About Software
An overview of the Great Barcode Generator
Great Barcode Generator is software for creating barcodes and printing them in the most efficient and simplified way currently available on the internet. Just create and print a standard barcode and print it. That is it. As, and when required. Just two easy to follow steps with the option of modifications and adjustments and the possibility of saving a copy or transferring to other applications for further operations on the design created.
Great Barcode Generator supports the creation of more than 26 of the internationally recognized barcode fonts which include: Code 39, Code 128, UPC, ISBN, EAN and many others that contain digits from 0 to 9, including alpha-numeric characters. Added onto this, are the option for further formatting, and a print preview window for final analysis of your output before printing.
Customization Options
Adjust the dimensions of your final print job always confirming that the look you end up with fits the bill. Include the unique values, Product Number and modify the alignment of the labels or use the set values given as Number Across and Number Down to acquire that professional feel to your output. Just like the pros do it.
Image file formats provided on the Great Barcode Generator ensure that you are working with image file standards that are easily transferrable to other software applications without the need for any further manipulation. Just choose between TIFF, BMP, PNG, JPEG or any other available format to suit the work or application you intend to apply to it. These enable exporting your output to MS Excel, MS Paint, MS Word or Adobe applications, which means that the opportunities for further editing are endless.
Import from Data Sheets
If you are not just using constant values to produce a single value barcode, you can import data into the Great Barcode Generator using a text or Excel file or use an existing Data Sheet that bears all the values you intend to include in your barcode labels. This time saving option gives you the added advantage of and input choice for the values that are required for a sequential list of barcodes including the ‘Text Above’ and ‘Text Below’ information that you may want to appear on your printed barcode tags or labels. Even though you use this data import facility you still have the option of making adjustments or modifications to the output in case the need to do so still exists.
Step-by-Step Wizard to guide your printing jobs
Great Barcode Generator follows a workflow format that takes advantage of a step-by-step wizard that standardizes your printing jobs into simple steps all with the option of modifying and customizing your output. You have a choice between different resolutions, image formats as well as the option of output dimensions of the final printed output.
If you neither wish to save your work for future use nor intend to export the final file to other applications, choose a pre-defined output format that fits the dimensions of your choice such as Avery, APLI, Ace Label all available from a drop-down menu or just go with an ‘Auto’ option which leaves the image centered on a page and ready for output. Finally, as no specialized barcode printer is required, if you so wish, just print your output using the printer that is available or send to a specialized barcode printer depending on the printer options that are available to you.
About UPC Symbology
World Wide Appeal of the UPC Barcode Standard
The UPC Barcode Standard has a very interesting origin as well as a fascinating story of growth and development up until the present day. The world wide appeal of the barcode technology owes its very existence to the research and development that is the backbone of the UPC or Universal Product Code. The birth of the UPC standard can be traced back to 1979 when it was first tried out in the grocery industry as an item identification and labeling tool to enhance the efficiency of the checkout system that existed at the time.
UPC Barcode Symbology and Structure
Having two major variants, these two UPC Symbologies are denoted as UPC-A and UPC-E Barcodes. The use and standardization of this method of encoding product identification numbers is regulated by the GS1 Standards and is a component of the GTINs Global Trade Item Numbers which enjoy worldwide recognition in the product marking and identification field. The symbology of this barcoding system ensures that there is neither any ambiguity in ether the numeric representation of the component black bars of the barcode nor in the visual representation of the numeric value of the barcode using the black bars and white spaces.
UPC symbology is depicted by a numeric value code with the digits divided into sections that identify:
- The number system – this is data indicating what type of item it is,
- A code that identifies the manufacturer of the item – registered under the Unique Country Code body that regulates the issuance of codes for all manufacturers of items that employ the UPC barcoding system to identify their products.
- A unique code that identifies the item or product itself, assigned by the company that manufactured the product.
- A check sum digit or check digit that is used to authenticate the barcode and identify any errors at the time the barcode tag is scanned.
UPC-E Symbology on the other hand is an abbreviate or compact version of the UPC-A Symbology. Consisting of only 6 digits, it is a composite component of the UPC Standard Bar Code with its compact nature making it able to be used to tag and identify small items and goods. The barcode is a numeric value (containing only 0 to 9), always starts with a zero (0) and a ‘modulo 10’ computed check digit.
The density of the bars in the UPC barcode can be modified to suit the printing and scanning process for which they are intended. Under the barcode scanner, these are identified as a UPC digital string with a set of 2 bars and 2 spaces representing each of the digits.
Application and Significance of UPC Symbology
UPC-A is the original and prevalent method of identifying and tracking goods at retail outlets, goods in transit, books, toys, batches and lot numbers in the manufacturing industry as well as many, many more uses and applications.
The items that are small in size that are tagged using the UPC-E Barcodes include pencils, confectionery, small packages, medicines, cigarettes and many others that would otherwise be ridiculously wrapped in a label that is printed using the ordinary UPC-A barcode.
Even though a single product falls under different weight categories and is manufactured by the same company, each weight category must be represented by a different barcode and identification number. Thus, such a company will be required to apply for a GS1 issued product identification number. It is this unique UPC code, received from GS1, that is used to create and print a barcode that will eventually be attached to the item in it identifies ready for scanning.