Barcode Questions and Answers

Why do you want us to rotate the barcode?

CALJ Requirement: The LCBO wants retail check out to be efficient. If cashiers have trouble with scanning the barcode, they can key in the numbers under it to bring up the item. The LCBO standard is to orient the barcode so the numbers either read along the bottom or, if the barcode is on its side, on the left. The principle is that if a cashier picks up the bottle by the neck with the left hand while keying in the info with their right hand, they can read the numbers right side up.

Although this item is flagged on label review, the LCBO will accept barcodes not in this preferred orientation.

Why do human readable numbers matter?

If the barcode does not scan, the cashier can key in the numbers to complete the transaction. The human readable numbers must be the same as the numbers encoded in the bar code.

What does the “rating” mean?

The rating is done according to international standards for barcode quality. Formerly, this standard was published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). It is now published by the International Standards Organisation as ISO/IEC 15416, a globally accepted standard.

Bar code quality is calculated from measurements of barcode components used by scanners when decoding the information. Scanners require sharp definition of bars and spaces with exact dimensions and minimal interference from reflectance.

Grades are assigned based on the worst performing characteristic of the barcode. Passing grades are A, B or C. Grades of D or F indicate that the barcode was readable but was of poor quality. Some barcodes do not read at all.

More information on barcodes is available on this website in the Canadian Association of Liquor Jurisdictions (CALJ) document, “Product Identification Standards for Use in the Distribution of Beverage Alcohol”.

A good technical website for information on barcodes is www.aimglobal.org. Their “The Layman’s Guide to ANSI, CEN, and ISO Bar Code Print Quality Documents” is highly technical but very useful in troubleshooting problems.

Why isn’t my UPC (or EAN) acceptable? It scans in the store.

Scanning is not verification. The label review verifies the barcode. A scanner reads data encoded in the barcode and passes it on to a computer system. Scanners can vary greatly in their decoding ability, depending on the features purchased to assist in reading poor barcodes. A verifier assesses the likelihood that a barcode will be readily decoded by the basic model of scanner. It is possible that a barcode with a failing grade will still scan in a retail environment, particularly if the store is using a very good type of scanner, e.g., a omni-directional scanner. It may not be read in a store using a less sophisticated scanner.

Why did my barcode fail?

It is rare for barcodes produced by professional printers to fail. When they do, you should discuss the situation with your label printing company. They should know the reason; it is their field of expertise.

The following material is for interest:

Some barcodes have structural problems such as short quiet zones (space to right and left of barcode) and bad guard patterns. Sometimes the numbers under the bars are not the same as the numbers read by the scanner. These deficiencies have to be corrected. See the references under “What does the “rating” mean?” for more information.

A factor in failure is reduced size. Barcode size should not be less than 80% magnification. Reduced sizes are harder to print with good resolution and can lead to problems with reading guard patterns (the two long bars at the left which signal the start of the barcode). Short quiet zones are also associated with reduced barcodes.

Paper may play a role. The barcode is read based on the contrast in reflectance between the spaces and bars. Very glossy paper can reduce this contrast in reflectance, resulting in a failing grade of “F”. The wrong type of paper may also lead to ink bleed resulting in poor resolution.

Colour choice can lead to problems. Ideally barcodes should be black bars on white background. Colours such as red and yellow are invisible to the barcode reader just like white. Blue is seen as black by the reader. Sometimes a colour like brown may actually be red and yellow with a bit of black thus virtually invisible to the reader. So beware of the following combinations:

• Red bars on a white background (bars are invisible to reader)
• Yellow bars on a white background (bars are invisible to reader)
• Colour combinations using red and yellow in the colour mix for the bars.
• Black bars on a blue background (reader sees only a black box, no bars)
• Colour combinations incorporating blue for the background.

Sometimes barcodes are applied by spraying a white paint/ink pattern on a bottle with the intent of a coloured product showing through spaces to provide the dark bars. This demands high resolution of the spray painting technique and a product colour that is sufficiently dark so either the resolution or product colour can be at fault. To isolate which issue is more at fault, you might try filling a bottle with a darker liquid (darken with black or blue dye) and see if it improves the rating. If you send this to the LCBO for verification, submit it as an experiment, not for product approval. This type of barcode is not always workable: you may need to use conventional labelling.

How does the LCBO know that the rating is right?

The LCBO reviewer periodically checks the verifier used to grade barcodes, particularly when a finished label receives a failing grade that is not explained by structural problems or colours. The check consists of verifying reference barcodes supplied by the manufacturer of the verifier.

Can I appeal my barcode rating?

Yes, if you provide a report from an accredited reference laboratory/testing company showing an ISO 15416 passing grade and that your barcode meets the other requirements.