Barcode Basics

  



A basic bar code reader consists of a decoder and a scanner, (a cable is also required to interface the decoder to the computer or terminal). The basic operation of a scanner is to scan a bar code symbol and provide an electrical output that corresponds to the bars and spaces of a bar code.


Professional quality mac barcode software

  1. However, adopting barcode inventory management, errors will decrease dramatically. Why Companies Use Barcoding. An inventory barcode system is a more reliable and efficient method of inventory management. To alleviate manual processes, barcode inventory management allows managers to perform their duties in a more convenient and efficient manner.
  2. Barcode length defines the total length including the right and left quiet zones. If the barcode length, includinng quiet zones, does not fit in the scan width, the barcode reader cannot scan the data.
Unlike font-based solutions, Barcode Basics supports pro features such as bar width reduction (bwr), code scaling and truncation (bar height).

Huge code support

Our flagship macOS barcode software, Barcode Basics supports many common symbologies including EAN8, EAN13, UPC-E, UPC-A, ITF14, ISBN, ISSN, ISMN and MSI Plessey (all check digit types)

Automator Support

Barcode Basics

Includes Automator actions as standard, allowing you to add barcode creation to your Automator Workflows – anything you can do in the app, can be done in a workflow.

Our barcode software for Mac OS X / macOS (including Catalina) creates all common linear bar code symbologies. Barcodes can be saved as vector or bitmap files. It also includes specialist functionality that print professionals need including bar width reduction (bwr), code scaling and vector (EPS) output. These features are absent from other font-based mac barcode software and traditionally you had to pay heavily for them in professional barcode generators. Barcode Basics provides cost effective access to these barcode generation features for a fraction of the cost.

As well as vector formats required for commercial printing, Barcode Basics can also generate barcodes in formats such as JPG, GIF, PNG and BMP at high resolution. These are ideal formats for use in apps such as Microsoft Office, Keynote etc.

Barcode Basics supports both metric and imperial units.

If you have any problems or questions about Barcode Basics then please contact us using the support link at the top right of this page. We pride ourselves on our prompt, helpful support service.

Supported Barcodes

Code TypeNotes
Code 11Also known as: USD-8
Code 39Also known as: Code 3 of 9, LOGMARS, Alpha39, USD-3, USS-39. Standards: ISO/IEC 16388, ANSI/AIM BC1 - USS Code 39, BS EN 800, MIL STD 1189
Code 128Alpha-numeric codes supported
UPC-AThe UPC-A barcode symbology is used for identification of retail goods at point of sale inside of the US. It usually carries a GTIN-12.
Also known as: UPC, UCC-12, Universal Product Code.
UPC-EUPC-E is a compacted form of the UPC-A barcode symbology that usually carries a GTIN-12. tandards: ISO/IEC 15420, BS EN 797, GS1 General Specifications.
EAN-8EAN-8 is derived from the EAN-13 barcode symbology and is designed for small packaging. It usually carries a GTIN-8. Also known as: UCC-8, JAN-8.
EAN-13EAN-13 is an extension of the UPC-A barcode symbology that usually carries a GTIN-13. Also known as: EAN, UCC-13, European Article Number, International Article Number, JAN, JAN-13, IAN, WPC, SAAN, UCCET, ABAC, BCCI, ICA, MANA, KANC, ANA, ANC.
EAN-14EAN-14 is an implementation of the GS1-128 barcode symbology with AI (01) Also known as: UCC-14. Standards: ISO/IEC 15417, ANSI/AIM BC4-1999 ISS, BS EN 799, GS1 General Specifications.
ITF-14Also known as: UPC Shipping Container Symbol, SCS, UPC Case Code. Standards: ISO/IEC 16390, ANSI/AIM BC2-1995 USS, BS EN 801, GS1 General Specifications.
Interleaved 2 of 5Also known as: ITF, Code 2 of 5 Interleaved, USD-1, USS-Interleaved 2 of 5. Standards: ISO/IEC 16390, ANSI/AIM BC2 - USS Interleaved 2 of 5, BS EN 801
Deutsche Post IdentcodeDeutsche Post Identcode is an implementation of the Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode symbology that is used by German Post for mail routing. Also known as: DHL Identcode
Deutsche Post LeitcodeThe Deutsche Post Leitcode barcode symbology is an implementation of the Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode that is used by German Post for mail routing. Also known as: DHL Leitcode
Japan Post
Royal Mail (UK)Used by the Royal Mail to encode the postcode and delivery point identifier on letter mail. Also known as: RM4SCC, CBC
Royal TNT Post (Netherlands)Used by the Dutch Postal Service to encode the delivery point identifier on letter mail. Also known as: KIX
UPS Intelligent MailUsed by the US Postal service to encode the delivery and sender information on letter mail. Also known as: USPS OneCode. Standards: USPS-STD-11.
USPS PlanetUsed by the US Postal service to encode the ZIP code information on letter mail
USPS PostnetUsed by the US Postal service to encode the ZIP code information on letter mail
GS1 Databar Omnidirectional
GS1 Databar Stacked
GS1 Databar Stacked Omnidirectional
GS1 Databar Truncated
GS1 Databar Limited
Italian PharmacodeUsed for pharmaceutical products in Italy. Also known as: Code 32, IMH, Radix 32
PZN7Used for pharmaceutical products in Germany
PZN8Used for pharmaceutical products in Germany
PharmacodeAlso known as Laetus
Two Track Pharmacode
ISBNAn ISBN barcode is a variant of EAN-13 that is used to identify books. Also known as: ISBN-13, International Standard Book Number, Bookland EAN-13. Standards: ISO 2108, ISO/IEC 15420, BS EN 797, GS1 General Specifications.
ISMNVariant of EAN-13 with a prefix 979 that is used to identify printed music. Also known as: International Standard Music Number, ISMN-13. Standards: ISO 10957, ISO/IEC 15420, BS EN 797, GS1 General Specifications
ISSNAn EAN-13 with prefix 977 used to identify periodicals. Also known as: International Standard Serial Number.
Standards: ISO 3297, ISO/IEC 15420, BS EN 797, GS1 General Specifications
SSCC-18Typically used to encode an eighteen-digit shipping container serial number. Also known as: EAN-18, NVE. Standards: ISO/IEC 15417, ANSI/AIM BC4-1999 ISS, BS EN 799, GS1 General Specifications.
MSI PlesseyAlso known as: MSI, MSI Modified Plessey

If you’re looking for a macOS barcode generator which won’t break the bank then why not give Barcode Basics a try! Click the Mac App Store link below for more information and to get your copy.


The two most common types of barcodes used today are the 1D and 2D symbologies. You can find a barcode anywhere and everywhere in today’s world. From everyday shopping to working in all types of industries. The barcode has made it’s presence known and for a good reason. It literally makes everyone’s life much simpler like, scanning that tag you see at your local BestBuy to get that lowest price online. A barcode and scanner can be find even in your local Starbucks! I’m sure you noticed everyone using their phones to scan the barcode to pay for their coffee. Yep, that’s a 2D barcode they’re using. Let’s dig deeper into the world of barcodes.

Introduction to Barcodes

I’m sure you have come across a laser scanner in your daily travels and maybe you haven’t even noticed one. Scanners are used to capture the data behind every barcode. The data can be as simple as the number of items stocked in a warehouse to locating the item in the warehouse. Adding all the data to a label saves time and manpower for actually replacing the need for an individual to do the work.

Barcode Basics App

The majority of barcode types do not have a universal application. Meaning a 1D barcode isn’t the do-all barcode and can not do what a 2D barcode is capable of doing. The flexibility of a 2D imager is quit useful to industries whose environments are likely to require a device that can read multiple symbology types.

Barcode

The flexibility of a 2D imager

Capturing every barcode is possible with a 2D imager which can read both 1D and 2D barcodes. Both, from paper and electronic screens such as cell phones or computer screens. This enables the user to read virtually any barcode that may come across their path.
Even if a label is slightly damaged, torn, smudged or poorly printed with a 2D imager its designed to read damaged barcodes.

Barcode Basics

Examples of Barcode Symbologies

Barcodes can be divided into symbologies, or barcode languages, which support different types and amounts of data.

Barcode Basics Review

Barcodes are divided into two main types being one-dimensional (1D) and the other two-dimensional (2D). The 1D barcodes are the most widely adopted and oldest of the two types which is composed of vertical black bars and white spaces of varying lengths. 2D barcodes store the information vertically and horizontally to support much more amounts of data.

Basics

Barcode Basics For Your Business

Zebra Technologies, one of the leaders in the barcode world offers a very nice info-graph which shines a much brighter light on the differences between the two types. Discover the black-and-white on the most widely adopted method of data transmission here.