|
.
When original
barcode artwork is produced, then converted into an image onto
a printing plate and finally printed, the printed bars usually
end up slightly wider than the bars on the original. The amount
by which a printed bar is wider than the same amount on the original
is called ‘print gain’ or 'ink spread'. Factors that
cause print gain include the plate-making process, print pressure,
absorbency of the base material and ink coverage. To compensate
for this, a ‘bar width reduction’ (BWR) is applied
when making the original barcode.
Your printer will
be able to advise you of the required BWR. It may be specified
in inches (e.g. 0.000787”), millimetres (e.g. 0.02mm), microns
(e.g. 5 microns) or as a printability range (e.g. H-K). See the
table below.
.
|
Printability Range |
Minimum Magnification Factor |
Bar Width Reduction
(mm) |
Tolerance
(mm) |
|
E-F |
1.25 |
0.28 |
+
0 - 0.08 |
|
E-G |
1.20 |
0.25 |
+
0.02 - 0.05 |
|
E-H |
1.20 |
0.23 |
+
0.05 - 0.02 |
|
E-I |
1.30 |
0.20 |
+
0.05 |
|
E-J |
1.40 |
0.18 |
+
0.02 |
|
E-K |
1.50 |
0.16 |
+
0.05 - 0.02 |
|
F-G |
0.90 |
0.23 |
+ 0.01 - 0.05 |
|
F-H |
1.00 |
0.20 |
+
0.05 |
|
F-I |
1.20 |
0.18 |
+
0.05 - 0.02 |
|
F-J |
1.25 |
0.15 |
+
0.02 |
|
F-K |
1.30 |
0.14 |
+
0.02 |
|
G-H |
1.05 |
0.18 |
+
0.02 - 0.05 |
|
G-I |
1.00 |
0.15 |
+
0.05 |
|
G-J |
1.10 |
0.13 |
+
0.02 - 0.05 |
|
G-K |
1.20 |
0.11 |
+
0.05 - 0.02 |
|
H-I |
0.90 |
0.13 |
+
0.02 - 0.05 |
|
H-J |
0.95 |
0.10 |
+
0.02 |
|
H-K |
1.00 |
0.09 |
+
0.02 |
|
I-J |
0.90 |
0.08 |
+
0.02 |
|
I-K |
0.90 |
0.06 |
+
0.02 |
|
I-L |
0.85 |
0.05 |
+
0.02 |
|
J-K |
0.80 |
0.04 |
+
0.02 |
|
J-L |
0.80 |
0.03 |
+
0.03 |
|
K-L |
0.80 |
0.02 |
+
0.02 |
|
L-M |
0.80 |
0.00 |
+
0.00 |
|
