Free Bulk Barcode 128 Generator - Code128

Barcode Technology - Code 128 (Barcode 128)               Hide the description

Code-128 (Barcode 128) is a high-density linear barcode symbology. 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.[citation needed]. It generally results in more compact barcodes compared to other methods like Code 39, especially when the texts contain mostly digits.

Valid characters:  0123456789!"#$%&''()*+,-./:;<=>?@[\]^_`{|} [Space]ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

Control characters:  ASCII 1-31,127

Code 128 Auto can encode the complete ASCII-character set. It will switching in all 3 character sets of Code 128:

Code 128A: Includes upper case letters and control characters.
Code 128B: Includes upper and lower case letters.
Code 128C: Specially optimized for numbers.

Code 128 is one of the many barcode formats currently in use.

A Barcode is a method of representing data in a visual, machine-readable form.

The barcode formats has two categories:

One-dimensional (1D) --- Barcodes represented data by varying the widths and spacings of parallel lines.

Two-dimensional (2D) --- Using rectangles, dots, hexagons and other geometric patterns to represented data.

For the end user, Code 128 barcodes may be generated by either an outside application to create an image of the

barcode, or by a font-based barcode solution. Either solution requires the use of an application or an application add in to calculate the check digit and create the barcode.

Check digit:

The check digit is a weighted modulo-103 checksum. It is calculated by summing the start code 'value' to the products of each symbol's 'value' multiplied by its position in the barcode string. The start symbol and first encoded symbol are in position 1. The sum of the products is then reduced modulo 103. The remainder is then converted back to one of the 103 non-delimiter symbols (following the instructions given below) and appended to the barcode, immediately before the stop symbol.
For example, in the following table, the code 128 variant A checksum value is calculated for the alphanumeric string PJJ123C:

==================================================================================
Code                   Value    Position     Value * Position

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Start Code A       103        1                103
                 P        48          1                 48
                 J        42          2                 84
                 J        42          3                 126
                 1        17          4                 68
                 2        18          5                 90
                 3        19          6                 114
                 C        35          7                 245
                 Sum                                   878
                 Remainder mod 103           54

===================================================================================
For the purpose of computing the check symbol, the shift and code-switch symbols are treated the same as any other symbol in the bar code. The checksum is computed over the symbol values, without regard for which code set is active at the time. For instance the code set C value "33" and the code set B value "A" are both considered to be a Code 128 value of 33, and the check digit is computed based on the value of 33 times the symbol's position within the barcode.

Barcode length optimization:

Code set C (Code 128C) uses one code symbol to represent two digits, so when the text contains just digits it will generally result in shorter barcodes. However, when the string contains only a few digits or it's mixed with non-digit character, it does not always produce a more compact code than code sets A or B.

Human Readable:

Most barcodes display their corresponding values below them, which makes it possible to human read and manually  enter the barcode values into the equivalent system when the barcode label is worn out and cannot be read by the barcode scanner.

Advantages:

If you want to reduce costs and save time, using barcodes is a good choice. Whether you are a company or a non-commercial organization, to improve efficiency and reduce overhead, barcodes are a valuable and viable option, which is economical and reliable.

Using a barcode system can make the working process simple and easy, so it can reduces the employee training time. It only takes a few minutes to master the barcode scanner to collecting data, employees no need to familiar with the entire inventory or pricing process. This also reduces the cost of employee training.

The bar code design and printing cost are low. Generally speaking, no matter how they are used or where they are posted, the cost is not high. They can be customized economically, in a variety of finishes and materials.

The barcode system is very versatile, it can be used for any necessary data collection. This may include pricing or inventory information or management information service system. In addition, because barcodes can be affixed to almost any surface, they can be used not only to track the product itself, but also to track the production process, shipments and equipments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Code 128 Barcode

What is the origin and development process of Code 128 barcode?

The Code 128 barcode was developed by COMPUTER IDENTICS in 1981. It is a variable-length, continuous alphanumeric barcode. It can encode all 128 ASCII characters.

Code 128 barcode is a barcode system that can encode alphanumeric or numeric data.

They are widely used in manufacturing and distribution industries to track and manage products, inventory, assets, orders, and shipments.

What are the benefits of using Code 128 barcodes?

It can encode all 128 ASCII characters, including numbers, letters, symbols and control characters, so it can represent all characters on the computer keyboard.

It enables high-density and efficient data representation through multi-level encoding and can be used for automatic identification in any management system.

It is compatible with the EAN/UCC system and is used to represent the information of the storage and transportation unit or logistics unit of the commodity. In this case, it is called GS1-128.

Who developed the Code 128 barcode standard?

The Code 128 barcode standard was developed by Computer Identics Corporation (USA) in 1981. It can represent all 128 ASCII code characters and is suitable for convenient application on computers.

The purpose of formulating this standard is to improve the coding efficiency and reliability of barcodes.

What is the structure of the Code 128 barcode?

Code 128 barcode consists of a blank area, a start mark, a data area, a check character and a terminator. It has three subsets, namely A, B and C, which can represent different character sets. It can also achieve multi-level encoding through the selection of starting characters, code set characters, and conversion characters.

Code128 is a high-density barcode. By using three versions of character sets (A, B, C) and selection of start characters, code set characters, and conversion characters, the most optimal barcode can be selected according to different data types and lengths. Appropriate encoding method. This can reduce the length of the barcode and improve coding efficiency. In addition, Code128 also uses check characters and terminators, which can increase the reliability of barcodes and prevent misreading or missed reading.

How many types of Code 128 barcodes are there?

There are three subsets of Code 128 barcodes, namely A code, B code and C code. Code 128 barcodes can represent 128 ASCII values by switching different subsets, and there is no theoretical limit to the code length.

Code 128 A code: can encode uppercase letters and control characters (such as TAB, CR/LF, etc.), but cannot encode lowercase letters.

Code 128 B code: can encode upper and lower case letters, but cannot encode control characters.

Code 128 C code: can only encode numbers 0-9, and each two numbers are represented by a barcode symbol. It is the most compact code set

Why use check characters and terminators on barcodes?

Because both check characters and terminators can improve the reliability of barcodes and prevent misreading or missed reading.

The check character is a character obtained by calculating the content of the data area according to a certain algorithm after the barcode data area. It helps the scanning device check whether the barcode has been read correctly. If the checksum does not match the calculated result, the barcode is incorrect. The terminator is at the end of the barcode and is used to indicate the end of the barcode. It can help the scanning device determine the boundaries of the barcode and prevent irrelevant content from being scanned.

What is the difference between Code 128 barcode and GS1-128 barcode?

Different application scopes:

Code 128 barcodes can be used for automatic identification in any management system, while GS1-128 barcodes must be used in the GS1 system to represent information on storage and transportation units or logistics units of goods.

The components are different:

Code 128 barcode consists of a blank area, a start character, a data area, a check character, a terminator, and a blank area. The GS1-128 barcode adds an application identifier (AI) in front of the data area to indicate different types of data.

Different reading methods:

Any reader that can read Code 128 barcodes can read the data of GS1-128 barcodes, but the application identifier needs to be parsed to get the correct information.

What is the difference between the GS1-128 barcode and the EAN-128 barcode?

Different names:

GS1-128 is the new name for the EAN-128 barcode, used since 2009 to emphasize that it is a standard of the GS1 organization.

The structure is different:

GS1-128 barcode adds an FNC1 character before each application identifier (AI) to distinguish different data segments.

Different contents:

GS1-128 barcode can represent more data types, such as batch number, expiration date, weight, etc., while EAN-128 barcode can only represent product number.

What is the difference between Code 128 barcode and QR Code?

Code 128 barcode is a one-dimensional barcode, and QR Code is a two-dimensional barcode. One-dimensional barcodes can only represent information in the horizontal direction, while two-dimensional barcodes can represent information in both horizontal and vertical directions, so the information capacity of two-dimensional barcodes is larger.

Code 128 barcode can represent a total of 128 characters (including numbers, letters, symbols) from ASCII 0 to ASCII 127. There is no theoretical limit to the code length, but it is limited by the printing width of the printer and the scanning width of the scanner. What it can contain The number of characters generally cannot exceed 50. QR Code can represent numbers, letters, Chinese characters and other characters, and the maximum code length is 7089 numbers or 2953 Chinese characters.

The Code 128 barcode requires a dedicated scanning device to be recognized, while the QR Code can be scanned and recognized using a smartphone or other device.

Will Code 128 barcode be replaced by QR Code?

Won't. Because Code 128 barcode and QR Code each have their own advantages and disadvantages, they are suitable for different occasions and needs.

Generally speaking, Code 128 barcodes are more suitable for representing simple numeric or alphabetical information, such as logistics order numbers, product numbers, etc., while QR Codes are more suitable for representing complex text or image information, such as website addresses, business cards, coupons, etc.

The advantages of Code 128 barcodes are small footprint, fast scanning speed and high reliability. However, its disadvantage is that its information capacity is limited and it cannot represent characters such as Chinese characters. It requires special scanning equipment to recognize it.

The advantage of QR Code is that it has a large information capacity, can represent a variety of characters and images, can be scanned and recognized with devices such as smartphones, has error correction capabilities, and can recover partially damaged information. However, its disadvantages are that it takes up a lot of space, has a slow scanning speed, and is susceptible to interference.

Therefore, Code 128 barcode and QR Code are not completely substitutes, but complementary relationships. Users should choose the appropriate barcode type based on different application scenarios and needs.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Code 128 barcodes?

The Code 128 barcode is a high-density one-dimensional barcode that can encode 128 ASCII characters. It has the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantage:

Allows bidirectional scanning processing, improving recognition efficiency.

The length of the barcode can be adjusted freely, and up to 232 characters can be encoded.

You can choose from three different encoding types: A, B, and C, and choose the most appropriate method according to the data type and length.

Shortcoming:

There are high requirements for print quality and scanning equipment, otherwise it is easy to make mistakes.

A check code needs to be added, which increases the complexity of the barcode.

Special start and end characters need to be used, which takes up a certain amount of space.

What are the main application scenarios of Code 128 barcodes?

Code 128 barcodes are widely used in internal corporate management, production processes, and logistics control systems. It has many application scenarios, mainly in industries such as transportation, logistics, clothing, food, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment.

t can encode numbers and letters, as well as some special symbols and control characters. There is also a subset of the Code 128 barcode called GS1-128, which is a product identification code used for supply chain management.

Some application examples of Code 128 barcodes.

Internal supply chain:

Internal management of enterprises, production processes, logistics control systems, ordering and distribution codes. Code 128 barcodes can store various information, such as item number, batch, quantity, weight, date, etc. This information can be used for tracking, sorting, inventory, quality control, etc., to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the company's internal supply chain management.

Production line process:

Code 128 barcodes can be used in factory production line process management to monitor production, order fulfillment and distribution processes in real time, improving production efficiency and quality. Code 128 barcodes can identify product numbers, batches, specifications, quantities, dates and other information to facilitate traceability, inspection, statistics and other operations during the production process. Code 128 barcodes can also be integrated with other systems, such as ERP, MES, WMS, etc., to achieve automatic collection and transmission of data.

By affixing Code 128 barcodes to products or parts, you can track and monitor all aspects of the production process, improving production efficiency and quality.

By affixing Code 128 barcodes to packaging or shipping boxes, automatic identification and recording of logistics information such as entry and exit, distribution, and inventory can be achieved, improving the accuracy and efficiency of logistics management, helping to transport products quickly, and ensuring that they are shipped correctly. Deliver the right product to the right customer at the right time to meet customer demand and reduce inventory costs.

By affixing Code 128 barcodes to workers or equipment, automatic collection and analysis of personnel or equipment attendance, performance, maintenance and other information can be achieved, improving the level of human resources and equipment management, and reducing manual steps to reduce labor costs.

Transportation and Logistics:

Used for ordering and distribution codes, product warehousing management, logistics control systems, ticket sequence numbers in international aviation systems. Code 128 barcode is used for ordering and distribution in the logistics and transportation industry. They can encode Serial Shipping Container Codes (SSCC) to identify and track containers and pallets in the supply chain. They can also encode other information such as best before dates and batch numbers. Code 128 barcodes can be scanned by WMS to increase warehouse efficiency.

Logistics tracking:

Code 128 barcodes are widely used in logistics tracking. They can be used to identify goods, orders, prices, inventory and other information. A subset of Code 128 barcodes is GS1-128, an international standard used to identify containers and pallets at levels in the supply chain. You can use a Code 128 barcode scanner to read this information quickly and accurately.

Most commonly used barcode types

EAN-13 code: Product barcode, universal, supports 0-9 digits, 13 digits in length, has grooved.

UPC-A code: Product barcode, mainly used in the United States and Canada, supports 0-9 numbers, 12 digits in length, has grooves.

Code-128 code: Universal barcode, supports numbers, letters and symbols, variable length, no grooves.

QR-Code: Two-dimensional barcode, supports multiple character sets and encoding formats, variable length, and has positioning marks.

Why are there many types of barcodes?

There are many types of barcodes because they have different uses and characteristics.

For example, a UPC [Universal Product Code] is a barcode used to label retail products and can be found on nearly every item sold and in grocery stores in the United States.

CODE 39 is a barcode that can encode numbers, letters and some special characters. It is commonly used in manufacturing, military and medical fields.

ITF [Interleaved Two-Five Code] is a barcode that can only encode an even number of digits. It is commonly used in the logistics and transportation fields.

NW-7 [also known as CODABAR] is a barcode that can encode numbers and four start/end characters. It is commonly used in libraries, express delivery and banks.

Code-128 is a barcode that can encode all 128 ASCII characters. It is commonly used in areas such as package tracking, e-commerce and warehouse management.

What is the historical origin of barcodes?

In 1966, the National Association of Food Chains (NAFC) adopted bar codes as product identification standards.

In 1970, IBM developed the Universal Product Code (UPC), which is still widely used today.

In 1974, the first product with a UPC barcode: a pack of Wrigley's gum was scanned in an Ohio supermarket.

In 1981, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) approved Code39 as the first alphanumeric barcode standard.

In 1994, Japan's Denso Wave Company invented QR-Code, a two-dimensional barcode that can store more information.

Barcode application examples

Barcode Apps for Food Tracking: Apps that record the nutritional content, calories, protein and other information of the food you eat by scanning the barcode on the food label. These apps can help you record your eating habits, Manage your health goals, or understand where your food comes from.

Transportation and logistics: Used for ordering and distribution codes, product warehousing management, logistics control systems, ticket sequence numbers in international aviation systems. Barcodes are used in ordering and distribution in the logistics and transportation industry. They can be used to string Line Shipping Container Codes (SSCCs) are encoded to identify and track containers and pallets in the supply chain. They can also encode other information such as best before dates and lot numbers.

Internal supply chain: internal management of the enterprise, production process, logistics control system, ordering and distribution codes. Barcodes can store various information, such as item number, batch, quantity, weight, date, etc. This information can Used for tracking, sorting, inventory, quality control, etc., to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the company's internal supply chain management.

Logistics tracking: Barcodes are widely used in logistics tracking. It can be used to identify goods, orders, prices, inventory and other information. By affixing barcodes on packaging or shipping boxes, it is possible to achieve warehouse entry and exit. Automatic identification and recording of distribution, inventory and other logistics information to improve the accuracy and efficiency of logistics management.

Production line process: Barcodes can be used for factory production line process management to improve production efficiency and quality. Barcodes can identify product numbers, batches, specifications, quantities, dates and other information to facilitate traceability during the production process. Inspection, statistics and other operations. Barcodes can also be integrated with other systems, such as ERP, MES, WMS, etc., to achieve automatic collection and transmission of data.

Some common barcode application areas

Ticket Verification: Cinemas, event venues, travel tickets and more use barcode scanners to verify tickets and the admission process.

Food Tracking: Some apps allow you to track the food you eat via barcodes.

Inventory Management: In retail stores and other places where inventory needs to be tracked, barcodes help record the quantity and location of items.

Convenient checkout: In supermarkets, shops and restaurants, barcodes can quickly calculate the price and total of goods.

Games: Some games use barcodes as interactive or creative elements, such as scanning different barcodes to generate characters or items.

Benefits of using barcodes

Speed: Barcodes can scan items in a store or track inventory in a warehouse faster, thus greatly improving the productivity of store and warehouse personnel. Barcode systems can ship and receive goods faster to reasonably way to store and locate items.

Accuracy: Barcodes reduce human error when entering or recording information, with an error rate of approximately 1 in 3 million, and enable real-time information access and automated data collection anytime, anywhere.

Cost Effectiveness: Barcodes are cheap to produce and print, and can save money by increasing efficiency and reducing losses. Barcoding systems allow organizations to accurately record the quantity of product left, its location and when reorders are needed, which This avoids waste and reduces the amount of money tied up in excess inventory, thereby improving cost efficiency.

Inventory Control: Barcodes help organizations track the quantity, location and status of goods throughout their life cycle, improve the efficiency of moving goods in and out of warehouses, and make ordering decisions based on more accurate inventory information.

Easy to use: Reduce employee training time because using the barcode system is easy and less error-prone. You only need to scan the barcode label attached to an item to access its database through the barcode system and obtain information related to the item. information.

Application of barcodes in inventory management

Goods Receipt: By scanning the barcode on received goods, the quantity, type and quality of goods can be quickly and accurately recorded and matched with purchase orders.

Shipping: By scanning the barcode on outgoing goods, the quantity, destination and status of the goods can be quickly and accurately recorded and matched with sales orders.

Moving warehouse: By scanning the barcodes on the goods and warehouse locations, the movement and storage of goods can be quickly and accurately recorded, and inventory information updated.

Inventory: By scanning the barcodes on goods in the warehouse, you can quickly and accurately check the actual quantity of goods and the system quantity, and find and resolve discrepancies.

Equipment Management: By scanning the barcode on the equipment or tool, you can quickly and accurately record the use, repair and return of the equipment or tool, and prevent loss or damage.

About QR-Code

QR-Code was invented in 1994 by a team led by Masahiro Harada of the Japanese company Denso Wave, based on the barcode originally used to mark automobile parts. It is a two-dimensional matrix barcode that can achieve multiple uses.

QR-Code has the following advantages compared with one-dimensional barcodes:

QR-Code can store more information because it uses a two-dimensional square matrix instead of one-dimensional lines. One-dimensional barcodes can usually only store dozens of characters, while QR-Code can Stores thousands of characters.

QR-Code can represent more data types, such as numbers, letters, binary, Chinese characters, etc. One-dimensional barcodes can usually only represent numbers or letters.

QR-Code can be scanned and recognized faster because it has four positioning marks and can be scanned from any angle. One-dimensional barcodes usually need to be scanned from a specific direction.

QR-Code is more resistant to damage and interference because it has error correction capabilities that can recover partially lost or obscured data. One-dimensional barcodes generally do not have such capabilities.

The difference between two-dimensional barcodes and one-dimensional barcodes mainly lies in the encoding method and information capacity. Two-dimensional barcodes use a two-dimensional square matrix, which can store more information and represent more data types. One-dimensional barcodes use one-dimensional lines, can only store a small amount of information, and can only represent numbers or letters. There are other differences between two-dimensional barcodes and one-dimensional barcodes, such as scanning speed, error correction capabilities, compatibility, etc.

QR-Code is not the only two-dimensional barcode. According to the principle, two-dimensional barcodes can be divided into two categories: matrix and stacked. Common two-dimensional barcode types are: Data Matrix, MaxiCode, Aztec, QR -Code, PDF417, Vericode, Ultracode, Code 49, Code 16K, etc., they have different applications in different fields.

The two-dimensional barcode developed on the basis of the one-dimensional barcode has advantages that the one-dimensional barcode cannot compare with. As a portable data file, although it is still in its infancy, it is in the ever-improving market. Driven by the economy and rapidly developing information technology, coupled with the unique characteristics of 2D barcodes, the demand for the new technology of 2D barcodes in various countries is increasing day by day.

About Code-128 barcode

Code-128 barcode was developed by COMPUTER IDENTICS in 1981. It is a variable-length, continuous alphanumeric barcode.

Code-128 barcode consists of a blank area, a start mark, a data area, a check character and a terminator. It has three subsets, namely A, B and C, which can represent different character sets. It can also be used to achieve multi-level encoding through the selection of starting characters, code set characters, and conversion characters.

It can encode all 128 ASCII characters, including numbers, letters, symbols and control characters, so it can represent all characters on the computer keyboard.

It can achieve high-density and efficient data representation through multi-level encoding, and can be used for automatic identification in any management system.

It is compatible with the EAN/UCC system and is used to represent the information of the storage and transportation unit or logistics unit of the commodity. In this case, it is called GS1-128.

Code-128 barcode standard was developed by Computer Identics Corporation [USA] in 1981. It can represent all 128 ASCII code characters and is suitable for convenient application on computers. The purpose of formulating this standard is to Improve barcode encoding efficiency and reliability.

Code128 is a high-density barcode. It uses three versions of character sets [A, B, C] and the selection of starting characters, code set characters, and conversion characters, according to different data Type and length, choose the most appropriate encoding method. This can reduce the length of the barcode and improve encoding efficiency. In addition, Code128 also uses check characters and terminators, which can increase the reliability of the barcode and prevent misreading or missed reading.

Code-128 barcode is widely used in internal management of enterprises, production processes, and logistics control systems. It has many application scenarios, mainly in industries such as transportation, logistics, clothing, food, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment.

What is the difference between EAN-13 barcode and UPC-A barcode?

The EAN-13 barcode has one more country/region code than the UPC-A barcode. In fact, the UPC-A barcode can be regarded as a special case of the EAN-13 barcode, which is the EAN-13 barcode with the first digit set to 0.

The EAN-13 barcode is developed by the International Article Numbering Center and is universally accepted. The code length is 13 digits, and the first two digits represent the country or region code.

UPC-A barcode is produced by the United States Uniform Code Committee and is mainly used in the United States and Canada. The code length is 12 digits, and the first digit indicates the numeric system code.

EAN-13 barcode and UPC-A barcode have the same structure and verification method, and similar appearance.

EAN-13 barcode is a superset of UPC-A barcode and can be compatible with UPC-A barcode.

If I have a UPC code, do I still need to apply for an EAN?

No need. Both UPC and EAN can identify goods. Although the former originated in the United States, it is part of the global GS1 system, so if you register UPC under the GS1 organization, it can be used globally. If you need to print a 13-digit EAN barcode, you can add the number 0 in front of the UPC code.

UPC-A barcodes can be converted to EAN-13 barcodes by prepending 0. For example, the UPC-A barcode [012345678905] corresponds to the EAN-13 barcode [0012345678905]. Doing this ensures Compatibility with UPC-A barcodes.

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