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 HIBC, HIBCC UDI, LIC, and LOGMARS, IDAutomation provides over 30 Font Encoders to support checksum calculations including:
- Primary User Font Encoders: (Complete List)
- Developer Tools:
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: |
||
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, 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 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 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 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 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 | |
