How to Use Bar Coding

Bar coding is the primary form of identification in retail sales. Virtually every product for sale has that series of black bars against white surface, which is scanned over to identify the type of product and its price.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Determine the type of bar coding standard, or symbology, you will use. There are several types, but there are industry standards for certain symbologies. For example, items sold in the United States and Canada use the UPC code.
2. Create and print out bar codes, usually with purchased labeling computer software. Make sure the application you choose is compliant with your operating system and printer. You can also have a label manufacturer create photocomposed bar codes for you.
3. Create a bar code number for each product or item you need identified. Large quantities of the exact same item (like grocery products) will all need the exact same bar code. Individual items like documents and tickets will each need their own code.
4. Get bar code scanners to read bar codes. There are three types of optical scanners. These types are either fixed scanners that are attached to the computer, portable batch scanners which store the read data and portable RF scanners that transmit data immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• UPC bar codes are used for most consumer goods in North America. Code 128 is used on serial numbers for publications. DataMatrix is used in automotive items, as well as by the Department of Defense.
• Make sure the scanner reads the bar code by the same rules the code was created by. Otherwise, the scanner will fail to read the code.

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