Five Ways to Solve the Problem of Insufficient Contrast in Barcodes

Insufficient contrast between the black and white lines in a barcode can cause scanning failures and data reading errors, which directly affect work efficiency.The article shares five methods that have been tested and proven effective, including adjusting the contrast between the bar code and background colors, optimizing the background design, and using professional tools.

Why is the contrast of bar codes so important?

If the bar code and background colors are too similar, the scanner may have difficulty distinguishing the black and white lines. In the worst case, the scanner can't read the data at all.In particular, in places that require speedy processing, such as supermarkets and warehouses, barcodes with insufficient contrast are a real killer of efficiency.Don't worry, we'll solve the problems step by step.

Adjust the color combination of the bar code and the background.

Choose a high-contrast color scheme.

The simplest way is to use black and white.If color is needed, a dark code on a light background (for example, dark blue on ivory) is easier to read than a light code on a dark background.

Avoiding the "fatal combination.

Low contrast combinations such as red barcodes on a green background or yellow barcodes on a white background may look good to the human eye, but the scanner won't work.If you really want to use color, you can use the QR code scanning function on your mobile phone to test the results.

Optimize the background design.

Clearing the background.

Don't underestimate the patterns or text in the background! Even a small amount of pattern covering the barcode area can lead to misreading.It is suggested that there should be a 5-millimeter pure-color blank area around the barcode to give the machine a clean "reading environment.

Avoid reflective materials.

Laser-printed packaging paper and barcode stickers with glossy plastic coating can cause glare, making it difficult to read the barcodes.Changing to a matte surface or adjusting the angle of the lighting can immediately improve recognition rates.

The contrast was enhanced by hand.

Quick fixes.

Using the "curves" function on Photoshop, I dragged the dark areas down and the light areas up, and the contrast was instantly strengthened.Be careful not to overdo it, or the barcode will become blurred.

A one-click solution for optimizing your online presence.

If you don't know how to use specialized software, try a free online barcode generator.For example, the Barcode Generator website allows you to input parameters and then generate optimized barcodes, which is especially useful for emergency situations.

Upgrading printing equipment and consumables.

Old, worn out printers with insufficient toner or clogged nozzles will print out barcodes that are gray.Cleaning the print head on a regular basis and replacing the toner with the original brand will make the results of printing visibly clearer.Thermal transfer printers maintain the sharpness of the edges of bar codes better than inkjet printers.

The ultimate solution: Regenerate the barcode.

If all else fails, use a professional barcode design program such as BarTender to generate a new barcode.Be sure to turn on the "contrast test" function, which will automatically mark out areas that do not meet standards.

And finally, a reminder: After you've changed the barcode, you must test it in the field. Try it with different brands and models of barcode scanners, to ensure that it can be read reliably in any environment.