Barcode Verification Explained
Barcode Verification determines the scan quality of a barcode image. A Barcode Verification machine tests the product’s printed printed artwork. The test involves scanning the product’s barcode multiple times and from varying angles and distances, the success of which determines the grade of the test from A – F or 4 – 0 ( ISO grade).
Some retailers require a verification report to stock a product so that they can ensure that the barcode will scan successfully and in a timely manner without the need to position the product up against the scanner in a time consuming and annoying way. A low quality barcode image, bad printing, or incorrect size & colour combinations can result in barcodes that must be positioned exactly right or fail to scan altogether, which causes major problems and expenses for retailers. For this reason retailers usually require and ISO 1.5 or higher to stock your product.
We supply all our images at an extremely high quality and clients of ours who have purchased verification reports usually return an ISO grade of 4 – the maximum grade if they have not altered the image in any way and printed the code with sufficient quality. If you decide to alter your barcode image in any way, a verification report can help you to understand the limits of the changes that can be made, and what needs to be changed to improve scannability.
Some common reasons for low ISO grades:
– Removal or changes to the white space around the barcode known as the ‘quiet zone’. It is highly advisable to leave the quiet zone unaltered.
– Reducing the height of the image by too much.
– Unacceptable combination of colours – please see our article on colour combinations for more
– Resolution of print too low
– Incorrect formatting of the code or wrong check digit
– Placement of code inhibits scanning. Please pay attention to placement to ensure that you do not obscure or warp the barcode image.
– Unsuitable substrate can cause bleeding of images, shrinkage and other problems. Ensure that the material you are printing on is suitable.
How to verify your barcode
In India it is very uncommon for retailers to require a verification report. Therefore at this time GS1 India does not offer this service except for it’s own members.
Verification reports from any branch of GS1 are valid globally so if you require one you can contact the Australian branch of GS1. They offer reports to non-GS1 members and will carry out a report on barcodes supplied by India Barcodes.
If you are planning to export overseas and your distributors/retailers ask for a barcode verification report you can contact either GS1 Australia or GS1 New Zealand to arrange one for your barcode.
Australia: https://www.gs1au.org/our-services/barcode-check/
New Zealand: https://www.gs1nz.org/services/verification/non-member-verification-form/
The images we supply you are guaranteed to pass the report with a very high grade (commonly ISO grade 4) provided the print quality is sufficient and the images have not been negatively altered.
If you obtain a verification report from GS1 it will show N/A in the “GS1 Company Prefix” row. This simply means that you have not obtained the code directly from GS1 – as you have purchased it through India Barcodes.