To ensure the quality of barcodes, a trade-off must be made between verification of the printed image and a simple validation step.

In a validation, the readability of the code is checked, for example, by a specific barcode scanner. This readability is influenced by the quality of the barcode printer, the settings of this printer, the type of substrate being printed on and external factors such as line speed, humidity, and printing system being utilized.

A validation does not give any information about the position of the bars or spaces in the code. The print quality can only be checked with an image analysis. An inspection of printed images therefore always includes both a validation (readability check) and an analysis (quality check).

While a deceptively simple name, 2D barcodes may one day provide a globally recognized and standardized way to enable “improved inventory management, enhanced recall readiness, greater sustainability and ethical sourcing, better product authentication, and greater brand trust,” according to GS1, the standards body for barcodes.

But making the transition from 1D to 2D barcodes across the millions of retailers in the U.S. alone is no easy feat and certainly not one that can happen overnight. To that end, GS1 has established the Sunrise 2027 initiative, which aims to have all retail backend systems and point-of-sale (POS) infrastructures set up to accept 2D barcodes by 2027.

Even with the long runway, it’ll be difficult for manufacturers or retailers and those that support them to make the change by the deadline. But adopting 2D will ultimately lead to long-term gains. 

There are several ways to improve your barcode validation process:

• Use a coding and marking data platform that integrates with a reliable barcode scanner. A good barcode scanning system will be able to read a variety of different barcode types and sizes.
• Inspect your barcodes regularly. Check for smudges, wrinkles, or other damage that could make them difficult to read.
• Use data analysis to improve your process. Track your error rate over time and look for trends that can help you identify potential problems.
• Consider laser marking for crisp, permanent barcode marking.

Barcodes that don’t meet standards can cause production line errors. This can result in products being mislabeled, shipped to the wrong location, or even scrapped. Manufacturers may even incur significant financial penalties for the effects of barcode errors from distributors or similar downstream business customers.

Matthews Marking Systems can assist you with barcode validation in several ways. We can help you check the print quality of your codes, as well as the accuracy of the data encoded in them. We can also help you choose the right type of code for your application. MPERIA-driven validation software is designed to provide easy integration into your existing production lines, real-time alerts for deviations from standards, and guaranteed maximum marking quality.

To ensure the quality of barcodes, a trade-off must be made between verification of the printed image and a simple validation step.

In a validation, the readability of the code is checked, for example, by a specific barcode scanner. This readability is influenced by the quality of the barcode printer, the settings of this printer, the type of substrate being printed on and external factors such as line speed, humidity, and printing system being utilized.

A validation does not give any information about the position of the bars or spaces in the code. The print quality can only be checked with an image analysis. An inspection of printed images therefore always includes both a validation (readability check) and an analysis (quality check).

While a deceptively simple name, 2D barcodes may one day provide a globally recognized and standardized way to enable “improved inventory management, enhanced recall readiness, greater sustainability and ethical sourcing, better product authentication, and greater brand trust,” according to GS1, the standards body for barcodes.

But making the transition from 1D to 2D barcodes across the millions of retailers in the U.S. alone is no easy feat and certainly not one that can happen overnight. To that end, GS1 has established the Sunrise 2027 initiative, which aims to have all retail backend systems and point-of-sale (POS) infrastructures set up to accept 2D barcodes by 2027.

Even with the long runway, it’ll be difficult for manufacturers or retailers and those that support them to make the change by the deadline. But adopting 2D will ultimately lead to long-term gains. 

There are several ways to improve your barcode validation process:

• Use a coding and marking data platform that integrates with a reliable barcode scanner. A good barcode scanning system will be able to read a variety of different barcode types and sizes.
• Inspect your barcodes regularly. Check for smudges, wrinkles, or other damage that could make them difficult to read.
• Use data analysis to improve your process. Track your error rate over time and look for trends that can help you identify potential problems.
• Consider laser marking for crisp, permanent barcode marking.

Barcodes that don’t meet standards can cause production line errors. This can result in products being mislabeled, shipped to the wrong location, or even scrapped. Manufacturers may even incur significant financial penalties for the effects of barcode errors from distributors or similar downstream business customers.

Matthews Marking Systems can assist you with barcode validation in several ways. We can help you check the print quality of your codes, as well as the accuracy of the data encoded in them. We can also help you choose the right type of code for your application. MPERIA-driven validation software is designed to provide easy integration into your existing production lines, real-time alerts for deviations from standards, and guaranteed maximum marking quality.