6.3.7 MicroPDF417
Valid characters: Alphanumeric and/or bytes
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:1:2:3:4:5:6
Ratio format: 1B:2B:3B:4B:5B:6B:1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S
Size: --
Print control: C=MPDF
TBarCode/X control sequence
For V1.x: $_tbcs b84 dThis is a MicroPDF417$_tbce
For V2.x: $_tbcs -b84 –d"This is a MicroPDF417"$_tbce
This stacked 2D symbology is used to encode large quantities of data.
Page 72 of 113
6.3.8 Micro QR-Code

Valid characters: Alphanumeric and/or bytes, Kanji
character set
Quiet zone: left/right/ top/bottom: 2X or 4X
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Size: --
Print control: C=MQR
This 2D symbology is a small variant of QR-Code with a reduced number of overhead modules and
a restricted range of sizes. It was developed for fast readability (QR = Quick Response) by Denso.
The symbol size adjusts automatically depending on input data.
Micro QR-Code has 4 different symbol sizes (M1-M4). The smallest version (=size) M1 is restricted
to numeric data and error detection, M2 may contain also alphanumeric values, and M3 and M4
may use the whole range of the QR-Code character sets (bytes, Kanji).
The maximum amount of data is 35 numeric, 21 alphanumeric, 15 byte, or 9 Kanji characters, in

conjunction with the lowest error correction level.
6.3.9 PDF417
Valid characters: Alphanumeric (ASCII 0.. 255)
.

Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:1:2:3:4:5:6
Ratio format: 1B:2B:3B:4B:5B:6B:7B:8B:
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S
Size: X >= 0.19 mm
Print control: C=PDF
Symbol Technologies invented this (stacked) 2D symbology. It is used to encode large quantities of
data. It is the de-facto 2D standard symbology in the automotive industry.
The symbol is divided into rows and columns. TEC-IT software adjusts the size automatically
depending on the amount of input data. A data density of up to 900 characters per square inch is
possible.
The data capacity depends on the format of the encoded data. The following limits can only be
reached with error correction level 0.

Numeric 2710 characters 0-9
Alphanumeric 1850 characters 0-9 A-Z (uppercase)
Binary 1108 bytes Default encoding: CP437
Table 22: PDF417 Data Capacity
Page 73 of 113
If you mix the character types the maximum data capacity cannot be predicted exactly (due to
internal compression and character set switching - this is by design).
If you use a combination of digits and text (lower & uppercase letters) the maximum data capacity
would be about 1100 to 1200 characters - but this can vary due to your input data. If you want to
encode large data amounts we recommend using only capital letters or multiple symbols (structured
append).
6.3.9.2 How to optimize PDF417 for FAX?
Adjust the resolution of the generated barcode to 200 dpi (FAX devices are usually using 200 dpi).
Follow the instructions in chapter A.4 Optimize Barcode for the Output Device Resolution. Make
sure the row-height of the PDF417 is at least 3 times the module width.
6.3.10 PDF417 Truncated

bytes
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:1:2:3:4:5:6
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S
Size: --
This (stacked) 2D symbology is used to encode large quantities of data.
The symbol is divided into rows and columns. TEC-IT software adjusts the size automatically
depending on the amount of input data. A data-density of up to 900 characters per square inch is
possible.
6.3.11 QR-Code (Model 2)

Valid characters: Alphanumeric and/or bytes, Kanji
.
character set
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Size: --
Print control: C=QRC
Based upon standard: AIM International ITS/97-001 and ISO/IEC 18004:2015
This 2D symbology is used to encode large quantities of data and was developed for fast readability
(QR = Quick Response Code) by Denso. The symbol size adjusts automatically depending on input
data. Special industry formats are supported.
The default interpretation for QR-Code is ECI 000020 representing the JIS8 and Shift JIS character
sets. For Latin-1, based character sets refer to QR-Code 2005 (see section 6.3.11.4).
6.3.11.1 Kanji and Chinese Compaction
This symbology supports the compaction of Kanji characters and (in newer specifications) also the
compaction of Chinese characters. The compaction of Kanji or Chinese characters can be activated
Page 74 of 113
in TEC-IT software – when used, it must be ensured that the input data complies with the Shift JIS
X 02 (Japanese) or the GB 2312 (Simplified Chinese) character set.
6.3.11.2 QR–Code Capacity

Numeric 7089 characters 0-9
Alphanumeric 4296 characters 0–9 A–Z (upper-case) space $ % * + - , . / :
Binary 2953 bytes Default encoding: ISO 8859-1 (QR Code 2005)
Kanji 1817 characters Shift JIS X 0208
Table 23: QR Code Data Capacity
Maximum data capacity for binary data is 2953 bytes using a matrix of 177x177 dots. As an
example the symbol version 22 (104x104 dots) can encode approximately 1 KB of data using a low
error correction level. The resulting symbol size is about = 37x37 mm when a dot-size of 0.35 mm is
used.
6.3.11.3 QR–Code Creation Speed
QR-Code is a quite complex symbology and may take a lot of CPU-time when encoding a very
large amount of data. You could speed up the encoding process by
► Set the QR-Code mask pattern to a constant value. Changing this setting could affect
readability.
► Set the symbol size to a constant value (property “QRCode.Version”) if the symbol should
have always the same size.
► Set the error correction level to "low" (“QRCode.ECLevel”). Changing this setting could
affect readability.
► Minimize computing steps: set the configuration properties of TBarCode only one time at
startup of your program, and do only change the text property for each barcode.
6.3.11.4 Codepages (Character Set)
QR Code was originally developed for Japanese bar code applications. The supported character set
of QR Code Model 2 consists of:
 JIS X 0208 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JIS_X_0208

 JIS X 0201 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JIS_X_0201
SHIFT JIS / CP932 contains both of these character sets and is the Multi Byte character set used
by TBarCode for QR-Code.
CP932 table: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_page_932_(Microsoft_Windows)
The ISO/IEC 18004:2015 standard for “QR-Code” (former called “QR-Code 2005”) defines ISO-
8859-1 (Latin-1) as default character set in Byte mode!
 Latin-1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_8859-1
Therefore, QR-Code (JIS) uses Shift-JIS and QR-Code (ISO) uses Latin-1 as default character set.
QR-Code (ISO) (former called QR-Code 2005) is available in TBarCode V10 and later.
Page 75 of 113
6.3.11.5 Encoding Special Latin-1 Characters
If you want to encode special Latin-1 characters such as the “ß” (sharp s), you come to the problem
that the SHIFT JIS table does not contain the “ß” (sharp s) character. Therefore, with QR Code JIS
version you cannot encode these special Latin-1 characters in the default encoding.
► Encoding the full Latin-1 character set is supported in QR-Code (ISO), former QR-Code
2005, which is defined by ISO/IEC 18004:2015.
Using UTF-8
One possibility to encode “sharp s” would be to switch to ISO-8859-1 (Latin-1) or UTF-8 encoding.
Disadvantage
Using other code pages or other character sets than the default character set of a 2D bar code can
lead to problems on the decoding stage. Barcode readers try to decode the QR Code data by using
the default character set (which is SHIFT JIS for QR-Code (JIS) and ISO-8859-1 (Latin-1) for QR-
Code (ISO)).
Workarounds
You could use UTF-8 in closed applications. If the data is transmitted in binary form (e.g. a serial
bar code reader or an image scanner will transmit the data as sequence of Bytes), you can decode
the bar code data as UTF-8 format by the software, which receives the data.
You may also have luck with intelligent image decoding software (e.g. ZXing) which tries to find out
if Latin-1, UTF-8 or Shift JIS is used by auto detection (also, Smartphone reader apps will do that).
If you do not have a closed application or do not have control about the bar code decoder, this
workaround cannot be used.
Note about ECI sequences
Theoretically, QR-Code can encode data in a user selectable character set. By design of QR-Code,
so-called “Extended Channel Interpretation” code words can be used to indicate the character set
used for the subsequent data. ECI is part of QR-Code specification and is supported by TBarCode
Escape Sequences. The problem is that many bar code decoders ignore ECI and so they are
useless.
If you want to use UTF-8 without ECI’s you could try to indicate UTF-8 format by prefixing the data
with an UTF-8 byte order mark at the start (EF BB BF). However, there is no standard for this and
you have to verify if your bar code reader / decoding software recognizes this marker.
More information in our FAQ
https://www.tec-it.com/en/support/faq/tbarcode/barcode-dll.aspx
Page 76 of 113
6.3.12 QR-Code (ISO), former QR-Code 2005

Valid characters: Alphanumeric and/or bytes, ISO-IEC
.
8859-1
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Size: --
Print control: C=QR2
Based upon standard: ISO/IEC 18004:2015
QR-Code (ISO standard) is closely similar to QR-Code (JIS) and, in its QR-Code format, differs only
in the addition of the facility for symbols to appear in a mirror image orientation, for reflectance
reversal (light symbols on dark backgrounds) and the option for specifying alternative character sets
to the default.
The default interpretation for QR-Code (ISO) is ECI 000003 representing the ISO/IEC 8859-1
character set.
QR-Code (ISO) is the form of the symbology recommended for new and open systems applications.
6.3.13 Swiss QR Code

Valid characters: depending on the field numeric,
alphanumeric, decimal, or ISO-IEC 8859-
1
Quiet zone: left/right/ top/bottom: minimum 1,6 mm,
requested 5 mm
Module width: minimal 0.4 mm
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Symbol size: --
Print control: --
The Swiss QR Code is part of the so-called QR-Rechnung, defined by SIX Interbank Clearing AG. It
contains the needed information to initiate customer credit transfers via barcode scanner.
The Swiss QR Code bases on the QR Code symbology, extended with a black Swiss Cross drawn
in the center of the code.
The content description can be found in https://www.paymentstandards.ch/dam/downloads/ig-qr-

bill-de.pdf.
6.4 HIBC – Health Industry Bar Code

HIBC bar codes are commonly used by the health industry. HIBC standards do not really describe
unique symbologies, but a family of data structures. These data structures may be represented by
several symbologies.
There are two categories of HIBC:
 Label Identification Code (LIC) – specified by the Supplier Labeling Standard
Page 77 of 113
 Provider Applications Standard (PAS)
6.4.1 Supplier Labeling Standard (SLS) Formats

The Supplier Labeling Standard is used for all HIBC LIC bar codes. For a full specification, please
refer to the document Health Industry Bar Code: Supplier Labeling Standard (HIBC SLS)
ANSI/HIBC 2.6 – 2016. It consists of a Primary and a Secondary data structure, which may be
encoded together in one barcode or split into two single symbols.
The Primary Data Structure is specified as follows

+IIIIP*UL
With:

+ HIBC Supplier Labeling Flag '+' “+” 1
I Label Identification Code (LIC) Alphanumeric, first character 4
is a letter
P* PCN (Labelers Product or Catalog) Alphanumeric 1 - 18
U Unit of Measure ID Numeric 1
C Check Digit (mod 43) – also used as Link Character in the 1
Secondary Data Structure.
Table 24: HIBC LIC - Primary Format
The Secondary Data Structure is defined as

+R*Q*D*B*LA*C
With:

+ HIBC Supplier Labeling Flag '+' “+” 1
R* Quantity/Date Reference Identifier “$”, “$+”, ”$$”, ”$$+”, or 5 1, 2, 3, or 5
digits
Q* Quantity Field Numeric 0, 3, or 6
(used by legacy versions 2.2 and 2.4 of the SLS only)
D* Date Field Numeric 0, or 4-9
B* Lot/Batch/Serial Number Alphanumeric 0-18
L Link Character – conforms to the check digit in the Primary 1
Data Structure
A* Additional Supplemental Data (see below)
C Check Digit (mod 43) 1
Table 25: HIBC LIC - Secondary Format
The Combined Data Structure (Primary and Secondary data structure in one piece) is defined as
+IIIIP*U/R*Q*D*B*A*C
Page 78 of 113
When the fields are as described above and a separator character (“/”) is inserted between the
Primary and the Secondary data structure.
The Additional Supplemental Data section may either be empty or consist of one or more of
following fields:
Identifier Description Data Type Length

“/S” Serial Number when Lot number is used. Alphanumeric 2 + 1-18
 The Secondary Data Structure contains the lot
number.
“/16D” Date of Manufacture YYYYMMDD 4+8
(Year, Month, Day)
“/14D” Expiry Date formatted as YYYYMMDD YYYYMMDD 4+8
 The Secondary Data Structure may also contain (Year, Month, Day)
the expiry date, but not in this format.
“/Q” Quantity Numeric 2 + 1-5
 In legacy versions of the LIC standard, the
quantity was located in the Secondary Data
Structure.
6.4.2 Provider Application Standard Formats

The Provider Applications Standard is used for all HIBC PAS bar codes. For a full specification,
please refer to the document Health Industry Bar Code: Provider Applications Standard ANSI/HIBC
1.3 – 2010. It may consist of a Single or Split Data Field Format. The split format may be encoded
together in one bar code or split into two single symbols.
The Single Data Structure is specified as follows

+/F*G*DDDDDC1
With:

+/ HIBC Provider Applications Standard Flag “+/” 2
F* „Where“ Flag Alpha 1 or 3
G* „What“ Flag Alpha 1 or 3
D Application Data Alphanumeric 1-15
C1 Check Digit (mod 43) - equal to the "Link Character" of the Second 1
Data Structure.
Table 26: HIBC PAS – Single/First Data Structure
The Multiple (or Combined) Data Structure is defined as

+/F*G1*D1D1D1/G2*D2D2D2C
With:

F* „Where“ Flag Alpha 1 or 3
G1* „What“ Flag for D1 Alpha 1 or 3
D1 First Application Data Alphanumeric 1-15
/ Separator Character between First and Second Data Structure “/” 1
G2* „What“ Flag for D2 Alpha 1 or 3
D2 Second Application Data Alphanumeric 1-15
C Check Digit (mod 43 1
Table 27: HIBC PAS – Combined Data Structure
Page 79 of 113
As the Multiple (or Combined) Data structure may contain more than two data fields, the secondary
part (between / and D2) may be repeated.
The legacy versions of the PAS (V1.2) also knew the Split Data structure, which consists of the
First Data Structure and the Second Data Structure. The First Data Structure, which is
specified as follows:
+/1F*G*DDDDC1
It is much the same as the Single Data Structure but has “1” as prefix.
The Second Data Structure is defined as

+/2DDDDC1C2
With:

2 "2" indicates that this is the second data structure “2” 1
D Application Data Alphanumeric 1-15
C1 Check Digit (mod 43) - conforms to the check digit in the First Data 1
Structure.
C2 Check Digit (mod 43) - equal to the "Link Character" of the Second 1
Data Structure.
Table 28: HIBC PAS – Second Data Structure
In following, you find a list of the bar code symbologies that are able to encode HIBC.
6.4.3 HIBC LIC 128

“+”, “%”
Default check digit: Modulo 43 (eCDMod43)
Symbol size: --
HIBC LIC 128 bases on the symbology Code 128. The data format corresponds to the HIBC LIC
Format described above. An additional modulo-43 check digit is required.
Page 80 of 113
6.4.4 HIBC LIC 39

“+”, “%”
*+A123BJC5D6E71G*
Default check digit: Modulo 43 (eCDMod43) *+$$583278F8G9HØJ2G$*
readable text
HIBC LIC 39 bases on the symbology Code 39. The data format corresponds to the HIBC LIC
6.4.5 HIBC LIC Data Matrix

Valid characters: “0”..”9”, “A”..”Z”, “-“, “.”, Space, “*”, “$”, “/”, .
“+”, “%”
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
HIBC LIC Data Matrix bases on the 2D symbology Data Matrix. The data format corresponds to the
HIBC LIC Format described above. An additional modulo-43 check digit is required.
6.4.6 HIBC LIC QR-Code

.
“+”, “%”
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Size: --
HIBC LIC QR-Code bases on the 2D symbology QR-Code. The data format corresponds to the
Page 81 of 113
6.4.7 HIBC LIC Aztec Code

“+”, “%”
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Size: --
HIBC LIC Aztec Code bases on the 2D symbology Aztec Code. The data format corresponds to the
6.4.8 HIBC LIC PDF417

“+”, “%” .

Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:1:2:3:4:5:6
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S
Size: X >= 0.19 mm
HIBC LIC PDF417 bases on the 2D symbology PDF417. The data format corresponds to the HIBC
LIC Format described above. An additional modulo-43 check digit is required.
6.4.9 HIBC LIC MicroPDF417

“+”, “%”
.

Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:1:2:3:4:5:6
Size: --
HIBC LIC MicroPDF417 bases on the 2D symbology MicroPDF417. The data format corresponds to
the HIBC LIC Format described above. An additional modulo-43 check digit is required.
Page 82 of 113
6.4.10 HIBC LIC Codablock F

“+”, “%”
.

Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:1:2:3:4
HIBC LIC Codablock F bases on the stacked symbology Codablock F. The data format corresponds
to the HIBC LIC Format described above. An additional modulo-43 check digit is required.
6.4.11 HIBC PAS 128

“+”, “%”
Standard print ratio: 1:2:3:4:1:2:3:4 *+/EU9C83416F/Z34H159$*
Symbol size: --
HIBC PAS 128 bases on the symbology Code 128. The data format corresponds to the HIBC PAS
6.4.12 HIBC PAS 39

“+”, “%”
Ratio format: 1B:2B:1S:2S *+/EAH783/Z34H159$*
readable text
HIBC PAS 39 bases on the symbology Code 39. The data format corresponds to the HIBC PAS
Page 83 of 113
6.4.13 HIBC PAS Data Matrix

“+”, “%”
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
HIBC PAS Data Matrix bases on the 2D symbology Data Matrix. The data format corresponds to
the HIBC PAS Format described above. An additional modulo-43 check digit is required.
6.4.14 HIBC PAS QR-Code

.
“+”, “%”
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Size: --
HIBC PAS QR-Code bases on the 2D symbology QR-Code. The data format corresponds to the
HIBC PAS Format described above. An additional modulo-43 check digit is required.
6.4.15 HIBC PAS Aztec Code

Symbology number: 105 .
“+”, “%”
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:1
Ratio format: 1B:1S
Size: --
HIBC PAS Aztec Code bases on the 2D symbology Aztec Code. The data format corresponds to
the HIBC PAS Format described above. An additional modulo-43 check digit is required.
Page 84 of 113
6.4.16 HIBC PAS PDF417

“+”, “%” .

Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:1:2:3:4:5:6
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S
Size: X >= 0.19 mm
HIBC PAS PDF417 bases on the 2D symbology PDF417. The data format corresponds to the HIBC
PAS Format described above. An additional modulo-43 check digit is required.
6.4.17 HIBC PAS MicroPDF417

“+”, “%”
.

Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:1:2:3:4:5:6
Size: --
HIBC PAS MicroPDF417 bases on the 2D symbology MicroPDF417. The data format corresponds
to the HIBC PAS Format described above. An additional modulo-43 check digit is required.
6.4.18 HIBC PAS Codablock F

“+”, “%”
.

Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:1:2:3:4
HIBC PAS Codablock F bases on the stacked symbology Codablock F. The data format
corresponds to the HIBC PAS Format described above. An additional modulo-43 check digit is
required.
Page 85 of 113
6.5 GS1 DataBar Symbologies (RSS Codes)

The sample control sequences refer to the following TEC-IT products only: TBarCode/X and
TBarCode Embedded (SEH ISD 300).
6.5.1 GS1 DataBar (RSS-14)

Symbology number (: 29
Quiet zone: none required (1X recommended)
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9:1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9
Ratio format: 1B:2B:3B:4B:5B:6B:7B:8B:9B:
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S
Default check digit: EAN 14 (eCDEAN14) (01)01234567890128
Symbol size: 13 digits, 1 check digit, AI 01 is encoded
automatically
Print control: C=R
GS1 DataBar is used to encode the GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) with Application identifier
(AI) “01“. The GTIN consists of a packaging indicator (0..9) followed by a 12 digit number (taken
from the EAN-13 article number system) followed by a check digit. The check digit on the 14th posi-
tion is computed automatically if not provided in the input data.
The height of the symbol should be at least 33X in order to support omnidirectional scanning (X =
module width). TEC-IT software prefixes the barcode data with the AI “01” automatically - do not
provide the AI 01 with your input data.
6.5.2 GS1 DataBar Truncated (RSS-14 Truncated)

Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9:1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S
Symbol size: 13 digits, 1 check digit, AI 01 is encoded
automatically
Print control: C=RT
This symbology is similar to GS1 DataBar but the height should be at least 13X. Omni-directional
scanning may not be possible.
Page 86 of 113
6.5.3 GS1 DataBar Limited (RSS Limited)

Quiet zone: 1X left, 5X right
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9:1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S
Print control: C=RL
This symbology is similar to GS1 DataBar, but it is smaller and limited to a packaging indicator (first
digit) 0 or 1.
6.5.4 GS1 DataBar Stacked (RSS-14 Stacked)

Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9:1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S
Default check digit: EAN 14 (eCDEAN14)
Size: --
Print control: C=RS
This symbology is similar to GS1 DataBar, but it is split into two rows to make the symbol smaller. It
is used for pharmaceutical packaging. Omni-directional scanning is not possible.
6.5.5 GS1 DataBar Stacked Omni directional (RSS-14 Stacked Omni directional)
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9:1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S
Size: --
Print control: C=RO
This symbology is similar to the GS1 DataBar Stacked and supports omnidirectional scanning.
Page 87 of 113
6.5.6 GS1 DataBar Expanded (RSS Expanded)

Valid characters: “A”..”Z”, “a”..”z”, “0”..”9” + ISO 646
character set
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9:1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S
Default check digit: None (eCDNone). ABab+
Possible check digits: Modulo 10 (eCDMod10). EAN-14
(eCDEAN14)
Size: Numeric: 74 digits
Alphanumeric: 41 characters
Print control: C=RE
This is a variable length symbology. It encodes up to 74 numeric or 41 alphabetic characters. Data

should be encoded with Application Identifiers (AIs). Omni-directional scanning is possible.
6.5.7 GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked (RSS Expanded Stacked)

Valid characters: “A”..”Z”, “a”..”z”, “0”..”9” + ISO 646 char
set
Module width: --
Print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9:1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S
Default check digit: None (eCDNone).
(eCDEAN14)
Size: --
Print control: C=RX
This is the stacked version of GS1 DataBar Expanded. The number of data segments per row can
vary between 4 and 22. The default number of data segments is four.
6.6 GS1 Composite Symbologies

6.6.1 Data Input
► Please note: For all Composite Symbologies the vertical bar “|” character is used to separate
the data of the linear symbol and the 2D composite component.
► Example: 1234567890123|TEC-IT
6.6.2 Data Capacity of GS1 Composite Symbols
6.6.2.1 Linear Component

 GS1-128: up to 48 digits
 EAN/UPC: 8, 12 or 13 digits
 GS1 DataBar: 16 digits (2 digits AI01 + 14 digits GTIN)
 GS1 DataBar
Expanded: up to 74 digits
Page 88 of 113
6.6.2.2 2D Component
 CC-A up to 56 digits
 CC-B up to 338 digits
 CC-C up to 2361 digits
The maximum data capacity of the 2D component depends on the number of data columns, which
also depends on the type of the linear component.
For instance, GS1 DataBar Stacked allows a 2D component with 2-data columns (CC-A or CC-B).
In this case the maximum capacity of a CC-A would be 52 digits with special AI combination at the
beginning of the data (AI 11/17 + 10), otherwise the capacity would be 48 digits.
With the other variants having 4 data columns (GS1 DataBar, GS1 DataBar Expanded,...) the maxi-
mum data capacity is a little bit higher = 56 digits.
6.6.3 GS1 DataBar Composite Symbology

Valid characters RSS-14: “0”..”9”, 13 digits + 1 check digit
Valid characters CC-A/B: ISO 646 character set, up to 338
characters
Standard print ratio: 1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9:1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8:9
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S (01)12345678901231
Encoded data: 1234567890123|TEC-IT
This is a GS1 DataBar barcode with an attached 2D component (CC-A or CC-B). The leading
Application Identifier (AI) 01 (for the GTIN) is prefixed automatically by TEC-IT software and must
not occur in the input data. The 2D component can encode additional information like lot number,
quantity, expiration date …
6.6.4 GS1 DataBar Truncated Composite Symbology

characters
Ratio format: 1B:2B:3B:4B:5B:6B:7B:8B:9B: (01)12345678901231
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S
This is a GS1 DataBar Truncated barcode with an attached 2D component (CC-A or CC-B).
Page 89 of 113
6.6.5 GS1 DataBar Limited Composite Symbology

Valid characters RSS Lim.: “0”..”9”, 13 digits + 1 check digit
characters
Ratio format: 1B:2B:3B:4B:5B:6B:7B:8B:9B: (01)12345678901231
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S
This is a GS1 DataBar Limited barcode with an attached 2D component (CC-A or CC-B).
6.6.6 GS1 DataBar Stacked Composite Symbology

characters
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S
This is a GS1 DataBar Stacked barcode with an attached 2D component (CC-A or CC-B).
6.6.7 GS1 DataBar Stacked Omni directional Composite Symbology

characters
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S
This is a GS1 DataBar Stacked Omni directional barcode with an attached 2D component (CC-A or
CC-B).
Page 90 of 113
6.6.8 GS1 DataBar Expanded Composite Symbology

Valid characters RSS Exp.: ASCII characters between 0..127
characters
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S 1234567890123
(eCDEAN14)
This is a GS1 DataBar Expanded barcode with an attached 2D component (CC-A or CC-B).
6.6.9 GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked Composite Symbology

Valid characters RSS ES: ASCII characters between 0..127
characters
1S:2S:3S:4S:5S:6S:7S:8S:9S
(eCDEAN14)
Encoded data: ABCabc123+|TEC-IT
This is a GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked barcode with an attached 2D component (CC-A or CC-
B).
6.6.10 GS1-128 Composite Symbology

Valid characters EAN 128: ASCII-characters between 0..127
Valid characters CC-A/B/C: ISO 646 character set, up to 2361
characters
Ratio format: 1B:2B:3B:4B1S:2S:3S:4S 1234567890
(eCDEAN14)
This is a GS1-128 barcode with an attached 2D component (CC-A, CC-B or CC-C).
Page 91 of 113
6.6.11 EAN-8 Composite Symbology

Valid characters EAN 8: “0”..”9”, 7 digits + 1 check digit
characters
Possible check digits: User supplied 1234 5670
This is an EAN-8 barcode with an attached 2D component (CC-A or CC-B).
6.6.12 EAN-13 Composite Symbology

Valid characters EAN 13: “0”..”9”, 12 digits + 1 check digit
characters
1 234567 890128
This is an EAN-13 barcode with an attached 2D component (CC-A or CC-B).
6.6.13 UPC-A Composite Symbology

Valid characters UPC-A: “0”..”9”, 11 digits + 1 check digit
characters
Default check digit: UPC-A (eCDUPCA)
1 23456 78901 2
This is an UPC-A barcode with an attached 2D component (CC-A or CC-B).
6.6.14 UPC-E Composite Symbology

Valid characters UPC-A: “0”..”9”, 7 digits + 1 check digit
characters
Default check digit: UPC-E (eCDUPCE)
Possible check digits: User supplied 1 234567 0
This is an UPC-E barcode with an attached 2D component (CC-A or CC-B).
Page 92 of 113
7 Image Parameters
7.1 Image Types

The barcode can be converted to a bitmap or vector format (see TBarCode API BCSaveImage,
SaveImage, Barcode.Draw, BCSaveImageToBuffer, ConvertToStream, etc).
The following image types with the corresponding compression options (parameter nQuality) are
available5.
Please keep in mind that unreadable barcodes may be produced when creating a bitmap with low
resolution (see section A.4 Optimize Barcode for the Output Device Resolution).
7.1.1 Image Formats

Image Format Enumeration (def. value) Note
BMP eIMBmp (0) BMP bitmap format
EMF eIMEmf (1) Enhancd Metafile vector format (Windows only)
EPS (Bitmap) eIMEpsDeprecated (2) EPS with low-resolution bitmap (no longer available).
GIF eIMGif (3) GIF bitmap format, supported since TBarCode 7
JPG eIMJpg (4) JPG bitmap format
PCX eIMPcx (5) PCX bitmap format
PNG eIMPng (6) PNG bitmap format
TIF eIMTif (7) TIF bitmap format
EPS (Vector) eIMEps (8) EPS / PostScript vector based format
eIMPEpsVector (8)
PCL eIMPcl (9) PCL 5 (vector based format)
SVG eIMSvg (10) SVG vector based format, supported since TBarCode SDK 11.2
AI eIMAi (11) Adobe Illustrator® V7 format, supported since TBarCode SDK 11.2
Table 29: Supported Image Types
7.1.2 Compression Modes

Image format Compression / Quality Remark
BMP 0..1, 0 = uncompressed, 1 = compressed
EMF No compression is used.
EPS Bitmap EPS: unused With vector EPS files, you can
Vector EPS: adjust font substitution. choose between using Windows fonts
(0) and only PostScript compatible
fonts (1).
JPG 0..100, 0=highest compression, worst quality, 100 =lowest Value of 100 suggested, especially
compression, best quality for high data density
PCX Not used In ConvertToStream and ConvertTo-
StreamEx not supported
PNG PNGALLFILTERS (0) Use best filter for each row To save an image in compressed
(highest compression) mode and additional as interlaced
file, you have to make a bit wise or
PNGINTERLACE (1) Interlace filter
operation with the defined constants
PNGNOFILTER (2) No filter will be used (or simple adding the numbers).
(fastest runtime) Example: to save a file with maximum
PNGSUBFILTER (4) Difference filter with compression and interlaced, the
adjacent pixel quality parameter is calculated as
follows:
PNGUPFILTER (6) Difference filter with pixel
from the previous row
5
Depending on the API not all image types are available for streaming – see API reference for more information.
Page 93 of 113
PNGAVGFILTER (8) Average filter

PNGALLFILTERS |
PNGPAETHFILTER (10) Path filter PNGINTERLACE
TIF 0.. No compression * is supported with TBarCode 7 and

1.. LZW * higher
2.. Pack Bits compression
3.. Group 3 1D compression (CCITT Modified Huffman RLE)
4.. Group 4 2D compression (CCITT Group 4 FAX) *
5.. CCITT Group 3 compression (= CCITT Group 4 FAX) *
7.. JPEG *
EPS No compression is used.
PCL No compression is used.
SVG No compression is used.
AI No compression is used.
Table 30: Supported Image Compression Modes
Page 94 of 113
8 Character Encoding
8.1 UNICODE  Code Pages
Due to internationalization and localization, strings are often encoded in the UNICODE character
set, because it makes it possible to represent characters from many different languages and scripts.
However, barcode symbologies are usually able to process only a relatively small set of characters.
Whereas most of them are only capable of encoding a fix character set with a fix character
encoding – these symbologies are not affected by the encoding topic, some others (particularly 2D
symbologies) are able to switch between several code pages.
Because even these barcodes types cannot display all character sets at the same time (unlike
UNICODE), TBarCode offers the possibility to let the user decide how the input data should be
interpreted (see the properties EncodingMode and CodePage).
8.2 Default Code Pages
Different barcode symbologies use different default character encodings (=code pages).
Symbology Default Encoding / Default Code Page

PDF417 ASCII Extended (Code Page 437)
MicroPDF417
QR-Code Shift-JIS (Code Page 932)
Micro QR-Code
Japanese Postal
Aztec Code Latin-1 / ISO 8859-1 / Windows 28591
CODABLOCK-F TBarCode V8 and earlier: ANSI / Windows-1251 (Code Page 1252)
Data Matrix
DotCode
Han Xin Code
MaxiCode
QR-Code 2005
Table 31: Default Code Pages
TBarCode Inform always uses UTF-8 as default code page.
8.3 Code Page Switching
If a code page unlike the default code page shall be used, there must also be a way to tell the
barcode reader how the data should be interpreted. That means that you have to tell the reader,
which encoding, which code page has been used for encoding. This is usually done with ECI codes
(Extended Character Interpretation) which have to be added to the barcode data (see also section
4.7 Escape Sequences (Encoding Binary Data)).
► Be aware that not all readers are able to handle ECI codes and decode the barcode data in
a correct manner. Many of the scanners just ignore the ECIs; others pass them un-
translated to the addressee and let it do the work.
Page 95 of 113
9 Frequently Asked Questions
9.1 How to add the Leading and Trailing ‘*’ for Code 39?
No action is required. The asterisks ‘*’ are added automatically to the barcode.
9.2 How to add the Check Digit to Code 39?
Simply select Modulo 43 (or another method) as check digit Method. The automatically computed
check digit is appended at the end of the barcode.
9.3 How to add the Leading and Trailing ‘A’ (or B, C, D) for CODABAR?
Enter A&A in the format string (property “Format” – see section 4.6).
9.4 How to use a Specific Subset in Code 128?

Use the corresponding barcode types Code128A, 128B or 128C. The whole code will then be
generated in the corresponding subset. If this is not possible with the current data, the software will
change subsets as required. If you want to change the subset within the barcode enter A or B or C
in the “Format” (see section 4.6).
9.5 How to use the Compressed Mode of Code 128?

Use the barcode type Code128 and make sure “Format” is empty.
9.6 How to generate a PDF417 symbol with an Aspect Ratio of 3:2?
In order to generate a PDF417 which utilizes the standard aspect ratio of 3:2 there are two possible
methods:
9.6.1 Set a Row:Col Ratio of 11:1

Set Cols = 2
Set Rows = Cols * 11
9.6.2 Maintain a constant Ratio of Row Height / Module Width
Set a row height: module width ratio of 3:1 (default) by setting the module width to 500 (0.5 mm
constant value) and PDF417 row height to 1500 (1.5 mm).
9.7 How to set a Specific Module Width?

You can adjust the module width (or X Dimension) by setting the property ModuleWidth to the
desired value.
Per default the barcode adapts automatically to the object width (= to the dimension of the bounding
rectangle). After adjusting module width, the resulting barcode width depends on the amount of the
encoded data characters and no longer on the width of the bounding rectangle.
Page 96 of 113
► Keep in mind to choose a suitable size of the bounding rectangle to ensure that the barcode
is not clipped.
► The dimension of the bounding rectangle must be wide enough to hold the largest data
content possible. Use the property MustFit to check whether a barcode does not fit into the
bounding rectangle.
► The SizeMode property (available since TBarCode V7) must be set to Custom Module Width
if you want your settings to take effect.
9.8 More FAQ
https://www.tec-it.com/support/faq/barcode/printing-decoding.aspx
https://www.tec-it.com/support/faq/tbarcode/barcode-ocx.aspx
Page 97 of 113
10 Contact and Support Information
TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH
Address: Hans-Wagnerstr. 6
AT-4400 Steyr
Austria/Europe
Phone: +43 / (0)7252 / 72 72 0
Fax: +43 / (0)7252 / 72 72 0 – 77
Email: mailto:[email protected]
Web: https://www.tec-it.com/support
AIX is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.

HTML, DHTML, XML, XHTML are trademarks or registered trademarks of W3C, World Wide Web Consortium, Laboratory for Computer
Science NE43-358, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 545 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139.
JAVA® is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc., 901 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303 USA.
JAVASCRIPT® is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc., used under license for technology invented and implemented by
Netscape.
Microsoft®, Windows®, Microsoft Word®, Microsoft Excel® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Navision is a registered trademark of Microsoft Business Solutions ApS in the United States and/or other countries.
Oracle® is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation.
PCL® is a registered trademark of the Hewlett-Packard Company.
PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Inc.
SAP, SAP Logo, R/2, R/3, ABAP, and SAPscript are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany (and in several other
countries).
All other products mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. If any trademark on our web site or in this
document is not marked as trademark (or registered trademark), we ask you to send us a short message (mailto:[email protected]).
Page 98 of 113
Appendix A: Creating Optimal Barcodes
A.1 General
Generating optimal barcodes means to
1. Determine the optimal barcode size required by the application (see section A.2)
2. Maintain a minimal quiet zone to guarantee the readability of the barcode (see section A.3)
3. Produce the best possible output on the target device (see sections A.4)
The last and most important step, the optimization for the output device, is described in detail in
sections A.5 and following. It is described how the optimization is supported by TEC-IT barcode
software. Furthermore, it is described what you should consider when printing barcodes directly or
when using barcode images. In the last section, the approach for optimizing barcodes is illustrated
with some code examples.
A.2 Barcode Size

Primarily the barcode size is determined by the application where the barcode is used. The scanner
hardware and the projected reading distance define an upper and lower limit for the barcode size
(see also Barcode Reference, section 4.2.3).
In addition, some barcode specifications provide guidelines for the barcode size. This is either:
 An obligatory size with only little tolerance

(most postal barcodes like USPS POSTNET, Australian Post Codes, …)
 A list of recommended sizes or module widths,
e.g. a standard size and a number of magnification factors to choose from
(GS1-128, UPC, ITF-14, …)
 A recommended minimum module width
(Code 128, …)
When using the barcode in an industry or transportation label the required barcode size is usually
exactly specified. The label specification provides the required information.
A.3 Quiet Zone
To guarantee the readability of the barcode a certain quiet zone around the barcode should be
maintained. The quiet zone depends on the type of the barcode:
 Linear Barcodes
As a rule of thumb for linear barcodes the quiet zone should be ten times the module width.
For some barcode types, a recommended minimum is explicitly given by the specification.
 2D Barcodes
The quiet zone depends on the actual barcode type. A rule of thumb cannot be given but
using 10 times the module width could fix possible problems.
 GS1 DataBar Codes
Due to the technical nature of these barcodes no quiet zones are required. Only for symbo-
logies with an added composite component, you have to maintain a certain quiet zone.
Page 99 of 113
Figure 17: Quiet Zone for Linear Barcode
For more information about quiet zones, please refer to the Barcode Reference, section 4.4.
A.4 Optimize Barcode for the Output Device Resolution
When printing the barcode (or when creating a barcode image), the most important step is to opti-
mize the module width with respect to the output device resolution. A printer can only print whole
dots. Therefore, the bar and the space widths have to be adjusted, so that they exactly fit the
printing raster. If this adjustment is skipped, the resulting output may be inaccurate and the
readability of the barcode may suffer. Especially for low output resolutions (e.g. screen output or
thermo-transfer printing), the optimization is essential. For printers with high resolution the optimi-
zation may be negligible. However, it is recommended to optimize the barcode in any case.
Due to optimization, the size of the barcode symbol is modified very slightly.
Optimization
Figure 18: Optimize Barcode for Output Device Resolution
After the optimization the module width is exactly N times the width of a device pixel (for N is an
integer greater than 0).
In practice, the optimization can be done using different methods. Section A.5 describes all neces-
sary adjustments, which are required to enable the automatic optimization in TEC-IT software
products. Alternative you can also choose an appropriate module width, which fits the printing raster
by yourself.
Whenever printing a barcode directly or when using barcode images, you should additionally con-
sider a few rules (see sections A.6 to A.7). Finally, for developers, in section A.9 all programming
steps, which are required to optimize a barcode, are explained with a few code examples.
Page 100 of 113

A.5 Enable Optimization in TEC-IT Software
In TEC-IT software, per default the barcode optimization for a given resolution is turned off. All
barcodes are created in the exact size as specified, instead. If you want to turn the optimization on,
please do the following:
A.5.1 Barcode Studio
With the barcode image designer Barcode Studio, you have two possibilities to optimize a
barcode:




Figure 19: Barcode Optimization in Barcode Studio
The easiest method is to set the check mark in . This will automatically optimize the barcode for
the given output resolution (see ).
As an alternative you can also set the scaling unit to “Pixel” (see ) and then adjust the module
width in . Since you can only adjust integer values for the unit “pixel”, the barcode must neces-
sarily fit the raster and you will get an optimal barcode for the specified resolution.
A.5.2 TFORMer
In the barcode label software TFORMer Designer you can set Optimal Resolution to “True” (see
). This will optimize the barcode for the printer on which the document is actually printed.

Figure 20: Barcode Optimization in TFORMer Designer
A.5.3 TBarCode
In the barcode generator SDK TBarCode, you have two different adjustments for optimization:
Either you can generate the smallest possible barcode optimized for the selected decoder type and
for the specified resolution (see Figure 21).
Alternatively, for any custom sized barcodes, you can turn on the optimization by setting the
OptResolution property to “true” (see Figure 22).
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
Figure 21: Barcode Optimization in TBarCode OCX (Version 1)
The settings shown in the figure above are available in the properties dialog of the barcode control.
The “Minimal” mode  creates all barcodes with the recommended minimum module widths. For
the decoder type “Hardware decoder” (e.g. suitable for barcode scanners) this would produce linear
and stacked barcodes with a module width of approximately 0.254 mm (= 10 mils) and 2D barcodes
like QR-Code or Data Matrix with a module width of about 0.5 mm ( 20 mils).

Figure 22: Barcode Optimization in TBarCode OCX (Version 2)
In the application specific property window (and not in the properties page as shown in Figure 21)
you will find the property OptResolution . When set to “true” the barcode will be optimized for its
predefined size.
A.5.4 Application Notes for “Optimal Resolution”
Please note: When enabling the switch “optimal resolution” (see ,  and ) the barcode will
always be reduced to the next smaller size, in which it can be printed in optimal quality.
Under unfortunate circumstances this size reduction might cause the module width to drop be-
low a given minimal module width. Therefore, it is recommended to enlarge the bounding rect-
angle of the barcode to the maximum available area whenever possible. This way you will get
the largest possible optimized barcodes on the printout.
However, instead of using OptResolution the following approach may sometimes be even more
suitable:
 Experienced users can adjust the module width of the barcode manually. E.g. in TFORMer
you can specify the module width in mm. When doing this you have to take care that the ad-
justed module width is suitable for the printer resolution.
Example: printer resolution = 600 dpi
 One dot has 1/600 inch  0.00167 inches  0.0423 mm
 For this printer you could use N * 0.0423 mm (for N is an integer greater than 0) as
module width
(Hint: You can also use Barcode Studio to do the necessary module width calculations!)
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 For creating images software developers should use BCGetOptimalBitmapSize() instead of

OptResolution. Using this function, you have more control over the output.
A.6 Printing Barcodes Directly
By default, TEC-IT software uses the whole available space (the bounding rectangle) to render a
barcode. This means that the software computes the module width based on the available space
and on the data to be encoded.
For printing with high resolutions such as 600 dpi, this approach is OK. Even if the resulting quality
of the barcode is not optimal with respect to the printer resolution, the inaccuracies are usually so
small, that they do not lead to a noticeable loss in the barcode quality. To get a sense for the
occurring deviations you could check the output quality for your settings with Barcode Studio.
On the other hand, if the printer resolution is low (equal or smaller to 300 dpi) or the data density is
very high – or to be more precisely if the module width in device pixels is very small, the loss of
quality may be noticeable. Therefore, you should always optimize the barcode quality in such
circumstances. In order to do so, you can either adjust the module width, so that it exactly fits the
printing raster, or you can set the OptResolution flag to “true”.
A.7 Barcode Images
When using barcode images, you should always generate them in optimal quality, meaning that all
spaces and all bars should be represented with a whole number of image pixels. Images are (in
principle) device independent. Therefore, this should always be possible.
Consider the following:
► Whenever possible use the property OptResolution to adapt the module width to the
resolution (pixel raster) of the image. Developers also have the possibility to use the function
BCGetOptimalBitmapSize(). Given the requested size of the barcode (in device pixels), it will
optimize the width and the height of the barcode.
► Use lossless image formats (like PNG instead of JPG). Do not use any compression
reducing the picture quality.
► Avoid any post processing like scaling/resizing with image editing software! Each post-
processing step means a potential loss of the barcode quality.
However, when using the images (e.g. when embedding them in a layout) and, in a further conse-
quence, when printing them you have to be aware that
 depending on the size of your source image and

 depending on the required size on your printout and
 depending on the resolution of the printer
the original barcode image will be scaled with a particular scaling factor.
This scaling occurs when the image is rastered for the printer resolution. It may negatively influence
the barcode quality of the printout. Therefore, you should ideally always create the barcode image
in the same resolution in which it will be printed. Consequently, any scaling between the image and
the printout is avoided. If scaling is inevitable for any reason, you should take care that after the
scaling the barcode can be rendered with whole device pixels on the target printer.
In section A.7.3 a general approach how to optimize a barcode image for a specific printer
resolution is described. However, before going into detail we want to explain a few general
principles for using barcode images.
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A.7.1 Embedding Barcode Images
In general, barcode images are used in order to embed a barcode into arbitrary layouts (e.g. on a
HTML page, in a desktop publishing program, in a report generator, etc.).
Therefore, you usually specify a rectangular region on the layout in which the image will be inserted.
This rectangular region defines the size (in device independent units like mm) in which the barcode
will be printed. (Only exception: In HTML, you specify the actual printout size indirectly via screen
pixels. Nonetheless this pixel size can be translated to a specific target size on your printout – for
details see section A.7.2.)
Now, the basic principle is that the printout will always have exactly the same size as specified in
the layout. The size of the embedded source image actually does not have any influence on the
printout size. However, the quality of the printout will vary depending on different source image
dimensions!
Therefore, you should ideally always
► Create the image exactly in the same resolution as used for printing (printer resolution).
► If you do not know in which resolution the barcode image will be printed, use a sufficiently
high resolution, so that the image is likely to printed in an aspect ratio of 1:1 or that it is being
down-scaled for printing (down-scaling a large image usually produces better results on the
printout than up-scaling a smaller image).
A.7.2 Barcode Images in HTML
As already stated above, the basic idea for generating high quality barcode printouts is to generate
detailed barcode images, which are optimized for a specific printer resolution. This approach can
also be used for HTML. The high-resolution images are only scaled down for display in the browser
window. Internally the images keep their high resolution. Thus, the browser can generate more
accurate printouts compared to using source images in a low screen resolution.
To specify the dimension in which the barcode will be displayed on the HTML page you can use the
image attributes “width” and “height”. These attributes specify the display size of images on the
screen. Within the HTML code, this would look like:
<img src="/images/barcode.png" width="250" height="60">
The screen size of the barcode image does not only specify the size in which the barcode is dis-
played in the browser window, it also specifies the size in which the barcode will be drawn on the
printout. For translation, you need to know:
► All images, which are displayed in the web browser, are assumed to have a resolution of 96
dpi. Based on that resolution the size on the printout is calculated. This calculation is inde-
pendent of the printer resolution.
Example:
If a barcode image is displayed with 200 pixels, it will appear on your printout with a size of about 53
mm (200 pixels / 96 dpi  2.083 inches  52.91 mm).
This means: In order to make sure that the barcode has the correct size on the printout you have to
calculate the pixel size that is required for 96 dpi. Therefore divide the size (of the high-resolution
image) by the printer resolution and then multiply it by 96 dpi. This value must be used as “width”
(or as “height”) attribute for the image.
Example:
Image width = 900 pixel

Printer resolution = 600 dpi
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900 / 600 * 96 = 144 pixel

<img src="/images/barcode.png" width="144" height="60">
Please note:
► When using such high-resolution images you have to increase the font size for the barcode
to make the text look normal.
► Linear barcodes:
To avoid large file sizes you can use a higher resolution in the horizontal dimension of the
barcode image only. Please note: This approach will produce distorted fonts. So switch off
the font in the barcode and print the text separately using HTML.
► Instead of generating the barcode image for a dedicated printer resolution, you can also
produce the barcode with twice or triple the resolution as displayed in the browser window.
This will produce a good approximation. With more detailed source images, the rasterizing
errors are reduced and the printing quality is increased.
A.7.3 Optimizing Barcode Images with Respect to the Printer Resolution
Below we will describe a general approach for optimizing barcode images with respect to the printer
resolution. It can be used for all images, which are going to be printed. This optimization is only
possible if you know the resolution of the target printer.
For optimization, the following steps are required:
1. Specify the intended size of the barcode on the printout.

Please keep in mind that due to the optimization the final barcode size will vary!
e.g.: barcode width = 5 cm
2. Based on that size calculate the image size (in pixels) for the required printer resolution.
e.g.: printer resolution = 600 dpi
 5 cm / 2.54  1.97 inches
 Calculated image width = 1.97 * 600  1181 pixels
3. Now check if the barcode fits the pixel raster of the image, or if it has to be optimized.
We assume our (linear) barcode uses 101 modules6.
 Module width (in pixel) = 1181 / 101  11.7
 This module width cannot be represented with whole device pixels! The image has to be
optimized!
4. Optimize the image.
In order that all bars and spaces can be represented with whole device pixels, we have to
use an integer value for the module width. Therefore, the calculated pixel size has to be
rounded up or down.
 In our case, we will round the module width down to 11 pixels (instead of 11.7).
Therefore, the barcode will become a little smaller.
 The actual image width is now 11 * 101 = 1111 pixels.
5. Based on that pixel size the actual barcode size on the printout can be calculated.
 1111 / 600  1.85 inches  4.7 cm
6. For HTML only:
To print the barcode in the correct size, we have to calculate the width of the displayed
barcode in screen pixels:
 Therefore divide the image size by the printer resolution and multiply it by 96 dpi.
 1111 / 600 * 96 = 177.76 pixel
 In the HTML image tag you would specify a width of 178 pixels!
For code examples, see sections A.9.1 and A.9.2!
6
The module count is the number of modules, which is required for drawing the barcode. Example: If the barcode consists of
a bar, followed by a space and then followed by two bars (making one big bar) we would count 4 modules.
The module count can be retrieved using CountModules for linear barcodes and 2DXCols for 2D barcodes.
Page 105 of 113

Additional considerations:
► If you do not know the resolution of the target printer, it is a good approximation to use a
sufficiently high image resolution (e.g. 600 dpi). In any case the barcode image should be
optimized with respect to the image pixels (see step 4!).
► If you want to save space and therefore intend to create smaller images (e.g. for web
applications) you can do that. In this case you should take care, that after upscaling to the
printer resolution, the barcode can be printed with whole printer dots (see also the example
in section A.9.3).
Remark:
Another method to get optimal printouts would be to generate all barcode images with exactly one
pixel module width. Such images have an optimal barcode quality and can be up-scaled to any re-
quired size. Since you do not know if the printer driver uses anti-aliasing (and produces half tones)
when upscaling an image, or if you want to get a readable barcode text, the optimization as des-
cribed above is recommended.
A.8 Barcode Vector Graphics
In TEC-IT software, you do not only have the possibility to use bitmap images, but also vector
graphics images. Vector graphics have the advantage, that they do not contain any rastered data,
but only structural information about the barcode (positions and sizes of all bars). Therefore:
► All vector graphics can be arbitrarily scaled without gaining any loss of quality.
► The file size is usually rather small (it is independent of the barcode dimensions).
► However, during printing also vector graphics will eventually be rastered. Therefore, the
module width of the barcode should ideally always be a whole multiple of the dot size of your
printer. If the module width does not fit the printing raster, there will be inaccuracies on the
printout.
As a vector based file format TEC-IT supports the Encapsulated PostScript format (or short EPS
format). Considering the advantages as stated above it is usually a good idea to use the EPS
format instead of bitmap files wherever possible. However, please note that this format is only
supported by a few applications!
A.9 Code Examples for Barcode Optimization

For your understanding, the following examples show the barcode optimization by code. The first
four examples do the optimization by programmatic adaption of the module width. The last sample
shows the usage of the function BCGetOptimalBitmapSize.
A.9.1 Linear Barcodes
In this example, a linear barcode will be optimized for output. We assume the following
specification:
Barcode width = 60 mm
Barcode height = 30 mm
Resolution of the output device = 200 dpi (dots per inch)
Based on this specification we first calculate the projected barcode size in target device pixels. This
size (actually only the width) is then adjusted so that each bar and each space of the barcode
exactly matches the output raster. This is achieved by making sure that the width of one module is a
multiple of one device pixel. A similar height adjustment is not necessary because the scanning
process is usually not affected by the height of the barcode.
Page 106 of 113

First, we calculate the barcode width in device pixels:

Therefore we convert the width (which is given in mm) to inches. Then we multiply the result by the
resolution (dots per inch) of the output device.
60 / 25.4 * 200  472.44 dots (or pixels)
Then we calculate the module width and adopt it, so that all bars and spaces can be displayed with
whole pixels:
// 1) Specify the barcode type, the barcode data, etc.
//
// Do your barcode adjustments here!
// 2) Specify the favored barcode size.

// To optimize the output quality we will do all calculations in device pixels.
// Therefore, the given size (in this case in mm) must be converted to device pixels
// with respect to the resolution of the output device.
LONG ldpi = 200;
LONG lBarcodeWidth = (LONG)ConvertMMToPixel (60.0f, ldpi); // 60 mm --> 472.44 pix
LONG lBarcodeHeight = (LONG)ConvertMMToPixel (30.0f, ldpi); // 30 mm --> 236.22 pix
// 3) Get the horizontal module count.

// This function returns the number of modules that was calculated for the given
// barcode. This is usually an integer! For non-integer values the optimization
// will not work!
DOUBLE dCountModules = ::BCGetCountModules ( pBC );
DOUBLE dModuleWidth;
// avoid division by zero

if( dCountModules > 0.0)
{
// 4) Calculate the current module width:
// --> Divide the barcode width by the horizontal module count.
dModuleWidth = (DOUBLE)lBarcodeWidth/dCountModules;
// 5) Optimize the module width:

// For an optimal barcode, the module width must be a multiple of one device pixel!
// Thus, all decimal places have to be eliminated.
// In this case the value is rounded up with the ceil-function.
dModuleWidth = ceil ( dModuleWidth );
// 6) Now that you have found the optimal module width

// calculate the width of the complete barcode in target device pixels.
lBarcodeWidth = (LONG)(dCountModules * dModuleWidth);
}
// 7) The optimized barcode width can now be used to draw the barcode or to save
// the barcode as an image. In this sample, the barcode will be saved as an image.
::BCSaveImage ( pBC, "C:\\ MyBarcode.BMP", eIMBmp,
lBarcodeWidth, lBarcodeHeight, ldpi, ldpi );
A.9.2 2D Barcodes
For 2D barcodes, we have to do both a vertical and a horizontal size adjustment.
Barcode width = 60 mm
Barcode height = 30 mm (assuming a rectangular 2D barcode like PDF417)
Resolution of the output device = 200 dpi
The following code example shows the complete calculation, which is necessary for optimizing a 2D
barcode for the given output, device resolution:
// 1) Specify the barcode type, the barcode data, etc.
//
// Do your barcode adjustments here!
// 2) Specify the favored barcode size.

// For optimizing the output quality, we will do all calculations in device pixels.
// Therefore, the given size (in this case in mm) must be converted to device pixels
Page 107 of 113

// with respect to the resolution of the output device.

LONG ldpi = 200;
LONG lBarcodeWidth = (LONG)ConvertMMToPixel (60.0f, ldpi); // 60 mm --> 472.44 pix
LONG lBarcodeHeight = (LONG)ConvertMMToPixel (30.0f, ldpi); // 30 mm --> 236.22 pix
// 3) Get the horizontal and vertical module count7.

// This function returns the number of modules that was calculated for the given
// barcode. This is usually an integer! For non-integer values the optimization
// will not work!
LONG lCols = ::BCGet2D_XCols ( pBC );
LONG lRows = ::BCGet2D_XRows ( pBC );
// avoid division by zero

if( lCols > 0 && lRows > 0 )
{
// 4) Optimize the barcode width and height:
// For an optimal barcode, the module width must be a multiple of one device pixel!
// Thus, all decimal places have to be eliminated.
// In this case the value is rounded up with the ceil-function.
// Then the module width/height is again multiplied by the module count.
lBarcodeWidth = (LONG)ceil((DOUBLE)lBarcodeWidth /(DOUBLE)lCols) * lCols;
lBarcodeHeight = (LONG)ceil((DOUBLE)lBarcodeHeight/(DOUBLE)lRows) * lRows;
}
// 5) The optimized barcode width and height can now be used to draw the barcode or to
// save the barcode as an image. In this sample, the barcode will be saved as an image.
::BCSaveImage ( pBC, "C:\\MyBarcode.BMP", eIMBmp,
lBarcodeWidth, lBarcodeHeight, ldpi, ldpi );
A.9.3 Prepare a Barcode with a specific Module Width for a Web Page
In the following example, we want to create a barcode image with a module width of 15 mils. The
printer resolution is assumed 600 dpi.
Therefore, the module width is 0.015 * 600 = 9 device pixels.
Furthermore, we want to generate a rather small image. Therefore we will use just 3 (instead of 9)
pixels as module width. This means the barcode image is actually optimized for a resolution of 200
dpi. For printing with 600 dpi, the image will be scaled by 3 (3 * 3 = 9 device pixels). That is perfect.
In order to prepare the image, we have to do the following steps:
Step 1: Create the Image
First, we calculate the horizontal size of the barcode image in pixels. Therefore, we multiply the
number of barcode modules width the intended module width (in pixel):
' the number of modules in the barcode
CntModules = tbc.CountModules8
' one module will be 3 pixels in the generated image

BitmapWidth = 3 * CntModules
' the height of the barcode image is half an inch

BitmapHeight = 100
' convert to bitmap stream

ImgByteArray = ConvertToStream (eIMPng, BitmapWidth, BitmapHeight, ...)
Step 2: Scale the Image
Now we calculate the desired display size in the browser, so that the barcode will finally be printed
in the correct size on the printout. HTML assumes a screen resolution of 96 dpi. The image was
optimized for 200 dpi. Thus, we have to scale the image for display in the browser by 96 / 200.
7
In TBarCode SDK V10+ you can use DLL function BCGetOptimalBitmapSize()
8
In TBarCode SDK V10+ you can use COM method GetOptimalBitmapSize()
Page 108 of 113

DispWidth = BitmapWidth * 96 / 200

DispHeight = BitmapHeight * 96 / 200
<img src="<%="Barcode.asp?" & URLPARAM%>" width="<%=DispWidth%>" height="<%=DispHeight%>”
This procedure works for web applications (ConvertToStream method) as well as for storing image
files (SaveImage method).
A.9.4 Create a 2D Barcode Image with the Module Width specified in Pixels
To get a precise image you can adjust the size of the image in pixels according to the required
horizontal and vertical size of the barcode. By using the properties 2DXCols (number of columns in
modules) and 2DXRows (number of rows in modules) the size of the image can be optimized:
Dim nScale As Long
Dim nXSize As Long
Dim nYSize As Long
' 1) Initialize the barcode

TBarCode111.Text = "Somedata"
TBarCode111.BarCode = TBarCode11Lib.eBC_MicroPDF417
' 2) Use 5 pixels per module

nScale = 5
nXSize = TBarCode111.Get2DXCols * nScale
nYSize = TBarCode111.Get2DXRows * nScale
' 3) Save the barcode using the optimized size

' (Please note: The resolution specified by the last two parameters is only stored as
' Information in the image attributes (if supported by the image type).
' It has no influence on the pixel size of the generated image.)
TBarCode111.SaveImage "C:/MyBarcode.bmp", TBarCode11Lib.eIMBmp, nXSize, nYSize, 72, 72
A.9.5 Optimize an Image using BCGetOptimalBitmapSize
The following code snippet shows you how to use the function GetOptimalBitmapSize().
Dim lWidth As Long
Dim lHeight As Long
' 1) Initialize the barcode

TBarCode111.Text = "Somedata"
TBarCode111.BarCode = TBarCode11Lib.eBC_Code128
TBarCode111.Width = 200
TBarCode111.Height = 70
' 2) Optimize the pixel size of the barcode image

TBarCode111.GetOptimalBitmapSize 1, 1, lWidth, lHeight
' 3) Save the barcode using the optimized image width and height
' (Please note: The resolution specified by the last two parameters is only stored as
' Information in the image attributes (if supported by the image type).
' It has no influence on the pixel size of the generated image.)
TBarCode111.SaveImage "C:\temp\Doc1.bmp", TBarCode11Lib.eIMBmp, lWidth, lHeight, 72, 72
Page 109 of 113

Appendix B: Barcode Quiet Zones
The information contained in this chapter is subject to be changed without notification. We are sorry,
but we cannot guarantee that all information is error-free. TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH is not
liable for any damages or lost profits if somebody relies on the information in this chapter.
We recommend the following quiet zones to be used with the listed bar code symbologies. Please
consider that quiet zones often depend on a specific label format, so please hold on to your
specification (if you have one).
The “X” stands for module width (narrow bar width).
B.1 Linear Symbologies
No. Barcode Symbology Vertical quiet zone Horizontal quiet zone

top bottom left right
63 Australian Post Customer
64 Australian Post Customer 2
65 Australian Post Customer 3
2 mm 6 mm
68 Australian Post Redirection
66 Australian Post Reply Paid
67 Australian Post Routing
18 Codabar – 10X
2 Code 2 of 5 Standard / Code 2 of 5 Matrix
6 Code 2 of 5 Data Logic
4 Code 2 of 5 IATA – 10X, min. ¼ inch
7 Code 2 of 5 Industrial
3 Code 2 of 5 Interleaved
1 Code 11 – 10X
8 Code 39
– 10X, min. ¼ inch
9 Code 39 Extended
25 Code 93
62 Code 93 Extended
20 Code 128
59 Code 128 Subset A
60 Code 128 Subset B
61 Code 128 Subset C
22 Deutsche Post Identcode
see Code 39
21 Deutsche Post Leitcode
10 EAN-89 7X
11 EAN-8 with 2 digits add-on9 – add-on: add-on:
12 EAN-8 with 5 digits add-on9 7-10X 5X
13 EAN-139 11X 7X
14 EAN-13 with 2 digits add-on 9
– add-on: add-on:
15 EAN-13 with 5 digits add-on9 7-10X 5X
72 EAN-14 see EAN-128
16 GS1-128 (EAN-128) – 10X, min. ¼ inch
9
In TEC-IT software, the quiet zones for this symbology are included in the barcode generation algorithm. You need no extra
adjustments.
Page 110 of 113

28 Flattermarken depends on the application

69 ISBN Code see EAN-13 P5
89 ITF-14 10X
76 Japanese Postal 2 mm 2 mm 2 mm 2 mm
77 Korean Post Authority not exactly specified,
–
but use 10X
50 LOGMARS see Code 39
47 MSI see Plessey
75 NVE-18 see EAN-128
51 Pharmacode One-Track
– 6 mm
53 Pharmacode Two-Track
82 Planet 12
see USPS POSTNET
83 Planet 14
46 Plessey Code – 12X
52 PZN (Pharma Zentralnummer) see Code 39
70 Royal Mail 4 State (RM4SCC) – 2 mm
29 GS1 DataBar (RSS-14)
78 GS1 DataBar Truncated (RSS-14 Truncated) no quiet zone
–
31 GS1 DataBar Expanded (RSS Expanded) required
30 GS1 DataBar Limited (RSS Limited)
48 SSCC-18 see EAN-128
(for some label specs it says ¼ inch)
118 Swedish Postal Shipment ID – 10X
32 Telepen Alpha – –
33 UCC / EAN-128 (GS1-128) – 10X, min. ¼ inch
17 UPC 12 – 9X
34 UPC version A10 9X
35 UPC version A, 2 digits add-on10 – add-on: add-on:
36 UPC version A, 5 digits add-on10 9-12X 5X
37 UPC version E10 9X 7X
38 UPC version E, 2 digits add-on10
– add-on: add-on:
39 UPC version E, 5 digits add-on10 9-12X 5X
40 USPS POSTNET 5
41 USPS POSTNET 6
42 USPS POSTNET 9
1/25 inch 1/8 inch
43 USPS POSTNET 10
44 USPS POSTNET 11
45 USPS POSTNET 12
Table 32: Quiet Zones (Linear Symbologies)
B.2 2D Symbologies
No. Barcode Symbology Vertical quiet zone Horizontal quiet zone

top bottom left right
92 Aztec Code – –
74 Codablock F 10X 10x
71 Data Matrix 1 cell (1X) 1 cell (1X)
115 DotCode 3 cells (3X) 3 cells (3X)
10
In TEC-IT software, the quiet zones for this symbology are included in the barcode generation algorithm. You need no
extra adjustments.
Page 111 of 113

116 Han Xin Code 3 cells (3X) 3 cells (3X)

57 MaxiCode 1 cell (1X) 1 cell (1X)
84 MicroPDF417 – 1X
97 Micro QR-Code 4 cells (4X) 4 cells (4X)
55 PDF417
2X 2X
56 PDF417 Truncated
58 QR-Code 4 cells (4X) 4 cells (4X)
79 GS1 DataBar Stacked
(RSS-14 Stacked)
80 GS1 DataBar Stacked Omni directional
– –
(RSS-14 Stacked Omni directional)
81 GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked
(RSS Expanded Stacked)
Table 33: Quiet Zones (2D Symbologies)
Page 112 of 113

Appendix C: Extended Channel Interpretation (ECI)
C.1 ECI Overview
Here a short overview about the available ECI specifiers for defining the encoding of subsequent
bar code data (see also section 4.7.)
ECI Number Description

ECI 000000 (equates to original GLI 0): The lower half of the character set (decimal value 0 to 127) equates to
ISO/IEC 646: 1991 IRV (equivalent to ANSI X3.4), the upper half (decimal
value 128 to 255) equates to Code Page PC437.
ISO/IEC 15438 Bar code symbology specification-PDF417: Default character
set to 1994 specification with GLI rules.
ECI 000001(equates to original GLI 1): The lower half of the character set (decimal value 0 to 127) equates to
ISO/IEC 646: 1991 IRV (equivalent to ANSI X3.4) and characters 128 to 255
being identical to those values of ISO 8859-1.
ISO/IEC 15438 Bar code symbology specification-PDF417: Latin 1 character
set to 1994 specification with GLI rules.
ECI 000002 PC437 (code table equivalent to ECI 000000, without the reset-to-GLI 0 logic).
ECI 000003 ISO 8859-1 (code table equivalent to ECI 000001, without the reset-to-GLI 0
logic).
ECI 000004 ISO 8859-2 Latin-2 Central European
ECI 000005 ISO 8859-3 Latin-3 South European
ECI 000006 ISO 8859-4 Latin-4 North European
ECI 000007 ISO 8859-5 Latin/Cyrillic
ECI 000008 ISO 8859-6 Latin/Arabic
ECI 000009 ISO 8859-7 Latin/Greek
ECI 000010 ISO 8859-8 Latin/Hebrew
ECI 000011 ISO 8859-9 Latin-5 Turkish
ECI 000012 ISO 8859-10 Latin-6 Nordic
ECI 000013 ISO 8859-11 Latin/Thai
ECI 000015 ISO 8859-13 Latin-7 Baltic Rim
ECI 000016 ISO 8859-14 Latin-8 Celtic
ECI 000017 ISO 8859-15 Latin-9
ECI 000018 ISO 8859-16 Latin-10 South-Eastern European
ECI 000020 Shift JIS (JIS X 0208 Annex 1 + JIS X 0201)
ECI 000021 Windows 1250 Latin 2 (Central Europe) 2001-02-12
ECI 000022 Windows 1251 Cyrillic 2001-02-12
ECI 000023 Windows 1252 Latin 1 2001-02-12
ECI 000024 Windows 1256 Arabic
ECI 000025 ISO/IEC 10646 UCS-2 (High order octet first)
ECI 000026 ISO/IEC 10646 UTF-8
Table 34: ECI Numbers
► Character set overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_8859-1
Page 113 of 113

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TEC-IT Barcode Software

6.4.13 HIBC PAS Data Matrix 84

2.1 Table of Figures

2.2 List of Tables

Table 21: Maxi Code Data Capacity 70

3.1 Scope of this Document

This document describes barcode symbologies supported by TEC-IT software in a non-product-

► TBarCode OCX A Microsoft ActiveX compliant barcode control

3.2 Barcode Types

3.2.1 Linear 1D Barcodes

Figure 1: Linear Barcode Sample

3.2.2 2D Barcodes (Stacked)

Figure 2: 2D-Stacked Barcode Sample

Two-dimensional barcodes are known under names like PDF417, or Codablock F.

3.2.3 2D Barcodes (Matrix Codes)

Figure 3: 2D Barcode Sample

3.2.4 Composite Codes

3.3 Barcode Glossary

Bar A bar is represented by the dark or black elements in a barcode.

Substitution Due to reading errors, a character is replaced by another during

4 Important Barcode Parameters

4.1 Barcode Symbology

4.2 Module Width

Figure 5: Module Width

4.2.2 Optimize the Module Width

► 200 dpi: 2 modules á one pixel (0.127 mm) = 0.254 mm

Figure 6: Raster Optimization

4.2.3 Module Width and Reading Distance

Module Width Depth of Field

4.3 Bar Width Reduction (Pixel Shaving)

4.4 Quiet Zone

Figure 7: Quiet Zone

4.5 Print Ratio and Ratio Format

Figure 8: Print Ratio

Ratio Format Specifier Description

 Select subsets in Code 128, GS1-128 (even within the code!)

4.6.1 Format Examples

red characters represented in subset A

4.7 Escape Sequences (Encoding Binary Data)

Escape Description Valid for Barcode Symbology

4.8 Check Digits

Check digit enumeration Enumeration Check digit calculation methods

eCDMod11W9 35 Modulo 11 (using maximum weight 9)

5 Application Identifiers (AI)

► Use FNC1 only with variable length data fields

You find additional links in our support area as well:

5.2.2 Multiple AIs within one Barcode

► Because AI 01 is a fixed length data field, no FNC1 (field separator) is used.

5.2.3 GS1-128 with embedded Check Digit

5.3 GS1 DataBar Expanded / GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked

5.3.1 AIs with a Fixed Length

5.3.1.1 AI(01) and Weight

AI (01) must begin with an indicator digit of 9 for variable units

Combinations Description Max. Weight

5.3.1.2 AI(01), Weight and Date

Two or three data elements will be used for the barcode:

Combinations Description Addition

5.3.2 AIs with Variable Lengths

5.3.2.1 AI (01) and Price