barcodes 4 U

GS1 Australia - Associate Alliance Partner

A scanner "reads" the bar code through a red light source, so what the scanner sees is quite different to what the human eye sees.

Broadly speaking, light colours (including "warm" colours such as red and orange) can be considered suitable for the background, including the light margins, while dark colours (including black, blue and green) are suitable for the bars.

Although many combinations are clearly visible to the eye, some will scan and some won't. The selection of colours which will and won't scan, as shown below, is only a guide. Consult your printer, barcode supplier or EAN Australia to be certain.

Colour Combinations - For Scanning

Colour Combinations - Not Scannable

	Some Will		Some Won't
	Black on White		Yellow on White
	Blue on White		Orange on White
	Black on Orange		Red on White
	Blue on Orange		Red on Light Brown
	Green on White		Light Brown on White
	Dark Brown on White		Black on Green
	Black on Yellow		Black on Blue
	Blue on Yellow		Black on Dark Brown
	Green on Yellow		Black on Blue-Green
	Green on Red		Blue-Green on Black