Linear barcode elements

In this tutorial you will learn about the linear barcode elements available in the program. You can use formats such as GS1-128, EAN-13, Code-128 or Code-39.

Open the label template editor

You can use an existing template or create a new one for this tutorial. If you don’t know how to do it or you would like to learn basic information about the sizes and positioning of elements on the label, check out this this tutorial first.

Types of barcodes

You can choose from many types of linear barcodes. You can see them grouped in one toolbox item on the left side of the editor. By clicking on the third icon from the top (barcode icon), you will see a list of available linear barcodes. The available types are

GS1-128
EAN-13
Code-128
Code-39

Common parameters

Name – any name you choose, it helps you identify an element
Description – optional field, designed to allow you to describe the item in more detail
Position (x, y) – exact coordinates of element’s location (for more information, please refer to section of positioning in this tutorial)
Value expression – value that should be printed by this element (for more information, please refer to this tutorial)
Include text – decides whether to display the human-readable value below the barcode
Height – code height expressed in dpi points
Size / module width – a slider that allows you to adjust the overall size of the barcode (the level of its stretch)

GS1-128

GS1-128 (formerly known as UCC/EAN-128) is a subset of Code 128 and is used extensively worldwide in shipping and packaging industries as a product identification code for the container and pallet levels in the supply chain. (source: Wikipedia)

Place a GS1-128 barcode element in the template

Click the linear barcode icon to open the list of available barcode types and choose GS1-128 type.

EAN-13

The International Article Number (also known as European Article Number or EAN) is a standard describing a barcode symbology and numbering system used in global trade to identify a specific retail product type, in a specific packaging configuration, from a specific manufacturer. The standard has been subsumed in the Global Trade Item Number standard from the GS1 organization. (source: Wikipedia)

Place a EAN-13 barcode element in the template

Click the linear barcode icon to open the list of available barcode types and choose EAN-13 type.

Code-128

Code 128 is a high-density linear barcode symbology defined in ISO/IEC 15417:2007. It is used for alphanumeric or numeric-only barcodes. It can encode all 128 characters of ASCII and, by use of an extension symbol (FNC4), the Latin-1 characters defined in ISO/IEC 8859-1. (source: Wikipedia)

Place a Code-128 barcode element in the template

Click the linear barcode icon to open the list of available barcode types and choose Code-128 type.

Code-39

Code 39 (also known as Alpha39, Code 3 of 9, Code 3/9, Type 39, USS Code 39, or USD-3) is a variable length, discrete barcode symbology defined in ISO/IEC 16388:2007. The Code 39 specification defines 43 characters, consisting of uppercase letters (A through Z), numeric digits (0 through 9) and a number of special characters (-, ., $, /, +, %, and space). (source: Wikipedia)

Place a Code-39 barcode element in the template

Click the linear barcode icon to open the list of available barcode types and choose Code-39 type.