USPS Intelligent Mail® Container Barcode Tutorial

This tutorial outlines how to create USPS 24 Digit IM™ Tray Labels (including flat tub and sack labels) with IDAutomation's Code 128 Barcode Fonts, Label Software and other various barcode generation products. This tutorial should be used with USPS-L-3216 for additional formatting and placement specifications. USPS-L-3216 specifies ISS Code 128 to be used as the barcode type, which is compatible with all Code 128 products IDAutomation offers.

Tutorial: 
Determine the data that is to be encoded in the barcode label, referred to in IDAutomation documentation as the DataToEncode. Tray Labels consist of 24 digits of numbers in various formats. This tutorial will use the number 123456781123456123123451 that was obtained from page 7 of USPS-L-3216A.

Determine which product to use to generate tray labels. IDAutomation offers easy to use Barcode Label Software, which is a stand-alone application. Additionally, IDAutomation offers Barcode Fonts and Barcode Components, which can be easily integrated into an existing application or print process.

Barcode Label Software Tutorial

1. To easily generate labels, IDAutomation suggests the Barcode Label Software. Within IDAutomation's Barcode Label Software, choose to create a new label.
2. Choose the Linear Barcode icon and right-click on the barcode object and choose Properties. By default, the Barcode Encoding property is set to Code 128 on the Encoding tab. In the Size tab, change the X Dimension to 15 mils, the height to .72 inches and other specifications according to USPS-L-3216.
3. Within the barcode, data may be encoded as a constant value, retrieved from a database, incremented, created from VB script or a formula by changing the Value Type. In this example, data will be implemented as a VB script formula with constant and variable data as defined on page 17 of USPS-L-3216A. The constant data is 123456781123456 and the serial number data of 12312344 is variable. The variable data is incremented for each label printed by adding L# to the number in the script. L# represents the label number.
4. Choose the Value tab. Change the Value Type to formula and enter the following VB script: "123456781123456" & 12312344 + L# & "1"
   
5. The barcode should appear with the correct number below it. Since the specification requires that spaces exist between some fields of data, this text interpretation must be disabled and created manually with a text object.
6. In the Text tab, choose No Text to disable the text interpretation from the barcode.
7. Create a text object below the barcode. Right-click on the text object and choose Properties. Choose the Value tab, choose the Value Type of Formula and enter the data of "123456781 123456 " & 12312344 + L# & "1"
   Notice the spaces added in this script to separate the fields.
   
8. The barcode should be complete. The data may now be changed accordingly. As the label is advanced, the serial number should change in the text object and in the barcode.
   
   Whenever the data is changed in the barcode script, it must also be changed in the text script. For example, to set the serial number of 12312344 to 00000001 it must be replaced in the barcode script and the text script: "123456781123456" & 00000001 + L# & "1"
9. Format other items required in the label according to USPS-L-3216 or the latest equivalent specification. Test scan the result with the IDAutomation USB Scanner or other Compatible Scanner.

Barcode Font Tutorial:

1. IDAutomation's Code 128 Barcode Font was created according to ISS Code-128 specifications and may be used on any operating system to create precise, device independent barcodes. When using fonts, each system making use of the symbol must have the font installed until it is printed or saved as an image. The font may be easily used in a Word mail-merge or another existing application. If this is the product of choice, download or purchase the font.
2. Once the font is installed, examine the list of Font Encoders (Font Tools) and implement the appropriate encoder. For purposes of USPS-L-3216 Tray Label implementation, only the Code128C function will need to be utilized. The encoder is necessary to properly format the data to the font itself and calculate the checksum character as required. This tutorial will use the Crystal Reports UFL as the Font Encoder.
3. Follow the Crystal Reports Tutorial to create a Code 128 Barcode with the font. To format the font properly and encode the data, use the formula editor and enter the formula of IDAutomation_Code128c ("123456781123456" & "12312345" & "1") in Step 10. Name this field USPS_Tray_Label. Substitute database fields within this formula as needed.
4. Add the USPS_Tray_Label field to the report. Edit the font properties of this field and select the IDAutomationC128L font at 16 points. This will produce a barcode that is 13 mils and .75 inches tall for USPS-L-3216 requirements.
   
5. Create an additional text field for the human-readable area below the barcode as detailed in Step 12 of the Crystal tutorial. Substitute database fields within this formula as needed.
   
6. Test scan the result with the IDAutomation USB Scanner or other Compatible Scanner.

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