Barcode standards are essential for the smooth operation and accuracy of supply chains, inventory control, and retail systems around the globe. These protocols ensure that products can be efficiently identified and tracked throughout the entire supply chain. Adhering to international barcode standards is crucial for manufacturers to facilitate flawless communication and integration between different industries. In this post, we’ll explore the significance of barcode standards for various barcode types (such as EAN-13 and UPC barcodes) and how businesses can conform to these regulations.

What Constitutes Global Barcode Standards?

EAN-13 or UPC Barcodes:

The standard dimensions for an EAN-13 or UPC barcode are 37mm in width by 25mm in height.

The minimum recommended size for these barcodes is 80% of the standard size (approximately 30mm wide by 20mm high). This also includes a 3mm "quiet zone" (blank space) on either side of the barcode.

ITF-14 Carton Codes:

The typical size for ITF-14 Carton Codes at 100% magnification is around 122mm in width by 32mm in bar height, with 10mm quiet zones on the left and right.

The magnification range for an ITF-14 Barcode Symbol in a General Distribution Scanning environment is between 50% and 100%. For other scanning environments, it is between 25% and 100%. When printing on corrugated fibreboard, the ITF-14 should be magnified above 62.5%.

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

QR Codes:

There are no strict size standards for QR codes. The required space for a QR code will depend on the amount of data it holds and the scanning distance.

For close scanning environments, the minimum practical QR code size is 2 cm by 2 cm (0.8 inches by 0.8 inches), excluding the quiet zone.

The ideal size for a QR code is influenced by various factors such as the space available on the packaging, the scanning environment, printing quality, and the resolution of the printing process. If a QR code is too small, it may not be easily readable by scanners or could be challenging to print with high quality and adequate resolution. Conversely, if it’s too large, it may be difficult to scan at close range or to print at a high standard.

Barcode Colours

Barcode scanners typically detect black or cool colours (blue, green) and disregard white or warm colours (red, orange, yellow). Therefore, it's crucial to ensure the barcode bars are printed in black or cool colours, with the background in white or warm colours. Reflective or metallic colours do not scan well.

Barcode Position

EAN-13 and UPC barcodes are usually positioned horizontally. If printed on a curved surface (like a bottle), it’s advisable to rotate the barcode 90 degrees to make it vertical. Avoid placing the barcode close to any edges, position it on a flat surface if possible, and ensure there is ample blank space around the bars (at least 3mm).

For more information about barcode standards, please visit Canada Barcodes.