Creating Barcodes

[haidleym]

Can I create a barcode using Illustrator?

 

[itchybug]

Short answer: NO.

Long answer: When you have the appropriate string, and a barcode font, you can paste the string, apply the font and use the barcode in Illustrator. You cannot generate the string in Illustrator, though. For this, you need specific software. I use Wasp barcode software, it works well, at least for retail barcodes.

http://www.waspbarcode.com/software/fontware.asp

Bert

 

[haidleym]

thanks for your help.

 

[kim00]

Haidley - If you have the barcode you can scan it and duplicate it in Illustrator.

...kim

 

[itchybug]

Haidley - If you have the barcode you can scan it and duplicate it in Illustrator.

Not such good advice. A Barcode has to meet certain minimum specifications for it to be readable. If you begin to include errors from previous printing processes, size distortions, let alone operator inaccuracies, you are not delivering a professional, quality service to your customer.

The Barcode software I mentioned is under $100, part of the cost of doing business. Pretty reasonable also considering the number of fonts that come with the package and the variety of Barcodes you can create. There are many other programs available, but I don't have experience with those. I briefly used a program called Azalea, it worked fine in general...

Visit the UCC at

http://www.uc-council.org/ean_ucc_system/index.html

for legal and technical info.

Bert

 

[dropkickmurphy]

Exactly as Bert says. Example I had a client who ran these POS inserts with barcodes and they went cheap ass on them and must of had some secretary do this cut and paste job from old things that they done. I almost had tears when I saw what they used to make film from. Scotch tape over barcodes.. sizes all random.. Titles and some barcodes printed on a badly banding inkjet and taped on top. They ended up smoking $10K on printing their Frankenstein inserts at another place. 1) there stuff didnt linup in the POS display and 2) the most important none of there scanners would read their barcodes. I ended up getting the fun job of recreating all there stuff properly.

Iv always used barcode plugs for Quark & InDesign, havent used any for Illustrator. Its worth having the tools to do the job right.

Cheers,
Dropkick Murphy
______________________________________________
Alcohol & Tobacco Quality Assurance Specialist

http://www.bancomicsans.com

 

[haidleym]

I want to thank everyone for their responses.
I have never used barcodes very much in my work but I seem to remember that Corel Draw had the ability to create them. That
is why I was prompted to ask about Illustrator.
Thanks again for sharing your Vector Visions.