What is Barcode Verification?
Barcode verification is a process used to assess the quality of a printed barcode, typically performed on a product’s final packaging or artwork proof. A barcode verifier machine scans the printed barcode at various angles, producing an ISO grade (ranging from 4-0 or A-F) on a Barcode Verification Report. This report is often a requirement for supplying larger overseas retailers but is less common in Hong Kong.
Why is Barcode Verification Important?
Barcode accuracy is crucial in the supply chain. Poor-quality barcodes that fail to scan introduce delays and costs to the trading process. Retailers may reject products with substandard barcodes, resulting in lost sales and potential financial penalties. Many major retailers in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand typically require barcodes with an ISO grade of 1.5 or higher.
A Barcode Verification Report also helps identify areas for improvement in barcode quality. Common issues that can cause barcode verification failure include:
- Reduction or removal of quiet zones: The white space on either side of the barcode. We strongly recommend keeping this intact during the graphic design process.
- Truncation: Significantly reducing the height of the barcode.
- Incorrect color combinations: Black bars on a white background are ideal. See our color guide for acceptable combinations.
- Poor print resolution.
- Incorrect check digits or non-standard encoding: e.g., invalid formats.
- Poor barcode placement: For example, barcodes printed on corners, curved surfaces, or obscured by shrink wrap.
- Substrate issues: Certain materials can affect the barcode’s print quality, leading to shrinkage or excessive print bleed.
Where to Get Barcode Verification
Candony offers Barcode Verification as part of their Barcode Label printing service. Visit Candony Barcode Label Service for more details.
At present, GS1 Hong Kong only provides Barcode Verification services to current GS1 Hong Kong members. However, barcode verification is not a common requirement for retailers in Hong Kong. For international exports, several GS1 branches, such as GS1 New Zealand and GS1 Australia, offer verification services for non-members. If you need a verification report for retailers abroad, you can arrange it with the relevant GS1 branch:
The barcode images we provide (EAN-13, UPC-A, and ITF-14) will pass a verification report, provided they are printed correctly (within an 80% – 200% magnification range) and not significantly altered during the design stage. Our barcodes typically receive an ISO Grade 4 (the highest grade) with a 100% scan rate on GS1 Verification Reports.
Note: Verification Reports issued by GS1 using our numbers will show “N/A” for the “Validity of GS1 Company Prefix” row. This indicates that your company is not a direct GS1 member. However, this does not impact the validity of the barcode. Only a limited number of global retailers require direct GS1 membership.