Top 5 Reasons a Barcode Font will not Scan

Though there are many reasons a barcode font will not scan, this video covers the most common reasons a barcode font will not scan.

1. Barcode data is not encoded using a font encoder.
Unlike fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, and Courier New, barcode fonts require an extra step to ensure that the created barcode is scannable/usable. In order to create a scannable barcode, data must pass through a formula called a font encoder or font tool. A font encoder can be a plug-in, add-in, formula, or source code that performs a calculation to produce encoded data.

2. Barcode quality is poor.
If the barcode quality is poor, the barcode may not scan. Verify the barcode is printed to a laser or thermal printer and is not damaged or smeared.

3. Barcode is outside of the specification
Barcodes must be printed at specific font sizes. If the barcode is not set to the appropriate size, it may not be scannable.

4. Uncommon barcode symbologies such as Codabar, Industrial 2 of 5, and Code 93 may not be enabled in the scanner. If the barcode does not scan, check to make sure that the symbology is enabled by reviewing the scanner manual.

5. If the barcode is too wide, the scanner may not read it. Some barcodes such as Code 39 create large barcode with a few characters. If the amount of data is large, use a more dense barcode type such as Code 128 or a 2D barcode type. If the barcode is width is too small due to the amount of characters, then verify the scanner is set to read barcodes with a few characters. Review your scanner manual.



IDAutomation.com, Inc Barcode Fonts:
http://www.idautomation.com/#fonts

IDAutomation Technical Support Forum:
http://support.idautomation.com/

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Closed Caption:

i'm using your barcode
fonts and when i apply
the font to my data it looks like a
barcode what does not
can my barcode
you're not reading help if you're
creating barcodes it can be a very
frustrating experience especially when
you create the bar code printed and
expect it to scan it's worse if you have
to send the barcode to an establishment
that is not able to stand it
don't bang your head on the desk just
yet i will explain the top five reasons
a barcode font will not scan the number
one reason a barcode font will not scan
is the data is not encoded
the printed quality of the barcode is
poor
the bar
is set to a font size outside of the
specification
the barco time
for symbology is not enabled in the
scanner there are too many or too few
barcode data characters encoded question
what is the most common reason a barcode
created using a font will not scan
answer the data is not encoded for the
bar code using a font coder what is a
font encoder a fond coder is a plug-in
add in calculation formula or source
code that modifies the data binding
start/stop characters guard bars or
check digit basically it encodes the
data to produce a dense scannable
barcode let's take a look at how this
works
the data to encode is the data to
convert to the barcode the data passes
through the encoder to produce encoded
data apply the barcode font to the
encoded data let's look at another
example let's use the ID automation
online encoder the format the data to
encode when i select the code 128 button
the data to encode is passed to the font
encoder and the encoded text is the
result because this is a demonstration
I've pasted the encoded text into a text
editor select the data and apply the
barcode font
in some cases barcodes
displayed fine on the computer can lose
quality once they're printed it is
important to take into consideration the
quality of the barcode if the printed
barcode is blurry or distorted it may be
a good idea to check the print
resolution as this may be a common cause
also avoid converting the font into an
image such as a bitmap as this will
distort the barcode verify that a laser
or thermal printer is used to print the
barcode and that the toner is good
barcode fonts must be printed at
specific sizes also known as . sizes or
they will not scan properly certain
point sizes represent valid x dimensions
X dimension is the width of the
narrowest bars in a bar code which all
other bars are built on is generally
calculated in mills or centimeters
for example a valid point size for code
128 printed to a laser printer is 24
points if the barcode is set to an
invalid sighs such as 23 points the
printed barcode may not scan ensure that
a valid point sizes used
while some bar code
are enabled by default in a scanner many
others must be manually activated in
order to read make sure that the barcode
scanner is configured to read the type
of barcode that you're attempting to
read if you have confirmed that the
scanners programmed to read the barco
type and it still does not recognize the
barcode contact the scanner manufacturer
too many or too few characters in a bar
code may prevent the scanner from
reading it if you are attempting to
encode a small amount of characters
ensure that the scanner is capable of
scanning a minimum amount most scanners
are set to read a minimum of four
characters in a bar code
this means that if a bar code contains
one character it may not read unless the
settings in the scanner or modified to
read the barcode with at least one
character on the other hand if there are
too many characters encoded in a bar
code then it will be too large for the
scanner and will not read for this
particular issue increasing the font
size or reducing the amount of
characters may resolve the issue
there may be many reasons why a barcode
created using a font will not scan we've
discussed the top five reasons in this
video if you're working with ID
automation barcode fonts you can get the
right support from our staff regarding
these matters by contacting ID
automation com