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.
For a barcode to scan successfully,
the scanner must be able to register a sufficient contrast between
the dark bars and the background. Black bars on a white background
are the perfect combination, but certain other colour combinations
are equally effective. Some colour combinations will not scan
successfully, whilst others will.
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Black on White |
Yellow on White
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Blue on White |
Orange on White
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Black on Orange |
Red on White
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Blue on Orange |
Red on Light Brown
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Green on White |
Light
Brown on White
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Dark Brown on White |
Black on Green
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Black on Yellow |
Black on Blue
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Blue on Yellow |
Black on Dark Brown
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Green on Yellow |
Black on Blue-Green
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Green on Red |
Blue-Green on Black
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Click to animate
the colour wheel.
The red film overlay
simulated above, demonstrates the colour contrast required for
the scanner to read the barcode. The colour combinations in the
top half will not scan successfully, those in the bottom half
will.
A scanner reads
the barcode through a red light source, so what the scanner sees
is quite different to what the human eye sees.
Broadly speaking, light colours (including warm colours such
as red and orange) can be considered suitable for the background,
including the light margins, while dark colours (including black,
blue and green) are suitable for the bars.
Consult your printer or your local EAN.UCC organization to be
certain.
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