What Causes Unscannable Bar Codes  How do I know if my bar codes have a problem?  What Pitfalls and Mistakes should I Avoid? ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Unscannable Bar Code Categories I.Visual Clues I. Application – Physical Placement of the label or printed code II.Packaging – Finished Product to Customer II.Non-Visual Clues I.Bar Code Characteristics – Dimensions and Sizes II.Bar Code Standards – Symbology or Structure Guidelines III.Measurement Tools – Measurements for Quality ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Visual and Non-Visual Attributes NON-VISUAL  Print Quality – ANSI/ISO Standards  Encoded Numeric Data  Symbology Structure  Ink Gain  Check Digit Encoded  Reflectance  Bar Width RatioVISUAL  Print Quality  Human Readable Text & Font Sizes  Labeling Applications  Package/Product Infringements  Bar Code Color ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Common Visual Clues APPLICATION  Print Head Failures  Wrinkles & Folds  Creases & Crinkled  Corner Wrapped  Carton Clamshell Flaps  Laminates  Perforations  Off Centered Printing PACKAGING  Background Patterns  Wrong Substrate  Blisters & Bubbles  Embossing  Over-Labeling  Heat Stress/Shrink  Abrasions  Tape ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Number One Visual Clue ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved. PRINT HEAD BURN OUT

Number Two Visual Clue QUIET ZONES TOO SMALL ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Number Three Visual Clue PRINTED QUALITY Overprinted Or Under-Printed Too Much or Too Little Ink ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Number Four Visual Clue ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved. WRONG CHECK DIGIT DATA INTEGRITY

Number Four Visual Clue #2 DATA INTEGRITY ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved. WRONG NUMBERS APPLIED 16 DIGITS INSTEAD OF 14 Bad Check Digit 12 DIGITS INSTEAD OF 14

Number Five Visual Clue LABEL PLACEMENT ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Number Six Visual Clue PACKAGING ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Number Seven Visual Clue BAD LABELING ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Number Eight Visual Clue WRONG SIZES/DIMENSIONS ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved. HUMAN READABLE TEXT’S FONT SIZE IS LARGER THAN THE SYMBOLOGY

Number Nine Visual Clue INCORRECT COLOR ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved. RED DOES NOT SCAN

Number Ten Visual Clue TRUNCATION ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Non-visual Issues must be Measured Test - Test - Test  Use the right equipment to “grade” your bar code’s quality and symbol to ANSI/ISO specifications ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Verification Tests Check  SYMBOLOGY - CORRECT STRUCTURE  QUIET ZONES  DECODABILITY  CONTRAST  INK GAIN [Bar Width Reduction (BWR)]  REFLECTANCE  MAGNIFICATION VALUE  CHECK DIGIT  WIDE TO NARROW BAR RATIO  DATA FORMAT ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Verification Tests Check ©2005 Ace Hardware Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

EDUCATION AND ASSISTANCE  GS1 – European Countries (formerly EAN International)  GS 1 US - North America (formerly Uniform Code Council, Inc.)  1SYNC - subsidiary of GS1 US  (formerly UCCNet, Inc.)  AHMA - AMERICAN HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION  Professional Solution Providers Certified by GS1 Certified by GS1  Ace Hardware Bar Code Team