Label Source


UPC Bar Code Facts

Minimum Size Bar Code Labels (see bar codes above)

UPC Size Bar Code Size (Approx.) Minimum Label Size
80% UPC Symbol 1 13/16" x 13/16" 1 1/4" x 1"
85% UPC Symbol 1 1/4" x 7/8" 1 3/8" x 1"
90% UPC Symbol 1 5/16" x 15/16" 1 1/2" x 1 1/8"
100% UPC Symbol 1 1/2" x 1 1/16" 1 5/8" x 1 1/4"

UPC Facts:

  1. UPC numbers are assigned by the UPC Council. They may be contacted at 513-435-3870.
  2. All UPC Symbols have 12 digits. The first digit is the number system character. It is assigned by the UPC Council. The next 5 digits are the manufactures code. They are also assigned by the UPC Council. The next 5 digits are the product code, and may be any set of numbers you assign it. The last digit is a check digit. It is determined by a mathematic formula using the numbers appearing in the bar code.
  3. All UPC labels manufactured by Unique Printing & Labels, Inc. are verified during production to assure they scan properly.

UPC numbers may be incorporated in the main product label, ingredient labels or printed form. Please consult your Customer Service representative to discuss you specific application.

Bar Code Symbologies

Code Typical Application Characteristics and Limitations

UPC (static design only)

 Retail and food pricing and inventory control · Self-checking
· Fixed length
· Reads bars and spaces
· Numeric only
· Check digit is standard
Code 3 of 9

 Part identification
(e.g. automotive, pharmaceutical, airlines)		 · Alphanumeric
· Variable length
· Reads bars only
· High-reliability scanning
· Check digit available
· low-to-med. information density
Interleaved 2 of 5

 Inventory control and warehousing (e.g. air transport, electronics, automotive) · Self-checking
· Variable length
· Reads bars and spaces
· Numeric only
· Check digit available
· High reliability scanning
· Requires accurate printing
· Must have even number of digits
Codabar

 Tracking and tracing (e.g. shipping companies, libraries, photo labs) · Reads bars only
· Numeric only
· No check digit
· Requires large barcode area
· Requires accurate printing
· Large size for remote scanning
Code 128

 Sophisticated tracking and tracing (e.g. healthcare industry, membership organizations, libraries) · Highest information density
· Variable length
· Alphanumeric
· Complex coding can lead to data entry errors
· Reads bars and spaces
· Check digit available

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