| Main • Products • Know How / FAQ • Store • Contact |
Walkthrough: Creating Code 128 GS1 in Barcode Generator
|
This walktrough describes how to create Code 128 GS1 barcodes using the
BlitzTools Barcode Generator. If you don't
have the software installed, please download the trial version using the link in the sidebar to the right.
The trial is fully functional so that you can follow all steps of this tutorial.
The screenshots below show the Barcode Generator V3
under Mac OS X. Handling of the software under Windows and in the older V2 version is identical.
Introduction to Code 128 GS1 Barcodes (Taken from our know how article about Code 128) Let's first look at the somewhat confusing terminlogy regarding Code 128: In 1981 Computer Identics introduced a barcode type called Code 128 which could represent the full ASCII character set: Letters, small caps, digits, punctuation, control characters etc. The common barcode symbologies then (EAN/UPC, Code 2/5) could only encode digits so this was a major step forward. Some years later the EAN organizations wanted to extent the use of Code EAN beyond just encoding article numbers. Many applications would benefit from further information about a product, e.g. a "best before" date or a package size. The EAN organization compiled a specification, mainly consisting of data field specifiers (for example to specify a "best before" date). As Code EAN was not able to encode more than just the article number, the specification settled on Code 128 as the preferred barcode type to be used. The created codes were called Code 128 EAN (in the EAN region), and Code 128 UCC (in the UPC region). When the EAN standards body was reorganized to form the new GS1 (Global Standard One) the codes were called Code 128 GS1, although the specs didn't change. Further information regarding Code 128 GS1 barcodes As stated, a Code 128 GS1 barcode can not only contain an article number but also further information of interest. Tagging of that information within a code is achieved by so called field specifiers, groups of two to four digits that prepend the actual data. For example, the specifier "01" indicates that the 13-digit EAN number is to follow, the specifier "15" on the other hand indicates that a "best before" date of the format "YYMMDD" follows next (List of 128GS1 Specifiers). Sample data: 01 4012345678901 15 090929 In this example an article with the EAN no. "4012345678901" and a "best before" date of "29th September 2009" is encoded. For better readability the specifiers are enclosed by parentheses in the human readable portion of the code. The sample above would then read "(01)4012345678901(15)090929". Note that the parentheses are not part of the barcode. Launch Barcode Generator. All settings are made in the main window of the software: 
To create a Code Code 128 GS1 set the properties as follows:
A preview of the barcode is presented in the lower half of the application window: 
You can now export the created code to a file. What file format to choose depends on your application. In most cases it's save to go with EPS (preset in the software) as it is a resolution independent vector format. If using a raster format (TIFF, PNG) the resolution should not be set below 300 dpi. Code 128 GS1 barcode tips
|
Trial version for OS X 
Single User, only €99.95 • Work & Home License • Other licensing options System Requirements
|