In the world of electronic shopping, barcodes are almost everywhere. Initially, the invention of barcodes mainly focused on tracking inventories and managing supply chains. But today, the use of barcodes has evolved. Barcodes have become more popular, making the need for barcode verification necessary.

Barcode verification is synonymous with due diligence. The process comprises steps that involve testing and confirming that a barcode is performing properly. Verifying barcodes can be one of the most challenging tasks in supply chain management. But if the barcodes are of high quality, it’s easier to manage inventory. High-quality barcodes also eliminate the possibility of the product being sent back.

Let’s explore more about barcode verification and top mistakes that you can avoid in a barcode.

A] What Is Barcode Verification?

Barcode verification involves using barcode verifiers to grade barcodes. These verifiers grade barcodes depending on the barcode quality as fixed by ISO standards.

All companies use the standard fixed by ISO to develop a barcode. The standards allow you to easily operate barcode scanning and printing systems.

The barcode verifiers provide the grading of 2D barcode and 1D barcode. The grading eventually depends upon the quality of the barcode as per ISO standards.

After a barcode verification, the verifier gets a confirmation that he can accept the produced code. This process provides a good method of grading, and also identifying errors in the barcode.

B] What Makes Barcode Verification Essential?

If you haven’t started barcode verification for your supply chain management, you might want to start it now! There are numerous reasons why opting for a barcode inspection system for printing and packaging your products is beneficial.

Having a barcode-checking system will let you scan minor issues that could lead to major problems in the future. For instance, the verification will allow you to spot production downtime and manufacturing errors. You will also be able to manage product returns easily.

Incorporating barcode verification by using a reliable barcode tester will keep you protected from these common problems. Additionally, the below-mentioned points add to the importance of barcode verification.

1. Quality Control

Let’s face it! The actual cost involved in the printing and reshipping product can be a big budget. However, if you use a reliable barcode reader, it will alert you about any printing issues that arise in the early production process.

You can easily monitor the verification codes. The verification process also allows printers to go ahead and bring the problem areas of the code to your attention.

Barcode verification allows you to take corrective actions just in time. This process ensures that the label or direct part marker is performing properly. After verification, you can ensure that the codes are easily understandable for everyone involved in the supply chain management. This way, you will be able to save additional expenses.

2. Customer Satisfaction

It is often difficult for businesses to cover up the cost of rejected material. Rejection of materials turns out to be one of the big expenses for the company. But, it doesn’t end here. If a customer rejects your material, he might not want to purchase from you ever again.

Rejected materials amount to customer dissatisfaction. It affects your profitability.

Using barcode scanners that function well, you can prevent fines. Barcode verification scanners also allow you to avoid any errors that might arise because of manual entry.

3. Complying With The Industry Standards

Whether you are performing in a garment industry or a food industry, quality is the most important. Your product must match the industry standards. Apart from helping you improve the code quality, a barcode verifier will also generate a certification report. This report certifies the quality of the barcode.

Most regulated industries have a stipulation that the manufacturers use barcode verifiers as a part of the production process. The information that the verifier generates is printed and preserved as it is proof of compliance with industry standards.

4. Reducing The Shipping Cost

If the barcode scan fails, you have to re-print, re-pack and re-ship it. This process will increase your production cost. But if you employ barcode verification just in time, you will succeed in minimizing the risk of higher costs. It will also help you prevent wasted packaging.

B] When To Verify Barcodes?

Since you know the importance of barcode verification, it’s also essential that you know when to use this process. Barcode verification becomes significant during the following occasions.

1. After Printing

The best time for a barcode verification is right after you print them. You must verify your barcode before they reach the market. This way, you can replace any defective barcode timely.

2. Before Packaging And Distribution

You must verify barcodes on labels or packaging materials before you use them to identify products. Running a barcode verification before packaging and distribution will ensure that no damage occurs during the storage and handling of products.

3. Upon Receipt Of Supplies

When you receive barcode labels or packaging materials from suppliers, you must verify the sample for quality and accuracy.

4. During Production And Manufacturing

While manufacturing and assembling, barcode verification is essential. It will help you confirm that labels or tags are correct on the products.

5. Before Shipping Or Distribution

Verify barcodes on products just before you are about to ship or distribute them. This way, you can ensure that you are sending the correct items to the customers or retailers.

6. After Any Maintenance Or Repairs

If the barcode printing or scanning equipment undergoes maintenance or repairs, you should verify that it still reads barcodes correctly.

B] Common Barcode Mistakes

Barcode mistakes often relate to designing and printing. But these mistakes are not unavoidable. You can proceed with the barcode verification successfully by ensuring that you refrain from making the following mistakes in the barcode.

1. Small Barcode Size

All digital barcodes are created in vector images. Vector images allow you to get the best resolution of the barcode. These images also help in attaining a small file size.

However, if the symbols on the code are below 80% of the size requirement, it might cause problems. Symbols designed below 80% of the size requirements hamper with space and bar width tolerances. It means that your printer is going to have a tough time printing information.

The small barcode size makes symbols difficult to scan.

2. Poor Barcode Origination

If you use the wrong file format in your barcode, it will become difficult to scan. The correct barcode formats that are easily acceptable include EMF or EPS.

3. Inadequate Contrast

The barcode symbols should have a clear contrast between the bars and the light background. If there is insufficient contrast, barcode readers struggle to differentiate between the bars. Thus, it leads to reading errors.

4. Low Print Quality

Sometimes, barcode printing is done using low-quality ink or subpar materials. Due to this, the print may appear faded, blurry, and even distorted. Such barcodes are challenging to scan.

To ensure a smooth barcode verification, you must ensure that your barcodes are of high quality.

5. Inconsistent Margins

Barcodes must have clear spaces on all sides. Consistent margins ensure accurate scanning. However, if the margins are inconsistent, or your symbols are printed over the clear spaces, it can cause reading errors.

Therefore, you must ensure that there are consistent margins on all sides of the barcode.

6. Wrong Placement

Barcode verification fails if you have not placed the barcode in the right area. Placing barcodes in areas where they can get easily damaged can obstruct scanning. So, you must ensure that you place them right so that they are not affected by other labels, seals, or packaging elements.

7. Poor Barcode Design

The barcode design also plays a role in successful barcode verification. A cluttered or complex barcode design can confuse the scanning equipment.

To avoid this, you must ensure that your barcodes have a simple and very well-organized design. Barcodes with a proper design layout are easier to scan and read.

8. Using Worn-Out Equipment

Barcode scanners and printers have a limited lifespan. If you continue to use old or malfunctioning equipment, it might result in barcode errors. Eventually, you will have unreliable data, which will affect the IOR services in the supply chain management process.

9. Incorrect Symbology

Different industries and applications have specific barcode symbologies. An industry requires different types of barcodes based on their data and usage requirements. If you use the wrong symbology, it can result in the barcode not being readable by the barcode reader.

Wrapping It Up!

Undoubtedly, accurate and dependable barcodes are the backbone of modern supply chains and retail environments. Barcode verification helps in ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of barcode systems. It helps in quality control measures.

The proper use of barcodes is essential for businesses in every industry. Barcodes help streamline operations, enhancing accuracy, and improving customer experiences. However, the barcode mistakes discussed above can hinder your operations.

These mistakes can increase your overall cost of production. But barcode verification can help you in spotting these mistakes. This process holds the process of supply chain management together. So, every business should conduct a barcode verification with the help of a barcode scanner to avoid unnecessary costs.