Understanding Barcode Standards
Barcodes translate raw string data into machine-readable optical patterns. Choosing the right standard ensures compatibility with scanners, retail POS systems, and logistics inventories.
Supported Formats
- Code 128: The most versatile linear barcode. It supports full ASCII text and numbers, making it ideal for asset tagging, shipping labels, and internal tracking.
- EAN-13 & UPC-A: The standard barcodes printed on commercial retail packaging worldwide. EAN-13 is standard globally, while UPC-A is primarily used in North America.
- Code 39: A lightweight standard supporting uppercase letters, numbers, and basic punctuation, widely used in automotive and military logistics.
- ITF-14: A heavy-duty numeric format used to encode Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN) on corrugated shipping containers and wholesale cartons.