Postnet & Intelligent Mail Font Package

• Generates Postnet, Intelligent Mail barcodes and more from a single font.
• Patent-pending font technology produces extremely high-quality postal barcodes.
• Examples for Word, Excel, Access and Crystal Reports.
• TrueType, PostScript, OpenType and PCL LaserJet soft fonts are included in various sizes for maximum flexibility.
• Compatible with 32 and 64-bit systems in many environments such as Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, Unix, Linux, Office 2010 and more.
• Postnet and Intelligent Mail fonts require special formatting so that the data will create a readable barcode when the postal font is applied to it. Over 30 royalty-free font encoder tools, macros and plug-ins are provided to complete this automatically.
• Supports Intelligent Mail for OneCode Confirm and OneCode ACS, Postnet, Planet, GS1-128, FIM and OCR-A barcodes in use by the USPS.
• Single and Multi-User licenses from $139 with royalty-free Developer licenses from $395.

--- Other PostNet Products --- .NET Windows Forms Control ActiveX Control ASP.NET Server Control ASP Server for IIS Barcode Label Software Crystal Reports Java Class, Applet & Servlet FileMaker Image Generator Microsoft Access Native JavaScript Online Generator Oracle Reports Reporting Services Windows Mobile XML Webservice Barcode Scanners Barcode Printers

Postnet & Intelligent Mail Font Features

IDAutomation's Postnet & Intelligent Mail Barcode Font package allows generation of all barcodes used by the USPS in a variety of operating systems, environments and applications. This package contains various font sizes and formats for maximum flexibility as well as examples for use. Included are font tools, macros and source code to help integrate the fonts into an application.

The Intelligent Mail barcode is a routing, sorting and tracking symbology type based on the 4-State Barcode that is used for services such as OneCode Confirm & OneCode ACS. This postal barcode has previously been known as the OneCode Solution, 4-State Customer Barcode, USPS4CB and 4-CB. Details of the package are as follows:

--- Free PostNet Font Tools --- .NET Assembly DLL 4D 4th Dimension Android Font Encoder ANSI C code AppleScript for MAC AppleWorks C# bar code library C++ header file Check Digit Calculator Crystal Reports Formulas Crystal Reports UFL COM Crystal Reports UFL Native DLL for Windows COM DLL for Windows Native Excel Add-In Filemaker Barcode Plug-in Intuit QuickBooks iWork Numbers Java Class Library LotusScript MS Reporting Services DLL MS Office Macros VBA Omnis 4GL OpenOffice VB macros Oracle Reports PL/SQL Library PowerBuilder Source Code (Assorted) StarOffice add-In DLL StarOffice VB macros Source Code for Conversion Visual Basic .vb module Visual Basic 6 .bas module Visual FoxPro Word Add-In

• Font Tools Provided: Many font encoder tools are available to assist with application integration. These tools automatically format the start, stop and check characters to the data-to-encode to generate a readable barcode from a font. To create a single barcode, consider the Online Barcode Font Encoder.
• Multiple Fonts Provided: Multiple Postnet barcode font versions are provided in this package to support various applications, implementations and printers.
• Intelligent Mail Capability: The encoding in IDAutomation's Postnet fonts allows printing of Intelligent Mail and Postnet barcodes from the same font.
  Video: Generate Postal Barcodes from Postnet Fonts
• FIM Barcode Fonts: FIM barcode fonts are included and are used to sort business reply mail from other mail.
• Planet Barcode Capability: The Planet barcode can be generated with the Postnet() function in the free font tools and is used to track mail.

  "I can print USPS barcodes on our newsletter mailing labels directly from our database, export data to the SmartAddresser 2020 software and qualify for Automation rates when mailing newsletters." - John Langer, USCWM, Pasadena CA

• OCR-A Barcodes Included: OCR-A is included to automate the reading of address data from text.
• USPS Special Services Barcode Font Included: A Code 128 font is provided for the printing of EAN-128 barcodes, which are used for special services such as delivery confirmation.
• Canada Post Support: The IDAutomationC128L font is provided to produce the dimensions required by the CANADA POST.
• Patent-Pending Technology - The fonts provided in this package include new patent-pending technology, which allows extremely high-quality barcode printing.
• Multiple Font Formats Provided: After purchasing a license for this package, all versions will be available for download in a single ZIP file, with the manual located in the ReadMe file. The following font formats are included:

  • "We chose this product because of clearly presented product descriptions and availability of macros to help with check digits etc. We can now use the barcode fonts in our packaging designs instead of creating a graphic and placing it in the documents manually. It's much faster and more reliable." - Joseph Wood, Vernon Communication, Elmhurst, IL

    TrueType fonts are supplied in PC and Macintosh format. The TrueType TTF fonts are compatible with Macintosh OS X and all versions of Microsoft Windows, including Pocket PC. Macintosh formatted MTT TrueType fonts are compatible with Macintosh System 7.1 and above.
  • OpenType OTF fonts with PostScript outlines are provided. These are compatible with Windows, Macintosh OS X and other systems supporting the OpenType format.
  • PostScript Type 1 fonts are supplied in binary, ASCII and Macintosh Classic MacBinary versions.
  • Also included in this package are PCL laserjet soft fonts in 11.4, 12 and 12.6 points.
  • The Developer License grants the right to convert IDAutomation fonts to other formats as necessary such as TrueDoc and OpenType.
  • For the most up-to-date installation procedures for other operating systems, please visit IDAutomation Technical Support.

Implementating USPS Postal Barcode Symbologies

Several postal barcode implementation examples are provided with the Windows installation .exe included in the package. If problems are encountered with implementation, these examples may be helpful. Additionally, many of IDAutomation's Font Tools include tutorials.

Obtaining Data to Encode

Before data is encoded in the barcode, it must be formatted properly. The links below will provide the information necessary to create a string of text that will be encoded:

• Postnet encodes the zip code and delivery point.
• Planet tracks inbound and outbound letter mail.
• Intelligent Mail combines Postnet zip code data and Planet tracking into one compact symbol. This is the new recommended barcode, and will replace Postnet and Planet.
• USPS EAN-128 is used for special services such as delivery confirmation.

Formatting Data to Fonts

Special formatting must be added to all Postnet, Planet and Code 128 barcodes to create an accurate postal barcode symbol. IDAutomation recommends using these font encoder tools to automatically add the required start, stop and checksum characters to the barcode font.

In some cases, the font tools may not be needed. If the check digit is already pre-calculated or included in the data for a Postnet or Planet barcode, it is only necessary to place the parenthesis or quotation marks around the data as start and stop characters before the font is applied, and to ensure that the data does not contain any spaces or dashes. For example, the ZIP code data of 12345-6789 would be (1234567895) after the check digit is applied and the Start/Stop characters added. To manually calculate the check digit, please refer to the Check Digit Calculation Example in the USPS Barcode FAQ. The Online Barcode Font Encoder may be used to verify check digits, or to create individual barcodes.

A font tool must be used to generate the text string for the Intelligent Mail barcode font because of the complex encoding algorithms used in this symbology. When a font tool cannot be used, Intelligent Mail may be generating by accessing a database that contains the text string already formatted to the font. The Word mail-merge example included in this package works in this way; a merge field in Word is linked to a column in Excel that contains the text formatted to the font.

Postal Barcode Printing and Font Size

After the data is formatted to the USPS font and the appropriate font selected, it will display and print properly. The font size of 12 should be used when printing all Intelligent Mail, Postnet and Planet barcodes. FIM symbols should be printed with a font size of 36. The Code 128 font used for EAN-128 should be printed at 16 points for USPS Special Services. More information about the sizing of fonts is provided in the Postal Barcode Specifications.

Postal Font Package Specifications

IDAutomation suggests printing USPS fonts at the recommended point sizes specified in this section. When TrueType, PostScript or OpenType fonts are used, the size may be further adjusted by changing the font point size. For example, to print the 12-point Postnet barcode font slightly wider, increase the font size to 12.1 points.

IDAutomationPOSTNET & IDAutomationPLANET Font Specifications

IDAutomationOCRa Specifications

IDAutomationC128L Specifications

Supported Implementations, Font Names and Compatible Functions

* IDAutomationPOSTNET and IDAutomationPLANET fonts are supplied in different narrow intensities which may be needed depending on the area the symbol is printed to, and which printer is used:

• n1 is a narrow-version font that generates the smallest possible barcode allowed by the specification, which is 24 bars per inch and a narrow bar width of .015 inches.
• n2 is an extra narrow-version font also produces 24 bars per inch but with the bars narrowed by an additional 10%. This font may be used with ink jet printers or others that print much darker than normal.

** Intelligent Mail barcode fonts are currently supported by Feature Level 7 or greater font encoder tools such as the Crystal Reports UFL, Microsoft VBA for Excel and Access and the Windows DLL. The OneCode() and IntelligentMail() encoding methods are identical and may be used in place of each other.

Intelligent Mail barcodes may be produced from IDAutomation's fonts and font encoder tools, as well as other encoders as provided by the US Postal Service. To accommodate both types of encoding, each 4-State symbol element is placed at two character locations within the Postnet font according to the following table:

The USPS uses uppercase letters for encoding while IDAutomation font tools use lower case letters. The lower case letters used provide complete compatibility with the IDAutomation Universal Barcode Font, which allows generation of Intelligent Mail, Postnet and Planet, as well as Code 128, Code 39 and Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode symbols from a single font.

Font Names Prior to July, 2003

Order Postnet & Intelligent Mail Fonts

All orders include a complimentary 30-day Priority Support and Upgrade Subscription. Support and upgrades may be provided beyond 30 days with the purchase of a Priority Support and Upgrade Subscription that correlates with the original product ordered.

License Options (Select the appropriate link for details.)

• The Developer License allows one (1) developer royalty-free distribution up to 10,000 user licenses.
• The 5 Developer License grants the rights of the Developer License for up to five (5) developers and 20,000 user licenses.
• The Unlimited Developer License grants the rights of the Developer License for an unlimited number of developers and an unlimited number of user licenses.
• Highly discounted Small and Mid-Size Company Developer Licenses grant the rights of the Developer License to qualifying organizations.
• The Single User License allows use of the Software for one (1) user in your organization. However, if the Software is used in connection with a high speed printer that prints over 55 pages per minute or a system (including all hardware, printer and software) having a cost totaling over $50,000 USD or equivalent in a foreign currency, a Developer License is required. Multiple User Licenses are also available in various quantities.

Postnet & Intelligent Mail Postal Barcode Font Package   Download Demo	$139	$395*	$790	$1580	$2370

* The applicable Small or Mid-Size Company Agreement must be completed prior to purchase.

IDAutomation.com offers secure, encrypted online ordering by credit card and immediate delivery via download after the order is approved. Other ordering options.

If assistance is needed, please contact IDAutomation.