Code 128 Barcode Generator Software

Code 128 barcodes are commonly used for shipping and packaging labels, ID cards, healthcare and medical device products, retail tags, and in logistics and transportation.

Code 128 barcodes are more compact and can encode a large amount of data compared to other simple barcodes like UPC-A and Code 39. Code 128 barcodes are versatile barcodes with better tracking purposes because they can hold a wider range of characters, which helps store a large amount of data compared to a regular barcode, in the same amount of space. Code 128 even has better security with mandatory check digits.

Check digits are the last digit of a barcode number and are calculated using an algorithm and other numbers on the barcode. If the check digit doesn’t match the numbers that were calculated, an error will be identified. Check digit calculators that are built into your barcode labeling software help streamline this process.

Code 128 barcode subtypes are known as Code 128A, Code 128B, and Code 128C. Each subtype encodes varying data:

• Code128A can encode numbers, upper-case letters, and control characters
• Code 128B can encode numbers, upper and lower-case letters, and some additional characters
• Code 128C can only encode numbers and must have an even quantity of digits

Code 128 barcodes are the standard barcode, while GS1-128 is a variant, and longer version of a Code 128 barcode. It is defined by GS1 and uses Application Identifiers, which are prefixes used in barcodes to define the meaning and format of data.

An example of a GS1-128 barcode could include a GTIN ® (Global Trade Item Number®), serial numbers, and expiration dates, which helps the traceability of items through a supply chain. There are numerous Application Identifiers, or types of data that GS1 barcodes can include. TEKLYNX software is updated to include new or changed Application Identifiers with each new product release. Find out more about Application Identifiers with GS1.