Code 39 Font User Manual

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How to Use Code 39 Fonts

Code 39 is the easiest of all alpha-numeric barcodes to use and is designed for character self-checking, eliminating the requirement for check character calculations. Code 39 barcodes may be generated from a font encoder or a calculated field to dynamically produce multiple barcode symbols. To manually create a barcode that encodes the data "BARCODE39", perform the following:
    1. Enter * as the start character
    2. Enter "BARCODE39" which is the data to be encoded
    3. Enter * as the stop character
    4. Select only *BARCODE39* and change the font for that text to IDAutomationC39

Asterisks and Space Characters

The parentheses ( ) may also be used instead of "!" (exclamation point) or "*" (asterisk) as the start and stop code to eliminate the "*" (asterisk) from appearing in the human-readable version of the fonts. When using the standard fonts, substitute the "=" (equal) or "_" (underscore) character for the space character. Symbol Encoded Fonts may be used to encode the space character without a substitution character; available in the latest version.

Font Encoders

Calculated Fields may be easily used with code 39 fonts in applications that support this feature. When it is necessary to use the Code39Mod43() function, such as for HIBCHIBCC UDILIC, and LOGMARS, IDAutomation provides over 30 Font Encoders to support checksum calculations including:

Complete Index of Font Encoders

Code 39 Font Specifications

The X dimension (width of the narrow bar) is listed below for various point sizes. The N Dimension (narrow to wide ratio) is 3:1, and narrow 2:1 versions are also provided. If an N dimension of 2.5 is preferred, consider the Universal Barcode Fonts which offers additional N Dimensions of 2:1 and 2.5:1, and is designed to create multiple barcode types from a single font.

IDAutomation’s advanced Code 39 barcode fonts have been designed to print dependably at six points or greater, provided that the scanner can read the symbol. IDAutomation dependably scans this Code 39 font with the IDAutomation USB Barcode Scanner when printed at six points on a 600 DPI laser printer.

Point Size Approximate X dimension (1 mil = .001")
48 .102 cm 40 mil
36 .076 cm 30 mil
32 .069 cm 27 mil
30 .064 cm 25 mil
28 .058 cm 23 mil
24 .051 cm 20 mil
20 .043 cm 17 mil
18 .038 cm 15 mil
16 .033 cm 13 mil
12 .025 cm 10 mil
8 .018 cm 7 mil
6 .013 cm 5 mil

* To print at a different X dimension, find the point size that has the X dimension closest to what is needed and use the formula below to find the point size needed:
12 * (X dimension needed) / (X dimension at 12 points) = (point size) For example, to obtain an X dimension of 12 mils, the point size should be 14: 12 * 12 / 10 = 14

Low-Resolution Printer Support:

When using a printer with less than 600 DPI, the following point sizes should be used to create accurate barcodes:

 203 DPI Printer (thermal printer)  300 DPI Printer
 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36...  4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36...

Code 39 Font Names and Purpose

IDAutomation barcode fonts use short names for many reasons, including cross-platform compatibility. This may cause confusion for some users because it may not be evident which font to use. Below IDAutomation has outlined the font names and purpose. Forty-eight different versions of the Code 39 barcode fonts are provided to support human readable, and non-human readable versions as well as different width and height requirements. The last character in the Code 39 font name determines the height of the barcode with the shortest being "XS" and the tallest being "XXL". Because each font can be printed at various point sizes, there are several combinations of heights and widths that can be produced.

The Symbol Encoded Fonts with the Barcode in the Space Character, which are included in this package are a set of specially encoded fonts to encode the space character without a substitution character. For example, *BARCODE 39* encodes a space between BARCODE and 39. In contrast, encoding the space character in the standard font requires the use of the underscore character, for example, *BARCODE_39*. After installation, these fonts are identified by the "Y" character in the font name, for example, IDAutomationYHC39S.

The length of any barcode can be determined by multiplying the X dimension by the number of characters and then by 16. For example, 10 characters at 12 points should be about 1.28" long because .008 * 10 * 16 = 1.28. The start and stop characters should be included in these calculations.

Purchased Font Name Evaluation Font Name* Font Height at 12pt*
Code 39 Fonts (text below the barcode)
IDAutomationHC39XS IDAutomationSHC39XS  1/8" (.125") or .3cm
IDAutomationHC39S IDAutomationSHC39S  1/4" (.25") or .6cm
IDAutomationHC39M IDAutomationSHC39M  13/32" (.4") or 1cm
IDAutomationHC39L IDAutomationSHC39L  1/2" (.5") or 1.5cm
IDAutomationHC39XL IDAutomationSHC39XL  7/8" (.88") or 2.2cm
IDAutomationHC39XXL IDAutomationSHC39XXL  1 5/16" (1.31") or 3.4cm
Code 39 Fonts (no text below the barcode)
IDAutomationC39XS IDAutomationSC39XS  1/8" (.125") or .3cm
IDAutomationC39S IDAutomationSC39S  1/4" (.25") or .6cm
IDAutomationC39M IDAutomationSC39M  13/32" (.4") or 1cm
IDAutomationC39L IDAutomationSC39L  1/2" (.5") or 1.5cm
IDAutomationC39XL IDAutomationSC39XL  7/8" (.88") or 2.2cm
IDAutomationC39XXL IDAutomationSC39XXL  1 5/16" (1.31") or 3.4cm
Extended Code 39 Fonts (text below the barcode)
IDAutomationXHC39XS    1/8" (.125") or .3cm
IDAutomationXHC39S    1/4" (.25") or .6cm
IDAutomationXHC39M IDAutomationSXHC39M  13/32" (.4") or 1cm
IDAutomationXHC39L    1/2" (.5") or 1.5cm
IDAutomationXHC39XL    7/8" (.88") or 2.2cm
IDAutomationXHC39XXL    1 5/16" (1.31") or 3.4cm
Extended Code 39 Fonts (no text below the barcode)
IDAutomationXC39XS    1/8" (.125") or .3cm
IDAutomationXC39S    1/4" (.25") or .6cm
IDAutomationXC39M IDAutomationSXC39M  13/32" (.4") or 1cm
IDAutomationXC39L    1/2" (.5") or 1.5cm
IDAutomationXC39XL    7/8" (.88") or 2.2cm
IDAutomationXC39XXL    1 5/16" (1.31") or 3.4cm
 
* Measurements are approximate and were measured when printed at 12 points which should work for most scanners. Measurements for Human Readable fonts do not include the text below. At 12 points, the X dimension is about 8 mils.

To print at a different height, find the font that has the height closest to what is needed, and use this formula to find the point size to print the font at that height: 12 * (height wanted) / (height at 12 points) = (point size converted to integer). As an example, if IDAutomationHC39L is used to print the height at about .75" tall, the font needs to print it at 18 points because 12 * .75 / .5 = 18

Code 39 Font Names Prior to July 2003

Twenty different versions of the Code 39 barcode fonts are provided to support human-readable versions and different width and height requirements. The last character in the Code 39 barcode font name determines the height of the barcode with the shortest being "a" and the tallest being "f". Because each font can be printed at various point sizes, there are several height-width combinations that can be produced. The length of any barcode can be determined by multiplying the X dimension by the number of characters and then by 16. For example, 10 characters at 12 points should be about 1.28" long because .008 * 10 * 16 = 1.28. The start and stop characters should be included in these calculations.

Purchased Font Name Evaluation Font Name* Font Height at 12pt*
Code 3 of 9 Fonts with text below the barcode:
AdvHC39a SAdHC39a  1/8" (.125") or .3cm
AdvHC39b SAdHC39b  1/4" (.25") or .6cm
AdvHC39c SAdHC39c  13/32" (.4") or 1cm
AdvHC39d SAdHC39d  1/2" (.5") or 1.5cm
AdvHC39e SAdHC39e  7/8" (.88") or 2.2cm
AdvHC39f SAdHC39f  1 5/16" (1.31") or 3.4cm
Code 39 Fonts (no text below the barcode)
AdvC39a AdvC39a  1/8" (.125") or .3cm
AdvC39b AdvC39b  1/4" (.25") or .6cm
AdvC39c AdvC39c  13/32" (.4") or 1cm
AdvC39d AdvC39d  1/2" (.5") or 1.5cm
AdvC39e AdvC39e  7/8" (.88") or 2.2cm
AdvC39f AdvC39f  1 5/16" (1.31") or 3.4cm
Extended Code 39 Fonts (text below the barcode)
ExtHC39a    1/8" (.125") or .3cm
ExtHC39b    1/4" (.25") or .6cm
ExtHC39c SEXTH39C  13/32" (.4") or 1cm
ExtHC39d    1/2" (.5") or 1.5cm
ExtHC39e    7/8" (.88") or 2.2cm
ExtHC39f    1 5/16" (1.31") or 3.4cm
Extended Code 39 Fonts (no text below the barcode)
ExtC39a    1/8" (.125") or .3cm
ExtC39b    1/4" (.25") or .6cm
ExtC39c SEXTC39C  13/32" (.4") or 1cm
ExtC39d    1/2" (.5") or 1.5cm
ExtC39e    7/8" (.88") or 2.2cm
ExtC39f    1 5/16" (1.31") or 3.4cm