Barcode – effective yet inexpensive
Barcode represents a basic and the least expensive security element, which may be supplied as a standalone source of identification or in combination with the cardholder’s name. Black barcode may be printed on a background of any colour; however white colour is used as a standard, since it secures the best scanning reliability. The specific types of barcodes differ in barcode length, number of signs to be coded, type of signs to be coded and a minimal printable barcode width.
In case you are unsure which barcode is the most suitable for your needs or how it should be positioned on a barcode card, please see technical specifications.
Barcode technical specifications
- The height of a barcode may vary, but should not fall below 6 mm without digits and 8 mm with digits.
- A barcode must be located in a minimum distance of 5 mm from the border of a card, magnetic stripe or a signature panel.
Types of barcodes
| Barcode designation | Barcode length | Number of signs to be coded | Type of signs to be coded | Minimal printable barcode width |
| EAN 8 | Fixed length | 7 + 1 verification digit (automatic) | numeric | min 25 mm |
| EAN 13 | Fixed length | 12 + 1 verification digit (automatic) | numeric | min 30 mm |
| CODE 128 | Variable length according to the number of signs | Arbitrary number of signs | alphanumeric | min 3.75 mm per sign |
| Interleaved 2 out of 5 | Variable length | numeric | min 3.75 mm per sign | |
| UPC – A | Fixed length | 12 signs | numeric | min 25 mm |
| UPC – E | Fixed length | 12 signs | numeric | min 25 mm |