SSCC-18 Barcode Label Tutorial

This tutorial outlines how to create SSCC-18 Barcode Labels with Label Design and Printing Software. If it is desired to implement a printing process from another application, IDAutomation's Barcode Fonts and Barcode Components may be implemented using methods similar to what is defined here. The SSCC-18 barcode is commonly used to uniquely identify shipping containers. Actual implementation of SSCC-18 may require specific formatting and placement; this tutorial focuses on creating the barcode.

The SSCC-18 barcode is encoded in the Code 128 barcode type, which is offered in the standard version of IDAutomation's Barcode Label Software. Install the Label Software; download the demo or purchase online. The purchased version is available for download immediately after order approval.

Data will be encoded in the barcode as a single value, which is made up of constant and incrementing values combined. In this example, data will be implemented as a VB script formula with constant and variable fields as defined by GS1.

Field Name	Field Size	Data	Field Type
Application Identifier AI	2	00	Constant
Packaging Type	1	1	Constant
Manufacturer Number	7	1234567	Constant
Serial Number	9	123456789	Incrementing
GS1 Check Digit	1	Calculated	Calculated by 17 digits before it

Open the Label Software. Ensure no objects are selected on the label (it should be blank) and choose Edit - Properties, which opens the label properties dialog. Choose the Label Fields tab. Add the field names from the chart above with appropriate data. Choose the "Rename Field" link to rename each field so it may be properly referenced within the label. Make sure the SerialNumber field is an Incrementing Number.
Choose the Linear Barcode icon to add it to the label, right-click on the Linear Barcode object and choose Properties.
Choose the Encoding tab; enable Apply Tilde and ensure Code 128 is selected.
Choose the Value tab. Change the Value Type to Formula and enter the following VB script:
```
"~212" & LabelField(AI) & LabelField(PackagingType) & 
LabelField(ManufacturerNumber) & LabelField(SerialNumber) & "~m17"
```
In the VB script, the ~212 adds the FNC1 for the AI and the ~m17 calculates the Modulo 10 check digit as described in the Code 128 FAQ and required by the SSCC-18 specification.
Choose Apply and verify that a correct barcode appears. If the barcode is not correct or errors occur, check the VB script formula syntax. Verify that the text interpretation of the barcode appearing is correct. If it is desired to place the text interpretation above the barcode, choose that option in the Text tab of the barcode properties. If the text interpretation meets the implementation specifications as it is, skip to step 10 below. If it does not, continue with step 8 to create a unique text interpretation.
Right-click on the Linear Barcode object and choose Properties. In the Text tab, choose No Text to disable the text interpretation from the barcode symbol.
Create a text object above or below the barcode where required. Right-click on the text object and choose Properties. Choose the Value tab; choose the Value Type of Formula and enter the following VB script:
```
"(" & LabelField(AI) & ") " & LabelField(PackagingType) & " " & 
LabelField(ManufacturerNumber) & " " & LabelField(SerialNumber) 
& " " & Mod10(LabelField(PackagingType) & LabelField(ManufacturerNumber) 
& LabelField(SerialNumber))
```
Notice the spaces added in this script to separate the fields and the MOD10 calculation.
The barcode should now be complete. When the labels are advanced or printed, the barcode should change. The VB script formula may be changed accordingly. After a successful print job, the serial number field is advanced to the last printed label, so that the same number will not print twice. This unique serial number memory functionality is provided in all versions of the IDAutomation Barcode Label Software.
Format other items required in the label according to the specification. Test scan the result with the IDAutomation USB Scanner or other Compatible Scanner. In some cases, the printed result of the barcode itself may be larger or smaller than what appears on the screen. This is because the software has to perfectly match the pixels of the printer to the barcode itself and is normal.
The MOD 10 check digit calculation may be tested by entering the number into IDAutomation's Online Font Encoder with the MOD 10 option. GS1 also offers an online SSCC check digit calculator.