Barcode Label Software Tutorial
- To generate labels, consider the Barcode Label Software. Within IDAutomation's Barcode Label Software, choose to create a new label. The label used in this example is also available for download.
- 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 data as defined on
page 17 of USPS-L-3216A according to the following chart.
Field Name
Field Size
Data
Field Type
DestinationZipCode 5 12345 Constant CIN 3 678 Constant ProcessingCode 1 1 Constant MailerID 6 123456 Constant SerialNumber 8 12312344 Incrementing LabelType 1 1 Constant - Ensure that no objects are selected on the label and choose Edit - Properties,
which opens the label properties dialog. 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, right-click on the barcode object and choose Properties.
- Choose the Value tab. Change the Value Type to
Formula and enter the following VB script:
LabelField(DestinationZipCode) & LabelField(CIN) & LabelField(ProcessingCode) &
LabelField(MailerID) & LabelField(SerialNumber) & LabelField(LabelType)
- Right-click on the Linear Barcode object and choose Properties. Choose the Size tab; change the X Dimension to 15 mils, the height to .72 inches and other specifications according to USPS-L-3216.
- Choose Apply. 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.
- In the Text tab, choose No Text to disable the text interpretation from the barcode.
- 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 VB
script of LabelField(DestinationZipCode) & LabelField(CIN)
& LabelField(ProcessingCode) & " " & LabelField(MailerID) & " " & LabelField(SerialNumber)
& LabelField(LabelType)
Notice the spaces added in this script to separate the fields.
- The barcode should be complete and the data may be changed accordingly. As the label is advanced, the serial number should change in the text object and in the barcode. 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 USPS-L-3216 or the latest equivalent specification. Test scan the result with the IDAutomation USB Scanner or other compatible barcode 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 your printer to the barcode itself and is normal.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 a formula that creates the correct result using fields from
the chart referenced in step 2, for example:
IDAutomation_Code128c (
{USPS-L-3216A.DestinationZipCode}
& "6781" & "123456" &
{USPS-L-3216A.SerialNumber}
& "1")
Name this field USPS_Tray_Label. Substitute database fields and constants within the formula example as needed. - 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.
- Create an additional text field for the human-readable area below
the barcode as detailed in Step 12 of the Crystal tutorial and
step 9 of the Label Software Tutorial.
- Test scan the result with the IDAutomation USB Scanner or other compatible barcode scanner.
