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No. Bar codes can be created on your PC and
printed on most standard office printers.
Applications such as Bars & Stripes
were
designed to produce bar codes on standard office quality Windows printers.
Printers using laser, thermal or inkjet technologies are acceptable as
long as the printer resolution is at least 300 dpi (dots per inch). 600
dpi is even better and is the de-facto standard for today's computer
printers. That said, a better quality printer will produce better bar
codes that are easier to read. The same can be said for the paper
you use. In general, you should use a good printer, good paper, and
make sure your toner or inkjet cartridge is in good condition. Other
than these common sense precautions, you should have no trouble producing
good bar codes.
Do I need to register my bar codes?
No, with one exception. If you need to put UPC bar codes on your
retail products that you are selling through 3rd part channels, you will
want to become a member of the Uniform Code Council and get a company
registration number to incorporate into your bar codes. Otherwise,
you don't need to.
More information about UPC bar codes
Bars & Stripes can work with other windows applications in a number of ways.
First, every bar code Bars & Stripes makes is available through the Windows clip
board. You can paste bar codes in most windows applications which accept image
formats.
Secondly, Word offers robust import capabilities which can be used to import
documents and database information. For example, if you maintain a customer list
in a database such as ACT, you can imported it directly into Word.
Bars &
Stripes can use this file to automatically create bar coded labels complete with
clipart or fancy fonts.
Bars & Stripes gives you access to most of today's bar code industry
standards. Whether you need UPC, Postnet, Code 128, CodaBar, Code 39, code 93 or
Interleaved 2 of 5, MSI, EAN 8 or 13. Bars & Stripes can do it. All you have to
do is click on the desired bar code format and Bars & Stripes does the rest.
If you have considered using bar codes in the past but thought your company
was too small, or you couldn't afford the expense of a bar code printer, think
again. Bars & Stripes can give any company access to this important information
tracking tool for just a fraction of what it cost with other software or
hardware products.
How do I get
a UPC bar code?
If you want to use bar codes inside your business - for
applications such as inventory, document management, asset tracking, or any
other application that does not involve 3rd party retail channels, you do not
need to register your bar codes or obtain any special permit or permission.
If, however, you are required by your sales channel or customer to bar code your
products, you may need to get a formal UPC number.
For this special case, your company will
need to become a member of the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC). When you become
a member, your company will be assigned an identification number licensed for
your company's use (UCC Company Prefix). You will use this number to create your
own 12-digit UPC bar codes.
Become a member of the U.C.C
UPC Bar codes consist of the symbol made of patterns of black and white
bars and the numbers at the bottom of the symbol. The numbers are encoded in the
symbol and uniquely identify the product. These symbols are scanned by equipment
in retail stores and are used in conjunction with computer systems to track
sales and order products.
 | This is a sample of the UPC that is read by scanners at the cash
register in stores |
| The vertical bars and spaces represent the numbers below the symbol.
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| The first 6 digits are your Company Prefix (number assigned and licensed
by the Uniform Code Council). |
| The next 5 digits are your Item Reference Number (Identifies your
individual products). |
| The last digit is the Check Digit (Validates the accuracy of the number).
This number is supplied by the Bars & Stripes software
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