Barcode standards are essential for maintaining efficient and precise supply chains, inventory control, and retail operations globally. These protocols enable seamless identification and tracking of products throughout the supply chain. Adherence to these international barcode standards is crucial for manufacturers to ensure effective communication and compatibility across various industries. This article explores the significance of different barcode standards (including EAN-13 and UPC barcodes) and guides on how your business can meet these standards.

What Are the International Barcode Standards?

EAN-13 or UPC Barcodes:

An EAN-13 or UPC barcode typically measures 37mm in width by 25mm in height.

The minimum suggested size for these barcodes is 80% of their standard dimensions, approximately 30mm wide by 20mm high, including a 3mm "quiet zone" on either side of the barcode.

ITF-14 Carton Codes:

Standard ITF-14 Carton Codes measure about 122mm wide with a bar height of 32mm, and have 10mm quiet zones on both sides.

For General Distribution Scanning, the ITF-14 barcode's magnification range should be between 50% and 100%. In other environments, it can vary from 25% to 100%. If printed on corrugated fibreboard, the ITF-14 should be above 62.5%.

In a General Distribution Scanning environment, the minimum height for the bars is 32mm. In other contexts, the bar height should be as tall as possible, with 13mm being the absolute minimum.

QR Codes:

QR Codes do not have stringent size requirements. The necessary space for a QR Code depends on the amount of encoded data and the scanning distance.

For close-range scanning, the practical minimum QR Code size is 2 cm by 2 cm (0.8 inches by 0.8 inches), not including the quiet zone.

The ideal QR Code size depends on factors such as available packaging space, scanning environment, print quality, and resolution. If a QR Code is too small, it might be hard to read or print at a high quality. Conversely, a QR Code that's too large may be difficult to scan up close or print properly.

Barcode Colours

Barcode scanners detect black or cool colours (blue, green) and ignore white or warm colours (red, orange, yellow). Therefore, barcodes should be printed in black or cool colours, with a white or warm-coloured background. Reflective surfaces or metallic colours are not recommended as they do not scan well.

Barcode Placement

EAN-13 and UPC barcodes are usually placed horizontally. If printed on a curved surface (such as a bottle), it's best to rotate the barcode 90 degrees to a vertical position. Avoid placing the barcode close to any edges. Ideally, position it on a flat surface with ample blank space around the barcode bars (at least 3mm).

For additional details about barcode standards, please visit Barcodes New Zealand.