Barcode Scanning Guide
Ensure your products scan perfectly every time. Understanding the physics of scanning and print quality is the key to retail success.
Why won't my barcode scan?
Scanning issues are almost always related to print quality or color contrast, not the barcode number itself. Most modern scanners use red light lasers; if your bars are a color that reflects red light (like red, pink, or white), the scanner will see a blank space.
Top Barcoding Printing Tips
The safest combination is Black bars on a White background. Avoid using metallic inks, transparent backgrounds, or light-colored bars (yellow, light blue) as these provide insufficient contrast for laser scanners. Remember to maintain mandatory "Quiet Zones"
Common Print Errors
Ink Bleed
If the ink spreads (common on cardboard), the bars become too thick and the spaces too narrow for the scanner to distinguish.
Truncation
Cutting the height of the bars too short makes it difficult for a cashier to scan the product quickly at an angle.
Creases & Folds
Ensure the barcode is not placed on a seam, curve, or corner of the packaging where the image may distort.
Get High-Quality Barcode Images
We provide professional 600 DPI images in 4 formats to ensure perfect scanning every time.