bar codes don't scan - stretch out?

[pdenchfield]

Hi all, have any of you had issues with bar codes that don't scan? Following is the HTML and the CSS used. I would appreciate any pointers!

HTML:

Code: Select all

<p class="EndPage" MadCap:conditions="Build.P01765-19"><span class="Barcode">*P01765-19*</span>

CSS:

Code: Select all

.Barcode
{
	font-family: '3 of 9 Barcode';
}

[JimW]

Barcode fonts don't necessarily make good barcodes.
You maybe missing special control characters too.
Can't have antialaising on.
You should test the barcode right on the screen. It should read there if large enough.
If you are using something like a phone app, you need to verify that the program actually reads that barcode format.
You maybe able to find programs on line that can make a bitmap with the barcode - like QRStuff.com

The code 3of9 was originally designed for 200dpi printers. the narrow bars (X) were 2 dots wide.

The barcode spec also calls for a 'quite zone' of .25 inch on each end.

Ideally you would get the barcode tested with a barcode grading technology for each output format you chose.

If you could get 100% good bar codes from DTP and Wordprocessing methods then our company would have a lot less business.

Oh, Corel Draw has a decent tool to make barcodes. We use that in our Pubs group and add it as a graphic any one to several DTP packages that we use. Watchout that the Stroke/Outline is set to '0' / none

Jim Wiley
Tech. Comm. and Pub.
Zebra Technologies Incorporated

[pdenchfield]

Thanks for your thorough reply, Jim.

I can follow the same formatting steps in Microsoft Word, print the document, and scan successfully using our company's scanner devoted to these testing purposes.

Why is it hard to produce the same bar code in Flare, I wonder?

[doc_guy]

Jim, welcome to the forums!

Sorry, I don't have any insight into barcodes, having never used them myself.

[JimW]

OK - Not a suprise to me.
Well - put the barcode on the display in Flare - make it large.
Scan it.
Then, if it scans, and it should if it worked in Word, check the output settings for (I am assuming) PDF.
The resolution needs to high and the barcode large.
Anti-aliasing needs to be off. Barcodes require crisp edges and sharp contrast.
At 200dpi the Code 39 spec calls for the barcode to be .25 inches tall.
After you get the barcode reading, you can reduce the resolution and size.

Also, you may want to create a PDF from the Word file with the good barcode.
Import it into Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw and make it into vector graphic and import it. Remember no stroke or outline.
Do not scale it. Specially in the final output format.
If it still has problems reading, then scale it up is more likely to get you good results. The scaling is to get the dot ratios between the wide and narrow bars to match up with the print resolution.

[LTinker68]

Then, if it scans, and it should if it worked in Word, check the output settings for (I am assuming) PDF.

Especially check to see if you have downsampling of images turned on and/or the option to create new files when manually resizing images.

[pdenchfield]

Thank you, LTinker68! I unchecked the box for downsampling images (target > pdf options) and now the bar code scans.