Improve barcode scanning. Learn how to achieve 100% barcode scan rates.

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Huzzard frequently helps businesses improve barcode scanning.  Specifically, we are asked to address the problem of not being able to read a barcode on the first scan.  Barcode scanner users often assume they will receive a successful read or decode on their first attempt. The measurement of this success is known as the first read rate.  The goal for the first read rate is always 100%.  100% success may be impossible to achieve when hitting a baseball, but it shouldn't be impossible to achieve in your warehouse or stock room, checkin or checkout line, production line, or shipping and receiving area when it comes to scanning barcodes.  Are your barcode scans not at 100% first read rates? Read on.

What causes unsuccessful barcode reads?

1. User or scanning environment
2. Barcode label
3. Barcode scanner

Improve Barcode scanning by training the user or changing the scanning environment

So, let's start with some solutions that probably will not cost a lot of money or time. First, is the person using the scanner trained? The number one thing to communicate is the proper distance to hold the scanner from the barcode ' the 'sweet spot.' The 'sweet spot' distance will vary depending on the scanner, the barcode being read and the environment. And, if you did your due diligence when testing successful reads before deploying your barcode application, the 'sweet spot' distance should be readily available to share with all users. (Not to mention, what you have experienced firsthand.) To make it easy, one barcode scanner brand we offer enhances the ability to zero in on the optimal scan distance by showing two purple colored rectangles illuminated on the barcode that 'touch' when the user has arrived at the correct distance for scanning.

Now, when you have a situation where the user is doing everything right, and the barcode scanner and the barcode label are a perfect match, the root problem may lie with the scanning environment itself. For example, scanning outside on a bright sunny day or scanning through stretch wrap, a double pane window, etc. may cause big problems for your users. In some environments, the scanner is going to have major challenges achieving a successful decode.  You may need to shield the bright sunlight, make changes to the settings on the scanner, or get a different type of scanner (this gets technical ' contact Huzzard for more info).

Improve Barcode Scanning by changing the barcode or barcode label

Provided the user is dialed in on how to use the scan gun correctly, and nothing strange is happening in the scanning environment that negatively affects decodability, let's focus on making sure the barcode and the barcode label (or tag/packaging material that the barcode is printed on) are able to enhance first read rates.

1. Does the scan gun have the proper barcode symbology enabled?
2. Does the 'X' dimension of the barcode fall within the specified depth of field for the scan engine?  (Again, this gets technical ' contact Huzzard for help)
3. Does the barcode have the proper quiet zone?  The quiet zone is the space before, after and around a barcode.  Usually expected to be 10 times the 'X' dimension.  Figure .25' on both ends for a 15 mil X dimension.
4. Is the barcode quality subpar?  A barcode of subpar quality could be directly related to a printing problem.  Depending on print technology, the inferior barcode could be caused by the wrong print speed and/or a mismatch of ribbon/ink formulation and substrate.
5. Is there a laminate or clear stretch wrap covering the barcode that is causing a misread or no read?
6. Are you scanning a long distance (more than 8-12 feet)? If so, the label material may need to be a retro-reflective face stock.

Improve Barcode Scanning by changing the barcode scanner

Maybe, just maybe, that barcode reader you purchased, or evaluating, is the root problem.

You know your barcode reader is the root problem if:

1. The cable on the scanner limits how far the user can reach and they're forced to manually type data because they cannot reach the barcode.  Get a cordless scanner!
2. You have a scanner that has a depth of field that does not match the required scan distance expectation.
3. You have a 1D barcode reader and need to scan a 2D barcode.

Summary

Barcoding is a great technology. It's a technology that eliminates errors, quickly provides meaningful data and improves productivity.  Yet, like other technologies, it can fall short of its intended benefits if its connected elements fall out of specification.  The good news is barcodes that do not scan on the first attempt is a problem that is relatively easy to overcome when dealing with experts in the barcode field. Don't settle for typing data when you are unable to scan a barcode.  Contact Huzzard and get back to utilizing barcode technology today.

dcarmany #4 Posted : 9/5/ 9:25:47 PM(EST)

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Originally Posted by: Mike613

Dcarmany,

I also have an issue with my barcode not scanning.

I used the built-in barcode generator in Maestro Label Designer to create the barcode and it doesn't scan.

Some details for you: The label size is very small 0.75" x 2.00" so the barcode is tiny. I am using an inkjet printer and I print in "best" quality.

Please help!

Mike613 -
Based on your comments and the label size that you are using, I suspect you have scaled down the bar code far below what can be scanned. Bar codes can only be scaled down to about 80% of their nominal size before you start running into scanning issues. When you generated the code using our software, I assume you significantly scaled down the size of the image that was generated.

Here is an article on the topic.

http://www.ehow.com/list__barcode-size-requirements.htm

Here is the specific information related to bar code scaling / size that you will find in the article above:

"The nominal bar code is the middle point magnification of a bar code. It is a bar code set to 100 percent magnification with a resulting size of 1.469 inches wide by 1.02 inches high. The standard bar code nominal X dimension is 13 thousandths of an inch.

UPC bar codes can range from 0.8 to 2.0 magnification. At 0.8, the bar code is reduced to 80 percent from the nominal size. At this magnification, the bar code is 1.175 inches wide by 0.816 inches high. This is the smallest that a bar code can be and still be scanned. This size, however, does make it harder for machines to properly read the bar code information, and sometimes these will not scan at all.

This is the largest magnification recommended for a bar code. If you magnify it further, a machine may not properly read the bar code. The resulting dimensions are 2.938 inches wide by 2.04 inches high. You should try to use larger bar codes whenever possible. They scan better than the nominal and 80 percent size bar codes."

If you are really tight on space on the label, you may be able to crop the height of bar code (vertically), but you can't scale it horizontally to less than 80% of the nominal size. At 80% of nominal size, the bar code should still be 1.175" wide which means it is going to horizontally take up more than half your label. You may be able to get certain bar code scanners to scan smaller bar codes, but it is risky as your bar code may not be able to be scanned by all scanners if you scale below 80% of the nominal size.

If your bar code is the proper size and it is still not scanning let me know and I can continue to troubleshoot the issue.

Thanks.

Dave C.
OnlineLabels.com

Mike613 -Based on your comments and the label size that you are using, I suspect you have scaled down the bar code far below what can be scanned. Bar codes can only be scaled down to about 80% of their nominal size before you start running into scanning issues. When you generated the code using our software, I assume you significantly scaled down the size of the image that was generated.Here is an article on the topic.Here is the specific information related to bar code scaling / size that you will find in the article above:"The nominal bar code is the middle point magnification of a bar code. It is a bar code set to 100 percent magnification with a resulting size of 1.469 inches wide by 1.02 inches high. The standard bar code nominal X dimension is 13 thousandths of an inch.UPC bar codes can range from 0.8 to 2.0 magnification. At 0.8, the bar code is reduced to 80 percent from the nominal size. At this magnification, the bar code is 1.175 inches wide by 0.816 inches high. This is the smallest that a bar code can be and still be scanned. This size, however, does make it harder for machines to properly read the bar code information, and sometimes these will not scan at all.This is the largest magnification recommended for a bar code. If you magnify it further, a machine may not properly read the bar code. The resulting dimensions are 2.938 inches wide by 2.04 inches high. You should try to use larger bar codes whenever possible. They scan better than the nominal and 80 percent size bar codes."If you are really tight on space on the label, you may be able to crop the height of bar code (vertically), but you can't scale it horizontally to less than 80% of the nominal size. At 80% of nominal size, the bar code should still be 1.175" wide which means it is going to horizontally take up more than half your label. You may be able to get certain bar code scanners to scan smaller bar codes, but it is risky as your bar code may not be able to be scanned by all scanners if you scale below 80% of the nominal size.If your bar code is the proper size and it is still not scanning let me know and I can continue to troubleshoot the issue.Thanks.Dave C.OnlineLabels.com

Edited by user Monday, September 5, 9:26:50 PM(EST)  | Reason: corrected typo

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