Free Bulk Barcode Generator & Label Printing Software

4. Effortless Bulk Barcode Label Printing Our barcode label design and printing software makes it easy

to print bulk barcode labels. Whether using sequential numbering or Excel data, the process is

streamlined into just three simple steps.       Excel Data barcode Generator Software     Command Line Barcode Software

With our free barcode generator software, there's no need for an expensive barcode printer or professional label design software. Barcode labels can be created using existing office resources— all you need is barcode software.

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6. Our barcode generator software is designed for everyday users, making it easy for anyone to master

without formal training. Below is a screenshot of the software, demonstrating the simple three-step

process for printing barcode labels. It also includes pre-defined barcode label templates for batch

printing on Avery labels, streamlining the workflow.

   Standard Edition:

>>> This barcode software supports nearly all 1D and 2D barcode types, including EAN-13, Code 128, QR Code, and many more.

Utilize Excel data to efficiently generate and print bulk barcode labels with ease        

Learn how to seamlessly import data from Excel for efficient barcode generation and printing

Professional Edition:

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7. The full-version barcode generator software offers enhanced convenience for batch data input.

>>> Our Barcode Generator Software Supports Large-Scale Batch Label Printing.

>>> Our Barcode Generator Software allows you to efficiently handle large batches of barcode labels. Instead of entering data for each label. individually, you can input the contents of hundreds or even thousands of labels at once. This enables batch printing of barcode labels, saving you valuable time.

>>> You can also prepare the label contents in Excel beforehand, then import the data directly into the barcode generator software. The software will then generate and print the barcode labels in bulk, streamlining your workflow and improving productivity.

>>> Additionally, our barcode generator software supports multiple data input modes, offering flexibility to meet your specific needs.

(1) Import Excel Data for Barcode Creation

      This barcode program allows you to import data directly from Excel, enabling you to easily edit and manage your barcode data within MS Excel.

(2) Print Multiple Barcodes on a Single Page

      You can print a variety of barcodes on one page by entering multiple lines of text, each corresponding to a different barcode.

(3) Generate Sequential Barcode Labels

      The program enables the creation of multiple barcode labels, each with a unique number in a sequential order.

Click here to view detailed information and screenshot of the ES Barcode Generator Software.      Excel Data to Barcodes

8. Printing Barcode Labels with a Professional Barcode Printer.

Example: Printing a barcode label using a Zebra printer on 4" x 2.5" label paper with our barcode generator software.

1. Choose "Customize Paper" – Enter the desired paper width and height manually.
2. Set the Layout – Set the number of columns to 1 and rows to 1 for a single label per sheet.

9. Designing Complex Barcode Labels and Printing on Matrix Label Sheets (e.g., Avery Label).  Detailed Steps

You can import data from Excel or automatically generate serial numbers and enumeration data to print barcode labels in bulk.

Barcode Printing: How to Use Our Barcode Software to Print Barcode Labels

There are two main ways:

A. Print Bulk Barcode Labels with a Standard Laser or Inkjet Printer

You can easily print large quantities of barcode labels using any standard laser or inkjet printer. This method is cost-effective and works well with various types of label paper, making it ideal for general labeling needs.

B. Print Barcode Labels Using a Professional Barcode Printer     Detail Steps

For more specialized or high-volume printing, you can use professional barcode printers from brands like Zebra, TSC, Brother, and others. These printers are designed specifically for printing durable, high-quality barcode labels and are well-suited for industrial or commercial use.   

<>>. A free online barcode generator requires no installation, making it convenient for quick barcode creation. However, the installed version of free barcode

         software offers more powerful features. It allows users to design complex labels that include barcodes, text, logos, and more. Additionally, it supports

         bulk printing of barcode labels directly from Excel data.     MS Word format barcode product list and description download

<>>. This barcode generator software is available for download on Download.com, the leading software download site. It holds the distinction of being the most

         downloaded software in the Inventory Management category:      Free-Barcode-Generator-on-download-cnet-com

<>>. This barcode generator software is also available on Softonic, where you can find reviews and download it safely:

Click this link to download:     https://free-barcode.en.softonic.com

New Version 6.8.19 Available - Free Upgrade Now     New Barcode Software Features

Supports computer OS that use commas as decimal points.    Vertical printing.    Add ASCII key to barcode: TAB, Enter, etc.   Auto generate sequence number barcodes.   Support all type of barcode & QR Code.   Use Excel data to print bulk barcode labels and make barcode png emf bmp images.  For all professional barcode printer,  Laser / InkJet Printer.   Export to Word Excel for Make Barcode Labels.   Vertical Print Barcode and Text.    Add Multiple Line Texts to Barcode.    Auto Resize to Fit Label Paper.

Detail of this barcode software.        Can run by command line. 

The Advantages of using a barcode system:

If you are looking to reduce costs and save time, implementing a barcode system is a smart choice. Whether you are running a company or managing a non-commercial organization, barcode systems can significantly improve efficiency and reduce overhead. This economical and reliable solution can streamline operations while keeping costs low. With our free barcode generator software and a standard office printer, you can easily implement this system.

A barcode system eliminates the possibility of human error. The error rate associated with manually entering data is much higher than that of scanning barcodes. Barcode scanning is fast, accurate, and much quicker than manual data entry. For example, using QR codes can instantly capture and process hundreds of characters, greatly enhancing data input speed. Our QR code and barcode generator software is easy to use, ensuring seamless integration into your workflow.

Using barcode software simplifies processes, which reduces the time required for employee training. Employees can master the barcode scanner in just a few minutes to begin collecting data. There's no need for them to familiarize themselves with complex inventory systems or pricing procedures, which helps cut down on training costs.

The design and printing costs of barcodes are also low. Regardless of their usage or placement, barcode costs remain affordable. Barcodes can be economically customized, available in various finishes and materials. With our free barcode software, you can enhance your operational efficiency with minimal investment.

Barcode systems are highly versatile and can be used for a wide range of data collection needs. This includes tracking pricing, inventory, and management information systems. Barcodes can be applied to almost any surface, allowing you to track not only products but also production processes, shipments, and equipment.

Implementing a barcode system significantly improves inventory control. It allows for precise tracking of inventory levels, reducing excess stock and minimizing the chance of stockouts. The ability to track inventory and equipment locations also shortens the time spent searching for items, further enhancing operational efficiency.

Barcodes provide high-quality data. They can store various types of information, such as inventory levels and pricing details. QR codes, for example, can store thousands of characters, ensuring that critical information can be retrieved quickly by a barcode scanner. This fast turnaround minimizes time spent on data entry and retrieval. Additionally, barcodes can be customized to include relevant information tailored to your specific needs.

In management information systems, barcodes facilitate better decision-making. Since data can be obtained quickly and accurately, you can access a comprehensive range of information for your entire organization, enabling more informed decisions. Making better decisions ultimately saves both time and money.

Barcodes are inexpensive, user-friendly, and provide an indispensable tool for tracking data, from pricing to inventory. The end result of a well-integrated barcode system is a significant reduction in overhead costs, making it an essential component for businesses and organizations seeking to improve operational efficiency.

<<>>  When customizing a batch of products at the factory, it’s often necessary to apply barcode labels with unique numbers to each item to facilitate customer identification and product tracking. However, when barcode labels are printed on roll paper, as is commonly done by most barcode software, it can be difficult to quickly find the label with the correct number to apply to each product. This is because the barcode labels are printed in sequential order on the roll, but the products themselves may not be arranged in the same numerical order.

<<>>  Our barcode printing software solves this problem with an efficient and practical solution. Instead of printing the labels on roll paper, you can print a batch of barcode labels directly onto A4 sheets or Avery label paper, effectively creating a "barcode label book." By referencing the page numbers in the barcode label book, you can easily locate the label with the corresponding number and apply it to the correct product. This method significantly improves workflow efficiency and reduces the time spent searching for the correct labe.

Barcode technology is widely regarded as one of the most economical and practical automatic identification methods. Barcode symbols serve as a means of identification that can be used independently or integrated into a device identification system to enable automatic identification. They can also be connected to other control equipment to automate the management of an entire system. In the absence of automatic identification equipment, barcodes can still be manually entered using a keyboard.

Barcode recognition devices are simple in design, easy to operate, and do not require special training. Additionally, barcodes are cost-effective to produce and can be easily printed, earning them the title of "printable computer language.".

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If you need to overprint barcode labels onto existing forms, shipping labels, invoices, reports, and more, ES Barcode Generator software can meet your needs. With just a few simple clicks, you can easily set the print position and print barcodes directly onto any existing form.

You can also print batches of various barcodes on a single page, export them to popular graphic file formats, or copy them to the Windows clipboard. These barcodes can then be pasted onto shipping labels, invoices, and more, or imported into desktop publishing software, word processors, or ERP/MIS systems for reports. Additionally, barcodes can be inserted into MS Word, Excel files, or Avery label templates.

Our Barcode Software supports all the most widely used barcode types. You can import barcode data from text or Excel files to print large volumes of barcode labels quickly and efficiently.

ES Barcode Generator Software offers the flexibility to handle even the most demanding labeling tasks, making it an ideal choice for those who need an easy and reliable way to print barcode labels.

Barcode Technology: An Overview:

Since their invention more than 50 years ago, barcodes have played a crucial role in enabling accurate data capture, the efficient movement of goods, and automation across various industries. Whether at the Point-of-Sale (POS), in hospitals, or in manufacturing environments, these simple black-and-white images provide immense value.

There are many different barcode symbologies, or "languages," each with its own set of rules for encoding characters (such as letters, numbers, and punctuation), printing, decoding, and error checking.

Barcode symbologies differ not only in how they represent data but also in the types of data they can encode. Some symbologies are designed to encode only numeric data, while others can encode both numbers and letters, along with a few punctuation marks. Some more advanced symbologies offer the ability to encode the full 128 or 256 ASCII character sets. Recently developed symbologies have even expanded to allow for the encoding of characters in any language, as well as specialized data types for specific applications.

Barcodes that are widely used today are governed by international standards. These standards also address the quality of printing and the equipment used for barcode generation. The standards for barcode technology define:

Rules for representing data in an optically readable format.

Techniques for printing or marking the barcode.

Methods for reading and decoding barcodes.

Standards for measuring the quality of printed or marked symbols.

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The history and future of barcoding technology.

Why use barcodes?

Using barcode have many benefits, such as:

Speed: Barcodes make it faster to scan items at a store or track inventory in a warehouse, this greatly improves the work efficiency of store and warehouse staff. The barcode system makes it faster to ship and receive goods, store items in a sensible way, locate them.

Accuracy: Barcodes reduce human errors in entering or recording information, and enables real-time information access and automated data collection whenever and wherever needed. They have an error rate of about one in three million entries.

Cost-effectiveness: Barcodes are cheap to produce and print, and they can save money by improving efficiency and reducing losses. Barcoding systems allow organizations to accurately record the quantity of product remaining, where it is located, and when it needs to be reordered. This avoids waste and reduces the amount of money tied up in excess inventory, resulting in greater cost-efficiency.

Inventory control: Barcodes help organizations track the quantity, location and status of their goods throughout their life cycle, improve the efficiency of warehouse goods entering and exiting the warehouse, and make ordering decisions based on more accurate inventory levels.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of barcodes?

Advantages of barcodes include:

Capture data quickly and accurately, reducing paperwork and the potential for errors.
Reduce labor costs.

To obtain information in a timely manner, you only need to scan the barcode label attached to an item to access its database through the barcode system and obtain relevant information about the item.

Improve production efficiency and productivity.

Reduce employee training time because using a barcoding system is easy and less error-prone.

Improve inventory management and allow managers in the organization to make better decisions.

Disadvantages of barcodes include:

Special equipment is required, such as barcode readers and printers, which may break or require maintenance, which incurs a cost.

Barcode labels are more susceptible to wear and tear, making damaged or illegible barcodes unreadable, which can lead to errors or delays.

Barcodes cannot store large amounts of data because their information storage density is low.

There may be a security risk, the barcode cannot be encrypted and is easily copied or tampered with.

In what industries are barcodes widely used?

Some common barcode application areas are:

Ticket Verification: Movie theaters, event venues, travel tickets, and more use barcode scanners to verify tickets and the admission process.

Food tracking: Some apps allow you to track the food you eat via barcodes.

Inventory management: In retail stores and other places where inventory needs to be tracked, barcodes help record the quantity and location of items.

Convenient checkout: In supermarkets, shops and restaurants, barcodes can quickly calculate the price and total of items.

Games: Some games use barcodes as interactive or creative elements, such as scanning different barcodes to generate game characters or items.

Example:

Barcodes for Food Tracking: Apps that track the nutrition facts, calories, protein, and more of the food you eat by scanning barcodes on food labels. These apps can help you log your eating habits, manage your health goals, or understand where your food comes from.

Here are some food tracking apps:

Lose It!: An app to help you lose weight and stay healthy by letting you scan barcodes to log what you eat and provide personalized recommendations and goals.

Cronometer: This is an app that helps you track your micronutrients and biomarkers, it also lets you scan barcodes to log what you eat and provides detailed data and analytics.

Fooducate: An app that helps you understand food ingredients and quality, it lets you scan barcodes to rate and compare different foods, and offers healthy alternatives and recommendations.

What is the future of barcoding?

At present, the application of bar codes has been widely involved in various fields, such as logistics, commerce, medical care, education and so on.

The future development of bar codes may have the following directions:

1. Increase the capacity and information density of the barcode so that it can store more data, such as images, sounds, videos, etc.

The capacity and information density of a barcode refer to the amount of data that a barcode can store and the amount of data per unit area. Different types of barcodes have different capacities and information densities. Generally speaking, the capacity and information density of two-dimensional barcodes are higher than those of one-dimensional barcodes. At present, there are some new barcode technologies, such as color barcode, invisible barcode, three-dimensional barcode, etc. They all try to improve the capacity and information density of barcodes, but they also face some technical and application challenges. Therefore, there is still room and possibility to improve the capacity and information density of barcodes, but continuous innovation and optimization are also required.

2. Enhance the security and anti-counterfeiting of barcodes, and use technologies such as encryption, digital signatures, and watermarks to prevent barcodes from being forged or tampered with. Specifically, there are several ways:

Encryption: Encrypt the data in the barcode so that it can only be decrypted by authorized equipment or personnel to prevent data leakage or malicious modification.

Digital signature: Add a digital signature to the barcode to verify the source and integrity of the barcode and prevent the barcode from being forged or tampered with.

Watermark: Embedding a watermark in a barcode is used to identify the owner or user of the barcode and prevent the barcode from being stolen or copied.

These technologies can improve the security and anti-counterfeiting of barcodes, but also increase the complexity and cost of barcodes, so they need to be selected and designed according to different application scenarios and requirements.

3. Expand the application scenarios and functions of barcodes, and combine technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, and artificial intelligence to realize the interaction and data exchange between barcodes and smart devices. Specifically, there are several ways:

Scan the barcode: Use the scanner or camera on the smart device to scan the barcode to obtain the data in the barcode, such as product information, coupons, URLs, etc., or perform corresponding operations, such as payment, purchase, sharing, etc.

Generate barcode: Use the application on the smart device to generate a barcode, encode data into a barcode form, such as contact information, location, photo, etc., or generate a specific function barcode, such as WiFi password, Bluetooth connection, etc.

Identify barcodes: Use artificial intelligence technology on smart devices to identify the type and content of barcodes, such as product names, prices, origins, etc., or provide relevant suggestions and services, such as price comparison, evaluation, and recommendations.

These methods can realize the interaction and data exchange between barcodes and smart devices, but they also need to consider the privacy and security of users, as well as the compatibility and stability of networks and devices.

Will barcodes become obsolete?

There are mixed opinions about the future of barcoding.

Some people believe that barcodes will become obsolete due to more advanced technologies, such as RFID and NFC. Some believe barcodes are still useful because they can accommodate high-speed printing systems and multi-color encoding. Others believe that barcodes will be integrated with other technologies, such as Google Glass.

But barcodes will not be eliminated because they have their own unique advantages.

The future of barcoding depends on many factors, such as cost, efficiency, security, compatibility, etc. It is a technology with a history and it has applications in many fields, such as retail, logistics, medical, etc. Barcodes will not be eliminated, but may evolve and innovate alongside other technologies.

For example: RFID has many advantages. It has high security, can store more data, can be read from a long distance, can update and modify data, and can prevent damage and tampering.

But RFID cannot replace barcodes. Because barcodes cost less and have better compatibility.

The disadvantages of RFID are its high cost, the need for specialized equipment and software, the possibility of interference from metals or liquids, and the possibility of privacy and security issues. The disadvantage of barcodes is that the amount of data is limited, they need to be scanned at close range, the data cannot be changed, and they are easily destroyed or imitated.

Although barcodes are less secure than RFID, not all applications require a high degree of security. So a wise choice is to use RFID in applications that require high security, and use barcodes in ordinary applications, because the cost of barcodes is much lower than RFID.

Therefore, RFID and barcodes have their own applicable occasions and cannot be generalized.

What are the alternatives to barcodes?

There are many alternatives to barcodes, such as Bokodes, QR Code, RFID, etc. But they cannot completely replace barcodes, they each have advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs and scenarios.

1. Bokodes are a type of data label that can store more information than a barcode on the same area. They were developed by a team led by Ramesh Raskar at the MIT Media Lab. Bokodes can be read by any standard digital camera as long as the camera is focused at infinity. Bokodes are only 3mm in diameter, but can be enlarged enough to be sharp enough in the camera. The name Bokodes is a combination of the words bokeh (a photographic term meaning out of focus) and barcode (barcode). Some Bokodes tags can be rewritten. Bokodes that can be rewritten are called bocodes.

Bokodes have some advantages and disadvantages compared to barcodes. The advantage of Bokodes is that they can store more data, can be read from different angles and distances, and can be used in areas such as augmented reality, machine vision, and near-field communications. The disadvantage of Bokodes is that the device that reads Bokodes requires an LED light and a lens, so it costs more and consumes more power. Bokodes labels are also more expensive to produce than barcode labels.

2. QR Code is actually a kind of barcode. It is also called a two-dimensional barcode. They are both a way of storing data, but they have some differences, advantages and disadvantages.

QR Code can store more data, including text, pictures, videos, etc., while barcode can only store numbers or letters.

QR Codes can be scanned from any angle, while barcodes can only be scanned from a certain direction.

QR Code has an error correction function and can be recognized even if it is partially damaged, while barcodes are more susceptible to damage.

QR Code is more suitable for contactless payment, sharing, identification and other scenarios, while barcode is more suitable for the management and tracking of goods.

Theoretically, QR Code can replace all functions of one-dimensional barcodes. However, many applications do not require barcode labels to store large amounts of data. For example, EAN barcode labels for retail products only need to store 8 to 13 numbers, so it do not need to use QR Code. The printing cost of QR Code is also higher than The one-dimensional barcode is slightly taller, so the QR Code will not completely replace the one-dimensional barcode.

3. As mentioned in the above section, RFID will not completely replace bar codes.

Please list some application examples of barcodes.

Barcodes have many applications in factory management, such as:

1. Inventory management: By scanning barcodes on products or raw materials, the quantity, location and status of inventory can be quickly and accurately recorded.

The application of barcodes in factory inventory management has the following aspects:

Receiving: By scanning the barcode on incoming goods, the quantity, type and quality of goods can be quickly and accurately recorded and matched to purchase orders.

Shipping: By scanning the barcode on shipped goods, the quantity, destination and status of goods can be quickly and accurately recorded and matched with sales orders.

Warehouse moving: By scanning barcodes on goods and warehouse locations, you can quickly and accurately record the movement and storage of goods and update inventory information.

Inventory: By scanning the barcodes on goods in the warehouse, you can quickly and accurately check the actual quantity of goods and the system quantity, and find and resolve discrepancies.

Equipment management: By scanning barcodes on equipment or tools, you can quickly and accurately record the use, repair and return of equipment or tools and prevent loss or damage.

2. Production tracking: By scanning the barcode on a work order or batch number, production progress, quality and efficiency can be monitored.
Barcoding systems are an automated tool that can help manufacturers track inventory more efficiently, improve production efficiency, and reduce human errors. Barcodes can be used to track assets, materials and parts during factory production, as well as installation status. Barcoding systems can also monitor the efficiency of production, order fulfillment and distribution processes in real time, improve order and shipment accuracy, and reduce inventory and labor costs.

3. Logistics management: By scanning the barcode on the shipping bill or invoice, the transportation, distribution and delivery of goods can be tracked.
Barcodes have a great impact in logistics management and inventory management. They are an effective identification tool that can help track products and greatly reduce errors. Barcoding can also increase speed, flexibility, accuracy, transparency and cost-effectiveness in logistics processes. Barcode technology has been widely used in the logistics industry, especially in the sale of goods in supermarkets.

4. Quality control: By scanning the barcode on the product or component, the specifications, performance and qualification rate of the product can be checked.

The application of barcodes in factory quality control has the following aspects:

Barcodes can help track the production process and status of products. Using a mobile device to scan barcodes can update and record product information in real time, such as process, time, location, quality inspection results, etc. This can improve the transparency and traceability of production, facilitate managers to supervise and optimize the production process, and also facilitate customers to understand the source and quality of products.
Barcoding can help improve the efficiency and accuracy of quality control. Using barcoding technology, you can reduce human errors, automate data collection and analysis, and provide instant feedback and reporting. This saves labor and time costs and improves the level of quality control and customer satisfaction.

5. Traceability: By scanning the barcode on the product or raw materials, the origin, history and ingredients of the product can be traced.
The application of barcodes in improving factory product traceability:

Barcodes can be used as unique identifiers of products to record and store product-related information, such as raw materials, production date, batch number, quality inspection results, etc.

Barcodes can be scanned quickly and accurately through mobile devices or scanners, updating and transmitting product information in real time, facilitating tracking and monitoring inside and outside the factory.

Barcodes can provide the complete history and status of a product through data analysis and visualization, helping factories optimize production processes, improve product quality, and prevent the circulation of counterfeit or damaged products.

How many types of barcodes are there?

There are many types of barcodes, but the most commonly used ones are the following:

EAN-13 code: Product barcode, universally applicable, supports 0-9 numbers, 13 digits in length, and grooved.

UPC-A code: Product barcode, mainly used in the United States and Canada, supports numbers 0-9, is 12 digits in length, and has grooves.

Code-128 code: Universal barcode, supports numbers, letters and symbols, variable length, no grooves.

QR code: two-dimensional code, supports multiple character sets and encoding formats, has variable length, and has positioning marks.

Why are there so many barcode types?

There are many types of barcodes because they have different uses and characteristics.

For example:

UPC (Universal Product Code) is a barcode used to label retail products, and it can be found in nearly every merchandise and grocery store in the United States.

CODE 39 is a barcode that can encode numbers, letters and some special characters. It is often used in manufacturing, military and medical fields.

ITF (Interleaved Two-Five-Five) is a barcode that can only encode an even number of digits, and it is often used in the field of logistics and transportation.

NW-7 (also known as CODABAR) is a barcode that can encode numbers and four start/stop characters. It is often used in libraries, express delivery and banks.

CODE 128 is a barcode that can encode all 128 ASCII characters, and it is commonly used in areas such as package tracking, e-commerce, and warehouse management.

What kind of organization is GS1?

GS1 is a non-profit international organization that develops and maintains its own barcode standards and corresponding issuing company prefixes. The most well-known of these standards is the barcode, a symbol printed on a product that can be electronically scanned.

GS1 has 116 local member organizations and over 2 million user businesses. Its main office is located in Brussels (Avenue Louise).

GS1 History:

In 1969, the American retail industry was looking for a way to speed up the checkout process in stores. The Ad Hoc Committee on Unified Grocery Product Identification Codes was formed to find solutions.

In 1973, the organization selected the Universal Product Code (UPC) as the first single standard for unique product identification. In 1974, the Uniform Code Committee (UCC) was formed to administer the standard. On June 26, 1974, a pack of Wrigley's gum became the first product with a barcode that could be scanned in stores.

In 1976, the original 12-digit code was expanded to 13 digits, allowing the identification system to be used outside the United States. In 1977, the European Article Numbering Association (EAN) was established in Brussels with founding members from 12 countries.

In 1990, EAN and UCC signed a global cooperation agreement and expanded its overall business to 45 countries. In 1999, EAN and UCC established the Auto-ID Center to develop the Electronic Product Code (EPC) to enable the GS1 standard for RFID.

In 2004, EAN and UCC launched the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN), a global Internet-based initiative that enables trading partners to efficiently exchange product master data.

By 2005, the organization was operating in more than 90 countries and began using the GS1 name worldwide. Although "GS1" is not an acronym, it refers to an organization that provides a global system of standards.

In August 2018, the GS1 Web URI structure standard was approved, allowing unique IDs to be added to products by storing URIs (webpage-like addresses) as QR codes.

What are EAN, UCC and GS1?

EAN, UCC and GS1 are all commodity coding organizations.

EAN is the European Article Numbering Association, UCC is the United States Uniform Code Committee, and GS1 is the Global Article Numbering Organization. It is the new name after the merger of EAN and UCC.

Both EAN and UCC have developed a set of standards for using digital codes to identify goods, services, assets and locations. These codes can be represented by barcode symbols to facilitate electronic reading required for business processes. GS1-128 barcode is the new name of UCC/EAN-128 barcode. It is a subset of the Code 128 character set and complies with the international standard of GS1. UPC and EAN are both commodity codes in the GS1 system. UPC is mainly used in the United States and Canada, and EAN is mainly used in other countries and regions, but they can be converted to each other.

The 4 most commonly used barcode types:    EAN-13        UPC-A        Code 128        QR Code

EAN Barcode

EAN, short for European Article Number, is a barcode protocol and standard used in supermarkets and other retail industries.

EAN-13 is established based on the UPC-A standard established by the United States to meet the needs of international applications.

EAN-13 consists of a prefix code, manufacturer identification code, product item code and check code, with a total of 13 digits. Its encoding follows the principle of uniqueness and can ensure that it is not repeated worldwide.

The EAN-13 barcode standard was formulated by the International Commodity Barcode Association. It is a world-wide commodity barcode system that is designed to facilitate the identification and circulation of commodities. The EAN-13 barcode standard specifies the barcode structure, encoding method, printing requirements, etc.

There are four types of EAN barcodes:

EAN-13: The original 13-digit format, suitable for countries around the world except the United States and Canada, which use UPC barcodes.

EAN-8: 8-bit compressed version suitable for small products.

EAN-5: A 5-digit extension appended to the EAN-13 or UPC-A barcode to indicate currency and price.

EAN-2: A 2-digit extension appended to the end of the EAN-13 or UPC-A barcode to indicate the issue number of magazines and newspapers.

UPC Barcode

The UPC-A barcode is a barcode symbol used to track items in stores and is only used in the United States and Canada. It consists of 12 digits and each product has a unique code.

It was formulated by the United States Uniform Code Council (now is GS1-US) in 1973, jointly developed with IBM, and has been in use since 1974.

It was the first barcode system used in supermarket checkout, and the first item marked with a UPC-A barcode was scanned at the checkout counter at Troy Marsh Supermarket.

The reason why UPC-A barcodes are used in supermarkets is that it can quickly, accurately and conveniently identify product information, such as price, inventory, sales volume, etc.

The UPC-A barcode consists of 12 digits, of which the first 6 digits represent the manufacturer code, the last 5 digits represent the product code, and the last digit is the check digit. In this way, as long as we scan the barcode at the supermarket checkout counter, we can quickly obtain the product price and inventory information, which greatly improves the work efficiency of supermarket salespeople.

What is the difference between EAN-13 barcode and UPC-A?

The EAN-13 barcode is developed by the International Article Numbering Center and is universally used. The code length is 13 digits, and the first two digits represent the country or region code.

The UPC-A barcode is produced by the GS1-US and is mainly used in the United States and Canada. The code length is 12 digits.

The EAN-13 barcode and UPC-A barcode have the same structure and verification method, and both have grooves. EAN-13 barcode is a superset of UPC-A barcode and is compatible with UPC-A barcode.

The EAN-13 barcode has one more country/region code than the UPC-A barcode. The EAN Architecture includes Country Codes from around the World. There is no Country Code included in the U.P.C. The U.P.C. was developed to be different from the U.P.C., based on the Prefix Number. An EAN allows for a four digit Company Prefix; where a U.P.C. allows for a six digit Company Prefix. (Side Note - there are variable Length Prefixes in the U.P.C., but NOT in the EAN).

A Hybrid Version of the EAN is used for Books - the EAN Bookland Code. It begins with 978, is followed by the first nine digits of the ISBN, and then Check Digit.

How to convert UPC-A to EAN-13 barcode?

UPC-A barcodes can be converted to EAN-13 barcodes by adding a leading 0.

For example, the UPC-A barcode 012345678905 corresponds to the EAN-13 barcode 0012345678905.

There are two types of UPC barcodes: standard codes and shortened codes.

The standard code (UPC-A) contains 1 digit system character, 5 digits manufacturer code, 5 digits product code and 1 digit check code.

The shortened code (UPC-E) is the result of removing or compressing some numbers in the standard code and can only represent 8 digits.

Code 128 Barcode

The Code 128 barcode was developed by COMPUTER IDENTICS in 1981. It is a variable-length, continuous alphanumeric barcode. It can encode all 128 ASCII characters.

Code 128 barcode consists of a blank area, a start mark, a data area, a check character and a terminator. It has three subsets, namely A, B and C, which can represent different character sets. It can also achieve multi-level encoding through the selection of starting characters, code set characters, and conversion characters.

It can encode all 128 ASCII characters, including numbers, letters, symbols and control characters, so it can represent all characters on the computer keyboard.

It enables high-density and efficient data representation through multi-level encoding and can be used for automatic identification in any management system.

It is compatible with the EAN/UCC system and is used to represent the information of the storage and transportation unit or logistics unit of the commodity. In this case, it is called GS1-128.

Code128 is a high-density barcode.

By using three versions of character sets (A, B, C) and selection of start characters, code set characters, and conversion characters, the most optimal barcode can be selected according to different data types and lengths. Appropriate encoding method. This can reduce the length of the barcode and improve coding efficiency.

In addition, Code128 also uses check characters and terminators, which can increase the reliability of barcodes and prevent misreading or missed reading.

There are three subsets of Code 128 barcodes

Namely A code, B code and C code. Code 128 barcodes can represent 128 ASCII values by switching different subsets, and there is no theoretical limit to the code length.

Code 128 A code: can encode uppercase letters and control characters (such as TAB, CR/LF, etc.), but cannot encode lowercase letters.

Code 128 B code: can encode upper and lower case letters, but cannot encode control characters.

Code 128 C code: can only encode numbers 0-9, and each two numbers are represented by a barcode symbol. It is the most compact code set.

QR Code

QR Code was invented in 1994 by a team led by Masahiro Harada of the Japanese company Denso Wave, based on its original use for marking car parts. It is a two-dimensional matrix barcode that can be used for a variety of purposes.

Later, the encoding and decoding rules of QR Code were formulated into multiple international standards, such as AIM International, JIS X 0510 and ISO/IEC 18004:2015.

The reason why QR Code is used instead of one-dimensional barcode in some situations is that QR Code has the following advantages:

QR Code can store more information because it uses a two-dimensional square matrix instead of one-dimensional lines. One-dimensional barcodes usually only store a few dozen characters, while QR Codes can store thousands of characters.

QR Code can represent more data types, such as numbers, letters, binary, Chinese characters, etc. One-dimensional barcodes usually can only represent numbers or letters.

QR Code can be scanned and recognized faster because it has four positioning marks and can be scanned from any angle. One-dimensional barcodes usually need to be scanned from a specific direction.

QR Code is more resistant to damage and interference because it has error correction capabilities that can recover partially lost or obscured data. One-dimensional barcodes generally do not have such functionality.

The difference between QR code and one-dimensional barcode:

Mainly lies in the encoding method and information capacity. QR codes use a two-dimensional square matrix, which can store more information and represent more data types. One-dimensional barcodes use one-dimensional lines, which can only store a small amount of information and can only represent numbers or letters. There are other differences between QR codes and one-dimensional barcodes, such as scanning speed, error correction capabilities, compatibility, etc.

Why are QR codes faster to scan?

The reason why QR codes scan faster is that they can express information in both the horizontal and vertical directions, while one-dimensional codes can only express information in the horizontal direction. QR codes also have some special geometric patterns, such as positioning patterns, alignment patterns and correction patterns, which can help the scanner quickly identify the position and direction of the QR code. QR codes also have certain error correction capabilities. Even if part of the QR code is blocked or damaged, the data can still be recovered.

QR Code is not the only two-dimensional barcode

According to principles, QR codes can be divided into two categories: matrix type and stacked type.

Common types of QR codes include: Data Matrix, MaxiCode, Aztec, QR Code, PDF417, Vericode, Ultracode, Code 49, Code 16K, etc.

They have different applications in different fields.

Why does mobile payment use QR Code?

The reasons are as follows:

QR Code can quickly and easily transmit payment information without entering a card number or password.

QR Code can reduce the risks of contact payments and improve payment security and hygiene.

QR Code can save the cost of payment terminals and is suitable for merchants of various scenarios and sizes.

QR Code can support a variety of payment methods, such as bank cards, e-wallets, third-party payment platforms, etc.

Those Important Inventions: The Story Behind the Barcode

As time went on, the bar code tipped the scales, and the benefits for some retailers became apparent. The use of barcode scanners is not cost-effective for family-run convenience stores, because the number of products and sales of such convenience stores are not large, and the use of expensive barcode scanners can not brought them enough benefits. However, for large supermarkets, the average cost of scanners can gradually decrease as sales increase. They need to shorten checkout queue time and need to track inventory, and using barcodes can significantly improve their management efficiency, thereby reducing operating costs.... >>> Barcode History

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