Bar Code Properties - Dimensions Tab

The Dimensions tab lets you set the bar code's density, size, and rotation.

Field

Description

Density

Enter the bar code's density in one of five formats.

NOTE: The bar code grows when you add characters unless the density is set to Approximate Width.

Dots per Narrow Bar

Enter the size of the narrow bar in printer dots. You can enter a fraction. If the density is within the margin of error, the software tries to simulate the dots on the printer. This format is printer-dependent, due to varying sizes of dots on printers.

NOTE: To configure the margin of error, go to Options > Preferences, select the Bar Code tab, and enter the appropriate figure in the Bar/Space margin of error field.

Thousandths of an Inch

Enter the size of the narrow bar in thousandths of an inch or Mil. To set the  size to 0.010 inches, enter 10. This format is printer-independent. When you change the printer, the bar code size remains the same.

Characters per Inch (CPI)

Enter the required characters per inch. If the value causes the density to exceed the margin of error, the density is scaled to the nearest printer dot to correct the error.

Percentage

Many specifications, especially those using UPC, require a bar code of a specific percent. If your label specification requires a 100 percent UPC, enter 100.

NOTE: With UPC bar codes using percentage density, the height is determined by the percentage entered. With other bar code types you can set the height.

Approximate Width

Enter the bar code width required.

Caution: If you have a large amount of data in the bar code, it may produce a bar code that is unreadable. To protect against this, select Options > Preferences, click on the Bar Code tab, and set the Minimum readable resolution to at least 10 millimeters. Test scan labels before printing.

Height

Enter the required height of the bar code (not including the height of the text).

NOTE: The height and density of POSTNET and FIM bar codes is  predetermined. However, you may apply adjustments to allow for ink spread and ink shrink.

Anchor Point

Set the anchor point to the left, center or right. If you set the anchor point to the left, the bar code grows to the right. If you set the anchor point to the right, the bar code grows to the left. If you set the anchor point to the center, the bar code grows to both the right and left.

NOTE: If a bar code is to the right of another object, for example, you might want to set the anchor point to the left. This keeps the bar code from overlapping the object when the data changes. Similarly, if a bar code is to the left of another object you might want to set the anchor point to the right.

Adjustments

Enter the number of dots you would like to add to or subtract from each of the bar code's bars or spaces. The number of dots that you can add or subtract depends on the bar code density. If you enter an invalid value, it is changed to the closest valid value.

NOTE: Sometimes the ink/toner does not adhere to the page correctly, causing ink spread and ink shrink. Ink spread occurs when the ink/toner bleeds into the page, causing a dot on the printer to grow. Ink shrink occurs when the ink/toner does not properly adhere to the page, causing a dot to appear smaller. Both ink spread and ink shrink can cause unreadable bar codes. To account for this problem, use adjustments to add and subtract dots from the bars and spaces within the bar code.

Caution: When adjusting modular bar codes (Code 128, UPC, EAN, and Code 93), for every dot subtracted from a bar, add a dot to a space. The total adjustments should equal 0. For example, if bar dots equal -2, then space dots should equal 2.

NOTE: When adjusting bar codes, print samples of the adjusted bar codes to verify that they read properly before printing a large run.

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