Do You Know?
- Linear or 2D barcode?
How do we know the symbologies of an unknown barcodes (1D and 2D)? A barcodes shape and size is
determined by its protocols. Each barcodes has its own distinguished pattern.
Code 39/Code 128 is most commonly used in logistic and electronic sectors. Our Singapore's Identity Card
and driving license are both using code 39. Code 39 is also known as USS Code 39, Code 3/9, Code 3 of 9, USD-3, "Alpha39.
There are two forms of code 39 Code 39 and Extended 39.
You can see from the two red boxes above, there is 2 thin bars, 2 thick bars, 1 thin bar. At anytime if you
see this structure, it represents a barcode symbologies of code 39.
If there are lower case characters in the barcode, it is extended code 39.
Code 128 has three subset namely code 128A, code 128B, code 128C. Code 128
can be easily identified by looking at the last 3 bars. In the red box, you can see 3 bars. In the middle of the
two bars will be one thin bar. One more thing you can check is code 128 has 4 elements width.
This meant that the barcode’s bars had 4 different kind of thickness. You can see from the barcode below:
Differences between Code 39 and Code 128?
Because these two barcode symbologies are free, a lot of the end users will ask which one is best to use.
If you are using a barcode printer to print, then Code 39 or Code 128 does not matter. However,
if you are using a dot matrix printer (impact printer), bubblejet or even a laser-jet printer, it
is better than to use Code 39.The reason is, Code 39 has 2 kind of thickness.
In dot-matrix printer,
the printing start point can never be the same. That is why if a user prints barcode from a dot-matrix printer,
the barcode sway and is never straight. What about bubblejet and laserjet printer? This has something
to do with the mil size and sometime the ink might smudge.
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