Defining Bar Code Types

Two types of bar codes can be printed: Code 39 and Code 128.

Code 39, also known as "Code 3 of 9," is a discrete, self-checking, variable length symbology. Each Code 39 character consists of five bars and three spaces.

Code 128 is a high-density, self-checking, alphanumeric symbology with variable lengths and multiple element widths. Each Code 128 character consists of three bars and three spaces.

Code 128 is recommended for the following reasons:

Prints a shorter bar by approximately 35 percent

Encodes more characters

Regardless of the code type selected for printing, if the word or digit being printed contains a character that does not exist in the code's character set, the character is ignored. If you use special characters when assigning item codes or bin locations, it may be preferable to use Code 128 bar codes.

For more information, see Bar Code Printing.