Barcodes are visual patterns of lines and spaces that encode information and can be scanned by barcode readers. One-dimensional (1D) barcodes encode data in parallel lines of varying widths and spacing, while two-dimensional (2D) barcodes use geometric patterns arranged horizontally and vertically to encode more data in a smaller space. Common 1D barcode types include UPC, EAN, Code 39, Code 128, and ITF, which are used across industries like retail, automotive, and logistics. Popular 2D barcodes include QR codes and DataMatrix codes, used for tracking, marketing, and labeling small items.

2. The Definitive
Guide to
Barcoding

3. When implementing a barcoding solution in your
business it is important to know exactly what
you need. It can be an expensive and time-
consuming solution, so researching what you
need can help save you time and money.
In our latest series we will be discussing
barcoding and the various ways it can be used
through different industries. This week we will
start with the basics and discuss exactly what
barcodes are.

4. What are barcodes?
A barcode is used to encode information in a visual pattern. A
barcode is a small image of lines (bars) and spaces that
contains data relating to the object that it is attached to. The
barcode can be read through the use of a barcode scanner.
The code uses a sequence of vertical bars and spaces to
represent number and other symbols. A barcode symbol
typically consists of five parts: a quiet zone, a start character,
data characters (including an optional check character), a
stop character, and another quiet zone.
Barcode can come in all sizes but it is important to remember
that the smaller the barcode the harder it will be for the
scanner to read it.

5. The Difference Between 1D and 2D Barcodes:
A barcode that represents data by varying
widths and spacing of parallel lines, is referred
to as either linear or one dimensional (1D).
There are several variations of 1D barcodes and
some encode only numbers while others can
encode any keyboard character. All the
information in the code is organised from left
to right. 1D barcodes can fit 20 – 25 characters.

6. 2D barcodes are slightly more complex. The
barcode is represented with rectangles, dots,
hexagons, and other geometric patterns. All the
information in a 2D barcode is organised
horizontally and vertically. This allows there to
be much more information stored on this code –
up to 2,000 characters – while taking up less
space than a linear barcode. Although 2D codes
use a variety of symbols they are still referred to
as barcodes.

7. Variations of 1D Barcodes:
There are many different
1D barcode types available
so it is important to know
exactly what one is best for
you.

8. UPC Code:
These codes are used to label and scan
consumer at the point-of-sale, mainly in the USA,
but also in the United Kingdom, Australia, New
Zealand, and some other countries. The UPC-A
variation encodes 12 numerical digits while UPC-
E is a smaller variation, which encodes only 6
numerical digits.
Industry: Retail
Variations: UPC-A, UPC-E

9. EAN Code:
These codes are also used to label consumer goods
worldwide for point-of-sale scanning, primarily in
Europe. They look similar to UPC codes, and the
main distinction is their geographical application.
While EAN-13 (made up of 13 digits) is the default
form factor, you’ll find EAN-8 (covering 8 digits)
barcodes on products where there is only limited
space available, like small candles.
Industry: Retail
Variation: EAN-13, EAN-8, JAN-13, ISBN, ISSN

10. Code 39:
These are used to label goods across many
industries, and are often found in the
automotive industry. They allow the use of both
digits and characters, and the name originates in
the face that it can only encode 39 characters–
though in its most recent version the character
set has been increased to 43. It’s similar to, but
not as compact as the Code 128 barcode.
Industry: Automotive

11. Code 128:
These barcodes are compact, high density
codes used in logistics, and transportation
industries for ordering and distribution. They’re
geared toward non-POS products, like when
supply chain applications label units with serial
shipping container codes. Code 128 barcodes
are powerful and can store diversified
information because they support any
character of the ASCII 128 character set.
Industry: Supply Chain

12. ITF (or Interleaved 2 of 5):
These are used to label packaging
materials across the globe. Since they can
deal with high printing tolerances, they
are good for printing on corrugated
cardboard. ITF barcodes encode 14
numeric digits and use the full ASCII set.
Industry: Packaging

13. Code 93:
These are used in logistics to identify packages in
retail inventory, label electronic components, and
even provide supplementary delivery information
for the Canadian post. Like Code 39, it comes with
full ASCII support, but it improves upon
complements Code 39. It enables additional
security within the barcode itself, and its high
density and compact size makes its labels around
25% shorter than barcodes produced in Code 39.
Industry: Retail, Manufacturing and Logistics

14. Variations of 2D Barcodes:
QR Codes:
2D matrix barcodes with a strong consumer focus,
often used in tracking and marketing such as
advertisements, magazines, and business cards. Free
to use, flexible in size, a high fault tolerance, and a
fast readability, though they can’t be read with a laser
scanner. QR codes support four different modes of
data: numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and Kanji.
Industry: Retail, Entertainment, and Advertising

15. Datamatrix Codes:
These barcodes are used to label small items,
goods and documents. Their tiny footprint
makes them ideal for small products in logistics
and operations. In fact, the US Electronic
Industries Alliance (EIA) recommends that they
be used to label small electronic components,
Similar to QR codes, they have high fault
tolerance and fast readability.
Variation: Micro-Datamatrix Industry,
Electronics and Retail