Barcode Verification

Barcode verification is measuring the print quality of a printed barcode to analyze how it will perform in different environments with different types of scanning equipment. The process of verification involves checking the visual aspects (for modulation, decodability and more) of the printed codes against standards made by international organizations to measure the scanability of the barcode. It also involves decoding the encoded data and verifying correct data structure and content. Barcode verification is done with ANSI, CEN, ISO/IEC 15426-1 compliant barcode verifiers and ISO/IEC 15146 procedures.

Why is barcode verification necessary?

There are several reasons why you might verify barcodes:

Quality control

Errors in barcode printing can introduce errors into your Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) system. Even well maintained printers have a natural error rate that can produce improperly formatted barcodes. Verification can increase the quality control of the printed codes, reducing the chance of costly errors. A $.02 tag with a bad barcode can cost your company thousands of dollars.

Contract compliance

Verification may be a prerequisite for a contract. Many large-scale operations and government agencies require barcode verification to ensure error-free data entry. If you are complying with these standards, barcode verification is necessary to prevent fines and maintain the standing of your contract.

What methods are there to verify barcodes?

There are two methods for determining barcode print quality: traditional and ANSI.

Traditional Verification

Traditional verification evaluates symbol quality based on comparing the printed bar widths to the specified bar width within the published tolerance. This form of analysis is helpful when printing barcodes, since line width can be controlled and monitored while barcodes are being imaged. Traditional verification of barcodes provides a direct correlation between bar width and press gain, but this method has limitations that ANSI can accommodate better. Traditional verification does not address defects in the barcode itself, like voids or gaps.

ANSI Verification

The ANSI (American National Standards Institute) grading structure was established in the 1980's. This analysis tries to evaluate symbols in the same mechanical method used by scanners. ANSI barcode verification is now the standard for ensuring compliance because it addresses virtually all aspects of print quality that affect scanning.

Barcode verification to the ANSI standard provides improved performance, equal to the standards to which scanning systems have evolved. Using ANSI grading avoids printing to tougher standards than is actually required. Also, end users are protected from printing defects in their materials that traditional verification could miss.

What are the different types of barcode verifiers?

Hand held

These devices are used for verification of a barcode after it has been printed. Hand-held verifiers are portable and easy to use. Many are capable of interfacing to PC to store verification data.

On-line

These devices verify barcodes "on-the-fly" as it is being printed. On-line verifiers are integrated with the barcode printer and provide total control of the printer.

To view our entire selection of barcode verifiers, visit our verifiers page. If you have any questions about how barcode verification can affect your business, contact one of our barcode experts at 1.888.648.4452.