GTIN
Colloquially, many know GTIN as a barcode, but technically, GTIN is the number found beneath the barcode symbol itself, and can therefore also be used for other technologies such as 2D barcodes and RFID tags.
Colloquially, many know GTIN as a barcode, but technically, GTIN is the number found beneath the barcode symbol itself, and can therefore also be used for other technologies such as 2D barcodes and RFID tags.
GS1 DataMatrix is a 2D matrix barcode of the ISO ECC 200 version. It is used within the healthcare sector both in Denmark and globally. Since 2019, GS1 DataMatrix has been required on all prescription medicines.
GS1 DataMatrix requires a camera-based scanner and cannot be used at checkout counters in, for example, supermarkets and retail stores.
A GS1 DataMatrix must be scannable at a satisfactory level throughout the product’s expected lifetime and across the entire distribution chain the product typically passes through. This is important to consider when producing the barcode label.
Read more below about how to ensure the quality of your GS1 DataMatrix barcode.
ISO/IEC 15415 is the standard used to measure the quality of a GS1 DataMatrix. The standard tests various parameters and assigns the barcode a grade for symbol quality.
ISO/IEC 15415 is based on and fully compatible with an ANSI verification grading system, which expresses quality using letters, whereas ISO/IEC 15415 expresses symbol quality using numerical grades.
According to the GS1 General Specifications, a GS1 DataMatrix must achieve a minimum quality grade equivalent to C or 1.5.
The company that owns the manufactured products is responsible for ensuring that the barcode maintains the required quality.
Various types of equipment are available to verify barcode quality, and it is important that the testing equipment itself complies with the relevant verification standards, such as ISO 15415, 15416, 15426-1, 15426-2, etc.
It is essential to ensure continuous quality assurance of printed labels. It should be emphasised that measuring barcode print quality does not guarantee that the data content is correct – for example, that the correct number of characters has been used in a data element, that FNC1 is used in the first position, or that FNC1 or <GS> is used as a separator character following an Application Identifier of variable length. Such checks must be performed separately.
Equipment for measuring barcode print quality is available that also includes integrated verification of whether the data structure complies with the GS1-128 standard.
It is important to verify barcode quality on a regular basis. This can be done by:
For temperature-controlled products, attention must be paid to using label materials that can withstand the temperatures to which the products are exposed. The temperature at which the label is applied is also significant.
Here you can read about the most important issues to avoid when ensuring the quality of a GS1 DataMatrix:
It is important that there is a clear contrast between dark and light cells.
No lines, signs, etc. should appear in the light zone, which is a margin around the symbol.
Do not use too much or too little ink for printing.
All dark cells and all light cells must have consistent colour and density to ensure uniform reflectance and adequate contrast.
Although a GS1 DataMatrix symbol can recover data from partially damaged cells, it is important that the print quality is as high as possible. There must be no damage to the fixed patterns. Fixed patterns include, for example, the quiet zones, the L-shaped finder pattern, and the clocking pattern.
It is important that the GS1 DataMatrix symbol remains perfectly square or rectangular and is not distorted or deformed.
The following factors may cause the GS1 DataMatrix symbol to become distorted and should therefore be avoided:
Avoid packaging material that: (a) may reflect light, such as reflective ink (e.g., silver and gold); (b) is transparent; and (c) is very shiny/sparkling.
If you have additional or other questions about our standards and services, you may find the answers below. You are, of course, always welcome to contact us directly.
