Barcode resolution and barcode Size, using Barcode Image Maker Pro.

Is barcode resolution and barcode size related ?, Yes they are. One easy rule is that the number of pixels for the barcode bar width (also known as barcode x dimension or barcode module width), one bar should be at least 2 pixels, I recommend 3 pixels. Why ? If you think about your screen, it most likely have a 96 dpi resolution and it works well. But please think of a printer that's 300 dpi and you try to print a 96 dpi barcode image at 300 dpi, the ratio would be 0.32 pixels, thats about 1/3 of a pixel, not good as printers print one pixel or no pixel. Could I just upscale the 96 dpi to a 300 dpi, you could, but I recommend you make the barcode image the same resolution as your printer or use a vector barcode. Please note that a vector barcode use less memory and disc space. In Barcode Image Maker Pro most barcodes have an option for setting one of the recommended barcode width and height. you can select it from the barcode menu or toolbar.

What is Mils / barcode mils ?

Mils, also known as barcode mils is used by the barcode scanner manufacturs to state the min. barcode bar width (also known as barcode x dimension or barcode module width) of one bar and at what distance you can scan the barcode.

Today you can have a barcode scanner that reads at 5 Mils (0.127 mm (0.005 In) barcode bar width) and it scans the barcode form a average distance of about 50 mm (1.9685 In), read your barcode scanner manual for information on size and distance. Please note that a 5 Mils bar width will not work with a barcode scanner that reads min. 10 Mils bar width or higher.

I would recommend at least 10 Mils (1 Mil = 0.001 In or 0.0254 mm), please note that you will need a higher barcode bar width (also known as barcode x dimension or barcode module width) if you would like to read the barcode from a greater distance, please don't overdo it, as if you do you will not be able to read the barcode due to the barcode is wider than the barcode scan area of your barcode scanner. Always read your barcode scanner manual. The above is information for a handheld barcode scanner.

Calculate Dpi to barcode Mils.

How can I calculate dpi to Mils ? It's not that big a problem. A 300 dpi printer have 300 dots for each inch, dpi = Dot per inch. So 1 inch / 300 = 0.00333, so one dot is 0.00333 In and 1 Mil = 0.001 inch (0.0254 mm). So we have 1 Dot at 3.33 Mils, 0.00333 / 0.001 = 3.33. So 10 Mils = 10 / 3.33 = 3 Dots/Pixels, it will give a good quality barcode.

Most printers today have a 600 dpi or higher resolution. At 1200 dpi you will have 1 Dot/Pixel at 0.8333 Mils. So 10 Mils = 10 / 0.8333 = 12 Dots/Pixels.

Why does that barcode image look so poorly ?

When you add a barcode image in your design and force the printer to print a barcode image that is not optimized for it ( you make the wrong size and/or dpi and then just stretch/resize the image to fit an area), you could get a 'gray' looking image or a 'fuzzy' barcode image. This is not a barcode software issue but the way you make and print the barcode. Always make the barcode image the same resolution as the printer you use, or why not use a vector barcode as it's resolution independent.

Why is the barcode image so big ?

The most common question is, Why is the barcode image so big in my design. It's very simple, you have made a high resolution barcode image that is NOT the same resolution as the canvas you try to paste the barcode image into. If you make a 300 dpi barcode image and then try to paste it into a canvas of 96 dpi, the barcode image is 3.125 times the size of a 96 dpi canvas. The solution is to make the canvas the same resolution (dpi) as the barcode resolution. Some just resize the barcode image to fit the canvas at the size they think will work, it will most likely destroy the barcode image and make it look poorly in your design. View this video tutorial as it shows the dpi/size issue.

Barcode size at 72 Dpi

One Pixel = 13.89 Mils
10 Mils = 0.72 Pixels
72 dpi = 0.2576 mm (0.0101417 In)
72 dpi at 1 pixels = 0.352777778 mm (0.013888 In)
72 dpi at 2 pixels = 0.70555556 mm (0.0277777 In)
72 dpi at 3 pixels = 1.058333334 mm (0.0416667 In)

Below the 72 dpi barcode image have been made at default and 1, 2,and 3 pixels, please note that the resolution is 72 dpi.

Barcode Image Maker Pro gives you the full view of One Pixel in Inches, millimeters and Mils and also at 10 Mils. So it's very easy to calculate the correct barcode x dimension (barcode module width). The above image shows a barcode image at 72 dpi.

33.503 x 19.756 mm (1.319 x 0.7778 In) at 72 dpi

The above 72 dpi image have been saved without any optimation. As you can see the barcode will not scan at all.

1 Pixel

44.45 x 19.403 mm (1.75 x 0.76388 In) at 72 dpi

The above 72 dpi barcode image have been optimized to one pixel and as you can see in the above image you can now see all the bars in the barcode and it could work when scanning. Please note that this image is not optimized for anyting above 72 dpi.

2 Pixel

83.607 x 19.403 mm (3.2916 x 0.76388 In) at 72 dpi

The above 72 dpi image have been optimized for 2 pixels, all bars and spaces are at least 2 pixels. You can clearly see all the bars and spaces in the barcode.

3 pixel

The correct Barcode Bar Width (barcode x dimension or barcode module width) for a 3 pixel barcode image at 72 dpi. Please look at the image above. 72 dpi at 3 pixels = 1.058333334 mm (0.0416667 In)

122.766 x 19.403 mm (4.8333 x 0.76388 In) at 72 dpi

The above 72 dpi image have been optimized for 3 pixels, all bars and spaces are at least 3 pixels. You can clearly see all the bars and spaces in the barcode.

If I would like to use any of the above barcode images and print them at 300 dpi, the image would be 72 / 300 = 0.24, The 1 pixel image would only be 24% of the size and it's the same for all 72 dpi barcode images, so the 3 pixel images would be a barcode size of 29.461 x 4.656 mm (1.1599 x 0.18333 In) and it would not be optimized for 300 dpi. Some software titles would keep the size when printed and that would be great, Adobe keeps the size, but some will rescale the image.

Barcode Size at 96 dpi

One Pixel = 10.42 Mils
10 Mils = 0.96 Pixels
96 dpi = 0.253999 mm (0.00999 In)
96 dpi at 1 pixels = 0.264583333 mm (0.0104166 In)
96 dpi at 2 pixels = 0.52916666 mm (0.0208333 In)
96 dpi at 3 pixels = 0.7937499 mm (0.0312499 In)

Below the 96 dpi barcode image have been made at default and 1, 2,and 3 pixels, please note that the resolution is 96 dpi.

Barcode Image Maker Pro gives you the full view of One Pixel in Inches, millimeters and Mils and also at 10 Mils. So it's very easy to calculate the correct barcode x dimension (barcode module width). The above image shows a barcode image at 96 dpi.

33.325 x 19.844 mm (1.312 x 0.78125 In) at 96 dpi

The above 96 dpi image have been saved without any optimation. As you can see the barcode could work if your printer is not moving some of the bars or resize it incorrectly. Please have a look at the bars above the 4, it's not placed as it is in the optimized 1 Pixel barcode image below.

1 pixel

34.66 x 19.315 mm (1.364583 x 0.760416 In) at 96 dpi

The above 96 dpi barcode image have been optimized to one pixel, it could work when scanning. Please note that this image is not optimized for anyting above 96 dpi.

2 pixels

64.029 x 19.315 mm (2.52083 x 0.760416 In) at 96 dpi

The above 96 dpi image have been optimized for 2 pixels, all bars and spaces are at least 2 pixels. You can clearly see all the bars and spaces in the barcode.

3 Pixels

The correct Barcode Bar Width (barcode x dimension or barcode module width) for a 3 pixel barcode image at 96 dpi. Please look at the image above. 96 dpi at 3 pixels = 0.7937499 mm (0.0312499 In)

93.398 x 19.315 mm (3.6771 In x 0.760416 In) at 96 dpi

The above 96 dpi image have been optimized for 3 pixels, all bars and spaces are at least 3 pixels. You can clearly see all the bars and spaces in the barcode.

If I would like to use any of the above barcode images and print them at 300 dpi, the image would be 96 / 300 = 0.32, The 1 pixel image would only be 32% of the size and it's the same for all 96 dpi barcode images, so the 3 pixel images would be a barcode size of 29.887 x 6.18 mm (1.17667 x 0.243333 In) and it would not be optimized for 300 dpi. Some software titles would keep the size when printed and that would be great, Adobe keeps the size, but some will rescale the image.

Barcode size at 300 dpi

One Pixel = 3.33 Mils
10 Mils = 3.00 Pixels

33.358 x 19.727 mm (1.31333 In x 0.77667 In) at 300 dpi

You think this image looks too big ?, well it's a 300 dpi barcode image shown at 96 dpi, so it's 3.125 times the size of the original barcode image at 300 dpi.

If I would like to use the above barcode images and print it at 300 dpi, the image would be 300 / 300 = 1, The barcode image would be 100% of the size.

Minimum barcode size and barcode size requirements.

When you use Barcode Image Maker Pro as the barcode size requirements have been predefined for you. But if you would like to change the height or bar width you will be able too. More information about barcode sizes millimeters (Online manual) or barcode sizes in inches.

Barcode Image Maker Pro is the only software solution that I know of that includes the GS1 recommended barcode size option and easy access. just set it and you will have the size needed. More about recommended barcode size.

Barcode Color.

What can also be a problem is if you use a color that is to dark for the background color and the barcode bars, more information about barcode color.

Use the barcode image in Adobe and other software.

The Encapsulated PostScript (*.eps) and also the other barcode image and vector barcode file formats supported can be used in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop and many other, e.g. MS Word and MS Publisher or any other image processing / design software titles supporting the file formats that you are able to save in.

Try the barcode software today.

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