DataCard CR805 - Print Bar Codes; Bar Code Guidelines

CR805 Retransfer Card Printer Installation and Administrator’s Guide 47
Print Bar Codes
Bar code design follows a set of standards based on the type of bar code produced. Bar codes
contain a series of black lines (bars) separated by white areas (spaces). Each character of encoded
data is represented by a set of bars and spaces. A bar code standard specifies the number and
width of bars and spaces needed to encode a character. The standard also specifies the minimum
size of the white area, or quiet zone, that surrounds the bar code.
Bar Code Guidelines
Bar codes print more successfully when you observe the following guidelines. Follow the
standards for the type of bar code you are printing.
Bar Code Placement
 Maintain the required quiet zone around the actual
bar code, as shown in the illustration.
 Locate bar codes at least 0.25 inch (6.3 mm) from
other printing and from the edge of the card.
Bar Code Size
 A lower density bar code is easier to read, because the bars are wider and spaced farther
apart.
 The width of the narrow elements in the bar code must be large enough to be read
consistently. The capabilities of the bar code reader can influence this.
 The bar code must be tall enough to be read under normal conditions.
Refer to “Print Bar Codes with the Card Printer Driver” on page 48 for information
about how using the Card Printer Driver can improve the probability that a bar code
prints using the K panel.
quiet zone
0.25 in
6.3 mm