Desktop Designer supports a wide variety of 1D and 2D barcode types to be printed on labels. Each barcode type is configurable according to specific standards.
Tip
When encoding the barcode content, make sure the used characters, length, and identifiers comply with the barcode standard guidelines.
The following barcode types are available in Desktop Designer:
In Desktop Designer, barcodes are added to a label using the barcode object. To properly encode the data and to set the barcode object properties, read the sections below. Each of these sections describes barcode object properties. To start editing them, double-click the object to open the Object Properties Window.
Barcode Type defines the specific barcode type which should be used to encode the data.
Tip
Code128 barcode type is selected by default. For more details about the available barcode types, see the section Barcode Types and Available Settings.
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X dimension: width of the narrowest bar in the barcode.
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Height: barcode's vertical dimension.
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Ratio defines the ratio between the barcode's narrow and wide bar widths.
Each barcode type's range of permitted ratios is limited by the standard. Desktop Designer only allows you to use valid ratios. By default, the ratio is set to 3. This means that the wide bar is 3 times the width of a narrow bar.
Note
The available ratios depend on the selected X dimension. If you are changing the X dimension, this also affects the selection of available ratios.
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Row height defines the height of a single data row in 2D barcodes. Row height is specified as a multiple over the X dimension. For example, "3x" means that the row is 3 times the X dimension.
Actual properties based on the selected printer displays the X dimension as it would appear printed on a label using the currently selected printer.
Color defines the color of the barcode.
Check digit is used by any scanning system to verify that the number scanned from a barcode is read correctly.
Tip
Check digit is derived from the preceding barcode digits and is placed as the final digit of a barcode.
Include check digit determines if the check digit is included in a barcode or not.
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Auto-generate check digit: automatic check digit calculation.
Note
If the data already includes invalid check digit, Desktop Designer replaces it with a proper value.
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Verify the provided check digit: verification of the manually provided check digit. An error message appears if the check digits are incorrect.
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Display check digit in human readable: check digit included in the human readable barcode text.
Human Readable text displays readable barcode data content located below or above the barcode. Its role is to provide backup in case the barcode is damaged or of poor quality.
Note
Human Readable tab is visible with supported barcode types.
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No human readable: barcode is rendered without human readable text.
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Above barcode: human readable text is located above the barcode.
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Below barcode: human readable text is located below the barcode.
Style group allows you to set custom properties for human-readable text.
Note
If you decide to customize human readable text, the barcode can no longer be used as an internal printer element. It is sent to the printer and printed as a graphic element.
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Custom Font: enables font and font size selection. Internal printer fonts cannot be used as custom human readable font.
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Auto font scaling: If enabled (default setting), human readable text grows or shrinks proportionally along with the changing size of the barcode. To set a custom size for human readable text, disable this option and select the appropriate font size.
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Bold: makes human readable text appear bold.
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Italic: makes human readable text appear italic.
Bearer bar is a border that surrounds the barcode. Its purpose is to protect the barcode image and to enhance reading reliability.
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Fixed thickness: automatically defined bearer bar width.
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Variable thickness: user-defined bearer bar width.
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Thickness multiplier: bearer bar width factor.
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Show vertical bar: vertical bearer bars displayed or hidden.
Details differ according to the barcode standards. Define the options that are given with regard to the currently selected barcode type. Details for 1D and 2D barcodes are described in dedicated sections:
Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.
Position group defines the object's position.
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X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.
Size group sets the object's dimensions:
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Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimension.
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Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.
Note
If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms automatically.
Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.
Tip
There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the slider or click and drag the icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider rotates the object around its anchoring point. The
icon rotates the object around its central point.
Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to design surface. Variable size objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen anchoring point.
Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process.
Note
If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms automatically.