GS1 Bar Codes
GS1 Family
EAN-13
The EAN-13 symbol is the most commonly used of all the GS1 symbols. It is used for automatic scanning of GTIN-13 numbers.
| Min. size: | 29.83 mm x 20.73 mm |
| Max. size: | 74.58 mm x 51.82 mm |
| Nominal dimensions: | 37.29 mm x 25.91 mm |
| X dimension at nominal size: | 0.330 mm |
| Magnification factor: | 80 to 200 from nominal dimension. |
| Light Margin: | Left 3.63mm (11x), Right 2.31mm (7x) |
| Bar Height: | 22.85 mm at nominal size |
The X dimension or module width is the width of the narrowest bar or space at 100 magnification.
The magnification factor is the size by which the bar code symbol can be varied from the nominal dimension.
TopEAN-8
The EAN-8 symbol is used for automatic scanning of GTIN-8 numbers. It is allocated mainly to identify very small retail products. The numbers GTIN-8 are allocated by Member Organisations.
| Min. size: | 21.38 mm x 17.05 mm |
| Max. size: | 53.46 mm x 42.62 mm |
| Nominal dimensions: | 26.73 mm x 21.31 mm |
| X dimension at nominal size: | 0.330 mm |
| Magnification factor: | 80 to 200 from nominal dimension. |
| Light Margins: | Left 2.31mm, Right 2.31mm |
| Min. Bar Height: | 18.23 mm at nominal size |
UPC-A
The UPC-A symbol is used for automatic scanning of GTIN-12 numbers.
| Min. size: | 29,83 mm x 21 mm |
| Max. size: | 74,58 mm x 52 mm |
| Nominal dimensions: | 37.29 mm x 26 mm |
| X dimension at nominal size: | 0.330 mm |
NOTE: Bar code height has been rounded.
TopUPC-Е
The UPC-E symbol is used for automatic scanning of specific GTIN-12 numbers. It represents 8 explicitly encoded digits by using zero-suppression techniques.
| Min. size: | 17,69 mm x 21 mm |
| Max. size: | 44,22 mm x 52 mm |
| Nominal dimensions: | 22.11 mm x 26 mm |
| X dimension at nominal size: | 0.330 mm |
NOTE: Bar code height has been rounded.
TopITF-14
The ITF-14 symbol is used for trade items not passing the point of sale and is ideal for use where the symbol is to be pre-printed onto corrugated fiberboard.
| Min. size (50%): | 71.40 mm x 12.70 mm |
| Max. size (100%): | 142.75 mm x 32.00 mm |
| Nominal dimensions: | 142.75 mm x 32.00 mm |
| X dimension of the narrow bar at nominal size: | 1.016 mm |
| X dimension of the wide bar at nominal size: | 2.540 mm |
| Magnification Factor: | 50% to 100% of nominal dimensions |
| Light Margins: | Left 10.2, Right 10.2 or 10x |
| Min. Bar Height: | 32mm |
| Target Location: | No closer than 19mm from a vertical edge |
An ITF-14 symbol uses two widths for light margins and bars: wide and narrow, namely: a target wide - to-narrow ration of 2:5:1. When printing directly onto fiberboard cases use the recommended magnification factor 100%.
TopGS1-128
The GS1-128 is of variable length, depending on the number of characters translated, the types of character encoded and the X-dimension (resulting in overall symbol size) achieved. For a given length of data, the symbol size is variable between limits, to accommodate the ranges in quality achievable by the various printing processes. The symbol is designed to be read bi-directionally by fixed or portable scanners. For this reason it is not possible to specify maximum and minimum sizes.
Based on their nominal dimensions (X-dimension: 1 mm), the GS1-128 Symbols can be printed with a magnification factor ranging from 25% to 100%. To ensure efficient reading in any environment, including conveyorised scanning, a minimum magnification factor of 50% should be used.
| Size: | Variable and dependant upon content |
| X dimension at nominal size: | 1.016 mm |
| Magnification Factor: | 25% to 100% |
| Target Magnification: | 48.7% |
| Min. Bar Height: | 32mm |
| Target Location: | Min. 19mm from a vertical edge. |
Sizes
Module size at different magnification factors height.
| Magnification Factor | Module width (ideal) [mm] | dimensions GTIN-13/UPC-A [mm] | Dimensions GTIN-8 [mm] |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width | Height | Width | Height | ||
| 0.80 | 0.264 | 29.83 | 20.73 | 21.38 | 17.05 |
| 0.85 | 0.281 | 31.70 | 22.02 | 22.72 | 18.11 |
| 0.90 | 0.297 | 33.56 | 23.32 | 24.06 | 19.18 |
| 0.95 | 0.313 | 35.43 | 24.61 | 25.39 | 20.24 |
| 1.00 | 0.330 | 37.29 | 25.91 | 26.73 | 21.31 |
| 1.05 | 0.346 | 39.15 | 27.21 | 28.07 | 22.38 |
| 1.10 | 0.363 | 41.02 | 28.50 | 29.40 | 23.44 |
| 1.15 | 0.379 | 42.88 | 29.80 | 30.74 | 24.51 |
| 1.20 | 0.396 | 44.75 | 31.09 | 32.08 | 25.57 |
| 1.25 | 0.412 | 46.61 | 32.39 | 33.41 | 26.64 |
| 1.30 | 0.429 | 48.48 | 33.68 | 34.75 | 27.70 |
| 1.35 | 0.445 | 50.34 | 34.98 | 36.09 | 28.77 |
| 1.40 | 0.462 | 52.21 | 36.27 | 37.42 | 29.83 |
| 1.45 | 0.478 | 54.07 | 37.57 | 38.76 | 30.90 |
| 1.50 | 0.495 | 55.94 | 38.87 | 40.10 | 31.97 |
| 1.55 | 0.511 | 57.80 | 40.16 | 41.43 | 33.03 |
| 1.60 | 0.528 | 59.66 | 41.46 | 42.77 | 34.10 |
| 1.65 | 0.544 | 61.53 | 42.75 | 44.10 | 35.16 |
| 1.70 | 0.561 | 63.39 | 44.05 | 45.44 | 36.23 |
| 1.75 | 0.577 | 65.26 | 45.34 | 46.78 | 37.29 |
| 1.80 | 0.594 | 67.12 | 46.64 | 48.11 | 38.36 |
| 1.85 | 0.610 | 68.99 | 47.93 | 49.45 | 39.42 |
| 1.90 | 0.627 | 70.85 | 49.23 | 50.79 | 40.49 |
| 1.95 | 0.643 | 72.72 | 50.52 | 52.12 | 41.55 |
| 2.00 | 0.660 | 74.58 | 51.82 | 53.46 | 42.62 |
Application Identifiers (AI’s)
UCC/EAN-128 is an extremely flexible symbology. It allows representation of data of variable length and makes it possible to encode several pieces of information in one bar code symbol. This is called concatenation.
An Application Identifier is the field of two or more characters at the beginning of an Element String. AIs are prefixes that uniquely identify the meaning and the format of the data field following the AI.
The data following the AI may comprise alphabetic and/or numeric characters, of any length up to thirty characters. The data fields are either of fixed or variable length, depending on the AI.
Attribute data are associated with a trade item or a logistic unit and have no meaning if isolated. Attribute data may be represented in UCC/EAN-128 using AIs. There is a range of AIs for attributes such as weight, area or volume. The measure attributes that can be used on trade items are called trade measures (these are always net measures) and attributes for Logistic Units are called logistics measures (these are always gross measures).
The following table is extracted from the complete list.
| AI | Content | Format* |
|---|---|---|
| 00 | SSCC | n2+n18 |
| 01 | Global Trade Item Number | n2+n14 |
| 02 | GTIN of trade items contained in a logistic unit | n2+n14 |
| 10 | Batch number | n2+an..20 |
| 11 | Production date | n2+n6 |
| 15 | Sell by date (Quality) | n2+n6 |
| 17 | Use by date ( Safety) | n2+n6 |
| 21 | Serial number | n2+an..20 |
| 310X** | Net weight (kilograms) | n4+n6 |
| 37 | Count of trade items contained in a logistic unit | n2+n..8 |
| 401 | Consignment number | n3+an..30 |
| 420 | Ship to (deliver to) postal code | n3+ an..20 |
* The format symbols denote:
- n = numeric characters
- an = alpha-numeric characters
- .. = variable length field
- numbers = number of characters
- ** Х indicates the position of a decimal point
Example of a UCC/ EAN-128 representing a GTIN, a sell by date and a batch number
The use of AIs is governed by certain rules. Some must always be used with others: for example AI (02) must be followed by AI (37). Some AIs must never be used together, for example AI (01) and AI (02). Companies are not free to pick as they wish from the list of AIs and must respect these basic rules which are fully explained in the General EAN.UCC Specifications.
TopGS1 DataBar
GS1 DataBar™ (formerly RSS) symbols can identify small items and carry more information than the current EAN/UPC bar code. GS1 DataBar will enable GTIN identification for hard-to-mark products like jewelry and cosmetics and can carry GS1 Application Identifiers such as serial numbers, lot numbers, and expiration dates, creating solutions to support product authentication and traceability for fresh variable measure products and couponing.Key Concepts
- GS1 DataBar symbols were endorsed and adopted by GS1 after a compelling business case review by a global task force comprising retailers, fast moving consumer goods manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, GS1 Member Organizations (MOs), and trade associations.
- GS1 DataBar symbols and GS1 Application Identifiers will be available in all trade item scanning systems beginning January 1, 2010.
- GS1 DataBar symbols will not necessarily replace EAN/UCC bar codes, as it will be left to the brand owner (the party responsible for specifying package design) to decide.
- GS1 DataBar and EPC make a new horizon of product information visible in the supply chain for increased collaboration between trading partners. GS1 DataBar provides a good migration path to EPC in the near future. The two technologies complement each other.
- GS1 Databar (RSS-14)
- GS1 Databar
The GS1 DataBar-14 Bar Code Symbol is designed to be read by an omnidirectional scanners and encodes the Element String AI (01). This Element String is based on the GTIN-12, GTIN-8, GTIN-13, or GTIN-14 Data Structures.
- GS1 Databar Stacked
It is capable of encoding GTIN-8,12, 13 or 14 Data Structures.
- GS1 Databar Stacked Omnidirectional
Two-row version of the GS1 DataBar-14 Bar Code Symbol that is designed to be read by an omnidirectional scanners and encodes GTIN-8, 12, 13 or 14 Data Structures.
- GS1 Databar Truncated
It is capable of encoding GTIN-8, 12, 13 or 14
- GS1 Databar
- GS1 Databar Expanded (RSS Expanded)
- GS1 Databar Expanded
It is a variable length linear symbology capable of encoding up to 74 numeric or 41 alphabetic characters of AI Element String data. It is designed to be read by an omnidirectional scanners.
- GS1 Databar Expanded Stacked
It is a variable length linear symbology capable of encoding up to 74 numeric or 41 alphabetic characters of AI Element String data. It is designed to be read by an omnidirectional scanners.
- GS1 Databar Expanded
- GS1 Databar Limited (RSS Limited)
- GS1 Databar Limited
The GS1 DataBar Limited Bar Code Symbol encodes the Element String AI (01). This Element String is based on the GTIN-8, 12, 13 or 14 Data Structures.
- GS1 Databar Limited
The X-dimension shall be constant throughout a given symbol.
More about GS1 Databar:
http://www.gs1.org/docs/barcodes/databar/GS1_DataBar_Factsheet.pdf
http://www.gs1.org/docs/barcodes/databar/GS1_DataBar_Family.pdf
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GS1 Data Matrix
Data Matrix is a matrix (2D or two-dimensional) bar code which may be printed as a square or rectangular symbol. The technical detail for this level of implementation shall be found in the standard: ISO/IEC 16022, Information technology - Automatic identification and data capture technologies - Data Matrix bar code symbology specification. GS1 DataMatrix is limited to ECC 200 encoding. Data Matrix ECC 200 is the only Data Matrix configuration which employs Reed-Solomon error correction. The maximum amount of data that can be encoded in the square form of Data Matrix is up to 2,335 alphanumeric characters or 3,116 numbers. For the Data Matrix in the rectangle-form, the maximum capacity is 72 alphanumeric characters or 98 numbers. GS1 DataMatrix Symbols have 24 sizes of the square format ranging from 10 by 10 modules up to 144 by 144 modules. Data Matrix ECC 200 is composed of two separate parts: the finder pattern L, which is used by the scanner to locate the symbol, and the encoded data itself. Although it is possible to encode any type of data in the general Data Matrix ECC 200, when using GS1 DataMatrix the data must be structured according to the rules of the GS1 System. Element strings begin with an Application Identifier which is then followed by the data that the AI denotes. GS1 DataMatrix uses a special start combination to differentiate the GS1 DataMatrix symbol from the other Data Matrix ECC 200 symbols. This is achieved by using the Function 1 Symbol Character (FNC1) in the first position of the data encoded.
More about GS1 Data Matrix: http://www.gs1.org/docs/barcodes/GS1_DataMatrix_Introduction_and_technical_overview.pdf
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