In this chapter you will learn
- where QR codes are used in the Workflow,
- which QR codes are available in the Workflow and
- which content and which characters the respective QR code can contain.
1. General
Using QR codes or any type of 2D codes is one of the everyday undertakings when creating machine-readable data carriers. However, QR codes are also used in some regions of the world as design objects for creating unique designs. The content to be transported in QR codes can be entered manually as well as specified in the form of a CSV file. QR codes are required for the following use cases:
- Lottery numbers - unique number for lotteries, tombolas, etc.
- Business cards - Storing structured content - e.g. address information - on business cards or conference cards.
- Posters/advertising materials - Packaging of URLs to provide quick access to further information about the product, a promotion, or an event.
- Identity Cards/Badges - create access permissions for trade shows, conferences, fitness centers, etc.
Barcodes can be used in various areas of the Workflow.
- VDP Editor - for creating variable barcodes for the personalization of printed products.
- Adobe Illustrator plug-in - for creating variable and static barcodes for personalizing as well as labeling printed products.
- Impose Editor - for marking printed products for downstream manufacturing steps.
- PDF Editor - for creating barcodes for marking printed products.
Note: Consider availability in Workflow
Adobe Illustrator Plug-in: The ability to create barcodes in conjunction with Workflow and Adobe Illustrator 2022 will be available until version 1.15.0. A plug-in for Adobe Illustrator version higher than 2022 will not be available. Whether an earlier version of Adobe Illustrator than 2022 can still be used must be checked for the respective installation at your own responsibility. All barcode creation options and more are 100% available in the VDP Editor and PDF Editor.
PDF Editor: The labeling of print products with barcodes will be available in the Workflow from version 1.15.0. Until full implementation, barcodes can be created via the VDP Editor.
2. List of supported barcodes
Beyond 30 different options of 2D or Qr codes are available in the Workflow. The following list gives a detailed overview of which barcodes are available in the Workflow. Furthermore, listed are characters paired with a valid example that can be used for the barcode. If different verification methods are permitted for barcodes, these are listed for the individual barcode.
For a better overview, the barcodes have been divided into the four groups below.
2.1. Standard 2D and QR Codes
A 2D code (2D barcode or matrix barcode) is an opto-electronically readable font consisting of bars or dots of different widths and gaps between them with the highest possible contrast. In contrast to one-dimensional barcodes, the data is not only coded in one direction (one-dimensional) but in the form of an area over two dimensions, from which the name is derived. The advantage is a higher density of useful information. In this context, the term code does not stand for a type of encryption, but for the depiction of data in symbols.
The data in a 2D code is read by machine using optical readers, such as camera scanners, and processed electronically. Common applications of 2D codes include logistics for the identification of goods and mobile tagging. Due to their higher storage density, they are also used for optical data storage. For example, digital audio signals are stored between the perforation holes of the film in the form of 2D codes during the light-tone process.
Data Matrix
This code is used to encode larger amounts of data. It is used in automotive and pharmaceutical applications.
- Available characters: ASCII characters between positions 0 to 255
- Valid example: This is a Data Matrix from PPD VDP-Editor
- Possible test methods: Automatic
DotCode
The area of application is the rapid printing of industrial or consumer goods in order to identify and track individual units. The codes are used in the cigarette and pharmaceutical industries.
- Available characters: ASCII characters between positions 0 to 255
- Valid example: This is a DotCode from PPD VDP-Editor
- Possible test methods: Automatic
Han Xin Code (RSS)
Han Xin Code is a two-dimensional variable-size matrix symbol specially designed for encoding simplified Chinese characters in addition to all ASCII characters and numeric digits. The symbol consists of a series of square modules arranged in a square pattern.
- Available characters: ASCII characters between position 0 to 255; Chinesische Zeichen (GB18030)
- Valid example: This is a Han Xin Code from PPD VDP-Editor
- Possible test methods: Automatic
QR-Code 2005
The QR Code 2005 is very similar to the QR Code and differs in its QR Code format only by the possibility of mirroring symbols, reflection inversion (light symbols on a dark background) and the possibility of specifying alternative character sets to the standard.
- Available characters: Alphanumeric and/or bytes; Kanji font;
- Valid example: ABCDEF
Micro QR-Code
This 2D symbology is a small variant of the QR code with a smaller number of overhead modules and a limited choice of sizes. The symbol size adjusts automatically depending on the input data. Micro QR code has four different symbol sizes (M1-M4). The smallest version M1 (=size) is limited to numeric data and error detection, M2 can also contain alphanumeric values, and M3 and M4 can use the full range of QR Code character sets (bytes, kanji).
- Available characters: Alphanumeric and/or bytes; Kanji font;
- Valid example: ABCDEF
Aztec Code
Aztec Code can encode small to large amounts of data with a user-selected percentage of error correction. The symbol size automatically adjusts to the amount of input data. Input data is always analyzed and the appropriate encoding mode is automatically selected. Mode switching is performed as needed to achieve the most efficient encoding.
- Available characters: ASCII characters between position 0 to 127 + ISO 8859-1;
- Valid example: ABCabc
Micro PDF417
This stacked 2D symbology is used to encode large amounts of data. The input data is always analyzed and the appropriate encoding mode is automatically selected. Mode switching is performed as needed to achieve the most efficient encoding.
- Available characters: Alphanumeric and/or bytes;
- Valid example: ABCabc
Codablock-F
Codablock F is de facto a "stacked" Code128 symbology. It is based on Code 128 - each line is a single Code 128 symbol extended with line indicator information and additional check digits. The UCC/EAN/GS1 format indicator is supported.
- Available characters: ASCII characters between position 0 to 127 + ISO 8859-1;
- Valid example: VB1YYY1JX3M386752
PDF417
This (stacked) 2D symbology is used to encode large amounts of data. It is the de-facto 2D standard symbology in the automotive industry. The symbol is divided into rows and columns. A data density of up to 900 characters per square inch is possible. Input data is always analyzed and the appropriate encoding mode is automatically selected. Mode changes are made as needed to achieve the most efficient encoding.
- Available characters: alphanumeric (ASCII 0... 255);
- Valid example: ABCabc
PDF417 Truncated
This (stacked) 2D symbol is used to encode large amounts of data. The symbol is divided into rows and columns. A data density of up to 900 characters per square inch is possible.
- Available characters: alphanumeric (ASCII between position 0 to 255) and/or bytes;
- Valid example: ABCabc
QR-Code
This 2D symbology is used to encode large amounts of data and was developed for fast readability (QR = Quick Response Code). The symbol size automatically adapts to the data entered. Special industry formats are supported.
- Available characters: Alphanumeric and/or bytes; Kanji font;
- Valid example: ABCabc
Swiss QR Code
The Swiss QR code is a standard code of the Swiss financial industry and is used for machine-readable invoices.
- Available characters: UTF-8 characters Basic-Latin, Latin1-Supplement, Latin Extended-A + Ș, ș, Ț, ț, €; digits from 0 to 9; uppercase and lowercase letters from A (a) to Z (z);
- Valid example: SPC\n0100\n1\nCH3709000000304442225\nStiftung Heilsarmee Schweiz\n\n\n3000\nBern\nCH\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCHF\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNON\n\nSpende für die Aktion Winterfest
MaxiCode
This code is used by UPS. MaxiCode represents data by drawing hexagonal elements arranged around a circular center (a so-called "bull's eye"). Different encoding modes can be set to include postal information (SCM): UPS modes are Mode 2 (US Carrier) and Mode 3 (International Carrier).
- Available characters: alphanumeric (ASCII between position 0 to 255) and/or bytes;
- Valid example: ABCabc
2.2. Post Codes
Royal Mail Mailmark® 2D-Barcode
The Mailmark 2D is based on the Data Matrix ECC200 and is used by the Royal Mail for postal services. In addition, the Mailmark™ 2D barcode uses a special format and data structure defined by the Royal Mail for its purposes.
- Available characters: Digits from 0 to 9; Capital letters from A to Z; space characters; 45 characters fixed length + variable customer value;
- Valid example: JGB 012100123412345678AB19XY1A 0 123456
2.3. Healthcare
The following 2D or QR codes are available for depicting high volumes of data for healthcare.
HIBC LIC Micro PDF417
HIBC LIC Micro PDF417 is based on the 2D symbology PDF417. The data format corresponds to the HIBC LIC format. An additional modulo 43 check digit is required.
- Available characters: Digits from 0 to 9; Capital letters from A to Z; special characters like "-", ".", "Space", "$", "*", "/", "+" and "%"
- Valid example: +A99912345/$$52001510X3
- Possible test methods: Mod 43
HIBC PAS Micro PDF417
HIBC PAS Micro PDF417 is based on the MicroPDF417 2D symbology. The data format corresponds to the HIBC PAS format. An additional modulo 43 check digit is required.
- Available characters: Digits from 0 to 9; Capital letters from A to Z; special characters like "
- Valid example: +/EU9C83416F/Z34H159$
- Possible test methods: Mod 43
HIBC LIC PDF417
HIBC LIC PDF417 is based on the 2D symbology PDF417. The data format corresponds to the HIBC PAS format. An additional modulo 43 check digit is required.
- Available characters: Digits from 0 to 9; Capital letters from A to Z; special characters like "-", ".", "Space", "$", "*", "/", "+" and "%"
- Valid example: +A99912345/$$52001510X3
- Possible test methods: Mod 43
HIBC PAS PDF417
HIBC PAS PDF417 is based on the 2D symbology PDF417. The data format corresponds to the HIBC PAS format. An additional modulo 43 check digit is required.
- Available characters: Digits from 0 to 9; Capital letters from A to Z; special characters like "-", ".", "Space", "$", "*", "/", "+" and "%"
- Valid example: +/EU9C83416F/Z34H159$
- Possible test methods: Mod 43
HIBC LIC Data Matrix
The HIBC LIC Data Matrix is based on the 2D symbology Data Matrix. The data format corresponds to the HIBC LIC format. An additional modulo 43 check digit is required.
- Available characters: Digits from 0 to 9; Capital letters from A to Z; special characters like "-", ".", "Space", "$", "*", "/", "+" and "%"
- Valid example: +A99912345/$$52001510X3
- Possible test methods: Mod 43
HIBC PAS Data Matrix
HIBC PAS Data Matrix is based on the 2D symbology Data Matrix. The data format corresponds to the HIBC PAS format. An additional modulo 43 check digit is required.
- Available characters: Digits from 0 to 9; Capital letters from A to Z; special characters like "-", ".", "Space", "$", "*", "/", "+" and "%"
- Valid example: +/EU9C83416F/Z34H159$
- Possible test methods: Mod 43
HIBC LIC QR-Code
The HIBC LIC QR code is based on the 2D symbology QR code. The data format corresponds to the HIBC LIC format. An additional modulo 43 check digit is required.
- Available characters: Digits from 0 to 9; Capital letters from A to Z; special characters like "-", ".", "Space", "$", "*", "/", "+" and "%"
- Valid example: +A99912345/$$52001510X3
- Possible test methods: Mod 43
HIBC PAS QR-Code
The HIBC PAS QR code is based on the 2D symbology QR code. The data format corresponds to the HIBC LIC format. An additional modulo 43 check digit is required.
- Available characters: Digits from 0 to 9; Capital letters from A to Z; special characters like "-", ".", "Space", "$", "*", "/", "+" and "%"
- Valid example: +/EU9C83416F/Z34H159$
- Possible test methods: Mod 43
HIBC PAS Aztec Code
HIBC PAS Aztec Code is based on the 2D symbology Aztec Code. The data format corresponds to the HIBC PAS format. An additional modulo-43 check digit is required
- Available characters: Digits from 0 to 9; Capital letters from A to Z; special characters like "-", ".", "Space", "$", "*", "/", "+" and "%"
- Valid example: +/EAH783/Z34H159
- Possible test methods: Mod 43
HIBC LIC Aztec Code
HIBC LIC Aztec Code is based on the 2D symbology Aztec Code. The data format corresponds to the HIBC LIC format. An additional modulo-43 check digit is required
- Available characters: Digits from 0 to 9; Capital letters from A to Z; special characters like "-", ".", "Space", "$", "*", "/", "+" and "%"
- Valid example: +/EAH783/Z34H159
- Possible test methods: Mod 43
Pharmacy Product Number Code (PPN Code)
The content of the Pharmacy Product Number Code is defined by the IFA. It was developed to obtain unique pharmaceutical product codes on an international level. It embeds the already existing national coding systems, such as PZN in Germany.
- Available characters: Digits from 0 to 9, Capital letters from A to Z;
- Valid example: 9N110375286414
- Possible test methods: None
NTIN Code
The content of the NTIN code is defined by GS1. It was developed to obtain unique pharmaceutical product codes on an international level. It embeds the already existing national coding systems, like the PZN in Germany.
- Available characters: Digits from 0 to 9, Capital letters from A to Z;
- Valid example: 04150123456782
- Possible test methods: None
Article update: Workflow Version 1.14.0 – 12/2022